I wondering if i really need to install the pads. I have a 1080 sc. Installed a evga hybrid cooler. Is it something i still have to worry about? the card wont go past 40C. Hybrid kicks ass

no idea megabigd i'd open your own thread to make sure you get a proper answer from someone

megabigd
I wondering if i really need to install the pads. I have a 1080 sc. Installed a evga hybrid cooler. Is it something i still have to worry about? the card wont go past 40C. Hybrid kicks ass

it is not about gpu core temp but vrm temp or near component temp.
high vrm temp will cause vrm to derate...check the datasheet about this.
http://www.onsemi.com/pub...teral/NTMFD4C85N-D.PDF
sc bios has only 170w power max. 
you can keep checking power draw in watts from hwinfo64, if you card can draw ~170w then yours should be fine.

I'm in the UK and have a 1080 FTW.  Should I ask the retailer (OCUK) I bought the card from RMA or EVGA?  I've never installed VRAM pads in my life.  

It's VRM thermal pads. If nothing too fancy, we are looking at 2 stripes that have to be added over one "cross section" of the PCB and one on the corresponding position on the plate between the PCB and the heatspreader OR between the backside of the PCB and the backplate.
 
Things you have to likely do to install this:

• Remove the card from the case and unhook every power connection
• Unscrew all screws on the backside (on the backplate)
• Remove Backplate
• Unplug LED and Fan-Connector
• Remove Heat Spreader (the metal cage where the fans also sit on)
• Remove "middle plate" where the heat spreader sits on. You will see several thermal pads on the underside of this plate already
• Put the "optional" thermal pads in place. These are adhesive plastik pads which you can install like power stripes to attach a picture frame on a wall without nails or screws. The exact positioning of these pads is what is actually of interest for the more advanced geeks around here.
• Check the TMI (the gooey paste between heat spreader and chip die), most more advanced geeks will want to renew it or replace it with something more geeky to bring temps down further*
• Put everything back together, making sure the previously installed thermal pads are also back where they belong and are touching both sides (the plate AND the chip) and making sure that the connectors are all plugged in
• Reinstall the card, giving it a hug or maybe a kiss beforehand, just to make sure it knows you still love it, even if it is... specially enabled.
• Boot up your rig and forget about this issue.

 
*There are already videos detailing how to do this, which includes some but not all steps also necessary to place the thermal pads.
 
This is of course a rather gross description leaving out MANY of the unnerving details of dismantling a GPU card. Again, there are videos out there detailing many of the steps necessary in detail, from different angles and approaches. If any of this makes you feel absolutely helpless, a RMA might be worth considering.
Nobody expects you to do it by yourself as an end customer but since EVGA deems this optional (however debatable that may be) they encourage you to decide for yourself if you want to RMA or DIY. IF you want to RMA, contact EVGA directly. As you are in the UK, the EVGA EU support center might be your best shot.

wesleymacd
Do i have to stop using my 1070 until i get thermal pads?  I have already applied the BIOS update for the memory but i don't want to damage my card.  I do not overclock it either if that matters.   Is there going to be a video walkthrough on how to apply these thermal pads as well?

You will not have to stop using your card. The issue has been slightly blown out of proportion. The cards have been tested thoroughly and the temps are running within spec. The thermal pad modification is completely optional meaning your card will run properly with or without them. 
 
That being said, we are offering these thermal pads for users who are concerned or want a cooler card. I have a 1070 myself and I am likely not going to do this modification. 
 
I am not sure whether we will be releasing a video walkthrough but we will be provided some form of instructions. If you have any concerns or questions with the install or the situation in general please do not hesitate to give us a call at +1.888.881.EVGA (3842)

I don't think a fix for cards with a documented risk of blowing up is optional.

Every card has a risk of blowing up once any of the components under stress gives in, be it a manufacturing error, a case of inapropriate usage or simple wear out. In fact, any GPU has a limited life span as the heat emitted by the die, the VRAM and the VRM is enough to slowly degrade the durability of the PCB and at some point in the future (however far that may be) it could cause the PCB to break apart, making room for a sparking discharge where none should be possible.
 
Fact: The thermal pads are to lower the temperatures of the VRMs on the card
Fact: The cooling solution EVGA is using in the FTW-series is deemed appropriate even after several tests by the company
Fact: There is just one single review with measuring methods that reports values that are irritating. In this review, the card did not give out. The measuring methods have been critizised to be not accurate by both EVGA and individuals
Fact: As part of this review a test was used that puts the card under stress not specified for (Furmark)
Fact: Every other report about this is using the data from said review to discuss this possible design flaw
Fact: There is not a single report publicly available that can clearly prove a failure of the VRM because of overheat
Fact: EVGA stated themselves that there is no overheat issue affecting cards that have been RMA that can be linked to the missing thermal pads
Fact: There has been a bad batch of cards with faulty VRMs. These are prone to failure even under light stress.
Speculation: As it is reported to be around 3-4% we are looking at a batch size of possibly several hundred cards. 
Fact: It is unknown to the public if the blackscreen & 100% fan issue and the combustion issue both stems from these faults.
Speculation: The bs + 100% issue and the combustion is caused by cards with the faulty VRMs. Either because the card is detecting the error and tries to prevent it or the faulty VRMs simply combust.
 
FINAL Fact: There have always been cards that gave out like this, in every generation and with every brand. People are confused and fear to be affected themselves because they read about a possible design flaw and combusting VRM and link these issues together even tho there is no proof of a relation. The fact that the 9xx FTW series with the ACX 2.0 cooler had also issues with heat makes people instinctively relate these. Understandable but it's simply a misconclusion.

Angier_1985
Every card has a risk of blowing up once any of the components under stress gives in, be it a manufacturing error, a case of inapropriate usage or simple wear out. In fact, any GPU has a limited life span as the heat emitted by the die, the VRAM and the VRM is enough to slowly degrade the durability of the PCB and at some point in the future (however far that may be) it could cause the PCB to break apart, making room for a sparking discharge where none should be possible.
 
Fact: The thermal pads are to lower the temperatures of the VRMs on the card
Fact: The cooling solution EVGA is using in the FTW-series is deemed appropriate even after several tests by the company
Fact: There is just one single review with measuring methods that reports values that are irritating. In this review, the card did not give out. The measuring methods have been critizised to be not accurate by both EVGA and individuals
Fact: As part of this review a test was used that puts the card under stress not specified for (Furmark)
Fact: Every other report about this is using the data from said review to discuss this possible design flaw
Fact: There is not a single report publicly available that can clearly prove a failure of the VRM because of overheat
Fact: EVGA stated themselves that there is no overheat issue affecting cards that have been RMA that can be linked to the missing thermal pads
Fact: There has been a bad batch of cards with faulty VRMs. These are prone to failure even under light stress.
Speculation: As it is reported to be around 3-4% we are looking at a batch size of possibly several hundred cards. 
Fact: It is unknown to the public if the blackscreen & 100% fan issue and the combustion issue both stems from these faults.
Speculation: The bs + 100% issue and the combustion is caused by cards with the faulty VRMs. Either because the card is detecting the error and tries to prevent it or the faulty VRMs simply combust.
 
FINAL Fact: There have always been cards that gave out like this, in every generation and with every brand. People are confused and fear to be affected themselves because they read about a possible design flaw and combusting VRM and link these issues together even tho there is no proof of a relation. The fact that the 9xx FTW series with the ACX 2.0 cooler had also issues with heat makes people instinctively relate these. Understandable but it's simply a misconclusion.

Very well written sir. Here's an Internet cookie for you!

I'd suggest running it in debug mode until thermal pads arrive.  I was getting constant crashes while gaming, then I tried debug mode.  Now, gaming in debug mode for probably 12+ hours, I've gotten zero crashes and temps are down 15 c.  Going to RMA my card anyways as it worked flawlessly for two months, then started having problems -- meaning some permanent damage was already done, which probably means a shorter overall life.