EK-Quantum Vector2 Strix RTX 3080 D-RGB User manual

USER GUIDE
GPU WATER BLOCK
EK-Quantum
Vector² Strix RTX 3080/90 ABP Set D-RGB

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 starting 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).
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!
To reach optimal performance, make sure to thoroughly
bleed the air out of your water block!

- 3 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BOX CONTENTS 4
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS 5
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS 6
NICKEL PLEXI 6
NICKEL ACETAL 7
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD 8
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER 8
REMOVING THE STOCK BACKPLATE 9
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALLATION 10
CLEANING THE PCB 10
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 12
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND 13
ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK 13
ATTACHING THE ACTIVE BACKPL ATE 15
FITTINGS AND TUBING 18
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS 18
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP 19
TESTING THE LOOP 19
WARRANTY 20
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 21
SOCIAL MEDIA 21

- 4 -
Thermal Pad F 1.0 mm (7 pcs) Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm (4 pcs) Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm (1 pc)
120 mm
16 mm
120 mm
16 mm
120 mm
24 mm
Thermal Grease (1 pc)
BOX CONTENTS
4 mm
8 mm
10 mm
EK-Loop Multi Allen Key (1 pc)
Allen Key 2 mm (1 pc)
Allen Key 2.5 mm (1 pc)
M2.5x8 AX1 Screw (1 pc)
M3x10 AX1 Screw (1 pc)
EK-Quantum Vector2Strix RTX
3080/90 ABP Set D-RGB
M2.5x4 AX1 Screw (8 pcs)
Polyamid Washer M2.5 0.5mm (8 pcs)
Standoff Ø4.5/2.5 (1 pc)
Quantum Plug (2 pcs)
EK-Plug Out Spludger Tool (1 pc)
Standoff M2.5-M3 x 6.6mm (1 pc)
Nut M2.5 (2 pcs)
Terminal OR - Vector2 14x1 mm (2 pcs)
EAN: 104907
EAN: 104549

- 5 -
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS
308.1 mm
35.5 mm
142.5 mm
155 mm
41 mm
95.8 mm
123.8 mm

- 6 -
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS
NICKEL PLEXI
- Dimensions: (LxHxW): 307.5x 155 x 41 mm
- D-RGB LED count: Plexi - 30
- D-RGB cable length: 50cm
- D-RGB connector 3-pin 5V digital LED header (Pinout: +5V | Digital
| Blocked | Ground)
Position EAN Description Quantity
1104489 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2104492 Top plate (Plexi) 1
3103962 Plexi insert 1
4103942 Terminal Badge 1
5104106 Terminal OR - 14x1 mm 4
68311 Vijak M4x20 DIN7984 6
7103988 Standoff M4-M2.5 x 3mm 4
8103987 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 3 3
9103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3mm 6
10 9013 Screw M4x8 DIN7984 28
11 104508 Main O-ring 142 x 2 mm 1
12 100663 EK - Badge 2
13 103964 Mylar sticker 2
14 101556 LED D-RGB strip 500/300mm 2
15 104393 Acetal terminal (Active Backplate) 1
16 104414 FC Terminal ABP O-ring 50x2 mm 1
17 104395 Active Backplate Terminal Plate 1
18 105163 Disc magnet 3x2 4
19 104086 ABP Terminal badge 1
20 104099 Acetal standout 1
21 104495 LED Cover 2
22 8201 Screw M3x10 DIN7991 4
23 104093 Standoff M2.5-M3 x 6.6 6
24 104105 Screw AX1 M3 x 10 6
25 104506 Top plate (plexi) - Active backplate 1
26 104491 Coldplate Active backplate 1
27 104509 Main ABP O-142x2 ring mm 1
28 104504 Sideplate (ALU) 1
29 104818 PCB cardboard 1
19
27
11
26
29
1
2
4
5
3
6
22
8
28
15
18
16
17
10
7
9
13
14
12
25
24
23
21
20
10

- 7 -
NICKEL ACETAL
- Dimensions: (LxHxW): 307.5x 155 x 41 mm
- D-RGB LED count: Acetal - 38
- D-RGB cable length: 50cm
- D-RGB connector 3-pin 5V digital LED header (Pinout: +5V | Digital
| Blocked | Ground)
Position EAN Description Quantity
1104489 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2104493 TOP plate (Acetal) 1
3103962 PLexi insert 1
4103942 Terminal Badge 1
5104106 Terminal OR - 14x1 mm 4
68311 Vijak M4x20 DIN7984 6
7103988 Standoff M4-M2.5 x 3mm Vector2 4
8103987 StandoffM3.5-M2.5 x 3 3
9103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3mm 6
10 9013 Screw M4x8 DIN7984 28
11 104508 Main O-Ring 142 x 2 mm 1
12 100663 EK - Badge 2
13 104211 Mylar sticker 2
14 104296 LED D-RGB Dense Strip Double - 500/130mm 1
15 8202 Screw M3x12 DIN7991 2
16 104393 FC Terminal (Acetal) 1
17 104414 OR - Active backplate terminal 50 x 2 mm 1
18 104395 Terminal plate (Nickel) 1
19 105163 Disc magnet 3x2 4
20 104086 Terminal Badge 1
21 104093 Standoff M2.5-M3 x 6.6 6
22 104105 Screw AX1 M3 x 10 6
23 104507 Top plate - Active backplate 1
24 104490 Coldplate ABP (Nickel) 1
25 104509 Main O-ring 142 x 2 mm 1
26 104501 Sideplate (ALU) 1
27 8201 Screw M3x10 DIN7991 2
28 104102 Acetal standout 1
29 104096 Acetal light guide 1
30 104818 PCB cardboard 1
20
25
11
24
30
1
2
4
5
3
15
6
27
8
10
14
29
26
16
19
17
18
10
7
9
13
12
23
22
21
20

- 8 -
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

- 9 -
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

- 10 -
Allen Key 2.5mm
TERMINAL
BADGE
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALLATION
STEP 1
First, remove the terminal badge which is attached to the terminal with
two magnets. Under the badge, unscrew three (3) screws M4 x 20
DIN7984. Additional six (6) screws M3 x 10 AX1 need to be removed
as shown in the image.
DO NOT REMOVE THE UPPER TERMINAL BADGE!
STEP 1
For this step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
STEP 3
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.
M3 x 10 AX1 SCREW
M4 x 20 DIN7984
SCREW

- 11 -
STEP 3
STEP 3
Unscrew six (6) M2.5-M3x6.6 standoff with the included tool (EK-Plug
out Spludger Tool). Make sure not to unscrew the M3.5-M2.5x11.3
standoff! In case the M3.5-M2.5x11.3 standoff unscrews, carefully
tighten it back with the 4 mm wrench.
After removing the standoffs, the PCB cardboard (Printed Circuit
Board cardboard) needs to be removed. The PCB cardboard is printed
on 1:1 scale.
M2.5-M3x6.6 STANDOFF
M3.5-M2.5x11.3 STANDOFF
STEP 2
STEP 2
Carefully remove the complete active backplate with the terminal.
Additional two (2) O-rings 14x1 EPDM50 need to be removed.
ACTIVE BACKPLATE
TERMINAL
O-RING 14x1 mm
For this step, you will need:
EK-Plug Out Spludger Tool
PCB
CARDBOARD

- 12 -
For this step, you will need:
Scissors
STEP 2
The cardboard is printed in scale 1:1. Cut Thermal Pads to the size
printed on the cardboard. Once cut to the size, Thermal Pads should
be placed on the block, as shown in the picture. Thermal Pads of
thicknesses 1, 1.5, and 2 mm are included.
Before attaching the PCB to the Water Block, make sure
all the Thermal Pads are placed correctly!
STEP 2
Strix RTX™ 3080/3080Ti/3090
STEP 1
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
Thermal Pad F – 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
120 mm
16 mm
1 mm
Thermal Pad F – 2.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
2 mm
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal Pad G – 1.5 mm (120 x 24 mm)
120 mm
24 mm
1.5 mm
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:
Thermal PAD F 1.0 mm - (120 x 16 mm) – 3830046996732
Thermal PAD F 2.0 mm - (120 x 16 mm) – 3830046996756
Thermal PAD G 1.5 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – 3830046996787
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 1.0 mm
F1

- 13 -
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!
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND
For this step, you will need:
ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK
STEP 1
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.
Pay attention not to use too much force when pressing
the block down to the PCB since chip dies are prone to
cracking.
Before attaching the PCB to the Water Block, make sure
all the Thermal Pads are placed correctly!
STEP 1
STEP 1

- 14 -
For this step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
STEP 2
After placing the GPU PCB onto the water block, use seven (7)
M2.5 x 4 AX1 screws and PVC washers to tighten the GPU PCB.
Tighten the screws evenly. 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!
STEP 2
M2.5 x 4 AX1
SCREW M2.5 PVC WASHER
STEP 3
Place the M2.5-M3 x 6.6 Standoff in each of the six (6) mounting
holes of the standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3 (as shown in the image) and
tighten them evenly with the EK-Plug-Out Spludger Tool.
Do not use excessive force!
STEP 3
M2.5-M3 x 6.6
STAN DO FF
For this step, you will need:
EK-Plug Out Spludger Tool

- 15 -
STEP 1
ATTACHING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE
Thermal Pad F – 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
120 mm
16 mm
1 mm
Thermal Pad F – 2.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
2 mm
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal Pad G – 1.5 mm (120 x 24 mm)
120 mm
24 mm
1.5 mm
STEP 1
After attaching the water block, few more thermal pads need to be
placed on the backside of the GPU PCB. Once cut to size, thermal
pads should be placed on the PCB, as illustrated. EK made sure to
provide you with more than an adequate quantity of thermal pads to
complete this Step.
Replacement thermal pads:
Thermal PAD F 1.0 mm - (120 x 16 mm) – 3830046996732
Thermal PAD F 2.0 mm - (120 x 16 mm) – 3830046996756
Thermal PAD G 1.5 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – 3830046996787

- 16 -
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 1.0 mm
F1
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 2.0 mm
F2
STEP 1
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 1.0 mm
F1
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 2.0 mm
F2
Thermal Pad - 120 x 24 x 1.5 mm
G1.5
Thermal Pad - 120 x 24 x 1.5 mm
G1.5
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 1.0 mm + 120 x 16 x 2.0 mm
F1+ F 2
3090:
3080/ 3080Ti:
F2 F1
F2
F2
G1.5
F1+F2
F1+F2
F1+F2
F1+F2
F2
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F2 F1
F1
F1
G1.5
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F1
F1
F1
CAUTION: You must remove the protective foil from both
sides of the thermal pad before installation.

- 17 -
STEP 2
Put two O-rings 14 x 1 EPDM 50 into slots on the copper plate.
Then carefully place the active backplate on standoffs as shown
in the image. While putting the active backplate on the PCB, make
sure the O-rings stay in the slots.
Before attaching the Active Backplate on the PCB, make
sure all the Thermal Pads are placed correctly!
STEP 2
ACTIVE BACKPLATE
OR 14 x 1
EPDM 50
STEP 3
Place six (6) M3 x 10 AX1 screws into the water block standoffs and
tighten them using Philips head screwdriver (as shown in the image).
After attaching the AX1 Screws, three (3) terminal screws M4 x 20
DIN7984 need to be attached using Allen Key 2.5mm. The terminal
badge can be reused, after securing the terminal screws.
Pay attention not to use too much force when tightening the
active backplate down to the GPU PCB.
STEP 3
M3 x 10 AX1 SCREW
Allen Key 2.5mm
For this step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
M4 x 20 DIN7984
SCREW
TERMINAL
BADGE

- 18 -
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 PCI express 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.
FITTINGS AND TUBING
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 using
the 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
For this step, you will need:
EK-Loop Multi Allen Key

- 19 -
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP
STEP 1
Plug the 3-pin connector of the distribution plate D-RGB LED
light to the D-RGB HEADER on the motherboard. The LED will
work if the pin layout on the header is as follows: +5V, Digital,
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
To make sure the installation of EK components was successful, we
recommend you perform a leak test for 24 hours. 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.
It is normal for the coolant level to drop during this process as air
collects in the distribution plate. Inspect all parts of the loop, and
in the eventuality that coolant leaks, fix the issue and repeat the
testing process. Ensure that all hardware is dry before the system is
powered on in order to prevent any damage.
TESTING THE LOOP

- 20 -
Our products are warranted against defects of materials and
quality for a period of 24 months, starting with the date of delivery
to the end-user. During this period, products will be repaired
or have parts replaced at our discretion, provided that 1) the
product is returned to the agent from whom it was purchased;
2) the product has been purchased by the end-user and has not
been used for commercial purposes; 3) the product has not been
misused, handled carelessly, or used in a manner other than the
way described in the instructions manual. This warranty does not
confer rights other than those expressly set out above and does not
cover any claims for consequential loss or damage. This warranty
is offered as an extra benefit and does not affect your statutory
rights as a consumer. This warranty is voided if the product
comes in contact with aggressive UV additives or other improper
liquids. EK water blocks are sealed with a warranty-voiding circular
label, proving the water block has withstood a pressure leak test.
Removing the label will void the leak-free guarantee, but not the
guarantee on the product itself. Any other RMA issues can be
reported to EK Customer Support at www.ekwb.com/support
for further analysis.
WARRANTY