Hello EVGA Community!
 
Been a big fan of EVGA products for a long time. My last 2 video cards have been EVGA 980ti and 1080.  I also use an EVGA Power Supply.  I just got approved and in queue for the step up program to swap my 1080 ftw edition for a 1080ti founders edition.
 
My question today is how I can return my 1080. I have a custom water cooling loop for my CPU/GPU and have an EK waterblock and back plate on the 1080 right now. I kept the original cooler and backplate of course.  When I return the card to EVGA for the swap, do I have to reassemble the card as it was stock or can I just box it up as it sits and not expect any problems?
 
It's awesome that EVGA does this step up program for people who purchased a card recently and a new one came out.  I'll continue to buy EVGA for the great warranty and programs they offer. I just don't want to screw this step up!
 
Thanks for any info you can provide.
 

Muezick
This information is clearly covered in the step up process but
 
YES

You need to restore your card to 100% factory settings, including any bios modifications made, before sending it back to evga. 

^^^ This. Here is the link for more information... http://www.evga.com/support/stepup/ 

trilegdog

Muezick
...........including any bios modifications made, before sending it back to evga. 

I could be mistaken, but I've never noticed a reference for returning bios to factory in the Step-Up.   

The bios is considered part of returning to factory condition.

trilegdog
Purely from a technical aspect, pcmaster00, you are correct.
 
However, I can find no reference to any requirement by EVGA that a Step-Up customer roll back an updated GPU Bios to the version it shipped with from the factory prior to the item being returned to EVGA, either in EVGA's Step-Up Info page, or in the Step-Up sub-forum. It seems that if the customer has met all of the stated requirements in the return of the card, it's not going to be turned down by EVGA on the bench due to a having a specific bios version. This appears be a non-issue. I'll gladly stand corrected if an EVGA Tech Rep would like to weigh in.
 
peace

No one is questioning or challenging your point of view.
 
However, the guidelines or rules would be 30 pages long if EVGA had to outline every single little item. That is why they just simply say... "Products must be returned in their original factory condition (back plates, brackets, etc. will be removed and discarded) and must be free from physical modification or damage per the terms of our warranty.".
 
And the warranty states... 

Product condition:

This Limited Warranty is conditioned upon proper use of the Product by the Purchaser. This Limited Warranty does not cover:

• Graphics Cards that are modified by customer outside of factory specifications and/or not in factory condition.

 
They have a process for all the returned items. We are just providing what is a part of the guidelines/rules. Hope that helps 

trilegdog
Thanks for the input.  Not feeling challenged at all.  Had to dig a bit for a "bios" reference, but it is in fact listed in the Global Warranty (one page) under "Product Condition", last bullet, at  http://www.evga.com/suppo..arranty/graphics-cards/

• Unauthorized changes to the BIOS or Firmware on graphics card that do not have a Multiple BIOS option may cause this warranty to be null and void.

I submit that a customer who updates with an authorized bios is not in conflict with EVGA's policy, nor is there any requirement for a customer to perform a bios version roll-back prior to an exchange/upgrade/Step-Up if they have updated the bios on their card with one authorized by EVGA.  PM out to an EVGA Tech with a request for input.
 
peace 

That is exactly what we have been saying. 
However, I think what we are speaking to is there are folks that do custom BIOS's. We are not speaking to the updates offered by EVGA for the two BIOS's on that particular GPU. As long as the BIOS is from EVGA, there is no issue. 

trilegdog

Afterburner
 
That is exactly what we have been saying. 

Yes Sir.  I was in disagreement with saying that returning the card to factory condition was inclusive of rolling back a bios to the factory ship version.  That's all.  Since we all agree now, I'll not hit the send button on the PM to EVGA Chris. 
 
Rock~N~Roll!  \o/ 
 

Feel free to send your PM. I am absolutely certain it will turn out just fine.