ekwb EK-FC Radeon Vega Strix Series User manual

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 12th of February, 2018. Revision 1.0
Installation manual for EK-FC Radeon Vega Strix water block
This product is intended for installation only by expert users. Please consult with a
qualified technician for installation. Improper installation may result in damage to your
equipment. EK Water Blocks assumes no liability whatsoever, expressed or implied, for
the use of these products, nor their installation. The following instructions are subject
to change without notice. Please visit our web site at www.ekwb.com for updates.
Before installation of this product please read important notice, disclosure and
warranty conditions printed on the back of the box.
Before you start using this product please follow these basic guidelines:
1. Please carefully read the manual throughly before beginning with the
installation process!
2. Please remove your graphics card from the computer to assure safest
mounting process in order to prevent any possible damages to your GPU
and/or graphics card circuit board (PCB).
3. The EK-HFB and EK-ACF type 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.
4. The use of corrosion inhibiting coolants is always recommended for any
liquid cooling system.
BAG CONTENT: Bag content is universal for all water blocks, you may not need all screws.
STEP 1: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD
STEP 1 cont: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHICS CARD.
1. REMOVING STOCK COOLER: Remove all encircled screws using Phillips screwdriver. All heat
sink assembly screws should be removed, including self-adhesive washers on both sides of the PCB (if
present). After you remove the housing do not forget to unplug the fans and the RGB LED lights.
REMOVING FACTORY PROVIDED BACKPLATE: Remove all encircled screws using Phillips screwdriver.
All heat sink assembly screws should be removed, including self-adhesive washers on both sides of the PCB (if
present).
STEP 1 cont.: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD
1. CLEANING THE PCB: Carefully detach the original stock cooler after removing all screws securing
it to the board. Wipe off the remains (by using non–abrasive cloth or q-tip , as shown on sample photo) of
the original thermal compound until the components and circuit board are completely clean. EKWB
recommends the use of denatured alcohol for removing TIM leftovers.
2. APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND: Apply thermal compound: lightly coat HBM chip with enclosed EK-
TIM Ectotherm thermal grease. EKWB recommends to apply thermal grease in cross form on the GPU area and
line form on the memory area for best performance (see sample picture).
3. CUTTING THERMAL PADS: Your block comes with thermal pads, some of which are already pre-
cut. Others have to be cut to smaller chunks in order to cover all the VRM components such as MOSFETs
and drivers. PLEASE REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE FOIL FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE THERMAL PADS PRIOR
TO INSTALLATION.
Replacement thermal pads:
Thermal Pad F –0.5mm (120x16mm) –(EAN: 3830046996725)
Thermal Pad F –1.0mm (120x16mm) –(EAN: 3830046996732)
4. PLACING THERMAL PADS ON PCB. Place thermal pads on the circuit board as shown on the picture
below. Refer to numbering in previous picture when applying thermal pads of different sizes or thicknesses. EK
made sure to provide customers with more than adequate quantity of thermal pads to complete this step.
1: Thermal PAD F - 0,5mm
(for memory IC):
1
2: Thermal pad F –1mm
(for Vdd VRM):
2
1
1
2
2

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 12th of February, 2018. Revision 1.0
STEP 2: INSTALLING THE WATER BLOCK
1. PLACING THE BLOCK ON TO THE GRAPHICS CARD. Carefully position the water block with
preinstalled standoffs on to the graphics card. During this process please make sure you align mounting
holes on the PCB with holes on the water block (same applies for other tops). Also pay attention not to use
too much force by pressing the block down to the PCB. Chip dies are prone to cracking.
2. ATTACHING THE BLOCK TO THE GRAPHIC CARD. Use a Philips screwdriver screw with the
enclosed M2,5x4 AX1 screws. EKWB recommends users to start tightening the screws around the GPU core
and continue outwards. Always use a plastic washer under each and every screw! If the washer is already
present on the circuit board (usually around the four GPU core screw holes) there is no need for additional
washer.
STEP 3: CHECKING FOR CONTACTS
If necessary temporarily r emove the water block to check for uniform surface contact between the block and the 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 sub-steps in previous section to re-attach the block. In case you
fail to obtain good contact, please check again that your thermal pad thickness or contact our support service at http://www.ekwb.com/support.
STEP 4: INSTALLATION OF FITTINGS AND TUBING
Screw in the two G1/4 threaded male fittings. Attach the liquid cooling tubes and connect the water-block(s) into the cooling circuit. EKWB recommends using EK-ACF
fittings with the EK-FC Radeon Vega Strix series water blocks. To ensure that the tubes are securely attached to the barb/fittings, please use hose clamps or an
appropriate substitute.
You can use any opening as an inlet/outlet port. Do not forget to plug the remaining two opening with enclosed EK-Plug G1/4 or equivalent.
CAUTION: In case of using connectors other than EK-ACF series compression fittings, take special attention to the length of the fittings’ male G1/4” thread. 5mm is the
maximum allowed G1/4” thread length!
(STEP 6): CONNECTING THE RGB LED STRIP (ONLY FOR PLEXI –RGB VERSION OF THE WATER BLOCK!)
STEP 7: INSERTING THE CARD IN YOUR PC CASE
Carefully lift your graphics card with installed block and insert it in your PC’s motherboard PCI-express expansion slot. Please bear in mind that your graphics card is probably
heavier than when it was equipped with original heat sink fan assembly. One needs to be very careful when handling the graphics card. Avoid all un-needed manipulation of the
VGA/water block assembly that might damage your card or water block during final installation.
REQUIRED TOOLS:
scissors Philips head screwdriver
Plastic washer
Screw M2,5x4 AX1
RGB LED Connector
Plug the 4-pin connector from Water block’s RGB LED
light to the RGB_HEADER on the motherboard. The
LED will work if the pin layout on the header is as
follows: +12V G R B .
Please ensure that the arrow indicated on
the connector is plugged into the +12V line
as indicated on your motherboard.
Failure to do so will damage your motherboard or LED
strip.