So I finally got around to updating EVERYTHING on my rig (least the software I use). It got rid of some other issues, but didn't fix my WoW issue.
Starting to suspect it's something at the driver level.
WoW 64.exe
settings @ 10
Resolution 1440p
Triple buffer On
AA none
FPS hard limit 60 (for testing purposes, but even if set to no limit/v-sync still acts weird)
System is mine in the sig, OC +200 on Mem/Core, temps <50C, MSI AB power tune @ 109% unlinked to temp limit (doesn't matter not even coming close) run fan at 30% (not audible over system fan) to keep VRMs cool.
On to what I noticed.
As is, settings @ 10 (ie new Ultra), I get the following (I tested this standing in one place looking at the same spot, variations to FPS is due to NPCs coming in and out of view, but not enough to explain the following)
@1440p - no AA
FPS: 40-45
GPU Load: 45%
@1440 - 4xSSAA
FPS: 40-45
GPU load: 99%
@1440 - No AA, Scaling 125%
FPS: 40-45
GPU load: 55%
@1440 - No AA, Scaling 150%
FPS: 40-45
GPU load: 80%
@1440 - No AA, Scaling 200%
FPS: 40-45
GPU Load: 99%
It's like...the FPS wouldn't budge. It stayed at 45, even trying to bring the system to its knees with 200% scaling. Gonna try 4K resolution + some scaling see what happens.
TL;DR:
Regardless of AA/Scaling settings I use on WoW, my FPS in the same spot doesn't change, but my GPU load does.
ie, if I can get 45 FPS @ 200% Scaling of 1440p, I should be able to get 60 FPS @ 100% scaling of 1440p, but I don't.