stevenli1966
DSP1
I am wondering whether to install that copper plate at all.
Have you seen this? Apparently, in their comparison they attribute higher Core temps to the fact that this plate inhibits Core cooling, and that at idle the difference between the Seahawk and the FTW Hybrid is ~11C. Furthermore they ask why EVGA didn't extend the copper plate to include the mosfets that are now the subject of heated (hehhe) debate.
Also watch this vid explaining the PCB, quite interesting.
ETA Damn! I can't post links but the vids are on gamersnexus 1.
EVGA GTX 1080 FTW PCB & Overclocking Analysis
2.
EVGA GTX 1080 FTW Hybrid Review vs. MSI Sea Hawk X
If you don't install the copper plate, nothing is going to be cooling your VRAM and then they will be the subject of heated debate too!
From what I can gather no other manufacturer uses the copper plate method relying solely on thermal pads for those modules.
The gamersnexus article suggests that is why the Seahawk temps are cooler as there is less area to be cooled without the copper plate.
Further, the EVGA solution for the fan on the card with the Hybrid unit pulls rather than pushes, which was also noted in the article.
ETA The FTW Gaming heat sink unit does not cover those areas either. There are just thermal pads between the VRAM and the plate.
ETA PS My assumption is that the mid plate pictured above is going to be replaced with installation. However, if it is not then the copper plate would serve to cover the VRAM modules of which you speak. Unless a newly designed midplate is shipped with a larger machined cutout exposing the VRAM modules. Perhaps better to just leave that mid plate off all together and let the fan blow on the components directly?