ekwb Barebones Guide

EK-Liquid Cooling Barebone
& Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic D-RGB
Congratulations on taking your first steps into liquid cooling with the EK Barebones Kit, designed from the ground up by our
expert team of engineers to be an easy to follow set of instructions that will walk you through every step to assemble your
first liquid cooled masterpiece. The following step by step guide will walk you through installing the included water blocks on
your preferred CPU and GPU, and wrapping it all up with assembling your full custom loop in the Lian-LI PC-011 Dynamic Chassis.
Thank you for choosing EK for your Liquid cooling solution, if you run into any issues please don’t hesitate to contact our first-class Support.
Please note coolant is NOT included with the EK Barebones Kit and is required BEFORE starting your PC. We recommend 2 Liters of
EK-CryoFuel in your choice of color (CryoFuel solid is not compatible)
INSTALLATION AND ASSEMBLY GUIDE
PLEASE READ FIRST
Check the latest version of this installation
guide by scanning the QR code below.

These instructions apply to both versions of the Barebones:
Barebone - basic Barebone - upgraded version
Distribution Plate
Additional
Radiator
DDC Pump
Additional Fans (mounted by the customer)
SPC Pump
Radiator Fans
Additional
Fans

EK-Liquid Cooling Barebone & Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic D-RGB
Assembly Instructions
Your new EK-Liquid Cooling Barebone & Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic D-RGB is already partly assembled with the radiator, fans, pump
and reservoir securely fitted and tested. All that’s left for you to do now is install your chosen components and fill the loop!
Please, read this entire guide before starting to assemble your computer. We recommend you install each component in the order
outlined in this guide for the safest and most beneficial results.
Tubes for the CPU may need to be shortened to the appropriate length.
You will find a list of supported motherboards below.
Caution
The following motherboard compatibility list is mostly based on visual verification, so keep in mind that the vertical CPU placement could
vary on some motherboards, but not more than 3 – 5mm in any direction.
Z390 / Z370
ASUS Z390 Strix-E
ASUS Z370 Strix-E
ASUS Z370 Maximus X Hero
ASUS Z370 Maximus X Apex
MSI Z370 Godlike
X470
ASUS ROG STRIX X470-F GAMING (3-5mm)
ASUS PRIME X470-PRO (3-5mm)
ASUS TUF X470-PLUS GAMING (3-5mm)
MSI X470 GAMING M7 AC
MSI X470 GAMING PRO CARBON AC
MSI X470 GAMING PRO CARBON
MSI X470 GAMING PRO (3-5mm)
MSI X470 GAMING PLUS (3-5mm)
MSI X470 GAMING PRO MAX (3-5mm)
MSI X470 GAMING PLUS MAX (3-5mm)
X570
ASUS PRIME X570-PRO (3-5mm)
ASUS PRIME X570-PRO/CSM (3-5mm)
ASUS ROG CROSSHAIR VIII HERO (WI-FI) (3-5mm)
ASUS ROG STRIX X570-F GAMING (3-5mm)
ASUS ROG STRIX X570-E (3-5mm)
ASUS TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) (3-5mm)
ASUS TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (3-5mm)
MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE WIFI
MSI MEG X570 ACE
MSI MEG X570 UNIFY
MSI MPG X570 GAMING PLUS
MSI X570-A PRO
MSI MPG X570 GAMING PRO CARBON WIFI (3-5mm)
MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE (3-5mm)
MSI PRESTIGE X570 CREATION (3-5mm)

CONTENTS
I. CPU Intel 115x – Assembly 7
II. CPU AMD AM4 – Assembly 9
III. GPU – ASSEMBLY 11
IV. FINAL ASSEMBLY 12

7
STEP 4
I. CPU INTEL 115X – ASSEMBLY
STEP 1
Install your CPU and any M.2 drives in accordance with the instructions in
your motherboard manual and then place the mother-board face down on an
even surface.
STEP 2
Preparing backplate rubber gasket: The enclosed rubber gasket is an
essential part of the backplate and mounting system and must be used every
time you install this water block on your motherboard.
The rubber gasket has a partially cut inner part which needs to be removed
when installed on Intel® LGA-115x motherboard. The rubber is held in four
places and can be peeled away by hand.
STEP 3
Install backplate rubber gasket and place metal backplate for Intel LGA-115x
socket to the back of your motherboard RIBBED SIDE UP.(facing away
from the motherboard) Align the holes on the motherboard with holes on
rubber gasket and backplate.
Make sure to align the rubber gasket to fit past the CPU socket ILM backplate.
Carefully rotate the motherboard assembly, front side facing up, with one hand
while holding the backplate and rubber in place with the other hand.
STEP 4
Install four (4) thumb screws onto your motherboard. It is mandatory to put
plastic washer underneath each of the M4 thumb screws. Tighten the screws
to the metal backplate until you reach the end of the thread. Using tools (such
as pliers) is not recommended.
STEP 5
Cleaning the CPU: Wipe the CPU’s contact surface (using the non-abrasive
cloth or Q-tip, as shown in the sample photo).
Applying the thermal compound: EK recommends blob or line method of
applying the enclosed thermal compound to the CPU heat spreader (IHS) -
see sample photo on right.
The quantity of about two rice grains is just about right. There is no need to
cover the whole IHS. Applying too much thermal grease will have a negative
impact on cooling performance!
Thumb Screw
Plastic
Washer
STEP 2
Outer Part
Inner Core
(removable)
Rubber
gasket
Motherboard Metal
Backplate
STEP 3
Non-abrasive
Cloth
IHS
STEP 5
I. CPU Intel 115x – Assembly

8
STEP 6
Before proceeding with the installation It is mandatory to remove the protective
foil from the backside of the water block.
Align the water block over the mounting screws on the motherboard and posi-
tion it on top of the CPU.
Place an enclosed compression spring and a thumb nut over each of the M4
thumb screws. Tighten the screws evenly by fastening two opposing nuts at the
same time. Do not tighten them fully until all four have been installed. Then – using
your fingers only – screw in all four thumb nuts until you reach the end of thread.
STEP 7
Install a pair of ALU 25mm Extender fittings onto your CPU block. Tighten in a
clockwise direction until the seal underneath is compressed.
STEP 8
Install your RAM modules as prescribed in the motherboard instructions along
with any additional parts that are mounted directly to the motherboard.
STEP 6
Thumb nut
Coiled spring
STEP 7
I. CPU Intel 115x – Assembly
ALU 25mm
Extender fitting

9
II. CPU AMD AM4 – Assembly
II. CPU AMD AM4 – ASSEMBLY
STEP 1
Removing of the original plastic hold-down clamps and the factory
backplate:
Using Philips-head screwdriver remove the four UNC 6-32 screws securing the
original plastic hold-down clamps around the socket as shown on the sketch.
Remove the original AMD® backplate and the hold-down clamps and store
them away. See sketch for further part identification.
STEP 2
Preparing backplate rubber gasket
The enclosed rubber gasket is essential part of the backplate and mounting
system and must be used every time you install this water block on your
motherboard.
With AMD® Sockets you should use whole rubber backplate in-
cluding the inner core.
STEP 3
Install backplate rubber gasket and place metal backplate for AMD® socket
to the back of your motherboard RIBBED SIDE UP. (facing away from the
motherboard) Align the holes on the motherboard with holes on rubber gasket
and backplate.
Carefully rotate motherboard assembly with front side facing up with one hand
while holding the backplate and rubber in place with the other hand.
STEP 4
Install four (4) thumb screws onto your motherboard. It is mandatory to put plas-
tic washer underneath each of the thumb screws. Tighten the screws to the
metal backplate until you reach the end of the thread. Using tools (such as pliers)
is not recommended.
AM4
Metal
Backplate
Rubber
gasket
Motherboard
AMD® factory Backplate
UNC 6-32
Screws
Hold-down
Clamps
Outer Part
Inner Core
(removable)
STEP 1
STEP 3
STEP 4
Plastic Washer
Thumb Screw
STEP 2

10
STEP 5
Cleaning the CPU: Wipe the CPU’s contact surface (using the non-abrasive
cloth or Q-tip, as shown in the sample photo).
Applying the thermal compound: EK recommends blob or line method
of applying the enclosed thermal compound to the CPU heat spreader (IHS)
- see sample photo on right.
The quantity of about two rice grains is just about right. There is no need to
cover the whole IHS. Applying too much thermal grease will have a negative
impact on cooling performance!
Non-abrasive
Cloth
IHS
STEP 5
II. CPU AMD AM4 – Assembly
STEP 6
Before proceeding with the installation it is mandatory to remove the protective
foil from the backside of the water block.
Align the water block over the mounting screws on the motherboard and
position it on top of the CPU.
Place an enclosed compression spring and a thumb nut over each of the
thumb screws. Tighten the screws evenly by fastening two opposing nuts
at the same time. Do not tighten them fully until all four have been installed.
Then – using your fingers only – screw in all four thumb nuts until you reach
the end of thread.
STEP 6
Thumb nut
Coiled spring
STEP 7
Install a pair of ALU 25mm Extender fittings onto your CPU block. Tighten in a
clockwise direction until the seal underneath is compressed.
STEP 8
Install your RAM modules as prescribed in the motherboard instructions along
with any additional parts that are mounted directly to the motherboard.
STEP 7
ALU 25mm
Extender Fitting