I'm so demoralized with all the talk of VRM issues. I just built my first PC after a long process of researching each component. I went with the 1070 FTW a few days ago - picked it up from my local Fry's Electronics. I came to the forums and read all this terrible stuff about the VRM overheating issue as of recent. It's really disappointing...

I'm not planning on OC'ing my card, but I am using a 1440p 60hz monitor, and only plan to OC my 6700k processor. I do not feel comfortable with putting a thermal pad on my own AND my specific model shipped from Manufacturer to retailer on 8/3/2016, which made me even more uneasy. Would the best thing be to return it to my local retailer, and purchase a different 1070 model, or RMA this and request a new 1070 with preinstalled thermal pads, or just keep it since I'm not over clocking. I do have a very spacious case with good airflow. I can't wait 2-3 weeks again! I've been out of a pc for 3 months.

Your retailer might offer a 14 day no-questions-asked refund option.
 
That would be the quickest and easiest solution....bsides keeping the card.
 
If you've got good airflow, and do a custom fan curve, it should stay cool.
 
My FTW was running 80+ deg C under load, and when i read about these issues (sorry, non-issues) i was a bit freaked out.   But I changed the fan setting to custom with a more aggressive profile and now it sits around 65 deg C.
 
Of course, i have no idea what the VRM temps are, but I'm hoping the general improved cooling is having an effect  there too.

There are no issues. You don't need to do anything.

Sajin
There are no issues. You don't need to do anything.

Yes, EVGA are offering thermal pads for your card, because there is no issue.
 
You can pull it out, dismantle your brand new card and apply the EVGA supplied pads, because there is no issue.

nawagadj

Sajin
There are no issues. You don't need to do anything.

Yes, EVGA are offering thermal pads for your card, because there is no issue.
 
You can pull it out, dismantle your brand new card and apply the EVGA supplied pads, because there is no issue.

The cards perform within spec without the pads. Installing the pads just makes temps lower.

Sajin
 
The cards perform within spec without the pads. Installing the pads just makes temps lower.

But why did EVGA just skip on those VRM thermal pads when literally every other vendor installed them? Especially on cards that are supposed to be overclocked such as the FTW line. It just boggles the mind.

brokencross

Sajin
 
The cards perform within spec without the pads. Installing the pads just makes temps lower.

But why did EVGA just skip on those VRM thermal pads when literally every other vendor installed them? Especially on cards that are supposed to be overclocked such as the FTW line. It just boggles the mind.

Most likely they thought it was ok the way it was. Within spec is within spec.

Sajin

brokencross

Sajin
 
The cards perform within spec without the pads. Installing the pads just makes temps lower.

But why did EVGA just skip on those VRM thermal pads when literally every other vendor installed them? Especially on cards that are supposed to be overclocked such as the FTW line. It just boggles the mind.

Most likely they thought it was ok the way it was. Within spec is within spec.

That's what I figured. But EVGA should know better. Just because it runs within spec, doesn't mean the components will last as long, being subject to higher temps.

Sajin

nawagadj

Sajin
There are no issues. You don't need to do anything.

Yes, EVGA are offering thermal pads for your card, because there is no issue.
 
You can pull it out, dismantle your brand new card and apply the EVGA supplied pads, because there is no issue.

The cards perform within spec without the pads. Installing the pads just makes temps lower.

That seems to be true, but................
 
isn't the full story.  The tests that raised these concerns showed that EVGAs ACR 3.0 cooling implementation is far inferior to the other major brand cards.  Not just a bit, but by 20-30 deg C on that testing (as un-real world as it is).
 
That's what has people concerned, and it is an issue.
 
And EVGA have responded to that issue with the thermal pads offer.  And well done for that.
 
Insisting their is "no issue' is misleading and, ultimately, counter-productive.
 
If by "no-issue" you mean ' no evidence that this will be a problem', I'd agree.
 
But if you mean ' evidence that there is no problem', then no, this is completely wrong.
 
We don't know yet.  Elevated temps compared to other cards may have an effect on the longevity of your card.  They may not, if temps indeed stay 'within spec'.  
 

Putting customers through this experience and even the anxiety of having to think about this disaster is a big no no. I think I'm going to see how my card reacts over the next month. If I notice ANYTHING...then I'll RMA it faster than you can say FTW.