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EVGA’s 2016 BIOS update addressed cooling concerns on selected GeForce GTX 1060, GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 cards with ACX 3.0 coolers—not every card using one of those GPU names. The update increased fan speed through a revised VBIOS fan curve, and EVGA separately offered a free, optional thermal pad kit. Check the card’s exact EVGA part number before deciding whether either remedy applies.
What the EVGA GTX 1060/1070/1080 BIOS update changed
In 2016, reports raised concerns about PWM and memory temperatures on certain EVGA ACX 3.0 graphics cards during extreme stress testing. EVGA said its own testing found temperatures within specification, but it responded to reviewer and customer concerns with a VBIOS update that increased fan speed to provide more cooling. These statements describe the company’s position and the reported concern; they do not establish that every card in the listed GPU families had a defect or was unsafe. Tom’s Hardware’s contemporary coverage describes the response.
EVGA also offered an optional thermal pad kit, a physical cooling measure distinct from the firmware change. The cited reporting does not establish that kits remain available today or independently test either remedy, so verify fitment and availability for the exact card rather than assuming a generic pad will work.
Which EVGA ACX 3.0 models were listed?
The historical affected-card list covered selected ACX 3.0 product numbers in these categories. A GPU family name alone is not enough to determine coverage: compare the full part number on your card with EVGA’s product-specific support information before attempting a firmware change.
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- Real Base Clock: 1556 MHz/Real Boost Clock: 1670 MHz; Memory Detail: 11264MB GDDR5X. Redesigned cooling with L-shaped contact fins to improve contact surface area for better heat dissipation
- EVGA iCX Cooling - Delivering industry-leading cooling performance to your Graphics Card. Vulkan API
- Requirements-Minimum of a 600 Watt power supply. An available 6-pin PCI-E power connector and an available 8 pin PCI-E power connector.Total Power Draw- 250 Watts
- New vented heatsink fin design and pin fins for optimized airflow. An available 6-pin PCI-E power connector and an available 8 pin PCI-E power connector. Windows 10 32/64bit ,Windows 8 32/64bit, Windows 7 32/64bit
- DX12 OSD Support with EVGA Precision XOC. Stream extreme GeForce GTX PC gaming experiences to portable device like NVIDIA SHIELD with super-smooth, low-latency performance
| GPU category | Listed EVGA part numbers |
|---|---|
| GTX 1080 | 08G-P4-6181, 08G-P4-6183, 08G-P4-6284, 08G-P4-6286, 08G-P4-6384, 08G-P4-6386 |
| GTX 1070 | 08G-P4-5171, 08G-P4-5173, 08G-P4-6171, 08G-P4-6173, 08G-P4-6274, 08G-P4-6276 |
| GTX 1060 6GB | 06G-P4-6262, 06G-P4-6366, 06G-P4-6265, 06G-P4-6264, 06G-P4-6267, 06G-P4-6368 |
| GTX 1060 3GB | 03G-P4-6365, 03G-P4-6367 |
This is a historical list reported for the 2016 issue, not confirmation of current firmware availability. Tom’s Hardware reported that Founders Edition, blower, Hybrid and Hydro Copper models were not affected by this ACX 3.0 issue.
How to choose between the firmware update and thermal pad kit
| Remedy | What it does | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| VBIOS update | Changes fan behavior through a revised fan-speed curve, increasing cooling. | Confirm the exact SKU is covered and use only firmware identified for that product. Current download availability is not established here. |
| Thermal pad kit | Adds a physical cooling measure to a compatible card. | Confirm exact model fitment and dimensions. EVGA’s historical offer was free; current kit availability is not established. |
Neither remedy is established by the cited reporting as universally preferable, and there is no basis here to recommend a generic replacement pad or an unverified VBIOS file.
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- Real Base Clock: 1708 MHz / Real Boost Clock: 1847 MHz; Memory Detail: 8192MB GDDR5X
- Run Longer, Play Longer with EVGA "ACX 3.0" Cooling
- What you see is what you get! – No additional software required to achieve listed clock speeds
- DX12 OSD Support with EVGA Precision XOC. Operating System Support: Windows 10 32/64bit,Windows 8 32/64bit, Windows 7 32/64bit
What EVGA said about temperatures and risk
EVGA said temperatures were within specification, that higher temperatures would not damage its cards, and that the VBIOS update was not required. Those are EVGA’s reassurances, not an independent guarantee covering every card or operating condition. The update was a response to concerns, rather than proof that all ACX 3.0 cards were failing.
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On November 14, 2016, Tom’s Hardware reported that EVGA had completed updates for affected cards, listing 19 primary BIOS updates and six secondary BIOS updates. These are historical counts of BIOS updates—not current software inventory, temperature measurements or failure rates.
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- Real Base Clock: 1480 MHz / Real Boost Clock: 1582 MHz; Memory Detail: 11264 MB GDDR5X
- The EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is the latest addition to the ultimate gaming platform, this card is packed with extreme horsepower, next-gen 11 Gbps GDDR5X memory, and a massive 11 GB frame buffer.
- DX12 OSD Support with EVGA Precision XOC
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every EVGA GTX 1060, GTX 1070 or GTX 1080 need a BIOS update?
No. The reported issue and update applied to selected EVGA ACX 3.0 models. Check the exact part number; GPU family name alone does not establish coverage.
Was the EVGA GTX 1080/1070 PWM operating temperature update required?
EVGA said the update was not required and that temperatures were within specification. It offered the fan-curve update in response to concerns; that company statement is not an independent safety guarantee.
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- Real Base Clock: 1721 MHz / Real Boost Clock: 1860 MHz; Memory Detail: 8192MB GDDR5X
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- What you see is what you get. – No additional software required to achieve listed clock speeds
- Double BIOS, Refer user manual below. Operating System Support : Windows 10 32/64bit ,Windows 8 32/64bit and Windows 7 32/64bit
- DX12 OSD Support with EVGA Precision XOC. All with the lowest latency and plug-and-play compatibility with leading VR headsets.
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- Real Base Clock: 1569 MHz/Real Boost Clock: 1683 MHz; Memory Detail: 11264MB GDDR5X.Requirements:Windows 10 32/64bit, Windows 8 32/64bit, Windows 7 32/64bit
- EVGA iCX Technology - 9 additional temp sensors to monitor Memory and VRM
- GPU/Memory/PWM Thermal Status Indicator RGB LEDs. Resolution and refresh- maximum monitors supported: 4. Maximum refresh rate: 240Hz , maximum digital : 7680 x 4320
- New vented heatsink fin design and pin fins for optimized airflow
- Safety fuse to protect components from damage due to improper installation or other component failures
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