I'm having a very similar problem. Except in my case if I just install EVE alone and launch x64, the game crashes on launch. I'm selecting the x64 bit mode launching from steam. I can launch the game fine unmodded. I've deleted and reinstalled twice now. I can run the 32bit version with EVE, although I get weird floating pink rectangles in the sky over KSC. I may have also had SVE installed when I was seeing those, haven't made sure it was happening in 32bit only with EVE.
Specs Windows 8.1
Asus MB/AMD FX-8350 16Gb
nvidia GTX970 latest drivers
I figured out the issue! It was because I still had force-d3d11 in steam launch preferences! DOH!