Haven't you heard that the OP said nothing about using an AMD CPU, but rather a GPU?
@OP Are your clock speeds jumping around? I had this issue with my 290 when the clock speeds would jump.
I was once told the reason that everything looks better and more futuristic in the earlier movies and SWTOR is due to a technological plane and function over form. Sort of how modern military computers look on ships. Granted some are old, but not all.
I must have low standards or am just so easy going that I've few qualms about SWTOR. I can't see it as a disaster. Not blinded as a fanboy either. Am rather enjoying myself as a gamer.