BigBearSmokey
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Just got back the RMA'd Gtx 980 FTW Card. Nothing has changed, I still get the black screen after a few minutes in GW2. Changed Physx in control panel to CPU instead of GPU and it was stable. Used EVGA Precision X and down clocked -100 mhz and it was stable. Did a diagnostics check on my PC, everything was 100 percent fine, did a RAM test and again everything was fine. Why is this GTX 980 FTW not stable at stock speeds in my machine? Everything is about 2 months old, my 290x Sli, 280x and gtx 970 sc works fine without a hitch but this FTW card seems to carry a very bad curse with it ("For the Win" huh, we sure won alright.)
CPU: i5 4690K
MOBO: Asus Z87 Pro
PSU: 850 Watt Bronze Label
RAM: 8GB Corsair
SSD: Samsung EVO Pro
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litwicki22 
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 15:09:00
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BigBearSmokey
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 15:31:51
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litwicki22
Hmm i am scary to buy evga card now.
I was planned to buy that one:
Are you talking about that card?
EVGA GTX980 ACX 2.0 4GB GDDR5 256bit (04G-P4-2981-KR)
Nope, mine is the "FTW Edition" / Just stray away from that one or get a GTX 980 ti - Stray away from the curse!
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bsmegreg
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 15:36:59
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You're gonna need to change cards because it's not gonna work with your PC (or whatever it is). So if that means a step-up to a GTX 980ti then do it.
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Samsander
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 16:01:53
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Jshiver90
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 16:27:41
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Nothing but problems with my 980 FTW, even after getting an RMA replacement. No problems with other GPUs, though.
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bsmegreg
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 16:29:14
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Jshiver90
Nothing but problems with my 980 FTW, even after getting an RMA replacement. No problems with other GPUs, though.
It must not work with certain PC's because it seems like.a compatibility issue. Like for example, it may not work with a preticular chipset like Intel Z97 or something.
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bsmegreg
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 16:29:18
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Jshiver90
Nothing but problems with my 980 FTW, even after getting an RMA replacement. No problems with other GPUs, though.
It must not work with certain PC's because it seems like.a compatibility issue. Like for example, it may not work with a preticular chipset like Intel Z97 or something.
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Jshiver90
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 16:38:10
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bsmegreg
Jshiver90
Nothing but problems with my 980 FTW, even after getting an RMA replacement. No problems with other GPUs, though.
It must not work with certain PC's because it seems like.a compatibility issue. Like for example, it may not work with a preticular chipset like Intel Z97 or something.
Possibly. Doesn't fix the issue, though. 
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bsmegreg
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 17:57:21
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Yeah, sadly... But if that is the issue then I would hope EVGA would step up to the plate and deal with it appropriately.
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Jshiver90
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 18:11:26
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Seems odd though ... Why would the FTW cards have issues and not the reference models? Don't they use the same chip? And why would downclocking solve the issue for some people?
post edited by Jshiver90 - 2015/06/05 18:15:31
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vdChild
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 18:33:44
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Jshiver90
Seems odd though ... Why would the FTW cards have issues and not the reference models? Don't they use the same chip?
And why would downclocking solve the issue for some people?
the FTW is a custom pcb all evga componets unlike the acx which IS reference ie same as ref cooler nvidia card with evga sticker
i7 5930k @ 4.6 w/ H105- - - - Asus X99 Sabertooth EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC - - - - 32gb Carsair DDR4 Cooler Master HAF X - - - - Samsung 850 Pro 512gb WD Black 1tb x 2 - - - - WD Green 2tb Seasonic SS-760XP2 - - - - Acer XB270HU WQHD GSYNC QNIX QX2710 27" WQHD - - - - Sharp 46" 1080p
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bsmegreg
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 18:39:45
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The chips are anything but the same. When they're made, they're all the chips come out with 'impurities' which effects the performance and overclocking ability of the card. Some have more 'impurities' which makes them clock worse. So what they do is test them and 'bin' them (sort) based on their performance and put them in models based on their clocks ('impurities'). Clearly something went wrong sonewhere and they were sorted/binned wrong. Either that or the diffrience on the placement of key things like the VRAM made that much of the diffrience.
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Jshiver90
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 18:40:47
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vdChild
Jshiver90
Seems odd though ... Why would the FTW cards have issues and not the reference models? Don't they use the same chip?
And why would downclocking solve the issue for some people?
the FTW is a custom pcb all evga componets unlike the acx which IS reference ie same as ref cooler nvidia card with evga sticker
Gotcha. Still, why would down clocking solve the problem if it's a compatibility issue? I'm not saying anyone is wrong, but there's definitely something wrong with this card series.
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vdChild
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 19:25:27
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Jshiver90
vdChild
Jshiver90
Seems odd though ... Why would the FTW cards have issues and not the reference models? Don't they use the same chip?
And why would downclocking solve the issue for some people?
the FTW is a custom pcb all evga componets unlike the acx which IS reference ie same as ref cooler nvidia card with evga sticker
Gotcha.
Still, why would down clocking solve the problem if it's a compatibility issue?
I'm not saying anyone is wrong, but there's definitely something wrong with this card series.
well theres nothing wrong with the 980 chip... i have an acx (reference) and its flawless, but my buddy just got the ftw... nothing but problems and its not just z97 cause he'sing running an i7 870 i believe, much older chipset! thankfully he just got it, so is gonna do a step up.
i7 5930k @ 4.6 w/ H105- - - - Asus X99 Sabertooth EVGA GTX 980 Ti SC - - - - 32gb Carsair DDR4 Cooler Master HAF X - - - - Samsung 850 Pro 512gb WD Black 1tb x 2 - - - - WD Green 2tb Seasonic SS-760XP2 - - - - Acer XB270HU WQHD GSYNC QNIX QX2710 27" WQHD - - - - Sharp 46" 1080p
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Antizm
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 20:19:01
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For anyone else having issues with this card.
My symptoms:
Freeze at desktop looking up crap on webrowser
TDRs
BSOD crashes(archage specifically)
Resolutions:
Swapped the card with my wifes 780 FTW. I had no issues with 780 and she started having issues with my 980 FTW.
She had black screens and crashes(archage specifically).
Downclocked GPU -105 MHz still had the same issues.
Final Resolution:
I downclocked the GPU and GPU memory at -250Mhz and I haven't see and issue with my card since.
Seems like the GPU is working fine now. The card at stock will run all benchmark tools perfectly fine. It's when you start using the the GPU for it's intended use(Games) that the crashes appear at stock clocks. I truly believe that issue with these cards there sending out is unstable clocks or low voltage.
The GTX 980 FTW can't handle the overclock the factory is sending them to us at.
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backdoc77
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 20:35:51
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Antizm
Final Resolution:
I downclocked the GPU and GPU memory at -250Mhz and I haven't see and issue with my card since.
I suspect this will be a temporary fix and at some point the black screens will return. You'll need to keep RMA'ing the cards till you get one that works. From my personal experience, I have never owned an EVGA card that worked properly. All of the issues I had were "black screen" and "driver has stopped responding" issues. It was very frustrating to say the least. Now I only buy Asus products. Good luck.
Asus Z170-AR
Intel i7 6700K
Corsair Vengeance 16gb 3200 mhz (9 9 9 24) Asus GTX 1080Samsung 960 Pro 1TB M.2 SSD Corsair TX850 Power LG Blu Ray 10x RW CH10
Corsair 570x Crystal Case Asus Rog Swift PG278Q Monitor
Windows 10 Pro x64
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BStefan
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/05 20:38:56
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I got lucky with my first RMA. I was having the black screen issue, where my monitor would turn off and only way to get back was restarting my computer. This was happening while playing games, and doing also the 3DMark Skydiver test, a lot of stuttering as well. This new RMA has been flawless, working perfectly fine, no issues at all. I'm on the list for a Step-Up to the 980Ti and I'm scared of letting this one go and have issues with the new one... hopefully not.
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Samsander
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 03:26:13
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It's not a compatibility with motherboard chipsets. I tested the FTW in other systems all had different chipsets and different PSU makers. The black screens still happened. Also if it was a compatibility issue downclocking would not have helped most likely.
post edited by Samsander - 2015/06/06 03:32:08
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stalinx20
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 05:05:25
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(No screaming intended here.) STAY AWAY FROM FTW. 
EVGA X79 Dark 2080 Black edition 980 EVGA 1000 gold PSU (Gold) 4820K CPU 16x G-skill
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bcavnaugh
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 06:12:36
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Samsander
It's not a compatibility with motherboard chipsets. I tested the FTW in other systems all had different chipsets and different PSU makers.
The black screens still happened.
Also if it was a compatibility issue downclocking would not have helped most likely.
Can I ask you if the two systems tested based on AMD Chip Set or that is an AMD CPU Motherboard?
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rjohnson11
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 06:26:38
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Make sure the CPU is at default clocks. Make sure the memory is not overclocked. Try two different PCI-E power cables from your PSU and see if the same problem exists.
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stalinx20
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 07:44:12
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rjohnson11
Make sure the CPU is at default clocks. Make sure the memory is not overclocked. Try two different PCI-E power cables from your PSU and see if the same problem exists.
This doesn't make a difference. The FTW's clock is set too high, which causes it to want more power and it can't, hense the reasons people are getting the 116 error message from windows. This needs to be double checked by EVGA. My thoughts? they need to authorize a recall, but you and I know they won't do that. You may say that i can't confirm this because i don't own an FTW, but why hasnt a single EVGA rep chimed in to give their advice? Because there is no advice other than the fact that, yes, the card needs more power but Nvidia will not authorize that.
post edited by stalinx20 - 2015/06/06 07:46:42
EVGA X79 Dark 2080 Black edition 980 EVGA 1000 gold PSU (Gold) 4820K CPU 16x G-skill
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brahmzy
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 08:03:08
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Add me to the list of bad 980FTWs... I had to downclock both GPU and VRAM by 100 to have it not crap out with blak screens. EVGA should be offering full refunds on these cards as there is no fix. The ones they replace the bad ones with are bad. Thankfully I'm able to step up to a 980Ti. Let's hope those cards don't have issues.
post edited by brahmzy - 2015/06/06 08:05:28
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bcavnaugh
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 08:05:38
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rjohnson11
Make sure the CPU is at default clocks. Make sure the memory is not overclocked. Try two different PCI-E power cables from your PSU and see if the same problem exists.
+1 Yes Use Two Different PCI-E power cables from your PSU. While users are tying to use the lowest possible power supply and only a single power connector with two connectors because other members tell other members that it should work and you do not need two power cables and so on. The more members that work to find solutions the better we are off in the long run. It would really be nice to see the forum lean to the positive side of life and not only sinking to the negative side of life. Like the old saying goes; If you have nothing nice to say then you should not say anything at all.
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bsmegreg
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 08:32:04
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I would assume that if someone says that their old card works and their new one doesn't, that they probably know how to install it properly. I just think that there's a problem with the card, like maybe a bad batch.
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bcavnaugh
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 08:38:17
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bsmegreg
I would assume that if someone says that their old card works and their new one doesn't, that they probably know how to install it properly. I just think that there's a problem with the card, like maybe a bad batch.
Maybe, but I have had users refuse to test with two PCIe Power Cables so what do you do then. I have even see users using 4-Pin Molex connectors and expect their cards to work with 180 and 280 Watt Power Supplies. All they come back with is this card is a piece of garbage. I even had one user try and force the card into an old ISA Slot and blamed the card for breaking the slot on his motherboard. So not all users can install a new video card. Sometimes I think users post made up stuff only to troll.
post edited by bcavnaugh - 2015/06/06 08:40:23
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brahmzy
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 08:47:08
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This is a systemic issue and has nothing to do with power, so quit clouding the problem with false information.
The FTW cards are all jacked up, period.
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Samsander
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 09:21:57
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bcavnaugh
Samsander
It's not a compatibility with motherboard chipsets. I tested the FTW in other systems all had different chipsets and different PSU makers.
The black screens still happened.
Also if it was a compatibility issue downclocking would not have helped most likely.
Can I ask you if the two systems tested based on AMD Chip Set or that is an AMD CPU Motherboard?
No, all Intel.
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Samsander
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Re: So GTX 980 FTW are very bad cards?
2015/06/06 09:31:22
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bcavnaugh
bsmegreg
I would assume that if someone says that their old card works and their new one doesn't, that they probably know how to install it properly. I just think that there's a problem with the card, like maybe a bad batch.
Maybe, but I have had users refuse to test with two PCIe Power Cables so what do you do then.
I have even see users using 4-Pin Molex connectors and expect their cards to work with 180 and 280 Watt Power Supplies.
All they come back with is this card is a piece of garbage. I even had one user try and force the card into an old ISA Slot and blamed the card for breaking the slot on his motherboard. So not all users can install a new video card. Sometimes I think users post made up stuff only to troll.
Let me stop you right there. I tested the FTW card with different PSU's modular and non modular, with one PCIe cable split and with two PCIe cables plugged in to 6+8pin connectors. Two FTW cards failed with black screens in all those combinations while SC and Reference cards that have 6+6pin connectors showed no issues at all.
post edited by Samsander - 2015/06/06 09:34:48
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