Hallo
 
if I use the RMA (within the 30days since purchase), will i get a:
- brand new card
- with new BIOS
- and with pre-installed thermal pads (from factory) ?????
= a new card from the new (updated) production batch !?
 
I don't want to get a new card, only updated with BIOS, but still have to install thermal pads by myself ...
 

Yes.
 
Not having that done before shipping would kind of defeat the purpose.

Meh, my card was sent out a week and a half ago and did not have the new BIOS or pads installed. I received it on Wednesday so I wouldn't automatically assume it will be an updated card.

Moving to the warranty section, as this is a warranty question.

Brenex
Meh, my card was sent out a week and a half ago and did not have the new BIOS or pads installed. I received it on Wednesday so I wouldn't automatically assume it will be an updated card.

That's because those cards weren't ready yet, cards shipped out from this point will supposedly have it done.

New products and RMA replacements shipped after 11/1 will have the bios update and the thermal pads on the ACX 3.0 cards.