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

USER GUIDE
GPU WATER BLOCK
EK-Quantum
Vector² Trio RTX 3080/90 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 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
OPTION 1: USING THE MSI GEFORCE 3080/90 SUPRIM X 8
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER AND BACKPLATE 8
OPTION 2: USING THE MSI GEFORCE RTX 3080/90 GAMING X TRIO 9
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALLATION 10
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 11
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND 12
ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK (Option 1: MSI GEFORCE 3080/3080Ti/3090 SUPRIM X) 12
ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK (Option 2: MSI GEFORCE 3080/3080Ti/3090 TRIO) 14
PREPARING THE BACKPLATE 15
ATTACHING THE BACKPL ATE 17
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS 17
FITTINGS AND TUBING 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 (2 pcs) Thermal Pad G 2.0 mm (2 pcs)
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 Vector2Trio RTX
3080/90 D-RGB
M2.5x4 AX1 Screw (12 pcs)
Polyamid Washer M2.5 0.5mm (12 pcs)
Standoff Ø4.5/2.5 (1 pc)
Quantum Plug (2 pcs)
Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3mm (1 pc)
EK-Plug Out Spludger Tool (1 pc)
Standoff M2.5-M3 x 6.6mm (1 pc)
Nut M2.5 (2 pcs)
EAN: 104909
EAN: 104549

- 5 -
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS
155 mm
142.5 mm
334.5 mm
95.8 mm
123.8 mm 27 mm

- 6 -
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS
NICKEL PLEXI
- Dimensions: (LxHxW): 334.5 x 155 x 27mm
- D-RGB LED count: 18
- D-RGB cable length: 50cm
- D-RGB connector 3-pin 5V digital LED header
Position EAN Description Quantity
1104465 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2103971 Acetal Stand Out 1
3104471 LED Cover 1
4100663 EK - Badge 2
5103964 Mylar sticker 2
68208 Screw M3x8 7991DIN 2
7101556 LED D-RGB strip 500/300mm 1
8103947 FC Terminal 1
9104468 Top plate (Plexi) 1
10 104475 Backplate (Bl. elox) 1
11 103942 Terminal Badge 1
12 104216 Disc magnet 3x3 2
13 8311 Screw M4x20 DIN7984 3
14 104106 Terminal OR - 14x1 mm 2
15 103987 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 3 7
16 103988 Standoff M4-M2.5 x 3mm 4
17 103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3mm 4
18 104187 Screw M2.5x8 AX1 7
19 104188 Standoff fi 4.5/2.5 7
20 9024 Screw M4x10 DIN7984 13
21 103962 Plexi isert 1
22 104484 Main O-ring 162x2 1
23 104902 PCB cardboard 1
11
17
18
19
15
8
2
14
5
4
6
22
20
13
12
21
16
1
9
23
10
7
3

- 7 -
NICKEL ACETAL
- Dimensions: (LxHxW): 334.5 x 155 x 27mm
- D-RGB LED count: 38
- D-RGB cable length: 50cm
- D-RGB connector 3-pin 5V digital LED header
Position EAN Description Quantity
1104465 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2103974 Acetal Stand out 1
3100663 EK - Badge 2
4104211 Mylar sticker 2
58202
Screw M3x12 DIN7991 2
6103947 FC Terminal 1
7103968 Light guide 1
8104469 Acetal top plate 1
9104475 Backplate (Bl.elox) 1
10 103942 Terminal Badge 1
11 104216 Disc magnet 3x3 2
12 8311 Screw M4x20 DIN7984 3
13 104106 Terminal OR - 14x1 mm 2
14 103987 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 3 7
15 103988 Standoff M4-M2.5 x 3mm 4
16 103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3mm 4
17 104187 Screw M2.5x8 AX1 7
18 104188 Standoff fi 4.5/2.5 7
19 9024 Screw M4x10 DIN7984 13
20 103962 Plexi insert 1
21 104296
LED D-RGB Dense Strip Double - 500/130mm 1
22 104484 Main O-ring 162 x 2 mm 1
23 104902 PCB cardboard 1
10
14
16
18
17
2
4
7
12
5
21
3
19
6
11
13
22
15
1
8
23
9
20

- 8 -
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
For this Step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
STEP 1
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER AND BACKPLATE
Place your graphics card on the flat surface and carefully remove
the stock cooler. Do not forget to unplug all the LED and fan
connectors. Pay attention to the following steps in order to install
the EK-Quantum Vector2Trio RTX 3080/90 D-RGB water block on
the graphics card.
Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the five (5) green marked
screws from the GPU bracket side.
Then remove the fifteen (15) red marked screws with Phillips
head screwdriver and carefully detach the stock backplate from
the PCB. After removing the stock backplate remove four (4) blue
marked screws on retention bracket and you can move to step 2
of the process.
Always remove the stock cooler slowly - it might be firmly
glued to the PCB with thermal pads.
OPTION 1: USING THE MSI GEFORCE 3080/90 SUPRIM X
STEP 1

- 9 -
For this Step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
STEP 1
Place your graphics card on the flat surface and carefully remove the
stock cooler. Do not forget to unplug all the LED and fan connectors.
Pay attention to the following steps in order to install the EK-Quantum
Vector2Trio RTX 3080/90 D-RGB water block on the graphics card.
Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the three (3) green
marked screws from the GPU bracket side.
Then remove the fifteen (15) red marked screws with Phillips head
screwdriver and carefully detach the stock backplate from the PCB.
After removing the stock backplate remove four (4) blue marked
screws on retention bracket and you can move to step 2 of the process.
Always remove the stock cooler slowly - it might be firmly
glued to the PCB with thermal pads.
OPTION 2: USING THE MSI GEFORCE RTX 3080/90
GAMING X TRIO
STEP 1

- 10 -
BACK PL ATE
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALLATION
STEP 1
Unscrew seven (7) Screws AX1 M2.5x8 as shown in the image.
Remove the backplate together with seven (7) Screws AX1 M2.5x8
and backplate standoffs. Standoffs must stay on Screws AX1
M2.5x8. Remove cardboard. Save the backplate set for later steps.
Do not remove standoffs from screws! In case the
standoff detaches from the screw, replace it with a
spare one. When replacing the standoff make sure
that you screw it on the AX1 M2.5x8 screw. Do not
push the standoff onto the screw AX1 M2.5x8!
STEP 1
For this step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
M2.5 x 8 AX1
BACK PL ATE
STAN DO FF
DO NOT
REMOVE
STANDOFFS
FROM
SCREWS!
CARDBOARD

- 11 -
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
STEP 1
Your EK-Quantum Vector2Trio RTX 3080/90 D-RGB block 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.
CAUTION: You must remove the protective foil from both
sides of the thermal pad before installation.
Replacement thermal pads:
Thermal Pad F 1.0mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996732
Thermal Pad F 2.0mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996756
Thermal Pad G 2.0mm – (120 x 24mm) EAN: 3830046996794
For this step, you will need:
Scissors
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
STEP 1
Thermal Pad G – 2.0 mm (120 x 24 mm)
120 mm
24 mm
2 mm
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.
Before attaching the PCB to the Water Block, make sure
all the Thermal Pads are placed correctly!
STEP 2
Thermal Pad F 1.0 mmTrio RTX™ 3080/3080Ti/3090

- 12 -
STAN DO FF
M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3mm
Thermal Grease
STANDOFF M3.5-
M2.5 x 11.3mm (1x)
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:
For this Step, you will need:
ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK (Option 1: MSI GEFORCE 3080/3080Ti/3090 SUPRIM X)
STEP 1
From the mounting mechanism take the additional standoff M3.5-M2.5
x 11.3mm and attach it to the water block using the 4mm hex bit.
STEP 1

- 13 -
STEP 2
STEP 2
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!
Screws must be present in the places marked on the picture.
STEP 3
Use eight (8) M2.5x4 AX1 Screws and seven (7) PVC washers to
tighten the PCB on the water block. 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 damage to the GPU.
STEP 3
M2.5 x 4 AX1 SCREW
M2.5 PVC WASHER
WITHOUT PVC WASHER
For this step, you will need:
M 2.5 PVC Washer
(7 pcs)
M2.5 x 4 AX1
(8 pcs)
Phillips Head
Screwdriver
4 mm

- 14 -
STEP 1
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!
Screws must be present in the places marked on the picture.
STEP 2
Use seven (7) M2.5x4 AX1 Screws and six (6) PVC washers to tighten
the PCB on the water block. 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 damage to the GPU.
STEP 2
M2.5 x 4 AX1 SCREW
M2.5 PVC WASHER
WITHOUT PVC WASHER
For this step, you will need:
M 2.5 PVC Washer
(6 pcs)
M2.5 x 4 AX1
(7 pcs)
Phillips Head
Screwdriver
4 mm
ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK (Option 2: MSI GEFORCE 3080/3080Ti/3090 TRIO)

- 15 -
PREPARING THE BACKPLATE
STEP 1
After attaching the water block, a few more thermal pads need to be
cut into smaller pieces to cover all the necessary components.
EK made sure to provide you with more than an adequate quantity of
thermal pads to complete this step.
CAUTION: You must remove the protective foil from both
sides of the thermal pad before installation.
Replacement thermal pads:
Thermal Pad F 1.0mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996732
Thermal Pad F 2.0mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996756
Thermal Pad G 2.0mm – (120 x 24mm) EAN: 3830046996794
For this step, you will need:
Scissors
STEP 1
Thermal Pad F – 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
120 mm
16 mm
1 mm
Thermal Pad G – 2.0 mm (120 x 24 mm)
120 mm
24 mm
2 mm
Thermal Pad F – 2.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
2 mm
120 mm
16 mm

- 16 -
Apply the thermal pads onto the backplate as shown in the image.
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 2.0 mm
G2
STEP 1
3090:
3080/ 3080Ti:
G2
G2
F1
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
G2
G2

- 17 -
For this step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
ATTACHING THE BACKPLATE
STEP 1
STEP 1
Place the backplate with seven (7)M2.5x8 AX1 Screws and Standoffs
onto the PCB. Make sure all the holes are aligned.
Tighten the screws according to the numerical order shown in
the image!
Do not use excessive force!
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.
BACK PL ATE
1
2
3
4
6
5
7

- 18 -
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