EVGA Pascal cards hotspot problem

[Peak19]

1080 ftw owner, first EVGA card. Very disappointed. I'm struggling to make a positive of all this but would watercooling the card solve the problem? Forgive my ignorance - I've always shied away from putting a gfx card underwater, but if I have to take the card apart one way or another I'll take the plunge and water cool

Or would I need to apply the new thermal pads even if I do go down the water route? Either way - not what I expected from a premium product.

 

[MooMoo444]

It's such a ridiculous oversight. It's no secret memory gets hot.

While I wouldn't buy a 10 series from eVGA anymore, regardless of fixes, it would improve my confidence in the 11 series, as you know they wouldn't want to make another blunder

 

[Aretak]

1080 ftw owner, first EVGA card. Very disappointed. I'm struggling to make a positive of all this but would watercooling the card solve the problem? Forgive my ignorance - I've always shied away from putting a gfx card underwater, but if I have to take the card apart one way or another I'll take the plunge and water cool

Or would I need to apply the new thermal pads even if I do go down the water route? Either way - not what I expected from a premium product.

Depends on the method used. If you're thinking about a custom loop with a full-cover block like this, that'll cool the VRAM and VRMs too and make this issue completely redundant.

 

[Drollic]

I can confirm reddit post ..
Done 3 cards all ready for clients

All three varied from the memory that where not in contact with the T pads to the pcb plate this is a serious issue more so the memory near the VRM's.

The band aid from evga does not address this.

So its 2 things either the t pads are too thin ..as i have had to replace all 3 cards using thicker ones or could be the whole design of the pcb plate not fitting / clamping as intended.

Can you advise on what pads you used and what else was required to be removed before fitment?

 

[Peak19]

Depends on the method used. If you're thinking about a custom loop with a full-cover block like this, that'll cool the VRAM and VRMs too and make this issue completely redundant.

Cheers Aretak, that's the one I was looking at.

 

[efish]

This 100%^

Doing a bios update or fitting thermal pads is quite daunting to the average person.

Even for non-average. I don't mind doing a bios update, its the increase in noise that comes with it. Card was bought alongside some expensive low noise fans, went with evega on the basis it was a low noise option.

Taking the card apart, I can do it but with something new and expensive would only want to do so if I was putting it underwater.

If I had an ftw I think i would just take the hit in cost and get a block. I have the classified which now looks like a highly expensive ginger haired stepchild in the corner of the room.

No specific information on how its performing in regard to this issue. No water blocks so replacing and upgrading cooling is not an option on the table.

 

[jonathan_phang]

This is all wanting to make me get a refund tbh. Bought less than a month ago, and really just want to use it and not try to keep up with all this information going back and forth.

Sods law I would have to pick this model.

 

[IvanDobskey]

Yep, wishing i had bought a different brand now

I will next time....

 

[efish]

This is all wanting to make me get a refund tbh. Bought less than a month ago, and really just want to use it and not try to keep up with all this information going back and forth.

Sods law I would have to pick this model.

At least it plays games well. I feel like a mug rather than a sod. Paid to get a card made for overclocking, with low noise and extra level of protection & cooling.

Sitting here playing at stock levels, with high noise worried about temps and the hassle of having to perform a significant repair to an almost brand new product.

 

[SiDeards73]

Just a general question, has this whole scenario put off anyone from potentially buying an EVGA card? has anyone now decided to not sure EVGA cards due to this? has anyone decided to RMA their card etc and move to a different vendor?

Personally i always thought EVGA were the best Nvidia brand, their step up program, general build quality etc always seemed superb and above many other manufacturers, but i dont own any of their products as i do not buy Nvidia cards. I was quite envious actually that AMD did not have someone like EVGA manufacturing for them actually.

I would have to say i would now be cautious of buying their products, especially would not be an early adopter now but would wait for thorough reviews, but i think this is just a hiccup and they will soon be back to their best, and would not hesitate to buy if i did indeed buy an Nvidia card and if said reviews were positive etc.

I would imagine now, going forward, their cards to get extra scrutiny from reviews when looking at thermal aspects, something which i think EVGA will not let happen again.

 

[harney]

Can you advise on what pads you used and what else was required to be removed before fitment?

I use strips and cut to size...

So you want good quality thermal pads or strips

On the evga card there 1mm thickness on the Memory and most are not touching the plate so you can use 1.5mm thick but i went for 2mm thickness yes the thicker they are there is a cost of being less efficient but its far better than an air gap.. so 1.5 or 2mm if you want

The Vrm strip is about 7mm wide and 110mm long 1.5 mm thick
As these are touching the pads mainly due the the vrms being slightly higher and the pad is thicker.. so no need to replace i used what was there already...

I also did what EVGA have advised to do too a strip above the chokes and above the vrms above the pcb base plate and the pad on the rear of the pcb behind the back plate ...


TAKE NOTE

When using Thermal pads make sure you take the thin plastic protective film off before applying otherwise you will run into issues...if i remember right recently didn't one manufacture forget to do this on a line of cards ...

 

[karik666]

It seems crazy to me that companies like evga spend time putting pointless stuff like led lights on there cards,and then try to save a few cents by not putting thermal pads on components that can get very hot.

 

[harney]

TBH and as stated before

If it was me

As i am sure consumer laws extend further for a product that as design defects being badly designed so forth which this is mainly the pcb plate not clamping down enough or the wrong thickness of t pads used either way its a poor design.

So surly there must be some law emplace for such things regardless of the shop 30 day window ..at the end of the day the resale value of a EVGA 1000 series cards are sure going to be effected which is not good is it ....

So

1. return for full refund with no questions asked ...which i think one is entitled too on the grounds of poor / bad design faulty product even after the 30 day period

Or

2.return card rma at no cost and receive a brand new card with pads and new bios basically as the card should have been released in the 1st place unused with the fixes made (I will be disgraced to find out there sending back used refurbishing cards back unacceptable)

Or

3. apply the fixes yourself but again the money paid for these cards its crazy peeps are having to complete the design for them to work as they should ...again reminds me of this

 

[efish]

Just a general question, has this whole scenario put off anyone from potentially buying an EVGA card? has anyone now decided to not sure EVGA cards due to this? has anyone decided to RMA their card etc and move to a different vendor?

Personally i always thought EVGA were the best Nvidia brand, their step up program, general build quality etc always seemed superb and above many other manufacturers, but i dont own any of their products as i do not buy Nvidia cards. I was quite envious actually that AMD did not have someone like EVGA manufacturing for them actually.

I would have to say i would now be cautious of buying their products, especially would not be an early adopter now but would wait for thorough reviews, but i think this is just a hiccup and they will soon be back to their best, and would not hesitate to buy if i did indeed buy an Nvidia card and if said reviews were positive etc.

I would imagine now, going forward, their cards to get extra scrutiny from reviews when looking at thermal aspects, something which i think EVGA will not let happen again.

To early to call. I have one and I am less than impressed at the moment. General if I get burnt I don't return to the same place twice unless some tasty treat I can't resist is placed at the scene.

Personaly I think Evega should offer its hybred solution at a discount for existing effected users to create some goodwill and look to extending the solution for cards not covered by the existing hybred solution (i.e. my card).

Don't know about anyone else but unless it brings something more to the table I will not be returning no matter how good or how well supported future products may be.

 

[IvanDobskey]

It seems crazy to me that companies like evga spend time putting pointless stuff like led lights on there cards,and then try to save a few cents by not putting thermal pads on components that can get very hot.

My thoughts exactly.

I'd rather not have tacky led lights.

But I'd quite like thermal pads thanks evga.

If i could send the card back for a full refund, I sure as hell would.

 

[jonathan_phang]

At least it plays games well. I feel like a mug rather than a sod. Paid to get a card made for overclocking, with low noise and extra level of protection & cooling.

Sitting here playing at stock levels, with high noise worried about temps and the hassle of having to perform a significant repair to an almost brand new product.

I'm still not entirely sure that this problem is a problem for 'standard' usage. Not sure what sort of scenarios would lead to the out of spec temps. I don't play for long sessions, I have my own fan curve and I don't bench for long periods. I'm 99% certain I won't see this problem, however, its just the hassle of reading/writing/researching/keeping up to date to make sure I never hit the 1%

Shame as mine runs cool (I mean on the core), quiet etc and not had a hitch in gaming, buuuuuuuuut... its just in the back of my mind. And that why I wish I had a Strix of somehting else.

Will see if using my fan curve is enough, then apply pads after looking at the guide in a bit more detail.

 

[harney]

Just a general question, has this whole scenario put off anyone from potentially buying an EVGA card? has anyone now decided to not sure EVGA cards due to this? has anyone decided to RMA their card etc and move to a different vendor?

Personally i always thought EVGA were the best Nvidia brand, their step up program, general build quality etc always seemed superb and above many other manufacturers, but i dont own any of their products as i do not buy Nvidia cards. I was quite envious actually that AMD did not have someone like EVGA manufacturing for them actually.

I would have to say i would now be cautious of buying their products, especially would not be an early adopter now but would wait for thorough reviews, but i think this is just a hiccup and they will soon be back to their best, and would not hesitate to buy if i did indeed buy an Nvidia card and if said reviews were positive etc.

I would imagine now, going forward, their cards to get extra scrutiny from reviews when looking at thermal aspects, something which i think EVGA will not let happen again.

With anything its best not to be loyal to one brand .

And choose the best card from a wealth of info out there before one makes a purchase ...

Usually a mixture of reviews and forums.. with forums being the better info base as this is more honest real world opinions or issues ect..half the time one can not trust the review sites due to them being loyal to a company with the free sweeteners they get given free components before release ect..

 

[SiDeards73]

With anything its best not to be loyal to one brand .

And choose the best card from a wealth of info out there before one makes a purchase ...

Usually a mixture of reviews and forums.. with forums being the better info base as this is more honest real world opinions or issues ect..half the time one can not trust the review sites due to them being loyal to a company with the free sweeteners they get given free components before release ect..

Very true, however many people come to forums like these to purchase products and often purchase on the word of current owners, EVGA have probably had a ton of word of mouth recommendations from owners on boards like OCUK.

Once people are in and comfortable with a brand, quite often they tend to stay, especially if its bundled with bespoke software etc and its less hassle just to swap for a newer model etc.

I still think EVGA make great products, i just think they dropped the ball on this unfortunately, but i would still buy their products "after" thoroughly investigating reviews etc (should i ever buy Nvidia it will most likely be EVGA)

Many people become attached to brands, Apple, Audi, Asus ROG, Waitrose etc etc, mostly they can be quite forgiving of trivial issues from their chosen brand, but if they get badly burnt can take it personally and not only go elsewhere but warn others off the particular brand etc.

 

[IvanDobskey]

Thing is, i did read lots of reviews and they were all pretty favorable for the evga sc.

I suspect for my usage, I'll never have a problem. So i guess i just have to suck it up and buy a different brand next time.

If it does burn out, evga will surely replace it.

Still not particularly happy with this fiasco though. They blatantly cheaped out on the cooling and testing.

 

[Aretak]

Just a general question, has this whole scenario put off anyone from potentially buying an EVGA card? has anyone now decided to not sure EVGA cards due to this? has anyone decided to RMA their card etc and move to a different vendor?

I won't be buying any future card that uses the same ACX 3.0 cooler, because it's clearly poorly designed. Even with the thermal pads it runs hotter than most competitors, requiring the fan speed bump as well to fall in line. Gigabyte are quite likely to get my money next, as I was very impressed by their 1060 Mini ITX OC that I had recently and they have a UK service centre. KFA2 might also be an option for the same reason.