Could any of these components beyond the GPU be limiting graphics performance?

[AC13]

My System:

Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit
Asus P8H67 mobo
i3-2100
Samsung 840 SSD
8GB RAM
Nvidia GTX 660
Asus Xonar DX2
Samsung S27C450 (27 inch monitor) 60hz
700w PSU


NVIDIA GeForce Experience is suggesting my optimal settings for Rome II to be everything off and my resolution lowered, the game then looks absurd, like a game made 10+ years ago.

 

[Tradesman1]

The CPU isn't all that strong and the game is fairly CPU intensive

 

[AC13]

Yet my CPU doesn't breach 38% while running the game?

If you had my system would you upgrade cpu or the gpu?

 

[Brian1234132]

Yeah I believe your CPU is bottlenecking the system. What are you using to monitor it?....and is 38% when you're on the gimped graphic settings?