So I got my replacement card back from nvidia today.
Bad news first... the replacement card does have coil-whine. It appears to be better than the card I sent in however. And thats at stock. Ill apply my UV again and see how it is then. Maybe this one's whine will improve? My old one never did, but some peoples has so fingers crossed.
The VRAM temps on the replacement are much much better! Topped out at 92 so far. Mine use to hit 104! After replacing just the rear pads, I dropped that to 94. (Which was enough to prevent the fans going crazy!)
So it seems nvidia have improved the stock pads used!
A few comments on the RMA process, for those that are interested:
I contacted nvidia via chat, they asked for a video of the whine. Then within a couple of hours I had a RMA number and shipping label from them.
Booked the card for collection via FedEx.
It was picked up on the 21st, and arrived in Hong Kong on the 24th
Had confirmation of shipment of replacement on the 29th, with FedEx tracking. It showed due for delivery on the 5th Jan.
Arrived this morning on the 4th. So day early
It was a retail boxed card. I was expecting a refurb or something in a brown box. But nope, new in box card.
As mentioned, I had changed the thermal pads on the back of my card. With all the fear mongering about this voiding the warranty, I was slightly concerned if this would be detected or come up.
Thankfully it didn't
Not sure if as I kinda expected they don't bother to open the cards up before issuing replacement, or if they did they just didn't care.
So on the RMA process itself, Id give nvidia a 10 out of 10. Very easy, very quick. No issues with changing address/name to return the card to.
Sadly, as said... the replacement does have coil-whine. It does however appear to be less. As a bonus, the VRAM temps seem better so far.