Ok... first let me take a deep breath....This is my RMA adventure with my EVGA GTX 1080 FTW.  And things are not going well.
 
Ok, to explain -my card started experiencing artifacts about a month ago.  Small digitized multicolored squares.  It was an intermittent problem, whether gaming or just surfing the net.  I tried everything a normal user should before calling support and initiating an RMA (re-installing drivers, rolling back drivers, trying different driver versions, removing all remnants of drivers with DDU, re-seating card, checking monitor cables, checking power cables, etc...).  All to no avail, so I called tech support and the started the RMA process.  They said no problem.  I did a cross-ship and paid the upfront costs, and they told me I'd have it in 1-3 business days.  I later re-contacted EVGA to make sure that I was getting the thermal pad mod and the BIOS update.  They told me of course.  Absolutely yes.  Then the forums started posting about the VRAM pads as well, so I again called and was assured that my replacement card would be good to go.  Thermal pads on everything including the VRAM, and the updated BIOS.  Cool deal right?  It sounded good to me.
 
So I waited...  and waited...  1-3 business days passed.  And on the tenth business day I called EVGA.  I asked if there was a problem.  I mean I certainly realize they are getting overwhelmed with calls and emails and RMAs about these thermal mods and other issues.  But I RMA'ed because my card was messing up.  Major artifacts on screen.  I paid almost $700 for this card.  I expect it to work right?  The CS person I spoke to was actually very nice and understanding.  I explained that I do not have an extra graphics card to use right now, and I don't want to keep using this glitchy card.  So I was without any system right now, and it was getting to be way past the time when I thought I was getting my replacement card.  It was starting to become a problem for me.
 
So the cust. service rep (again was very nice) told me that he would make a call and fix this, and within an hour I got an email that it was being shipped overnight UPS, and I would have the card today.  Absolutely fantastic.  I was ready to post a glowing review for EVGA's stellar customer service.  That was a great thing he did. 
 
Ok, so I got the card about 11:00 am today, and it appeared to be a brand new card, all factory sealed.  Looking at the backplate compared to my "bad" FTW - I could see the large thermal pad was indeed in place (you can see it through the vented area on the back plate above the "E" and the "V").  Again, everything looking good.  BIOS updated, pads in place.  Sweet!
 
So I installed my new card in my rig.  Removed every scrap of the old cards drivers even though they were the same, and installed brand new fresh drivers from the Nvidia's site.  It worked fine and was looking fantastic.  No coil whine, card was perfect!  Then I tried to game.
 
I opened Precision X OC and set the fans to 60% and launched BF1.  Got into a game quickly and immediately noticed the card seemed warmer than usual.  At a 60% fan speed, my old card would hover in mid 60's (C).  This card was immediately at 70C.  I bumped up the speed to 80% fan speed, but noticed the card's temp was still climbing, 75C, 82C, 90C, 96C, 99C - then BAM - LOCK UP, FREEZE and game crashed.
 
I was floored.  I have never had a BSOD or crash since I built this rig, and I never saw my "old" FTW go over 75C.  EVER.  In fact I always kept it in the high 60's with an aggressive fan curve under the heaviest of loads.  I like things running cool.  In fact I don't think I have ever had a card get that hot - ever.  I did a hard reset and shut down my rig immediately and disconnected everything.  Took off side panel and examined everything very closely.  I saw no issues.  I disconnected card, reseated it, reconnected my platinum SeaSonic 860W PSU (which does have two dedicated 8-pin connectors).
 
So I tried it again.  Booted up.  All seemed ok.  Surfed the net and just let it run with a 30% fan speed.  No stress on the system.  Incidentally, my office is in a basement and has a very cool ambient, and my old FTW stayed about 25-30C with 30% fan with system at idle.  I saw that this new card was already at 45C.  Just idling.  Something was wrong here.  Removed the case's side panel and could see the fans were spinning just fine, and the card was working.  I let it run for about an 30 min. without gaming and the card's temp kept slowly creeping up until it was about 50C.  AT IDLE!  I'm just surfing the net mind you.  So I cranked up the fans to 65% and the temps went down to ~35C.
 
I thought I'd try a less demanding game.  Booted up Borderlands 2.  I set fan speed at 80% just to be sure.  Temps skyrocketed to 80C almost immediately.  Then kept creeping up slowly.  I quit the game when it hit 91C.
 
I powered down and took the card out.  Opened it up and guess what.  NO THERMAL PASTE!!!  EVGA did all the pad modifications, but left off the TIM.  OMG!!!  Now this card has to be heat damaged.  Has to be -it hit almost 100C!!!  On the die there were tiny remnants of the old TIM that looked as if it had been cleaned off.  The heat spreader was cleaned off completely (and actually had a few scratches on it!).  I am absolutely floored.  So I guess what?  I start a new RMA - again?  I am so bummed its beyond words.  I don't get me wrong, I love EVGA.  But this is inexcusable.
 

 

so evga sends a refurbished card instead of a new one when someone needs to replace the card???
and they also forgot to put the tim 
 what a shame

Uh, no....A shame would be if they forgot to include the extra connectors or the poster.  Forgetting to add TIM is way beyond "a shame."  I just fried this card.  
 
And I was well aware that it was prob going to be a refurb.

Refurb, or a card that is still new that they had to add thermal pads to? That doesn't make it a refurb. And your card isn't fried - I had the same thing happen with a Gigabyte card, and all I did was add TIM and it is still running 24/7 in my back up rig. And there are thermal protections in place precisely to prevent the GPU from burning up.
 
They are swamped, I get that. However, that is a big QC no-no.
 
Call up EVGA - They can send you replacement TIM if you want, I'm sure of that. TIM replacement is easy - but I agree it's a big oversight that they need to make sure doesn't happen again.
 
 

Probably to expedite you a card after you have been let down and due to excessive back logs they forgot to add the paste. I'm not excusing what happened but something like this would be a honest mistake, but I would be really annoyed too.
I hope they deal with this as a matter of urgency for you.

It should be fine if you put on TIM. But yeah, inexcusable quality control. Terrible.

Just add some thermal goop of your choice and play on!

Hey hapkiman, we spoke over the phone recently. Again, we would like to apologize for the situation here. I have everything set up for you to receive another replacement. Feel free to PM or call again if you have any other concerns. 

Thanks Hudson!

Ok, my blood pressure is back to normal again. Sorry for the initial rant. 
And I have to give major props to Hudson at EVGA.  He's going to get another card to me and was very helpful.  Outstanding customer service.  I realize now this is why I buy EVGA.
 
I'm sure this next card will be good to go.