Well, guys seems like no backplates for people that read the early reviews. From EVGA rep:
 

Hello,
 
I just checked that review and it has been corrected since your original email. I really do apologize for any confusion on this but we always have advertisements and rotator banners on our page when we do a promotion like this.
This review was originally created and posted by their editor W1zzard who is located in Germany, the information he would have received was based on the EU EVGA website. We unfortunately cannot be held liable for misinformation or assumptions on third party sites that we don't have control over.

 
Real close to just returning this card and getting an MSI.  Sucks.  I've had many EVGA cards in the past, but this experience has been very disappointing.
 
@EVGA_JacobF, can you confirm this is the official stance on the issue?

So here is the original TPU article:
 

While our review sample came without a backplate, EVGA tells us that most retail boards will have a backplate, with EVGA mailing backplates for early cards out after a product has been registered.

 
And here is the amended article:
 

Our review sample came without a backplate, EVGA tells us that retail boards will not have a backplate, but EVGA will be mailing backplates for EU customers, while US customers can purchase one.

 
So now we have to pay EVGA for a backplate. What a debacle. I guess us US customers are on the low rung.

I don't even see one to buy on the accessories page?!

No back plate + coil whine is making me regret getting an evga 970.

As much as I want a free back plate, I can't blame EVGA for the article. How do we know the article didn't get it wrong and assume it was for US too?

Tillytony

Avneet
As much as I want a free back plate, I can't blame EVGA for the article. How do we know the article didn't get it wrong and assume it was for US too?

The promotion is missing for the EU now too.
The 5 years warranty promotion remains tho.

Jacob stated in post 17 it's on hold pending them re-evaluating details. So I wouldn't say it just disappeared, so much as it's on hold for a reason I don't understand (and hopefully to come back as promised to EU).

Just registered my 970. I'm really hoping US buyers will be getting a backplate, as this was definitely a selling point for me.

Yeah I ordered a SC ACX 2.0 970 under the impression that we'd get backplates.  

I was hoping to get a back plate as well. I am sure it is still a great card, but as an enthusiast I feel like I backed the wrong horse.

Any updates?

Same here, I bought 2 GTX 970 sc. I want my backplates please, as promised on your page the day i ordered them. At least i can bring them back to the store.

Jacob!? We could use an update please!

 
I'm still waiting on my wife's 970SC to be delivered, and still waiting for stock availability to be able to order 2 x 980SC cards for myself. I certainly want backplates for all of them, but lolz at cancelling orders for hundreds of dollars for the sake of a backplate worth <$20, and all the time and effort that goes along with returning the card(s) and ordering from another retailer, and waiting to be reimbursed if you don't have funds to buy the card elsewhere in the interim. The time alone spent arranging it is worth far more to me than $20, but that's just me.
 
Those going off the deep end about it should possibly be directing your anger at the publications that wrongly posted this was for US customers, if that is indeed what happened. Give EVGA the time to address the situation instead of having an entitlement hissyfit because of an error that may have not been EVGA's fault!
 
I just want to know if backplates are definitely going to be available in the immediate future so I can purchase them extra if I have to. Besides, I think the rrp is very reasonable for these cards, at least compared to recent offerings like the Titans (and please, I don't need a lecture about the differences). Imho all enthusiast cards should come with backplates by default anyway, but I'm not the product manager so :p
 
 
 

Tillytony
I already canceled my order and changed to a Palit GeForce GTX970 Jetstream. The 0% fan speed at idle, the awesome gold shroud with leds along with the bad reviews of the EVGA ACX cooler and no backplate made this a no brainer for me.

I just checked it out. Sorry, but that thing is fugly.
 
 

Nereus

Tillytony
I already canceled my order and changed to a Palit GeForce GTX970 Jetstream. The 0% fan speed at idle, the awesome gold shroud with leds along with the bad reviews of the EVGA ACX cooler and no backplate made this a no brainer for me.

I just checked it out. Sorry, but that thing is fugly.
 
 

At least all 3 of the heat pipes actually touch the GPU chip. Have fun with ur frying pan.