I've run 2080Ti SLI and single card with surround now for a while (since about mid October) with no issues. However I have not played BF5 so I have no info for you there.
No, I'd never sell an item that was not working properly--I'd just RMA it. The only reason I am selling this is, as stated above, is that NVlink + SLI is really underwhelming. I have TWO of these cards right now and I don't need both as the performance isn't worth the investment for the games...
Also running 3 x Dell 144Hz monitors in surround with 2080Ti cards.
OP, which particular monitor are you using? There are many reports of problems with BenQ monitors and 144Hz because of "timing problems" according to Manuel over on the Nvidia forums.
I think that's a great lesson though for all of us when running in to problems...reset everything to stock and move from there. Glad you seem to have things figured out though!
I specifically have not been installing the USB C drivers since I got my cards and haven't had an issue yet. Obviously this is just anecdotal but when I saw those drivers with the install package and I knew I wouldn't use them, I simply omitted them.
I don't think this is a cooling issue--it seems to be vendor specific to some degree but it's hard to nail down. I've seen more reports of the Nvidia FE cards failing than others. I'm watercooling 2 EVGA Ti XC Ultras and haven't had issues.
Wish I would have seen this earlier before, but it's still something to consider for some:
https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=M022-10-00
I'd have used these for my blocked cards taking the 3 slotter down to 2 slots.
Well, I can either make a simple card to card temporary run for the water while I wait for EK to ship me the needed M4x28 screws for the terminal x SLI connection. The screws shipped with the vector blocks (which you usually use in the terminal connection) are DIFFERENT size screws now (M4x20)...
Finally sourced a second EVGA Ti Ultra yesterday. I'll get the block on tonight or tomorrow and hopefully have them up on Tuesday to run some gaming benches.
I cancelled both my Ti pre-orders from Nvidia that I placed on 8/20. I went to Microcenter this morning and got one of two EVGA Ti XC Ultras. They had like 5 that were held, and 5 Zotac cards. All were purchased while I was there.