I think the easiest way to explain it is: I have my card just as it was out of the box when I perform BIOS update 1 + 2.
No changes done via software or switches on the card.
Mine's the 1070FTW

EVGATech_LeeM

Bar81

DJSeb

Bar81
 
 
You do realize there won't be thermal pads, right?  All they'll do is flash the BIOS (30 seconds of effort) and send you back a refurb.  But if that's what you want, go for it.

"EVGA has updated its manufacturing line for all these cards to add the thermal pads as standard."
Can't post links, but it's on pcmag site.

Again, until EVGA actually says this post vbios release I'll remain skeptical (not saying it's not true) and like I said, it wouldn't be the smartest move unless they want to swap thousands of cards. 

Would it help if I say it semi-post-VBIOS release?  All cards on the Thermal Mod list are being produced with the extra thermal pads and VBIOS flash, with certain exceptions (such as no VBIOS for GTX 1060s, as Jacob noted, or backplate pads for the 1070 Black Editions [no backplate]), and all graphics cards on the list will be updated for both VBIOS and thermal pads before being shipped out again retail or for RMA's.  Since there is a small downtime for accomplishing all of this, future cards purchased or replaced will have a pretty clear shipping date of when they were updated.

Thanks, it's good to hear a final clear statement on this.  However, given that, suggest we stop calling the thermal pads optional (not you but others have been using that terminology).  At this point, by adding the thermal pads to all cards going forward, EVGA is acknowledging that these are necessary and should have been installed to begin with. 

Bar81

They aren't optional if you're installing them on the cards going forward.  Let's stop pretending.

 
I would still love to hear from an official EVGA employee confirm this. Sure, PCmag, some Youtubers etc. have reported thermal pads are now pre-installed on new cards. But, this is the internet. Virtually nothing can be taken at face value, unless you know the info is coming from a trusted source. Unfortunately journalistic integrity is not a thing in the webs. So, how about it? I have no issues in installing the thermal pads on my card, should it arrive without them. But still, given the choice, I would 100% take a card with factory installed cooling elements and leave the tinkering to minimum.
 
Edit: As I was typing this, we finally had an official confirmation, thank you LeeM. It would help if there was a way to recognize an updated card from those retailers currently have in stock, but I certainly understand if this is too much to ask.

Thanks a lot Jacob.
I honestly thought it would take a couple of more days, so this is great 

EVGA_JacobF
First post updated with 1080/1070 FTW Secondary BIOS and Classified BIOS.

 

Does this mean there won't be BIOS for the 1060 acx3 cards at all or that they are optional?

No BIOS plans right now. The fan curve is appropriate to keep the VRM cool.

Millimonger

Bar81

They aren't optional if you're installing them on the cards going forward.  Let's stop pretending.

 
I would still love to hear from an official EVGA employee confirm this. Sure, PCmag, some Youtubers etc. have reported thermal pads are now pre-installed on new cards. But, this is the internet. Virtually nothing can be taken at face value, unless you know the info is coming from a trusted source. Unfortunately journalistic integrity is not a thing in the webs. So, how about it? I have no issues in installing the thermal pads on my card, should it arrive without them. But still, given the choice, I would 100% take a card with factory installed cooling elements and leave the tinkering to minimum.

Yes, going forward you will need new cards that have BIOS + thermal pads applied.

Bar81

EVGATech_LeeM

Bar81

DJSeb

Bar81
 
 
You do realize there won't be thermal pads, right?  All they'll do is flash the BIOS (30 seconds of effort) and send you back a refurb.  But if that's what you want, go for it.

"EVGA has updated its manufacturing line for all these cards to add the thermal pads as standard."
Can't post links, but it's on pcmag site.

Again, until EVGA actually says this post vbios release I'll remain skeptical (not saying it's not true) and like I said, it wouldn't be the smartest move unless they want to swap thousands of cards. 

Would it help if I say it semi-post-VBIOS release?  All cards on the Thermal Mod list are being produced with the extra thermal pads and VBIOS flash, with certain exceptions (such as no VBIOS for GTX 1060s, as Jacob noted, or backplate pads for the 1070 Black Editions [no backplate]), and all graphics cards on the list will be updated for both VBIOS and thermal pads before being shipped out again retail or for RMA's.  Since there is a small downtime for accomplishing all of this, future cards purchased or replaced will have a pretty clear shipping date of when they were updated.

Thanks, it's good to hear a final clear statement on this.  However, given that, suggest we stop calling the thermal pads optional (not you but others have been using that terminology).  At this point, by adding the thermal pads to all cards going forward, EVGA is acknowledging that these are necessary and should have been installed to begin with. 

It could be a marketing decision. I mean after this situation it will be hard to sell these cards without those pads preinstalled even if EVGA has said they are entirely optional. Just witnessing the drama that has taken place since this issue has sprout up is enough to assume even if official statements say you don't NEED them, people will still not believe the statements.

NicolaiMoller
GTX 1070 FTW
BIOS v1 update yesterday - great, the fans are still not spinning before entering the realm of "a bit more than minor usage of PC".
BIOS v2 update just now - darn it, fans are set at minimum 500RPM - can't even force it to zero spin using custom curve in Precision. Temp is around 31C.
 

Out of curiosity, what is the core clock speed and ambient temps at 31C.

NicolaiMoller
GTX 1070 FTW
BIOS v1 update yesterday - great, the fans are still not spinning before entering the realm of "a bit more than minor usage of PC".
BIOS v2 update just now - darn it, fans are set at minimum 500RPM - can't even force it to zero spin using custom curve in Precision. Temp is around 31C.
 

Great, that in bios 2 (secondary) the fan is minimum set to 500rpm. I hope the secondary bios for the 1080 classified will also have 500 rpm. 

Secundary BIOS never had 0 spin. ;)
 
I will update here. Any chances to this "overclock on fans" damage then?