ekwb EK-FB GA Z87X-OC Force Guide

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EKWB web page. Please check terms of use. Revision 1.0. Published on June 21st, 2013
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 before through before beginning the installation process!
2. Please remove your motherboard from the computer to assure safest mounting process in order to prevent any possible damages to your CPU and/or motherboard’s circuit board (PCB).
3. The EK High Flow and EK-PSC 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 quality, market proved corrosion inhibiting coolants is always strongly recommended for any liquid cooling system.
STEP 1: GENERAL INFORMATION Sample photo of EK-FB GA Z87X-OC Force motherboard
STEP 2: PREPARING YOUR MOTHERBOARD
1. REMOVING STOCK COOLER. Remove all encircled screws on the back of the
motherboard in order to remove the factory installed MOSFET/NB- as well as SB cooling
solution.
2. 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 qtip , 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.
3. APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND. Apply thermal compound: lightly coat the Intel
Z87 PCH (SB) and PLX PEX 8747 with electrically non-conductive thermal grease - for
example Arctic Cooling MX-2 ™, MX-4 ™ or GELID GC-Extreme ™. EKWB recommends to
apply the thermal grease in cross form for the best performance (see sample picture).
4. CUTTING THERMAL PADS. Your block comes with thermal pads, some of
which are already pre-cut. Others have to be cut to smaller pieces 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 pad: Thermal PAD A 1,0 mm - (100 x 16 mm) [EAN: 3830046996626]
5. PLACING THERMAL PADS ON MOTHERBOARD. Place the thermal pads you cut on a PCB as shown in the picture bellow (PLEASE REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE FOIL
FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE THERMAL PADS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION). EK recommends using small drops of electrically non-conductive (for example: Arctic Cooling MX-2
™, MX-4 ™ or GELID GC-Extreme ™) thermal grease on each phase regulator (that is being covered with thermal pad; see picture below) in order to even further improve the
thermal performance of the EK-FB GA Z87X-OC Force series water block.
Intel Z87 PCH (SB)
CPU socket
Installation and mounting manual for EK-FB GA Z87X-OC Force water block
Place 1.0 mm thick thermal pads in larger strips over the
marked area and make sure all MOSFET chips are
covered.
MOSFET
PLX PEX 8747
PCIe lane splitter

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EKWB web page. Please check terms of use. Revision 1.0. Published on June 21st, 2013
STEP 3: PREPARING YOUR WATER BLOCK
PLACING SB BLOCK ON MOTHERBOARD. Place the EK-FB GA Z87X-OC Force water block with pre-installed standoffs gently to the motherboard or vice versa. Make sure that
mounting holes are aligned.
STEP 4: ATTACHING THE BLOCK TO THE MOTHERBOARD
STEP 5: CHECKING FOR CONTACTS
Prior to fastening the screws please make sure the mounting holes on the motherboard’s circuit
board are aligned with water block.
Use 4 (four) M2.5x4 and 6 (six) M3x4 DIN7985 screws and 10 (ten) PVC washers. Tighten the
screws, beginning near the center of the board and continue evenly outwards. EK recommends
installing loosely first all the screws and only then start fastening them. Do not use excessive force
when tightening the screws! Use the enclosed screws and washers as shown in picture below:
Temporarily r emove the water block to check for uniform surface contact
between the block and the components. Note the pattern of contact on a
piece of paper. Then repeat steps 3 and 4 to reattach the block applying
more or less pressure to the areas where you have found it necessary. Note
that there is no need for perfect thermal pad imprint on the inductors/coils
(mentioned in STEP2)
6. POSITIONING FITTINGS AND CONNECTING TO WATER CIRCUIT
Attach the liquid cooling tubes and connect the water-block(s) into the cooling circuit. EKWB recommends using EK-CSQ compression fittings with the EK-FB GA Z87X-OC
Force series water block. You can use any opening as an inlet/outlet port. Plan your tubing routing in advance!
REQUIRED TOOLS AND MOUNTING SCREWS:
scissors philips screwdriver thermal grease
EK-CSQ fitting
Tubing
PVC washer
Chip die thermal grease imprint
Thermal pad imprints
M2.5 x 4 screw
PLEASE NOTE:
When using fittings with G1/4
thread longer than 5 mm it is
mandatory to use the enclosed EK-
Extender 1,8 mm!
M3 x 4 screw