After using my beautiful KingPin 980 for a full year, the video just went out black screen could not remedy, the card did not work in my X99 rig or my Z170 rig. So EVGA was amazing and I sent in my bad card (that was not bad at all) EVGA sent me another KingPin 980 and I had the same issue, black screen on both platforms, even though both motherboards showed via the ROG Q-Code that both pcs had booted into windows, I could not see anything blank black screen.
 
So I swapped out the DP cable long before sending the first card back, still a blank screen, but I did not think of swapping out the short miniDP to DP connector. It finally hit me after having the same issue with the second card, swapped out the connector and PERFECT VIDEO. I believe the KingPin 980 came with 3 of the miniDP to DP connectors so I put the bad one aside and began using a new one out of the wrapper. Then that second one went bad first intermittent blank screen that would come back on and then blank with no return of video signal. 
 
So now I am on my third and last miniDP to DP connector and this one just now began going black and then returning the signal, so I know its only a matter of time a few days before I have NO Screen again.
 
I do not know what the issue is with the connectors, they are about 6inches long and maybe there are caps or resistors or something up inside, I have no idea. 
 
 
All I know is if I don't get a remedy QUICK, my X99 rig will again stop working, I have no back up video card and X99 does not have an internal video in the CPU.
 
: (
 
H.E.L.P. she wrote in the sand hoping someone up high would see her cry for help.
 
MarthaMay
 
 

Can you use any other type of cable such as HDMI or DVI instead of using the mini DP adapter?

Yes, I could use DVI or HDMI with my monitor, but why do I have to?
 
Displayport is the best connection, why do I have to sacrifice? 

MarthaMay
Yes, I could use DVI or HDMI with my monitor, but why do I have to?
 
Displayport is the best connection, why do I have to sacrifice? 

You shouldn't have to sacrifice. I believe ARIOS-X1 means use a DVI or HDMI till a resolution can be figured out, so you don't have to be without your rig.

Is your "miniDP to DP Connector" VESA Certified?
The first 5 that I had were not and I and I had these type issues.
The 6th one miniDP to DP Connector cost me $32 and later found a miniDP to DP Cable VESA Certified for $18.
Only saying I have been seeing a lot of problems lately with non-VESA Certified cheep stuff, even Amazon Basic is not VESA Certified. 

bcavnaugh
Is your "miniDP to DP Connector" VESA Certified?
The first 5 that I had were not and I and I had these type issues.
The 6th one miniDP to DP Connector cost me $32 and later found a miniDP to DP Cable VESA Certified for $18.
Only saying I have been seeing a lot of problems lately with non-VESA Certified cheep stuff, even Amazon Basic is not VESA Certified. 

my mini dp to dp connectors are what came in the 980 Kingpin box. I have no idea whether they are VESA certified or not, I only no they are dysfunctional and should have NEVER been included in the Kingpin 980 

MarthaMay

bcavnaugh
Is your "miniDP to DP Connector" VESA Certified?
The first 5 that I had were not and I and I had these type issues.
The 6th one miniDP to DP Connector cost me $32 and later found a miniDP to DP Cable VESA Certified for $18.
Only saying I have been seeing a lot of problems lately with non-VESA Certified cheep stuff, even Amazon Basic is not VESA Certified. 

my mini dp to dp connectors are what came in the 980 Kingpin box. I have no idea whether they are VESA certified or not, I only no they are dysfunctional and should have NEVER been included in the Kingpin 980 

Just out of curiosity, are you moving your equipment around frequently? There's really nothing to fail on these connectors if they are just left plugged in. The only think I can think of is if you were in some corrosive (salt air) or condensation. But yeah, I would be annoyed with bad adapters.

One of the connectors gives only a black screen the other is intermittent black screen. I have cleaned all the connection points with alcohol.  Should I get some contact cleaner also?
 
Believe me, they can fail. Maybe its just a bad batch or something.
 
Do I contact EVGA customer support to get a new one? OR do I have to purchase one from Amazon?
 
It is sad since there was really no reason for me to send in my original 980 Kingpin for replacement, the card was NOT bad, the connector WAS and still IS. 

Well if it came from EVGA with the Card then yes see if you can RMA the Adaptor but first open a Support Ticket

For reference anyone having the same issue with their Kingpin 980 or 980Ti video going black intermittently or completely.
 
CHECK YOUR minidisplayport to displayport ADAPTERS that ship in the boxa, they CAN become faulty.
 
I did not open a ticket to get a few more of the stock adapters, I just purchased this minidp to dp adapter on Amazon for $8.99
 
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-Thunderbolt-Compatible/dp/B00HNF0KF0/ref=sr_1_5?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1479132989&sr=1-5&keywords=mini+displayport+to+displayport
 
And it works perfectly, video is beautiful. 
 
Just wanted to add some resolution to this thread so anyone googling can find a solution and NOT send in their card like I did thinking it was bad, the KingPin 980 was fine and did not need to be replaced, but I did not know to check the adapter cables although I did make sure the long Displayport was working.
 
Live and Learn, I guess. 
 
MarthaMay