Anyone who has killed their GPU, we need them to test with a multimeter if there's continuity between the standoff and resistors. This would prove it's the standoffs.

MeleeSparks
I uploaded my invoice two days ago and the RMA request didn't budge.  I called this morning and they instantly approved it.  I wish they accepted a drop off.  I work at the Fullerton Police Department, 10 minutes from them 
 
Glad they approved the RMA for both my RTX 3090's though, so I'm just thankful.

lol did you tell them you could physically drop it off when on the phone? I doubt they'd object to that because it saves shipping/time if they have you drop off and pick up the rma replacement. Win-win for both sides.
If all else fails.. just show up unannounced and ask to drop it off, make sure you roll up in your police car with uniform on for a little intimidation ;)

Filip1995
Now, what I did different from my previous try, which resulted in bricked card is that I preheated the card with heat gun before disassembly. The removal of stock cooler was much easier. I am also noting that the replacement card had much fresher thermal paste and puddy. The bricked card had all thermal substances dried up. I am suggesting to not pull on the pcb from the far side where the pcie power connectors are located. This poses substantial risk of bending the pcb and possible damage.

Also, added some extra thermal pads under the backplate since in the EK manual the pads are positioned mainly on one side of the pcb which causes uneven ground for the backplate, and when secured with screws, can cause additional bending of the pcb. I will upload picture of pad placement when I get home.

This is basically what EK told me. They actually suggested benching the card before hand, apparently as long as you are quick to remove the card it's as good if not better than heating up the card using a heat gun. With that said, I currently have both the alphacool and EK blocks in hand and I'll be going with the alphacool. 

This is the response I got from EK.  Just like someone else posted a page back.  They're going to re-work one of the standofs on the waterblock to match how EVGA's stock coolers' is.
 

Please tell me where to test with multimeter and I will. My second RMA card arrives monday then I wont be able to test further but I still have a blown out card until then.

Sure. I registered. And go back and forth with their customer service. Guess what, two days ago, I finally got a message stated "they got confused and that is a mistake. ". Now I'm waiting for approval of that RMA.  Just so curious about what kind of mistake happened in their internal flow. 
Again, as a tech. leader of support group long time ago. I know a lot of time, customer service department could not do too much. And mistakes or some slowness are always related to production, management flow... and so on. They are just scape goat. I fully understand the pain in their role.
 
On the other hand, as a customer, the whole process to get it pending approval till today is 25 days....... speechless.
 
 

jnayna
…
 Below is what I got from EK support:
 
We have a report from R&D, and we will provide a smaller stand of for this position. As it may interfere with the resistors on the PCB.
So if you already have this block and wish to replace the standoff, please let me know.

​



If you have any other questions or need any additional help, please feel free to ask :)

funny …that’s my response from EKWB
 

Thank you for contacting us.
I am sorry to hear about your issue.
We do not have any confirmed case where the cause of the issue would be the EK block. We did also test the reported blocks on our GPU and everything is working ok. We also have confirmation from customers that have RMAed the GPU and placed the same block on the second GPU to be working without issues. 
After you receive a new graphics card from RMA, we recommend that you remove the stock cooler very slowly and carefully. Stock thermal paste and thermal pads are very sticky and can damage the graphics card when removing the air cooler if you are not careful. Make sure to heat up the GPU with some benchmarking to loosen up the thermal pads.

Best regards,
Sanel

 
and I even referred to this thread ….
edit:
I had no problems removing my standard block. And my card worked perfectly for 2 weeks… and then suddenly died.

Last Friday, 21.05

If your board bricked because of the EK bloc, I don't think EVGA wont be putting out any statement.  In fact, if the card did get bricked because of the EK block then those who had their cards bricked by the block should feel thankful that EVGA is covering the rma for their cards since it's not a EVGA failure technically.  The putty issue is different, but I would recommend you email EK about your issue after seeing the response others have gotten to see if you can get that different riser stand so that it reduces the chances of failure.  Hard to say that caused your issue, but it can't hurt to get it if  you already have the block and will be using it again.  

"highly undesirable" ... for the price

broski
Last Friday, 21.05

Which is exactly why I've decided to just not deal with it. I got my RMA card and am currently running on air.
 
I'm trying to RMA the waterblock to get a refund but not sure if will get approved or not. The RMA process is still with the original stance that cards getting damaged during stock cooler removal and please try again with RMA card.....
 
I've ordered a different brand block and will try with that once arrives. I'm not confident in if the issue is the EK block or the EVGA cards so I'm removing 1 of the variables.

I submitted a support ticket to EK about the block killing 2 cards. This is the response I got. 
 
-----------------------
 
Thank you for contacting us
We are sorry to hear about your issue. 
Do you have any pictures of the old "dead" PCB? Please do send us the pictures. 

We do not have any confirmed case where the cause of the issue would be the EK block. We did also test the reported blocks on our GPU and everything is working ok. We also have confirmation from customers that have RMAed the GPU and placed the same block on the second GPU to be working without issues. 
After you receive a new graphics card from RMA, we recommend that you remove the stock cooler very slowly and carefully. Stock thermal paste and thermal pads are very sticky and can damage the graphics card when removing the air cooler if you are not careful. Make sure to heat up the GPU with some benchmarking to loosen up the thermal pads.
 
-----------------
 
I will follow up later with what they are asking for but I will not be shorting another card with their block. EVGA as always taking care of customers with RMAs. My 3rd card arrives today 

eg0911
I submitted a support ticket to EK about the block killing 2 cards. This is the response I got. 
 
-----------------------
 
Thank you for contacting us
We are sorry to hear about your issue. 
Do you have any pictures of the old "dead" PCB? Please do send us the pictures. 

We do not have any confirmed case where the cause of the issue would be the EK block. We did also test the reported blocks on our GPU and everything is working ok. We also have confirmation from customers that have RMAed the GPU and placed the same block on the second GPU to be working without issues. 
After you receive a new graphics card from RMA, we recommend that you remove the stock cooler very slowly and carefully. Stock thermal paste and thermal pads are very sticky and can damage the graphics card when removing the air cooler if you are not careful. Make sure to heat up the GPU with some benchmarking to loosen up the thermal pads.
 
-----------------
 
I will follow up later with what they are asking for but I will not be shorting another card with their block. EVGA as always taking care of customers with RMAs. My 3rd card arrives today 

Sounds like the cut and paste response others have gotten before the last few board members posted their info about the post and diagram.  I wouldn't want to redo the block until they respond about it by either confirming the earlier post and provide the new standoff or say that earlier info is a hoax and wasn't generated by EK.  I hate to say it but maybe a change water block companies might be an option also if funds allow.  Makes you kinda think about it if the company can't even get their info straight do you want to risk your card further?  

MeleeSparks
I truly wonder where EVGA will draw the line here.  They're taking care of everyones bricked WB cards because they're just rockstars when it comes to customer service, but I mean, think about it.  The FTW3 Ultra's are working fine when the stock coolers are on there (for the most part).
 
People removing the stock cooler and throwing water blocks on are the ones messing the card up (including myself).  And going through this thread, and I see people receiving their 3rd and 4th RMA's because they keep trying to block up their cards.  It's obvious that it's either A) the process of removing the stock cooler or B) The waterblock standoff is causing damage to the card, or C) the application of the waterblock to the PCB is causing issues... how is this any of EVGA's fault?
 
I feel like people are really taking advantage of EVGA here...

EVGA uses incredibly nasty sticky putty which does make their air coolers way harder to seperate than others. 
 
Standoffs are a real possibility but according to EK, they have provided EVGA the blocks they are using and EVGA went "Yup that looks good."
 

 
And people slapped the same block onto their RMA replacements and everything worked fine. So it's not all that simple to pin blame on EK or EVGA.
 
I do think there is some interaction with the block/backplate and board. That's why I'm going to try to insulate the block contact points.
 
I don't see any other way forward. Other people have their cards working with blocks - so I'm not staying on air after sinking a ton of money and effort into a WC setup.

eg0911
My card worked on the block for almost a month then just died. Installed it on a RMA card and instantly got a noboot. Its a short somewhere on the card that is stopping the psu from even providing power. I understand some have had success but so did I....for a while.
 
At this point I have no confidence in EKs solution to block this card. Whether is EVGA or EK doesnt matter. Putting the block on the card causes issues. Its not evgas job to make EKs product work on their product. The stock cooler worked since launch.
 

My own card worked for a bit. I booted to windows several times but then turned everything off to clean up some wiring and rewire the fan controller - and that was the last time I saw anything on my screen.
 
If you are confident it's a short, then covering the non thermal transfer parts of the block with polymide tape is all that is needed for a safe installation right? So why not go that route....