My friend is intersted in purchasing a GTX 1070, but due to the VRM heating issues, he's starting to look elsewhere. I believe the safest way to get an EVGA 1070 with all the fixes in it is to purchase directly from EVGA; however, that is not possible. Is it better to just look for other 1070's then?

Welcome to the Forum wampawookie
You should have your Friend create an EVGA Forum Account and Post this question themselves.

I'll let him know. He just asked me because I'm helping him pick out parts.

wampawookie
I'll let him know. He just asked me because I'm helping him pick out parts.

Then the best way for your Friend to Buy a Card would be From EVGA's Website.
What Model or Style are you going to recommend to your Friend?

This is why this entire situation is a disaster for EVGA. You can never know if you will get a new card with the thermal pad fix unless you buy from EVGA at full price (rip off). Unless EVGA does a complete recall of all shipped cards (which they won't), forget buying one at any other retailer like Newegg, Amazon, Microcenter, Frys....ect.
 
Why on earth would anyone by an EVGA card from a retailer and have a high chance of getting a unit without the fix when there are PLENTY of other brands that engineered their cards with a correct thermal design...rip EVGA.
 At this point you would have to be crazy to buy an EVGA unit.

For US/CA: If you buy the card from another authorized retailer and it does not have the thermal pads, you can request the pads or we can assist you with a replacement at no cost to you. The official statement says the cards are completely safe to use until you get the replacement. 
 
Please see our official response here: http://www.evga.com/thermalmod/
 

pawelblyskal
This is why this entire situation is a disaster for EVGA. You can never know if you will get a new card with the thermal pad fix unless you buy from EVGA at full price (rip off). Unless EVGA does a complete recall of all shipped cards (which they won't), forget buying one at any other retailer like Newegg, Amazon, Microcenter, Frys....ect.
 
Why on earth would anyone by an EVGA card from a retailer and have a high chance of getting a unit without the fix when there are PLENTY of other brands that engineered their cards with a correct thermal design...rip EVGA.
At this point you would have to be crazy to buy an EVGA unit.

Where I would agree that unless third party sellers promote the revised upgrade I too wouldn't buy a 1000 series EVGA card. But as for your comment of "rip EVGA", it would be a dark day if that ever happened. To be left with the remaining & questionable RMA Nvidia partners with EVGA out of the equation would be awful imo. 
Anyone that advocates their demise will do themselves no (future) favours....

I do not believe he wants to open up his card and fix the issue himself. He wants to get a card with the fixes already.

wampawookie
I do not believe he wants to open up his card and fix the issue himself. He wants to get a card with the fixes already.

If your friend were to purchase the card from Amazon or Newegg and register it, he can give us a call and we can send him the replacement (with the thermal pads installed) before having to send his in. It is a little inconvenient but this will resolve the issue and you will still have a card with a great warranty. 

So after he purchases his card. He needs to wait for it to ship. Then register it. Then mail it to you guys to put the pads on? That sounds like too much trouble.