EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX 3080 D-RGB User manual

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

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
REQUIRED TOOLS 5
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS 5
WATER BLOCK SPECIFICATIONS AND MAIN PARTS 6
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD 7
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER 7
REMOVING THE STOCK BACKPLATE 8
CLEANING THE PCB 9
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 9
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND 10
INSTALLING THE WATER BLOCK 11
PLACING THE BLOCK ON THE GRAPHICS CARD 11
ATTACHING THE BLOCK TO THE GRAPHICS CARD 11
CHECKING FOR CONTACT 12
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS 12
INSTALLATION OF FITTINGS AND TUBING 13
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP 13
TESTING THE LOOP 14
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 15
SOCIAL MEDIA 15

- 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 (2 pcs)
M2,5x6 AX1 Screw (13 pcs)
Allen Key 2.5. mm (1 pc) Thermal Pad F 1.0 mm (5 pcs)
Thermal Grease (1 pc)
M2,5x8 AX1 Screw (2 pcs)
M2,5x4 AX1 Screw (16 pcs)
EK-Quantum Vector Strix RTX 3080/3090 D-RGB M2.5 PVC Washers (16 pcs)
120 mm
16 mm
EK-Plug G1/4 (2 pcs)
Mounting mechanism - You may not need all the screws,
mounting mechanism is universal!

- 5 -
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS
293 mm
129 mm
154 mm
142 mm
14,6 mm
16,4 mm
Phillips Head Screwdriver Torx T6 Screwdriver Scissors
REQUIRED TOOLS

- 6 -
WATER BLOCK SPECIFICATIONS AND MAIN PARTS
TO P P L ATE
(PLEXI / ACETAL)
O-RING
176 x 2
M4/M2,5 x 6,6 STANDOFF
M4/M2,5 x 2,5 STANDOFF - SHORT
COLDPLATE (COPPER / NICKEL)
JET
PL AT E
LED
D-RGB STRIP
M4/M2,5 x 2,5
STANDOFF - LONG
M4 x 27 DIN7984 SCREW
TERMINAL (PLEXI / ACETAL)
O-RING 15x1
M4 x 8 DIN7984 SCREW
EK BADGE STANDOUT
(BLACK / WHITE)
Technical Specification:
- Dimensions: (LxHxW) - 293x154x16.4mm
- D-RGB (Adressable RGB) cable length: 500mm
- D-RGB LED count: 12
- D-RGB connector standard 3-pin (+5V, Data, Blocked, Ground)

- 7 -
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
STEP 1
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER
Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the three screws from the
GPU bracket side and six screws from the side of the backplate.
After removing all nine screws (marked in the picture), carefully detach
the PCB with the backplate from the stock cooler and disconnect two
cables connected to the PCB.
Always remove the stock cooler slowly - it might be firmly
glued to the PCB with thermal pads.
For this Step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver Torx T6 Screwdriver
STEP 1

- 8 -
STEP 2
REMOVING THE STOCK BACKPLATE
Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the two screws attaching
the GeForce® RTX™ plate to the backplate.
Remove the nine screws with Phillips and Torx head screwdrivers
and carefully detach the stock backplate from the PCB.
STEP 2

- 9 -
STEP 3
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.
Thermal pads:
5x Thermal Pad F 1.0 mm – (120 x 16 mm) EAN: 3830046996732
STEP 1
Thermal Pad F – 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
STEP 3
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.
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
120 mm
16 mm
1 mm

- 10 -
Thermal Grease
STEP 2
Strix RTX™ 3080/3090 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.
STEP 1
Apply the enclosed EK-TIM Ectotherm thermal grease (thermal
compound) on the CPU 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:
Thermal Pad F 1.0mm

- 11 -
STEP 2
M2.5 x 4 AX1 SCREW
M2.5 PVC WASHER
STEP 2
ATTACHING THE BLOCK TO THE GRAPHICS CARD
Use thirteen (13) 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 the damage to the GPU.
Always use a plastic washer under each screw!
For this Step, you will need:
M 2.5 PVC Washer
13 pcs
M2.5 x 4 AX1
13 pcs
Phillips Head
Screwdriver
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

- 12 -
CHECKING FOR CONTACT
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS
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/..
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.

- 13 -
INSTALLATION OF FITTINGS AND TUBING
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP
STEP 1
Screw-in two (2) G1/4 threaded male fittings. Attach the liquid
cooling tubes and connect the water block(s) to the cooling loop.
Do not forget to plug the remaining two openings with
enclosed EK-Plug G1/4 or its equivalent.
You can use any opening as an inlet/outlet port.
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
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
STEP 1
TUBING
EK- PLUG
G1/4
EK-FITTING
D-RGB HEADER
RGB HEADER

- 14 -
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

In case you need assistance, please contact:
http://support.ekwb.com/
EKWB d.o.o.
Pod lipami 18
1218 Komenda
Slovenia - EU
EKWaterBlocks
@EKWaterBlocks
ekwaterblocks
ekwaterblocks
EKWBofficial
SUPPORT AND SERVICE
SOCIAL MEDIA