@akteni
There are 3 different mods:
I.VRAM under baseplate: Steps 1-9, 11*, 15
II.VRM on top of baseplate: Steps 1-4, 10, 11*, 15
III.VRM under backplate: Steps 1, 13-15
 
VRAM(video ram) and VRM(voltage regulators) are not the same things.

I installed thermal pad mod on gtx 1070 and android 7.0 nougat on my s7. I wonder which one will blow up first........

I keep asking this and i never get a response to it, but is EVGA actually planning to correct the RGB LEDs and their differences with color accuracy compared to how it appears in PX-OC, or is it just going to be left that way ?

Got my RMA card today; As I was within 30 days, I got a brand new card.
 
Did a visual inspection and compared it to my current card and the thermal pads are there contacting the backplate.  Looking at the EVGA on the backplate, thermal pads are clearly vissible on under th letter V on the backplate, exactly where it should be.
 
BIOS is updated; card appears to be new with factory wrapping and everything; did my RMA request on 11/4/2016 
 
OC just as well as my first card, on air, Obviously.  Granted my first card throttles down to 2050 which isn't the best OC out there, but I'll take it as I have peace of mind.
 
Last step is to return ship it with the labels provided.  It looks like it's free shipping back from Canada so if this works as I expect it to, then this will be one great RMA experience.
 
Just stress testing the card some more before sending my old card back.

There is almost no difference between thermal grizzly kryonaut and gelid gc extreme. Same temps after thermal mod v2, lol. 3-5 degrees C cooler. Wish I would not have spent $40 on the other pads, lol.
 
Edit:
I'm happy with my 1070 SC after new thermal pads from eVGA and 2 bios revisions from nVidia.. 2101/8726, 1.075v, 31C idle, 46C max. It's cold in the living room, lol.
 

DeathAngel74
I installed thermal pad mod on gtx 1070 and android 7.0 nougat on my s7. I wonder which one will blow up first........

Neither. Note =/= s7

DeathAngel74
90% of the thread turned into false rumors. Maybe 20-30 cards in the USA have exploded/blown up.

It would say 10 not 20-30...

DeathAngel74
@akteni
There are 3 different mods:
I.VRAM under baseplate: Steps 1-9, 11*, 15
II.VRM on top of baseplate: Steps 1-4, 10, 11*, 15
III.VRM under backplate: Steps 1, 13-15
 
VRAM(video ram) and VRM(voltage regulators) are not the same things.

We did thermal pad mod to 2 FTWs, in one of them (mine), VRAM pads weren't pressed enough and I had to add 0.15mm thick another thermal pad. 2nd one was pressing well since wordings on VRAM passed onto pads. However we couldn't trust EVGA and add 0.15mm thick pads on to it as well. 
 
Addition to thermal pad mods, we used conductonaut. After modification, fans maxed out, GPU temp didn't pass 58C and VRM temp highest point was about 66C in Furmark stress test. 

mikedowen
Just done the thermal pad mod myself. Easy enough to do if you take care.
 
Was more than a little shocked to see that the thermal pads on the VRAM modules (IE. memory) closest to the VRM circuitry, appeared to have zero contact with the thermal pads. Not a sign of thermal grease on them. The other VRAM modules looked to have had partial contact. I know that a few people have commented on this already. But had sort of assumed that it was just a few isolated cases. It just looks like to me, that EVGA plain and simple, used pads that were not thick enough. The "optional" (EVGA's words) thermal pad kit that they are sending out, has new pads for the VRAM modules and they are a fair bit thicker. Got to be honest, I would consider this mod more than "optional". At least as far as the thermal pads on the VRAM modules, I would definitely consider this as a manufacturing defect!
 
Just thought I'd mention the above. Just in case anyone is thinking that these mods are "optional".
Only my opinion/s folks, not looking for a flame (sic) war.

Good you posted that. My experience was very similar to yours. The VRAM (memory chips) were no touching anything at all. There was a thin black pad on all of them, but quite simply they were no where near thick enough to touch anything, thus rendering them useless. In my case this was by far the biggest shocker and I agree, VRAM new thicker pads are essential, not optional.
In fact the only thermal fix that on my card was optional IMO was the thick pad for the top/back plate. I did all of them of course, and very happy it was caught relatively quickly.
These fixes do work, and I like the new BIOS fan setting. However I don't think doing the BIOS update alone would help much. VRAM needs cooling, and it wasn't getting any proper cooling. An aggressive fan curve won't solve that.
 
Edit: This is only my opinion relating to my card. As the original poster stated not looking for any kind of flame war at all.

akteni
the above extended guide is about VRM chip pad mod. Someone in reddit had mentioned that thermal pads on VRM chips are not pressed between baseplate and card. 
In the post, you will see 3 different link. You can check those and read comments. 
 
 
I am applying thermal pads tomorrow and will definitely check these VRM chip pads. thank god I bought extra thermal pads.
 
 
 
 
 
 

What someone post in Reddit is NOT recommended and approved by EVGA. What is important and recommended is what EVGA say, and not a person on Reddit or Youtube. All these "experts" know nothing and has no experience in making Graphic cards at all. People should stop reading all these so called "expert tips and guides".
Read what EVGA says and follow the recommended guide how to do the thermal pad mod and the BIOS update. Remember that the Thermal mod is OPTIONAL  and if you have updated your BIOS, you really don't need the thermal mod. You should always read what EVGA post here and forget what is being posted else where.
 
Read this:
 
EVGA GeForce GTX 1080/1070 PWM Operating Temperature Update   11/1/2016 - Recently, it was reported from several sources, that the EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 FTW PWM and memory temperature is running warmer than expected during Furmark (an extreme stress utility).   EVGA has investigated these reports and after extensive testing, below are our findings:

• On ACX 3.0, EVGA focused on GPU temperature and the lowest acoustic levels possible. Running Furmark, the GPU is around 70C +/- and the fan speed is running approximately 30% duty cycle or lower.
• However, during recent testing, the thermal temperature of the PWM and memory, in extreme circumstances, was marginally within spec and needed to be addressed.

Conclusion: EVGA offers full warranty support on its products, with cross-ship RMA*, and stands behind its products and commitment to our customers.   To resolve this, EVGA will be offering a VBIOS update, which adjusts the fan-speed curve to ensure sufficient cooling of all components across all operating temperatures.  This VBIOS will be released in the next few days and users can download it and update their cards directly.   This update resolves the potential thermal issues that have been reported, and ensures the card maintains safe operating temperatures.   For those users who want additional cooling beyond the VBIOS update, EVGA has optional thermal pads available.  This update is not required, however; EVGA will make it available free of charge to any customer who is interested. To request the thermal pad kit, please visit www.evga.com/thermalmod    Any customer who is not comfortable performing the recommended VBIOS update, may request a warranty cross-shipment* to exchange the product to EVGA for an updated replacement. All graphics cards shipped from EVGA after 11/1/2016 will have the VBIOS update applied.   *The EVGA EAR(Advanced RMA Program) and Cross Shipping options are available in the Continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland.  EVGA offers Standard RMA replacement options in the Middle East, Africa, India or outside of the before mentioned supported areas.   FAQ   Q. Which cards are supported by these updates? A. Please see www.evga.com/thermalmod for the qualifying cards.   Q. If my Graphics Card is not an ACX 3.0 design is it affected? A. No, all other GPUs sold by EVGA including Founders Edition, Blower type, HYBRID, and HYDRO COPPER editions are unaffected.
Q. Does the VBIOS fix the temperature issues? A. Yes, the VBIOS update will fix the temperature issues.   Q. Is my card damaged from running at a higher temperature? A. No, but should any future warranty service be needed, EVGA stands behind its products.   Q. What happens if my card is accidentally damaged during the optional thermal pad installation? A. EVGA will stand behind its customers with full warranty and cross-shipment.*   Q. What if I am not comfortable updating my VBIOS? A. While EVGA has very user friendly ways to update VBIOS’s, if you still do not feel comfortable, we will support you with and advanced RMA and ship you a replacement card with the latest VBIOS.