I see the misunderstanding here. The cards are broken up into 2 lines. iCX Technology which boasts the temperature sensors AND asynchronous fan controls vs iCX Cooling which is the same cooler without the temperature sensors and asynchronous fan controls.

Just some food for thought.  I have the 1080 SC2 with ICX.  I use EVGA Precision and run the fans at 40% all the time, and as temps change...the GPU curve is a bit more aggressive than the Power/VRM fan curve.  I can run the utility in GPU-Z and watch temps rise for both and how the fan curves change.  The sensors on Power/VRM help the second fan operate.
 
Now, with that said....I monitored the fan activity with the automatic fan control of Precision disabled.  The vbios is set  to run the fans at different temp levels, with no help.  I noticed my GPU fans started to run  at 58C and ramped up from there.  Power/VRM was similar.
 
Without the sensors on the Power/VRM of the 1080 TI black SC...how are the Power/VRM fans to operate?  Only ONE way that I can think of.  Use precision and link the two fans together and have the monitor for GPU run both on the same curve.  However...for those not using Precision, I would be interested in How EVGA is going to operate the power / vrm fan...
 
Could the product specs be incomplete:  http://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=11G-P4-6393-KR
 
 

Would be interesting to hear EVGA's take on this...

I think the "Features" tab on the SC Black page is incorrect. The 1080 ti SC Black does not have Asynchronous fans; see the iCX comparison table between the cards on this page: evga.com articles/01092/evga-geforce-gtx-1080-ti/  (My account must be too new for links? Throw a / between evga.com and articles)

Think of it this way.  It looks like ACX coolers are retired.  IDK if that's actually true, but that what I gather by the announcements that are out.
 
Here's my example:
GTX1070 ACX 3.0 Black Edition is the budget version without backplate.
GTX1070 ACX 3.0 regular with backplate is the regular version.
 
GTX1080 Ti iCX Cooler is the budget version probably without backplate with synchronous fans.
GTX1080 Ti iCX Technology regular version probably with backplate, with asynchronous fans and extra temperature sensors.

I see multiple posts here with most of the facts correct, but not all of them (except, technically, for Ra1n_).  We've split up EVGA iCX Technology into two components - iCX Technology and iCX Cooling.  The main difference between them is that iCX Technology incorporates iCX Cooling, but uses the extra sensors and other features to enable the use of asynchronous fans, monitoring tools, etc.  iCX Cooling refers to the baseplate, backplate, cooler, and other patented technologies that relate only to the cooler portion of iCX.
 
The SC Black Edition features everything from the iCX Cooler:

• Die-cast baseplate/backplate
• Pin fins, multiple contact points between baseplate and heatsink
• Pin holes and half-open fins to direct airflow around and through the card.

However, the card does not feature the iCX Technology, which means:

• Fans are not asynchronous (only 1 fan header, not two)
• Only the Nvidia GPU sensor (standard on all Nvidia cards)
• Standard PCB, without any of the exclusive iCX PCB features (with the exception of a safety fuse).

Think of the GTX 1080 Ti Black Edition this way:  it's got all of the best new cooling features from iCX, but without the sensors or the asynchronous fans.  If you're the type of person that isn't worried about the temperatures around the PCB - especially with the newer cooling features on the iCX Cooler - then you can save a little money and go with this card, compared to the iCX version.  Similarly, the 1080 Ti SC Black Edition uses a reference PCB, which may be important to you if you're looking for aftermarket cooling, such as watercooling.  If you want the full iCX Technology with the sensors and asynchronous fans, however, then you'll want to go with the 1080 Ti SC2.

bob's not crazy.  He was referring to the features tab on the product page.  I just cleaned it up.  Mea culpa.

EVGATech_LeeM
I see multiple posts here with most of the facts correct, but not all of them (except, technically, for Ra1n_).  We've split up EVGA iCX Technology into two components - iCX Technology and iCX Cooling.  The main difference between them is that iCX Technology incorporates iCX Cooling, but uses the extra sensors and other features to enable the use of asynchronous fans, monitoring tools, etc.  iCX Cooling refers to the baseplate, backplate, cooler, and other patented technologies that relate only to the cooler portion of iCX.
 
The SC Black Edition features everything from the iCX Cooler:

• Die-cast baseplate/backplate
• Pin fins, multiple contact points between baseplate and heatsink
• Pin holes and half-open fins to direct airflow around and through the card.

However, the card does not feature the iCX Technology, which means:

• Fans are not asynchronous (only 1 fan header, not two)
• Only the Nvidia GPU sensor (standard on all Nvidia cards)
• Standard PCB, without any of the exclusive iCX PCB features (with the exception of a safety fuse).

Think of the GTX 1080 Ti Black Edition this way:  it's got all of the best new cooling features from iCX, but without the sensors or the asynchronous fans.  If you're the type of person that isn't worried about the temperatures around the PCB - especially with the newer cooling features on the iCX Cooler - then you can save a little money and go with this card, compared to the iCX version.  Similarly, the 1080 Ti SC Black Edition uses a reference PCB, which may be important to you if you're looking for aftermarket cooling, such as watercooling.  If you want the full iCX Technology with the sensors and asynchronous fans, however, then you'll want to go with the 1080 Ti SC2.

So fans are NOT asynchronous.  Thank  you for clearing that up.  It is really an ACX on ICX steroids without the thermal sensors.  Even so, going to be a very nice card...and I think it will be an in between the FE and the SC2 version. 

bobmitch
 
 
So fans are NOT asynchronous.  Thank  you for clearing that up.  It is really an ACX on ICX steroids without the thermal sensors.  Even so, going to be a very nice card...and I think it will be an in between the FE and the SC2 version. 

I'd say that's a fairly accurate description.  It certainly has its place in the lineup, depending on a person's needs.

redleader00

EVGATech_LeeM
 
Similarly, the 1080 Ti SC Black Edition uses a reference PCB, which may be important to you if you're looking for aftermarket cooling, such as watercooling. 

Remember that the SC Black Edition has the extra DVI-D port, so its 99.9% reference but check that this is not a problem with the specific watercooler you choose if you are going for it.

Fair point.  I also just learned that the SC Black Edition will also feature the safety fuse on it, as well, which means that compatibility with some waterblocks could be compromised.

We're learning all sorts of new things, lol. GO BOB GO!

On the chart, under board design...says 1 eight pin.  Maybe he posted that with the photo of the card...
 
 

bobmitch
On the chart, under board design...says 1 eight pin.  Maybe he posted that with the photo of the card...

Possibly.  A single 8pin certainly isn't in any official spec sheet on our side.  In fact, the spec sheet states 6+8.

Beginning to wonder if they're working on the...*1080ti stay tuned edition*