EK-Quantum Vector FTW3 RTX 3080 User manual

USER GUIDE
GPU WATER BLOCK
EK-Quantum
Vector FTW3 RTX 3080/3090

Before you start using this product, please follow these basic guidelines:
Please carefully read the manual before beginning with the
installation process!
Please remove your graphics card from the computer to
assure safest mounting process in order to prevent any
possible damages to your GPU and/or graphics card circuit
board (PCB).
The EK Fittings require only a small amount of force to screw
them firmly in place since the liquid seal is ensured by the
rubber O-ring gaskets.
The use of corrosion inhibiting coolants is always
recommended for liquid cooling systems, and mandatory for
nickel plated water blocks!
Do not use pure distilled water! For best results EK
recommends the use of EK-CryoFuel coolants!
Make sure to thoroughly bleed air out of your water block, or
you will not reach optimal performance!

- 3 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BOX CONTENTS 4
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS 5
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS 6
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD 7
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER 7
CLEANING THE PCB 7
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 8
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND 9
INSTALLING THE WATER BLOCK 9
PLACING THE BLOCK ON THE GRAPHICS CARD 9
ATTACHING THE BLOCK TO THE GRAPHICS CARD 10
ATTACHING THE I/O BRACKET 10
CHECKING FOR CONTACT 11
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS 11
FITTINGS AND TUBING 12
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP 12
REPLACING THE LED STRIP (Optional) 13
TESTING THE LOOP 13
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 14
SOCIAL MEDIA 14

- 4 -
BOX CONTENTS
4 mm
4 mm
6 mm
8 mm
M3x4 DIN7985 Screw (2 pcs) EK-Loop Multi Allen Key (1 pc)
M2.5 Nut (6 pcs)
M2.5x6 AX1 Screw (13 pcs)
Allen Key 2.5 mm (1 pc)
Thermal Pad F 1.0 mm (4 pcs)
Thermal Grease (1 pc)
M2.5x8 AX1 Screw (2 pcs)
M2.5x4 AX1 Screw (20 pcs)
EK-Quantum Vector FTW3 RTX 3080/3090 PVC Washer M2.5 (20 pcs)
120 mm
16 mm
EK-Plug G1/4 (2 pcs)
Universal Mounting Mechanism – You may not need every
screw from this package.

- 5 -
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS
313.60 mm
194.13 mm
223.13 mm
154.50 mm
139.20 mm
20.45 mm
18.55 mm

- 6 -
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS
Technical Specification:
- Dimensions (LxHxW): 314 x 155 x 21 mm
- D-RGB (Addressable RGB) Cable - Length: 500 mm
- D-RGB LED Count: Plexi – 8/Acetal – 8
- D-RGB Connector: Standard 3-Pin (+5V, Data, Blocked, Ground)
PLEXI INSERT
SCREW M4x8 DIN7984
MAIN O-RING
140x2mm
TERMINAL O-RING 15x1
TERMINAL SCREW M4X20 DIN7984
TERMINAL COVER
TERMINAL COVER LED PANEL
TERMINAL
COLDPLATE
JE T PL AT E
TO P PL AT E(PL E XI /AC ETA L)
LED D-RGB STRIP
TERMINAL COVER
STICKERS
STICKOUT
(BLACK /WHITE)
STICKOUT STANDOFF
STANDOFF M4/M2,5 x 10,50
STANDOFF M4/2.5x2.5

- 7 -
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
STEP 1
STEP 1
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER
Place your graphics card on a flat surface and use the Phillips head
screwdriver to remove the thirteen (13) marked screws, the Stock
Backplate, and the Stock Cooler Backplate from the backside of
the GPU.
Carefully and slowly detach the PCB from the stock cooler and
disconnect the four cables connecting the stock cooler to the PCB.
Always remove the stock cooler slowly and with
uniform force - it might be firmly glued to the PCB with
thermal pads.
STEP 2
CLEANING THE PCB
Wipe off the remains of the original thermal compound using a
nonabrasive cloth or Q-tip, as shown in the sample image, until the
components and circuit board are completely clean. EK recommends
the use of denatured alcohol for removing TIM leftovers. After that,
remove all remaining stock thermal pads from the PCB
STEP 2

- 8 -
STEP 1
Your GPU water block comes with thermal pads that have to be cut
into smaller pieces to cover all the VRM components, such as COILs,
MOSFETs, and drivers.
You must remove the protective foil from both sides of the
thermal pad before installation.
Replacement thermal pads:
5x Thermal Pad F 1.0mm – (120X16mm) EAN: 3830046996732
STEP 1
Thermal Pad F – 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
120 mm
16 mm
1 mm
STEP 2
STEP 2
Once cut to size, thermal pads should be placed on the PCB, as
illustrated below. EK made sure to provide you with more than an
adequate quantity of thermal pads to complete this Step
Thermal Pad F 1.0mm

- 9 -
Thermal Grease
STEP 1
Apply the enclosed EK-TIM Ectotherm thermal grease (thermal
compound) on the GPU heat spreader – IHS – as shown in the
image. The layer of the thermal compound must be thin and even
over the entire surface of the IHS.
The excessive or uneven application of thermal grease
may lead to poor performance!
STEP 1
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND
For this Step, you will need:
INSTALLING THE WATER BLOCK
STEP 1
PLACING THE BLOCK ON THE GRAPHICS CARD
This procedure is the same for all full-cover water blocks.
Carefully position the water block with preinstalled standoffs on
the graphics card. During this process, make sure you have aligned
mounting holes of the PCB with holes of the water block (same
applies to other tops).
Pay attention not to use too much force when pressing
the block down to the PCB since chip dies are prone
to cracking.
STEP 1

- 10 -
STEP 3
M2.5 x 6 AX1 SCREW
M2.5 x 6 AX1
SCREW
M2.5 NUT
STEP 3
ATTACHING THE I/O BRACKET
Use two (2) M2.5 X 6 AX1 screws and one (1) M2.5 Nut to secure the
I/O bracket to the PCB.
For this Step, you will need:
For this Step, you will need:
M 2.5 PVC Washer
(16 pcs)
M 2.5 Nut
(1 pc)
M2.5 x 4 AX1
(16 pcs)
M2.5 x 6 AX1
(2 pcs)
Phillips Head
Screwdriver
Phillips Head
Screwdriver
4 mm
6 mm
STEP 2
M2.5 x 4 AX1 SCREW
M2.5 PVC WASHER
STEP 2
ATTACHING THE BLOCK TO THE GRAPHICS CARD
Use sixteen (16) M2.5 X 4 AX1 screws and M2.5 PVC washers.
Tighten the screws evenly using the Phillips head screwdriver.
EK recommends you start tightening the screws around the GPU
core first and then continuing outward to prevent damaging the
GPU. Always use a plastic washer under each screw!

- 11 -
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS
Carefully lift your graphics card with the installed water block and
insert it into your PC’s motherboard PCIexpress expansion slot.
Please keep in mind that your graphics card is heavier than before it
was equipped with the water block.
You need to be very careful when handling the
graphics card. Avoid all unnecessary manipulation
of the water block assembly that might damage your
card or water block.
CHECKING FOR CONTACT
If necessary, temporarily remove the water block to check for uniform
surface contact between the block and components. Pay special
attention to the VRM section of the graphics card. Check whether
the water block makes contact with the intended integrated circuit.
Then repeat Steps from the previous section to re-attach the block.
In case you fail to obtain good contact, please check
again or contact our support service at
https://www.ekwb.com/customer-support/.

- 12 -
FITTINGS AND TUBING
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP
STEP 1
Plug the 4-pin D-RGB connector from the GPU water block to the
D-RGB Header on your motherboard or controller. The LED strip will
work only if the pin layout on the header is as follows: +5V, Data,
Empty, Ground.
Incorrect installation or installation to a wrong header can
damage to the LED strip or the header itself!
STEP 1
D-RGB HEADER
RGB HEADER
STEP 1
Screw-in two (2) G1/4 threaded male fittings. Attach the liquid
cooling tubes and connect the water block to the cooling loop.
Do not forget to plug the remaining two openings with
enclosed EK-Plug G1/4 or its equivalent.
EK recommends using EK fittings with all EK water blocks.
CAUTION: When using connectors other than EK fittings,
pay special attention to the length of the fittings’ male G1/4”
thread – 5mm is the maximum G1/4” thread length allowed!
STEP 1
TUBING
EK- PLUG
G1/4
EK-FITTING

- 13 -
To make sure the installation of EK components was successful,
we recommend you perform a 24-hour leak test.
When your loop is complete and filled with coolant, connect the
pump to a PSU outside of your system. Do not connect power to
any of the other components. Turn on the PSU and let the pump
run continuously.
Inspect all parts of the loop, and in case the coolant leaks, fix
the issue and repeat the testing process. To prevent possible
damage, please ensure that all hardware is dry before the system
is powered on.
TESTING THE LOOP
STEP 1
If you want to replace the D-RGB LED strip, you must remove the two
(2) standoffs shown in the picture using a 6mm wrench. Remove the
stickout and replace the LED strip.
Once you have replaced the LED strip, align the holes on
the stickout with holes on the top plate, and tighten the
standoffs evenly.
STEP 1
REPLACING THE LED STRIP (Optional)
M4/M2.5 x 13.5
(LONGER) STANDOFF

In case you need assistance, please contact:
https://www.ekwb.com/customer-support/
EKWB d.o.o.
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Slovenia - EU
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SUPPORT AND SERVICE
SOCIAL MEDIA