EK-Quantum Vector2 XC3 RTX 3080 D-RGB User manual

USER GUIDE
GPU WATER BLOCK
EK-Quantum
Vector² XC3 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
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER 8
CLEANING THE PCB 9
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALLATION 10
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 11
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND 12
ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK 12
PREPARING THE BACKPLATE 14
ATTACHING THE BACKPL ATE 16
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS 16
FITTINGS AND TUBING 17
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP 18
TESTING THE LOOP 18
WARRANTY 19
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 20
SOCIAL MEDIA 20

- 4 -
Thermal Pad F 1.0 mm (6 pcs)
(3830046996732)
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal Pad F 1.5 mm (1 pc)
(3830046996749)
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm (2 pcs)
(3830046996756)
120 mm
16 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 Vector2XC3 RTX
3080/90 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)
EAN: 104911
EAN: 104549
Terminal OR - Vector
2
14x1 mm (2 pcs)

- 5 -
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS
121.8 mm
27 mm
123.7 mm
134 mm
25.5 mm
95.7 mm
302 mm

- 6 -
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS
NICKEL PLEXI
- Dimensions: (LxHxW): 302 x 134 x 27mm
- D-RGB LED count: 17
- D-RGB cable length: 50 cm
- D-RGB connector 3-pin 5V digital LED header
Position EAN Description Quantity
1104963 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2103969 Standout (Acetal) 1
3104582 Top plate (Plexi) 1
4103947 FC Terminal 1
5104580 Backplate (Black e.) 1
6103965 Main O-ring 128 x 2 mm 1
7104106 Terminal OR - 14 x 1 mm 2
89024 Screw M4 x 10 7984DIN 11
98208 Screw M3 x 8 7991DIN 2
10 104187 Screw M2.5 x 8 AX1 8
11 103987 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 3 4
12 103988 Standoff M4-M2.5 x 3 4
13 103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3 6
14 104188 Standoff fi 4.5/2.5 8
15 103942 Terminal badge 1
16 8311 Screw M4 x 20 DIN7984 3
17 104216 Disc magnet 3 x 3 2
18 103964 Mylar sticker 2
19 100663 EK RGB Badge 2
20 104570 LED Cover 1
21 101556 LED D-RGB strip 500/300 mm 1
22 103975 Bridge plate 1
23 103962 Plexi insert 1
15
18
19
13
14
11
4
2
1
9
20
8
6
22
23
17
16
7
12
3
5
21
10

- 7 -
NICKEL ACETAL
- Dimensions: (LxHxW): 302 x 134 x 27 mm
- D-RGB LED count: 28
- D-RGB cable length: 50 cm
- D-RGB connector 3-pin 5V digital LED header
Position EAN Description Quantity
1104963 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2103947 FC Terminal (Acetal) 1
3104580 Backplate (Black e.) 1
4103965 Main O-ring 128 x 2 mm 1
5104106 Terminal OR - 14 x 1 mm 2
69024 Screw M4 x 10 DIN7984 11
78202 Screw M3 x 12 DIN7991 2
8104187 Screw M2.5 x 8 AX1 8
9103987 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 3 4
10 103988 Standoff M4-M2,5 x 3 4
11 103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3 6
12 104188 Standoff fi 4.5/2.5 8
13 103966 Light guide 1
14 103972 Standout (Acetal) 1
15 104583 Top plate (Acetal) 1
16 103942 Terminal badge 1
17 8311 Screw M4 x 20 DIN7984 3
18 104216 Disc magnet 3 x 3 2
19 104211 Mylar sticker 2
20 100663 EK - Badge 2
21 104295 LED D-RGB Dense Strip Double 1
22 103975 Bridge Plate 1
23 103962 Plexi insert 1
16
9
12
8
14
19
13
18
7
21
20
11
6
2
17
5
4
10
1
15
3
22
23

- 8 -
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
STEP 1
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER
OPTION 1 – GPU Versions Without a Backplate
Some versions of this GPU don’t have a backplate (e.g., EVGA GeForce
RTX 3080 XC3 BLACK GAMING).
Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the eleven marked screws
and the Stock Cooler Backplate from the backside of the GPU. You do
not have to remove the unmarked I/O Bracket screw.
Carefully detach the PCB from the stock cooler and disconnect all
cables connecting the stock cooler to the PCB.
Always remove the stock cooler slowly - it might be firmly
glued to the PCB with thermal pads.
You will need the following tool:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
STEP 1
STOCK COOLER BACKPLATE
OPTION 1
I/O BRACKET SCREW

- 9 -
STEP 2
STEP 2
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.
OPTION 2 – GPU Versions With a Backplate
Use the Phillips head screwdriver to remove the twelve marked screws
and the Stock Cooler Backplate from the backplate’s side.
Carefully detach the PCB from the stock cooler and the backplate, and
disconnect all cables connecting the stock cooler to the PCB.
Always remove the stock cooler slowly - it might be firmly
glued to the PCB with thermal pads.
STEP 1
OPTION 2
STOCK COOLER BACKPLATE
BACK PL ATE

- 10 -
BACK PL ATE
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALLATION
STEP 1
Unscrew eight (8) Screws AX1 M2.5 x 8 as shown in the image.
Remove the backplate together with eight (8) Screws M2.5 x 8 AX1
and backplate standoffs. Standoffs must stay on Screws M2.5 x 8
AX1. 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 M2.5 x 8 screw. Do
not push the standoff onto the screw AX1 M2.5 x 8!
STEP 1
For this step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
M2.5 x 8 AX1 SCREW
BACK PL ATE
STAN DO FF
DO NOT
REMOVE
STANDOFFS
FROM
SCREWS!
CARDBOARD

- 11 -
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
STEP 1
Your EK-Quantum Vector2XC3 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 1.0 mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996732
Thermal Pad F 1.5 mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996749
Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996756
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 – 1.5 mm (120 x 16 mm)
1.5 mm
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal Pad F – 2.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
2 mm
120 mm
16 mm
STEP 1
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 mm

- 12 -
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.
Before attaching the PCB to the Water Block, make sure
all the Thermal Pads are placed correctly!
STEP 1
STEP 1

- 13 -
STEP 2
Use six (6) M2.5 x 4 AX1 Screws and PVC washers to tighten the PCB
on the water block. Tighten the screws evenly using the Phillips-
head screwdriver. After attaching the PCB, use one (1) M2.5 x 8 AX1
Screw and one (1) M2.5 Nut to secure the I/O Bracket.
EK recommends you start tightening the screws around the GPU
core first, and then continuing outward to prevent damage to the
GPU.
Screws must be present in the places marked on the picture.
M2.5 x 4 AX1
SCREW
M2.5 PVC
WASHER
M2.5 NUT
M2.5 x 8 AX1 SCREW
STEP 2
M2.5 x 8 AX1 SCREW

- 14 -
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 1.0 mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996732
Thermal Pad F 1.5 mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996749
Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996756
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 F – 1.5 mm (120 x 16 mm)
1.5 mm
120 mm
16 mm
Thermal Pad F – 2.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
2 mm
120 mm
16 mm

- 15 -
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 1.5 mm
F1.5
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 2.0 mm
F2
STEP 1
3090:
3080/ 3080Ti:
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F2
F2
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1

- 16 -
For this step, you will need:
Phillips Head Screwdriver
ATTACHING THE BACKPLATE
STEP 1
STEP 1
Place the backplate with eight (8) M2.5 x 8 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
8
3
4
6
5
7

- 17 -
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

- 18 -
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

- 19 -
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

In case you need assistance or wish to order spare parts or a new
mounting mechanism, please contact:
https://www.ekwb.com/customer-support/
For spare parts orders, refer to the page with “TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS” where you can find
the EAN number of each part you might need.
Include the EAN number with quantity in your request. Mounting
Mechanism EAN can be found under “BOX CONTENTS”
Thermal pads are readily available in the EK shop
EKWaterBlocks
@EKWaterBlocks
ekwaterblocks
ekwaterblocks
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SUPPORT AND SERVICE
SOCIAL MEDIA