Sounds like a driver issue. Ram and processor are fine. MAYBE there is a bottleneck on the motherboard but I doubt it.
No way a 980 TI dogs on anything but extreme scenarios. I just added/upgraded a Radeon R9390 Strix 8GB card replacing a Radeon 7950HD2 3GB and have no real issues to speak of with a 4Ghz CPU and Z87 Asus motherboard. I can slow it down with all settings maxed in the deepest city wars in F4 but thats it.
Good point. I just assume everyone downloads the GTExperience app that auto-updates to the best (optimized) drivers for your games. Rastus, look for GTExperience.