hi guys,
 
since installing the card in my rig I was wondering why it runs hotter than my previous MSI GTX760 Gaming.
I couldn't believe that the ACX cooler could be so inefficient and blamed the whether, AMD, Intel, the aliens and so on. 
 
well after searching for a long time I was finally able to find online store in my country selling a GTX760 backplate and a MX-4 for a reasonable price.
so I went for it and payed about 34$ for both inclusive shipment, buying from EVGA EU would charge me 30€ for the backplate alone (incl. shipment).
today I got the package and went straight to the work hopping to clarify the temperature "issue".
 
as soon as I removed the ACX cooler form the card I was more or less shocked and situation explained itself.
the first couple of pictures explain the "heat issue" and this is really not EVGA like if you ask me.
it took me almost an hour to clean the mess but well, the live goes on.
to make the long story short I will just leave you alone with the pictures with only 1 question in mind:
 
"are you serious EVGA or just kidding me???"...no comment...
 













 

How is your load temperature difference. I am very unimpressed with the TIM job that EVGA applies on these cards. Your TIM itself is by far the worst I have seen from the factory, but the MX4 application looks good to me. Can't wait for more information.

Nope, you are allowed to change the TIM, just don't be aggressive and try to pull the cooler straight off of the card... Use a twisting motion and it will loosen enough to open up and expose the pieces.

well I did a short single player gaming test, I'll share my first impressions.
unfortunately I don't have a screenshot before applying the TIM.
but I'm sure I was hitting 81-82C quite often as a peak value in this very same game.
now it maxed at 67C which makes me more than happy.
of course a multi player BF4 test will follow as I'm very curious myself about the changes.
 
by the way all the conditions are the same, rig, room, etc...
 

 
 
the GPU-Z 0.7.9 Render Test maxed the card out at 68C, I'm more than surprized to be honest. 
 

Great thermals compared. :-)

I've never received a card from EVGA with a bad TIM application. Yours looks like it was splattered with mud haha. Glad you got it all cleaned up!

I recently replaced my TIM and got lower temperatures of 4-7C on load but only 1C at idle using IC Diamond. Also, my ACX cooler has no exposed heat pipes and the stock TIM was grey looking like the TIM you re-applied and was neatly done and not that black stuff you had.

you were lucky Brimy, as you can see from the pics almost half of my GPU area was not TIM covered at all.
so the TIM was everywhere but not where it was supposed to be. 
 
I can only agree astacy12, I'm also glad that I went that way.
besides the appearance the whole card feels somehow more solid with the backplate on.

just do it, if you ask me - it's worth the bucks you spend. 
 

Then he should RMA it pronto because that is proof someone tampered with it.

sahafiec

Hellcat714
EVGA does not use brown tim like the pics show. It was obviously changed at some point.

you are somehow right in your feelings Hellcat714.
the truth is so bad that one prefers to suspect me or anyone else for being the cause of this, instead of suspecting EVGA.
right?
but why the hell should I or anyone else remove the god applied high quality and color EVGA TIM and replace it in such a manner causing this mess?
I am the first and only one who opened the card as seen in the pictures above.
 
having not seen something until now doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. 

I don't think Hellcat714 suspected you or anyone else, he was just saying that it was changed not that you changed or didn't change it, if this is a bad TIM application job by EVGA, i believe it is a rare thing and just RMA it if you got it from EVGA.  If you bought the 770 in store at where ever then it could be a someone in store did this, you can't really be sure, just RMA it.

@Brimy
my GTX760 was bought directly form EVGA EU online, no stores or traders in between. that's why assuming "someone" could have changed the TIM can only point to me or EVGA. there is just no other third option and if it wasn't me it can only be EVGA. 
 
@Scarlet-Tech
I can only agree with you mate, the only wrong thing about the card was the TIM mess and I already fixed it. so what would be the sense of RMA'ing the card, what could EVGA do?! near to nothing I suppose, best case is they send me a new unopened card which could still have a badly applied TIM. so I'd be at the starting point again. the card is running really fine now, no heat or noise issues so I'm happy with it.
by the way are you enjoying the time at home? 

sahafiec
@Brimy
my GTX760 was bought directly form EVGA EU online, no stores or traders in between. that's why assuming "someone" could have changed the TIM can only point to me or EVGA. there is just no other third option and if it wasn't me it can only be EVGA. 
-snip-

I understand now.

thank you JaysonC, it was not a big trouble for me but rather a big surprise.
it may be my camera or the lightning conditions but on the pictures the TIM looks darker than it was in reality.
I don't know what the EU Customer Service can do for me accept saying "good job" or maybe "well done"?! 

Hi Sahafiec,
 
thanks for your detailed information - as Jason already confirmed we are only using gray coloured thermal paste from the factory, so you can be sure, that newly purchased items do have this gray thermal paste, but we cannot guarantee that this original condition applies for second-hand purchased items.
 
We do apologize for any inconvenience you had and if you would need further assistance, please contact me through supporteu@evga.com
 
Thanks.
 
Markus