I bought an EVGA 8800gt in 2008. I registered it when I got it for the "lifetime warranty." In 2010 It developed intermittent/noisy fan issues (but still had good temps) and I was convinced to RMA it back as they did not have a fan replacement. I decided to wait for winter to be over and paid shipping to send it back June 2011. It had also developed blue screen issues sometimes under load despite the temps being safe.
 
I was sent a GTS450 in return, which was great; except it arrived broken. It would crash with the driver installed in windows. I installed windows 7 on a spare hard drive to see if that made a difference and it didnt. But since it can recover driver failures I saw that the clock rates were jumping and lowering constantly while the driver crashed and screen froze.
 
They gave me a pre-paid shipping label to send that one back, though I had to pay for the UPS truck to pick it up. Card #2 arrived working. 3 months later that card started crashing/blue screening at random. I was suggested to disable the HDMI audio driver and followed the instructions to disable it. Then I reverted to an older WHQL driver that did not come with the audio driver at all.
I upgraded my power supply despite the voltages being in acceptable range under load (in my opinion.) I upgraded the power supply to an antec neo eco 620 just to rule it out and an EVGA support person recommended that I try a new ps because he thought my voltages with the old power supply was low. I RMAd card #2, they paid shipping; but I had to pay for the truck to pick it up.
 
Card #3 arrived, working. I had upgraded my machine on a black friday deal and to rule out my old computer causing the problem somehow. 5 months later this card started crashing in windows (outside of power saving mode.)  Required to be downclocked from the factory clock to not crash. Recently it has started having the driver fail and having to recover just idling in windows while downclocked. I run a dual monitor setup so the default nvidia power saving mode does not work. Right now I have my second monitor unhooked and the power savings mode is enabled. It has crashed 3 times today but windows 7 recovered.
 
In the past I have tried different drivers. I have tried windows xp and windows 7. I have disabled the HDMI audio driver. I tried a new power supply, as well as a whole different computer. During my RMA wait time I simply installed my backup radeon pcie videocard and waited for the next videocard to show up.
 
Other electronics in my house have lived long lives. Other computers I have still are much older than my old socket 939 system and work fine. The microwave in my house is at least 10 years old.  My city replaced telephone poles all around town last year due to old age and the one near my house came with a new transformer. There were no problems with any electronics or the lights flickering before or after this.
 
One thing remains the same. The replacement videocard fails after a few months. I have received 3 replacement videocards in less than a year that went bad in a few months over 2 systems and one videocard was DOA. I bought the 8800gt for the warranty, but the warranty doesnt feel fulfilled when all I get are cards that are broken or fail soon after use.
 
I'm not happy that I've had to resort to using the forums. I dont like having to pay for shipping and/or for the UPS truck to pick up the prepaid package. I'm disappointed that I go through down time of not having my computer and having to wait for the next videocard to show up.
I'm disappointed that EVGA now wants me to pay the full price for shipping back the third broken card. I don't like how it feels like I am being blamed for broken cards despite me not overclocking or overheating them, and handling them with care while installing. It feels like based on my last experiences that if I send this card in, I will recieve a doa card or a card that lasts 3-5 months.
 
I dont know what else to do. There wasn't enough space in a ticket to type everything out and I want to avoid potentially raging over the telephone. I'm hoping that an EVGA representative can read this and review my past tickets and give more than a generic short answer and not ignore my concerns.
 
Is there a problem with replacement GTS450 that causes them to fail? Is it possible to be sent a different model equivalent card? Is a brand new one out of the question now that I have received 3 cards that failed?

Adam,
 
I'm sorry to hear about your dissatisfaction with your replacement products.  I'll forward this to an EVGA representative to see if they can provide assistance.

Adam0013,
 
I do apologize that your card again needs replacing. I tried calling the number on file and left a message. I also followed up with an email, please either call or email me so I can support you on this further.

Adam0013,
 
Thank you for taking the time to let me work with you earlier. We will be working on getting your replacement sent out as soon as possible. If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns please let me know and I would be happy to work with you directly.