EK Quantum Vector2 RE RTX 3080 ABP Set D-RGB User manual

USER GUIDE
GPU WATER BLOCK WITH ACTIVE BACKPLATE
EK-Quantum
Vector² RE 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 (Nickel + Acetal) 6
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS (Nickel + Plexi) 7
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD 8
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER 8
CLEANING THE PCB 8
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALATION 9
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 11
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND 12
ATTACHING THE GPU PCB ONTO THE WATER BLOCK 12
INSTALLING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE 14
FITTINGS AND TUBING 17
INSERTING THE GRAPHICS CARD INTO THE CHASSIS 17
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP 18
TESTING THE LOOP 18
WARRANTY 19
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 20
SOCIAL MEDIA 20

- 4 -
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)
Thermal Pad F 1.0 mm (6 pcs)
(3830046996732)
Thermal Pad F 1.5 mm (1 pc)
(3830046996749)
Thermal Pad F 2.0 mm (2 pcs)
(3830046996756)
M2.5x8 AX1 Screw (1 pc)
M3x10 AX1 Screw (1 pc)
EK-Quantum Vector2RE RTX
3080/90 ABP Set D-RGB
M2.5x4 AX1 Screw (8 pcs)
Polyamid Washer M2.5 0.5mm (8 pcs)
120 mm
16 mm
120 mm
16 mm
120 mm
16 mm
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: 104905
EAN: 104549

- 5 -
WATER BLOCK DIMENSIONS
134 mm
121.5 mm
35.7 mm
268.1 mm
95.7 mm
123.7 mm
41 mm
134 mm

- 6 -
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS (Nickel + Acetal)
EAN: 3831109854891
Technical Specification:
-Dimensions: (LxHxW) – 268.1x134x41 mm
-D-RGB (Addressable RGB) cable length: 500 mm
-D-RGB LED COUNT: 30
-D-RGB connector standard 3-pin (+5V, Data, Blocked, Ground)
Position EAN Description Quantity
1103944 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2103962 Plexi Insert 1
3103946 TOP Acetal 1
4103975 Bridge Plate 1
5103987 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 3 5
6103988 Standoff M4-M2.5 x 3 4
79024 Screw M4x10 DIN7984 10
89013 Screw M4x8 DIN7984 13
9103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3 3
10 104106 OR - 14x1 4
11 105163 Disc magnet 3x2 4
12 103942 Terminal Badge 1
13 8311 Screw M4x20 DIN7984 6
14 100663 EK Badge 2
15 104211 Mylar Sticker 2
16 8202 Screw M3x12 DIN7991 2
17 104104 TOP Acetal 1
18 104087 OR - AB 1
19 104085 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
20 104093 Standoff M2.5-M3 x 6.6 5
21 104105 Screw AX1 M3 x 10 5
22 104393 Terminal 1
23 104091 Front Plate 1
24 104395 Terminal Plate 1
25 104414 OR - Vector2 1
26 8201 Screw M3x10 DIN7991 2
27 104086 AB Terminal Badge 1
28 104100 Stand Out 1
29 104094 Light Guide 1
30 104295 LED Strip 1
31 103965 OR - Vector2 1
32 104899 PCB Cardboard 1
8
20
29 16
17
15
10
14
19
5
42
32
1
3
21
6
31
26
25
24
18
22
12
9
23
13
27
28
14
30
815
7
11

- 7 -
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND WATER BLOCK PARTS (Nickel + Plexi)
EAN: 3831109854884
Technical Specification:
-Dimensions: (LxHxW) – 268.1x134x41 mm
-D-RGB (Addressable RGB) cable length: 500 mm
-D-RGB LED COUNT: 28
-D-RGB connector standard 3-pin (+5V, Data, Blocked, Ground)
Position EAN Description Quantity
1103944 Coldplate (Nickel) 1
2103962 Plexi Insert 1
3103945 TOP Plexi 1
4103975 Bridge Plate 1
5103987 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 3 5
6103988 Standoff M4-M2.5 x 3 4
79024 Screw M4x10 DIN7984 10
89013 Screw M4x8 DIN7984 13
9103986 Standoff M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3 3
10 104106 OR 14x1 4
11 105163 Disc magnet 3x2 4
12 103942 Terminal Badge 1
13 8311 Screw M4x20 DIN7984 6
14 8208 Screw M3x8 7991DIN 2
15 100663 EK Badge 2
16 103964 Mylar Sticker 2
17 103950 LED Extrusion 2
18 104103 TOP Plexi 1
19 104087 OR - Vector2 1
20 104085 AB Coldplate (Nickel) 1
21 104093 Standoff M2.5-M3 x 6.6 5
22 104105 Screw AX1 M3 x 10 5
23 104097 Stand Out 1
24 101556 LED Strip 2
25 104393 Terminal 1
26 104091 Front Plate 1
27 104395 Terminal Plate 1
28 104414 OR - AB Terminal 1
29 8201 Screw M3x10 DIN7991 2
30 104086 Terminal Badge 1
31 103965 OR - Vector2 1
32 104899 PCB Cardboard 1
8
17
21
20
31
16
14
18
23
3
15
8
5
16
7
28
10
13
11
15
4
30
2
22
32
1
19
26
25
27
26
17
12
24
9
29
6

- 8 -
PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
STEP 1
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER
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 Vector2RE RTX 3080/90 ABP Set D-RGB water
block onto the graphics card.
Always remove the stock cooler slowly - it might be
firmly glued to the PCB via thermal pads.
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 the 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.
STEP 2

- 9 -
PREPARING THE WATER BLOCK FOR INSTALATION
Your water block set includes the water block and the active
backplate.
STEP 1
First, remove the terminal badge attached to the terminal via two
magnets. There are three (3) DIN7984 M4x20 screws under the
badge. Unscrew all three. Unscrew five (5) AX1 M3x10 screws as
shown in the image.
DO NOT REMOVE THE UPPER TERMINAL BADGE!
M3 x 10 AX1
SCREW (5x)
TERMINAL
BADGE
DO NOT
REMOVE THIS
TERMINAL
BADGE!
DIN7984 M4 x 20
SCREW (3x)
STEP 1
For this step you will need:
Allen Key
2.5mm
Phillips Head
Screwdriver

- 10 -
STEP 3
Unscrew 5 (five) M2.5-M3x6.6 standoffs using the included tool
(EK-Plug out Spludger Tool). Remove the PCB cardboard (Printed
Circuit Board cardboard). Do not unscrew the M3.5-M2.5x11.3
standoffs! If the M3.5-M2.5x11.3 standoff unscrews, carefully
tighten it with a 4mm wrench. Do not use moment higher than
0.6 Nm.
STEP 3
M2.5-M3x6.6
STANDOFF (5x)
STANDOFF
M2.5-M3.5 x 11.3
STEP 2
Carefully remove the complete active backplate with the terminal.
Remove two (2) O-rings OR 14x1.
STEP 2
ACTIVE
BACK PL AT E
PCB
CARDBOARD
OR 14x1
(2x)
For this step, you will need:
EK-Plug Out Spludger Tool

- 11 -
STEP 1
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
Your EK-Quantum Vector
2
RE RTX 3080/90 ABP Set 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.
STEP 1
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
Thermal Pad F – 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
120 mm
16 mm
1 mm
For this step, you will need:
Scissors
STEP 2
The cardboard is printed in scale 1:1. Cut the thermal pads
according to the size specifications printed on the PCB cardboard.
Once cut to size, thermal pads should be placed on the GPU PCB,
as shown in the image.Be careful to choose the right thermal pad
thickness. Thermal pads of three different thickness levels (1 mm,
1.5 mm, 2 mm) are included.
STEP 2
Thermal Pad - 120 x 16 x 1.0 mm
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1
F1

- 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 evenly
spread 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:
ATTACHING THE GPU PCB ONTO THE WATER BLOCK
Before attaching the PCB on the Water Block, make sure
all the Thermal Pads are placed correctly!
STEP 1
Place the shown part of the block on a flat surface. Place the PCB
with thermal pads on the M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3 standoffs and make sure
all holes are aligned.
STEP 1
STANDOFF
M3.5-M2.5 x 11.3
(3x)

- 13 -
STEP 3
STEP 3
Position the M2.5-M3 x 6.6 standoffs with holes of M3.5-M2.5 x
11.3 and M3.5-M2.5 x 3 standoffs, as shown in the image. Tighten
them evenly with the EK-Plug-Out Spludger Tool (EAN 104299).
Tighten the screws according to the number order shown in the image!
Do not use excessive force!
Do not use moment higher than 0.6 Nm!
STANDOFF M2.5-M3 x 6.6
(5x)
1
2
3
45
For this step, you will need:
EK-Plug Out Spludger Tool
STEP 2
AX1 M2.5x4 SCREW (6x)
POLYAMID WASHER (6x)
STEP 2
After placing a PCB on the water block, use AX1 M2.5x4 screws and
polyamide washers to tighten the PCB on the water block.
Do not forget to put polyamide washers between the PCB and
screws! Tighten the screws according to the number order
shown in the image!
Do not use excessive force!
Do not use moment higher than 0.6 Nm!
For this step, you will need:
Polyamide Washer
(7 pcs)
M2.5 x 4 AX1
Screw (7 pcs)
Phillips Head
Screwdriver
4 mm
1
2
37
46
5

- 14 -
STEP 1
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 1.5mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996749
Thermal Pad F 2.0mm – (120 x 16mm) EAN: 3830046996756
After attaching the GPU PCB, few more thermal pads need to be
placed on the back side of the GPU PCB. Once cut to size, thermal
pads should be placed on the GPU PCB, as shown on image
below (STEP 2). EK made sure to provide you with more than an
adequate quantity of thermal pads to complete this Step.
INSTALLING THE ACTIVE BACKPLATE
STEP 1
Thermal Pad F – 1.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
Thermal Pad F – 1.5 mm (120 x 16 mm)
Thermal Pad F – 2.0 mm (120 x 16 mm)
120 mm
16 mm
1 mm
1.5 mm
120 mm
16 mm
2 mm
120 mm
16 mm
For this step, you will need:
Scissors

- 15 -
STEP 2
CAUTION: You must remove the protective foil from
both sides of the thermal pad before installation.
STEP 2
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
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F1.5
F2
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
3080/3080Ti
3090

- 16 -
STEP 4
AX1 M3x10 SCREW (5x)
STEP 4
Place five (5) M3x10 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
M4x20DIN7984 must be placed in the Terminal and tightened using
Allen Key 2.5mm.
Put the Terminal badge onto the terminal magnets.
Pay attention not to use too much force when tightening the
active backplate down to the GPU PCB.
DIN7984 M4x20 SCREW (3x)
TERMINAL
BADGE
1
2
345
STEP 3
Before attaching the Active Backplate on the PCB, make
sure all the Thermal Pads are placed correctly!
STEP 3
First, put two O-rings 14x1 into slots on the Coldplate.Then carefully
place 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.
ACTIVE
BACK PL AT E
OR 14x1
(2x)
For this step, you will need:
Allen Key 2.5mm Phillips Head Screwdriver

- 17 -
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

- 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 performing a 24-hour leak test. When your loop
is complete and filled with coolant, connect the pump to a PSU
outside your system. Make sure all the other components are not
connected to a power source. Turn on the PSU and let the pump
run continuously. It is normal for the coolant level to drop during
this process as air accumulates in the distribution plate. Inspect all
parts of the loop, and if there is any coolant leak, fix the issue and
repeat the testing process until there are no coolant leaks. In order
to prevent any damage, ensure that all hardware is dry before the
system is powered back on.
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 instruction 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 warranty, but not the warranty of 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
EKWBofficial
SUPPORT AND SERVICE
SOCIAL MEDIA