EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX 3080 Backplate User manual

USER GUIDE
EK-Quantum
Vector Strix RTX 3080/3080Ti/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.
EK only guarantees compatibility with included EK-brand
thermal pads. Installation process, cooling performance and
block contacts are tested exclusively with EK-brand thermal
pads. Listed thermal pad thicknesses apply only to thermal
pads included in the package.
EK does not guarantee compatibility with aftermarket
alternatives for thermal interface material.

- 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 9
REMOVING THE TERMINAL METAL PLATE 12
ATTACHING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE 12
INSTALLING FITTINGS AND TUBING 14
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP 14
TESTING THE LOOP 15
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 16
SOCIAL MEDIA 16

- 4 -
M2.5x8 AX1 Screw (8 pcs) M2.5x8 AX1 Screw - Nickel (8 pcs)
120 mm
16 mm
120 mm
16 mm
8 mm 8 mm
120 mm
24 mm
BOX CONTENTS
Allen Key 2.5 mm (1 pc)EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX 3080/3080Ti/3090 Active Backplate Thermal PAD F 1.0 mm - (120x16mm) (3 pcs)
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm - (120x24mm) (1 pc) Thermal PAD F 2.0 mm - (120x16mm) (5 pcs)
Universal Mounting Mechanism – You may not need all the
screws, mounting mechanism is universal!

- 5 -
ACTIVE BACKPLATE DIMENSIONS
281 mm
129 mm
165 mm
194 mm
142 mm
154 mm
6.20 mm
33.30 mm
Phillips Head Screwdriver Scissors
REQUIRED TOOLS

- 6 -
ACTIVE BACKPLATE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAIN PARTS
Technical Specifications:
Dimensions (L x H x W): 281 x 154 x 33.3 mm
D-RGB (Addressable RGB) Cable Length: 500 mm
D-RGB LED Count: 9(Plexi Version)
D-RGB Connector: Standard 3-Pin (+5V, Data, Blocked, Ground)
AB TERMINAL
TOP PL ATE (PLE XI/ACETAL)
ALU BAC KP L ATE
COLDPLATE (NICKEL)
EK BADGE
D-RGB LED STRIP
(OPTIONAL)
M2.5 x 6 AX1 SCREW
TERMINAL METAL PLATE
M4 x 27 DIN7984 SCREW
TERMINAL O-RING 15 x 1 mm
M4 x 8 DIN7984 SCREW
ACE TAL S TANDOUT
MAIN O-RING
142 x 2 mm

- 7 -
INSTALLING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE
STEP 1
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
First, complete the installation of your EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX
3080/3080Ti/3090 water block according to its installation manual.
In case the water block is already installed, remove the six (6) AX1
screws and their PVC washers, as shown in the image.
Phillips Head Screwdriver
For this Step, you will need:

- 8 -
EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX 3080/3080Ti/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 Strix
3080/3080Ti/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 Strix 3080/3080Ti/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
FC TERMINAL
OR 15 x 1 mm
STEP 1
Allen Key 2.5 mm
For this Step, you will need:

- 9 -
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-s.
Replacement thermal pads:
Thermal PAD F 1.0 mm – (120 x 16 mm) – EAN: 3830046996732
Thermal PAD G 1.5 mm – (120 x 24 mm) – EAN: 3830046996787
Thermal PAD F 2.0 mm – (120 x 16 mm) – EAN: 3830046996756
EK only guarantees compatibility with included EK-brand
thermal pads. Installation process, cooling performance
and block contacts are tested exclusively with EK-brand
thermal pads. Listed thermal pad thicknesses apply only
to thermal pads included in the package.
EK does not guarantee compatibility with aftermarket
alternatives for thermal interface material.
STEP 2
120 mm
24 mm
1.5 mm
Thermal PAD G 1.5 mm (120 x 24 mm)
1 mm
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal PAD F 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
2 mm
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal PAD F 2.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)

- 10 -
STEP 3
Once cut to size, thermal pads should be placed on the backplate/
PCB, as illustrated below.
First, place the thermal pads on to the PCB as illustatrated.
3080/3080Ti Version
Thermal Pad F 1 mm
Thermal Pad F 1 mm + Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm + Thermal Pad F 1 mm
Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm
F1
F1+F 2
F1+F 2
F1+F 2
F1
F1
F1+F 2
G1.5 +F1
G1.5 +F1
F2
F2
After placing the thermal pads on to the PCB, few more needs to be
placed on to the Backplate, as illustrated.
3080/3080Ti Version
STEP 3
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm
Thermal Pad F 2 mm
G1.5
G1.5
G1.5
F2
F2 F2

- 11 -
First, place the thermal pads on to the PCB as illustatrated.
3090 Version
Thermal Pad F 1 mm
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm
Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm
F1
G1.5
F1
F1
F2
F2
F2 F2
F2 F2
F2 F2
F2 F2
F2
G1.5 G1.5 G1.5
After placing the thermal pads on to the PCB, few more needs to be
placed on to the Backplate, as illustrated.
3090 Version
STEP 3
Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm
Thermal Pad F 2 mm
G1.5
G1.5
G1.5
F2
F2 F2

- 12 -
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
Allen Key 2.5 mm
For this Step, you will need:
A
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.
STEP 5

- 13 -
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 six (6) 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
In order to ensure that the holes in the terminal and the block line up, the
thermal pads near the terminal must be compressed. This can be achieved by
squeezing the block and active backplate together.
This will not damage the PCB as the mounted standoffs prevent contact at
critical locations. This is the only way to guarantee the promised performance
of the components.
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
STEP 5 terminal slots. Wrongly positioned O-rings can
cause leaks!
STEP 5
M2.5 x 8 AX1
M4 x 27 DIN7984
Allen Key 2.5 mm
For this Step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver

- 14 -
STEP 1
Screw-in two (2) G1/4 threaded male fittings. Attach liquid cooling
tubes and connect the water block to the cooling loop.
The pre-mounted terminal is positioned for the optimal flow in the
EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX 3080/3080Ti/3090 water block and
in the EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX 3080/3080Ti/3090 Active
Backplate. The terminal can be shifted for 180 degrees but by using
it so, the inlet and outlet ports are changed.
The plugged port is not mentioned to be used as inlet/outlet !
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!
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
INSTALLING FITTINGS AND TUBING
STEP 1
EK- PLUG
G1/4
EK-FITTING
TUBING

- 15 -
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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SUPPORT AND SERVICE
SOCIAL MEDIA