I'll start off by saying my GTX 980ti is an evga b-stock refurbished card and that this is my 2nd refurbished 980ti, as the first died.
I'm looking for advice on how to test my 980ti and ultimately prove to EVGA it's faulty for an RMA / refund.
 
The issue
Presumably my GTX 980ti is faulty in some way and is causing crashes in applications and sometimes my entire computer.
Examples of games / programs that will crash with a hard freeze, to desktop, : Overwatch, Heaven benchmark, 3DMark, Roblox
Notoriously, I've been dealing with this issue in Overwatch since upgrading my GTX 1060 to the 980ti, simply chalking up the problem to the game and or Nvidia drivers. Assuming the "kink" would be worked out eventually with patches / updates. However, it seems the opposite has happened... The decisive reason for me returning the card is the latest Overwatch patch 1.36.0.1, crashing my computer at the main menu, no driver recovered, rendering device lost. It's a hard crash requiring a force shutdown. (tested both Windows 10 & 7)
This isn't just a complaint about Overwatch and the infamous "rendering device lost" error. The Overwatch crashes in other ways and shares the same symptoms other games do.
 
Specs
Windows 10 & 7
EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti SC+ GAMING ACX 2.0+
i5-6600k
z170 Gigabyte motherboard
8gb RAM
EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G3, 80 Plus Gold 750W
 
Troubleshooting
Tested on Windows 10 & 7
DDU
Old Nvidia driver 368.22 (Overwatch game ready driver)
Removed all overclocks (980ti never overclocked)
Currently using my GTX 1060 with no issues
default bios settings
Numerous Overwatch rendering device lost "fixes" 
No programs running in background (MSI afterburner, clients, ect...)
RAM checks out fine
 
Why my 980ti is to blame?
My GTX 1060 3gb has no issues at all. Not even bothering to DDU the Nvidia drivers.
 
What about my first 980ti?
Honestly, I can't remember too well. I was playing Black Ops 4 mostly (the reason I upgraded my GPU). However, I did 3Dmark / Heaven benchmark it. Which means those programs worked. 
 
PSU potential culprit?
While researching I've seen the blame be put on the PSU. In my testing my PSU doesn't seem to be issue, at least not raw power draw. 
GTA V running overzealous graphic options maxes out the 980ti and hits 80c, no issues during my test playthroughs.
Meanwhile, Overwatch peaces out in the background and now in the main menu with sub 20% GPU usage and less than max factory core clock.
 
EVEN if my 980ti is working perfectly fine hardware wise and it's Nvidia / Overwatch's fault. The main game I play is Overwatch and if the 980ti isn't "supported", then I don't want it.

Easiest way to prove to evga is to take the card to a store that is reputable ,and knows what they are doing, have them do a proper install of the card in a whole other computer and test it. Ask that they give you a print out of the results and a list of the parts they used in the build they used to test it and sign off on the result. Then if it still failed you will have what you need to satisfy evga absolutely.

"EVEN if my 980ti is working perfectly fine hardware wise and it's Nvidia / Overwatch's fault. The main game I play is Overwatch and if the 980ti isn't "supported", then I don't want it."  Unfortunately, this is not a parameter that will mean anything to evga, they only deal with the card either working or not to the specs it was advertised at. If it breaks a fan or pops a cap they will help you but performance in games is not something they warranty.

wmmills
Easiest way to prove to evga is to take the card to a store that is reputable

If it comes to it; I can test in another desktop computer by adding my extra PSU to power the 980ti.
 

Cool GTX
What Temps of CPU & GPU ?
GPU highest temp is 81c with increased voltage, CPU also fine @ 65c max.
 
 What is age of EVGA PSU - 750 G3  ?
 Bought with my 980ti, less than a year old.
 
Are you using two separate PCIe power lines or one with a pig-tailed second end ?
 I wasn't but am now. Results seem to be the same :(
 
Run benchmarks and give links to results:
Time spy
Fire strike
3DMark is one of the programs that don't work. 
i.imgur .com/Atl7yv8.jpg
 
What dump files / crash reports saying?
i.imgur .com/4ZPb0oR.jpg
Blue screen is super rare, I don't get crash reports for the hard locks.
 

 
Another one of my troubleshooting steps was to underclock the 980ti, it has interesting results....
-99 on the core clock and -200 (quick and dirty) now allows 3DMark AND Overwatch to run!
I was able to get 2 3DMark scores. The point of these tests being that the card works at all, performance aside.
 
-99 and -200
i.imgur .com/nCsZxQI.jpg
 
Increased voltage, Powerlimit, and temp limit
i.imgur .com/soGr8CR.jpg
 
It seems I'm making progress with the issue here.
Is my card not stable at the factory OC? (1300mhz)

Sajin

Wolfdawg
Is my card not stable at the factory OC? (1300mhz)

Sounds like it.

+1... that's something that would fall under warranty with evga, if its still under warranty, but save those results cause they will want them most likely.

Wolfdawg
I'll be testing for a "stable" underclock for the next few days.
This card is still under its 3 year warranty.
 
Should I get a 3rd 980ti or just get a refund? I'm required to pay the shipping for RMA, which is kind of ridiculous for being sent defective products. :( 
The $150 for this 980ti feels more like a down payment considering I keep having to pay for it....

RMA is your only choice, refunds wont happen. No one does refunds for gcards.... not even if they are within 30 days of purchase even... I believe. Get the rma, check it to make sure it works then sell it and disclose the pertinent info, or this thread, on the sale listing is the best way to go about it. Don't lie or try and cheat someone cause it will only come back to haunt you.

Received another 980ti from the RMA. I've stress tested and it's performing normally. As long as it doesn't die in the first month of typical dud GPUs.