I ordered my thermal pads last week and my order status still says "awaiting shipment". Hopefully this week it will get shipped, and btw has anyone having problems with the order shipping like I do? 
Anyways, since I will most likely wait for my thermal pads to arrive sometimes this week hopefully, I was just wondering is it still safe for me to use my 1070? Because I barely play games on it, I just use it to surf the web and such and I will most likely need to update my bios that will increase my gpu's rpm fan speed, which hopefully will make a difference but not without those pads. Appreciate any response! 
 
 

You're fine.. I'm still using my 1080FTW with my Rift. If something happens I know they will take care of it. 

WrappedCorn
I ordered my thermal pads last week and my order status still says "awaiting shipment". Hopefully this week it will get shipped, and btw has anyone having problems with the order shipping like I do? 
Anyways, since I will most likely wait for my thermal pads to arrive sometimes this week hopefully, I was just wondering is it still safe for me to use my 1070? Because I barely play games on it, I just use it to surf the web and such and I will most likely need to update my bios that will increase my gpu's rpm fan speed, which hopefully will make a difference but not without those pads. Appreciate any response! 
 
 

I see no reason not to use it normally at all to be honest. If you can use Presicion X to at least monitor your card GPU temps and other various readings. Or even better you could add a manual fan curve in Presicion X starting from around 40°C (0 RPM) (depending or your rooms ambient) then something like 80°C (%90-%100 fan speed), or what ever you think towards the top end.
 
My curves hits %100 at 78°C, but only ever reaches 68°C which is around %78 fan speed.

You should NOT be stressing your card without the thermal pad fix for both VRM and VRAM.
 
While waiting for the pads, turn down the power limit as low as it can go in the Precision X software.

WrappedCorn
........... Appreciate any response! 

 
Welcome to the forums, WrappedCorn! 
 

pawelblyskal
You should NOT be stressing your card without the thermal pad fix for both VRM and VRAM.
 
While waiting for the pads, turn down the power limit as low as it can go in the Precision X software.

 
+1
 
If there's gaps existing between the pads and VRAM, do as above. Its like running a car without oil, won't get far.
Even if there isn't any gaps, the 1070 is already at a VRM cooling disadvantage. Don't run it hard till the pads show up.
You cannot use GPU die temps to monitor VRAM or VRM temps, so you have no idea what temp they're really at.

It's completely fine to use the card without the pads installed. For added protection run an aggressive fan profile while gaming.

If it is "completely fine" why is EVGA bothering to fix it?  Seems strange, to me completely fine means just that, completely fine, not blasting the fans should help cover the heat but if the card does burn EVGA support will honor the warranty.

Hi WrappedCorn,
 
Welcome to the Forums!
 
There seems to be some confusion here.  We do recommend to install the VBIOS update from http://www.evga.com/thermalmod/, but please keep in mind that everything else is optional.  
 
The Thermal Mod is optional and can help the product to run a little cooler, but it is not in anyway required.  The graphics card is within spec even without these updates, but just a little warmer than preferred in some circumstances and the recommended VBIOS addresses this concern.  
 
There is no need to change voltage or anything else on your product.

Dear Athena,
 
EVGA has always tried to be there for our customers and we understand that the cooler the product runs the better the performance when overclocking.  Due to this we have not only offered the recommended VBIOS update, but also have gone one step further and are offering the optional Thermal Mod to help lower temps even further.  
 
It does appear that there is some confusion out there, but the information is very simply put on our thermal mod page at: http://www.evga.com/thermalmod/  for anyone to review.  Since we had some customers wanting to replace their VRAM thermal pads we started including those in the Thermal Mod kit as a accessory along with the Thermal Grease which is also optional to replace.
 

Athena
If it is "completely fine" why is EVGA bothering to fix it?  Seems strange, to me completely fine means just that, completely fine, not blasting the fans should help cover the heat but if the card does burn EVGA support will honor the warranty.