EK-Quantum Vector RTX 3080/3090 Backplate User manual

USER GUIDE
EK-Quantum
Vector XC3 RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate

This product is intended for installation by expert users only. Please
consult with a qualified technician. Improper installation may result
in damage to your equipment. EK assumes no liability whatsoever,
expressed or implied, for the use of this product or its installation. The
following instructions are subject to change without notice. Please, read
the manual carefully before beginning with the installation process. For
updates, you can visit our official website www.ekwb.com.
Before you start using this product, please follow these basic guidelines:
Carefully read the manual before beginning with the
installation process.
Remove your graphics card from the computer for the safest
mounting process to prevent any possible damage to your
GPU or its circuit board (PCB).
EK Fittings require only a small amount of force to screw
them firmly in place since the liquid seal is ensured with the
rubber O-ring gaskets.
The use of quality market-proven corrosion-inhibiting
coolants is always strongly recommended for any liquid
cooling system.
Do not use pure distilled water as a cooling liquid!
For best results, EK recommends the use of EK-CryoFuel
Coolants.
Make sure to bleed air out of your water block thoroughly in
order to reach optimal performance.

- 3 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BOX CONTENTS 4
ACTIVE BACKPLATE DIMENSIONS 5
REQUIRED TOOLS 5
ACTIVE BACKPLATE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAIN PARTS 6
INSTALLING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE 7
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD 7
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 8
REMOVING THE TERMINAL METAL PLATE 9
ATTACHING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE 10
INSTALLING FITTINGS AND TUBING 11
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP 12
TESTING THE LOOP 12
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 13
SOCIAL MEDIA 13

- 4 -
M2.5x8 AX1 Screw (8 pcs)
8 mm
120 mm
24 mm
120 mm
24 mm
120 mm
24 mm
BOX CONTENTS
Allen Key 2.5 mm (1 pc)
EK-Quantum Vector XC3 RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate
Thermal Pad G 1.0 mm (3 pcs)
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm (1 pc) Thermal Pad G 2.0 mm (3 pcs)
Universal Mounting Mechanism – You may not need every
screw from this package.

- 5 -
ACTIVE BACKPLATE DIMENSIONS
273.6 mm
124.2 mm
112.7 mm
150 mm
179 mm
31.5 mm
Phillips Head Screwdriver Scissors
REQUIRED TOOLS

- 6 -
ACTIVE BACKPLATE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAIN PARTS
Technical Specifications:
Dimensions (L x H x W): 273.5 x 113 x 31.5 mm
D-RGB (Addressable RGB) Cable Length: 500 mm
D-RGB LED Count: 9
D-RGB Connector: Standard 3-Pin (+5V, Data, Blocked, Ground)
AB TERMINAL
ALU BAC KP L ATE
COLDPLATE (NICKEL)
TOP PL ATE (PLE XI/ACETAL)
EK BADGE
LED D-RGB STRIP
(OPTIONAL)
EK-PLUG G1/4
M4 x 6 DIN7984 SCREW
M4 x 27 DIN7984 SCREW
TERMINAL O-RING 15 x 1 mm
TERMINAL METAL PLATE
ACE TAL
STANDOUT
MAIN O-RING 92 x 2 mm

- 7 -
INSTALLING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE
STEP 1
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
First, complete the installation of your EK-Quantum Vector XC3 RTX
3080/3090 water block according to its installation manual.
In case the water block is already installed, remove the seven (7) AX1
screws and their PVC washers, as shown in the image.
EK-Quantum Vector XC3 RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate comes
with its own terminal, meaning the original terminal, along with two
(2) 15 x 1 O-rings, on the EK-Quantum Vector XC3 RTX 3080/3090
water block has to be removed.
Unscrew the three (3) M4 x 27 DIN7984 screws and detach the
terminal from the water block.
The procedure of terminal detachment is shown in the image.
Attention!
In case the EK-Quantum Vector XC3 RTX 3080/3090
water block is already filled with coolant, empty the
content of the water block before continuing with this
step. Be careful that the coolant that remained in the
water block does not come in contact with the GPU!
M4 x 27 DIN7984
SCREW
ORIGINAL GPU
TERMINAL
O-RING 15 x 1
STEP 1

- 8 -
STEP 3
Once cut to size, thermal pads should be placed on the backplate,
as illustrated below.
3080 Version
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm
Thermal Pad G 2.0 mm STEP 3
STEP 2
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
Your backplate comes with thermal pads that have to be cut into
smaller pieces to cover all the VRM components. EK made sure to
provide you with more than an adequate quantity of thermal pads to
complete this Step.
You must remove the protective foil from both sides of the
thermal pad before installation.
Replacement thermal pads:
3x Thermal PAD G 1.0 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – EAN: 33830046996770
1x Thermal PAD G 1.5 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – EAN: 3830046996787
3x Thermal PAD G 2.0 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – EAN: 3830046996794
STEP 2
120 mm
24 mm
1 mm
Thermal PAD G 1.0 mm (120 x 24 mm)
120 mm
24 mm
1.5 mm
Thermal PAD G 1.5 mm (120 x 24 mm)
120 mm
24 mm
2 mm
Thermal PAD G 2.0 mm (120 x 24 mm)

- 9 -
STEP 4
REMOVING THE TERMINAL METAL PLATE
The Metal plate attached on the Terminal is meant as a precaution,
to secure the two O-rings to prevent them from falling out of their
sockets during transport and handling. Before the installation of
the Active Backplate, this metal plate has to be removed. Unscrew
the three (3) M4 x 27 DIN7984 screws with the provided 2.5 mm
Allen Key shown on the picture. Keep the screws as they will be
needed in the upcoming step, unlike the metal plate which will not
be needed anymore.
STEP 4
M4 x 27 7984DIN SCREW
TERMINAL METAL PLATE
3090 Version
Thermal Pad G 1.0 mm
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm
Thermal Pad G 2.0 mm STEP 3

- 10 -
Place the active backplate on the PCB and make sure all holes are
aligned. Position an M2.5 x 8 AX1 screw into each of the seven (7)
mounting holes (as shown in the image) and tighten them evenly
with a Phillips head screwdriver.
To avoid using excessive force, you can easily loosen up the three
(3) M4 x 27 7984DIN screws pre-installed on the terminal, but be
careful that two (2) 15 x 1 O-rings remain in their terminal slots.
Also, do not forget to tighten the three (3) loosed M4 x 27 7984DIN
screws back after attaching the Active Backplate.
Then, position the three (3) M4 x 27 7984DIN screws that were
detached from the GPU water block terminal into each of the three
(3) mounting holes (as shown in the image) and tighten them evenly
with the provided 2.5 mm Allen Key.
Do not use excessive force!
CAUTION: When placing the Active Backplate on the PCB,
the two inserted 15 x 1 O-rings must remain inside their
terminal slots. Wrongly positioned O-rings can cause leaks!
STEP 5
M2.5 x 8 AX1 SCREW
M4 x 27 DIN7984 SCREW
STEP 5
ATTACHING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE
First, make sure the two (2) 15 x 1 O-rings are IN terminal
slots, as shown in the image.

- 11 -
INSTALLING FITTINGS AND TUBING
STEP 1
EK- PLUG
G1/4
EK-FITTING
TUBING
STEP 1
Screw-in two (2) G1/4 threaded male fittings. Attach liquid cooling
tubes and connect the water block to the cooling loop.
Do not forget to plug the remaining opening with enclosed
EK-Plug G1/4 or its equivalent.
You can use any opening as an inlet/outlet port. The pre-mounted
terminal is positioned for the optimal flow in the EK-Quantum
Vector XC3 RTX 3080/3090 water block and in the EK-Quantum
Vector XC3 RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate. The terminal can be
shifted for 180 degrees but by using it so, the inlet and outlet ports
are changed.
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 – 5 mm is the maximum G1/4” thread
length allowed!

- 12 -
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 the LED strip or the header itself!
STEP 1
D-RGB HEADER
RGB HEADER
TESTING THE LOOP
To ensure 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 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.

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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