grendelrt
So now they are shipping VRAM pads as well, I am assuming this is only for if you have a gap? Or are they recommending to change out the vram pads regardless?
Answer at bottom, first some observations based on my experience of legal matters.
As far as I know EVGA are not recommending anything. They stick by their product and will keep their warranty agreements. Rather, they are offering all these "fixes," as purely a customers individual decision. It' understandable, EVGA
can't put it stronger than that: Below is probably more accurate, but it won't happen. Next a different (
imaginary ) legal/customer statement from EVGA):
We have identified heating issues pertaining the to VRM/ fets on some cards. This can also affects the VRAM chips (7) as they are close enough for heat transfer to occur. Further; in some cases the thermal tape on the VRAMS doesn't make full/or any contact with the plate above them. We assure you the GPU chip itself is very well cooled and we have not received or heard of any complaints regarding the GPU chip itself. The GPU is in direct heat transferring contact, with the whole finned cooling block and attached fans. The heat of the GPU chip is not a reliable way to check on VRAM, and VRM component temperatures. They have no thermal sensors, the GPU does have a thermal sensor.In light of the above we deem the installation of additional cooling measures, and a BIOS flash necessary for full cooling of all components, and even just piece of mind. This is not to say it affects all cards, but we have numerous reports, and professional tests performed by several online IT companies and groups that do in fact show on some cards overheating of both the Fets and VRAM without overclock, running on original fan curve in the original BIOS. Some of these claims are dubious, we discount any that use only Furmark. But, a few are systematically conducted, which leads us to this decision. Below: In light of the above we recommend customers to apply all or some of the free fixes. Those who do not wish to will still have full warranty. In addition, customers who do perform the fixes, and suffer accidental damage, will not have your warranty affected in anyway. We take fully responsibility for accidental mistakes related to the recommended procedures. In Summary:1. It is not a necessary requirement to do any of the safety cooling measures we are offering to all customers with affected skus. Warranty is not affected. We offer RMA for all customers.2. We recommend the installation of extra pads, in addition to the new BIOS. Rest assured, even if accidental damage occurs while performing these steps, your warranty is still completely valid.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So in legalize (which I have to deal with as a part of my job) the above would open EVGA to all sorts of legal issues.
It's mostly subtle so those without legal experience may wonder what's different. Please believe me, a statement like my fake example, in legal liability terms are very different in this world of litigation, and "legal crap". I won't list them all! The above is pretty much saying there is a flaw in at least some cards, and it could be
easily argued and almost certainly won by any lawyer. Believe me, lawyers would have a field day with this. (
In the USA MacDonalds was sued successfully due to a lady spilling her coffee on her leg at a drive in. She had minor burns. She claimed McD are responsible for selling their coffee too hot. Laughable right!?! - But she won. McD lost the case!! You probably already know that story, but it is no longer unusual, particularly in the USA.) EVGA doesn't have the resources as a huge company like Samsung (Galaxy 7 issue.) Anyway the Galaxy 7 case is clearer so it's
not a good example, but get the idea? I think they are doing the best they can, and EVGA are not doing anything illegal that can be sited with their statement. My imaginary one would!!
OK, sorry, just had to write that as it's clear a few posters don't realize the potential danger to EVGA of this whole sorry episode - hence a lack of admitting or even hinting at a flaw in their product. They simply cannot, for their reasons do that, ever, with things as they stand now.
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Finally, lol,
grendelrt, to answer your question (summary below). Anyone can get the pads. If you look carefully and determine there is no gap between the original thermal pads and VRAM, my best guess is that they would be within acceptable limits. (
This is opinion - I have nothing to back it up). It doesn't solve the VRM/fets issue though. Personally, I would do all three mods and BIOS for piece of mind.
In fact I have. I was disappointed, and shocked when I opened my card and found that
the thermal pads on 7 VRAM chips were too thin. They were touching nothing. My case clearly needed fixing. Simply, the VRAMS were not getting thermal pad contact cooling at all!!
Final summary for grendelrts question: (At last, and it's my opinion only.)A: If me, I would do it regardless. That's the best solution in my opinion.B: If you see or even suspect any gap do it!C: If you verify contact is proper and complete - it's your choice. I don't know well enough to speak with certainty in such a case.
Note: I expect different opinion, it's a forum after all! But
please read very carefully, or twice even, before typing. It's easy to mis-understand what I'm saying as it's not so simple, in particular, the legal bit. (which I simplified as much as possible.) I have dealt with different, but somewhat similar legal cases many times in my career. I am 48 year old man.
So again, please read fully, understand fully before writing a response. Sorry for the long post guys. I hope at least a few find it interesting or useful. FINISHED
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