ekwb EK-FB KIT GA-X99 LE Guide

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EKWB web page. Please check terms of use. Revision 1.0. Published on October 30st, 2014
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-CSQ 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 Gigabyte GA-X99 LE 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 X99 PCH (SB) 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), Thermal PAD A 0,5 mm - (100 x 16 mm)
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-X99 LE series water block.
s
STEP 3: PREPARING YOUR WATER BLOCK
Intel X99 PCH (SB)
CPU socket
Installation and mounting manual for EK-FB KIT GA-X99 LE water block
MOSFETs
Place 0.5 mm thick thermal pads in larger strips over the
marked area and make sure all MOSFET chips are
covered.
Place 1.0 mm thick thermal pads in
larger strips over the marked area.
1: Thermal pad D –0.5mm
(mosfet):
2: Thermal pad D –1.0mm
(choke):
1
1
2
1
2

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EKWB web page. Please check terms of use. Revision 1.0. Published on October 30st, 2014
PLACING SB AND MOSFET BLOCK ON MOTHERBOARD. Place the EK-FB KIT GA-X99 LE water block with pre-installed standoffs gently to the motherboard or vice versa. Make
sure that mounting holes are aligned. Between block and PCB use plastic washer and glue it on standoffs if not pre-glued!!!
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 screws four for attaching M2.5x4 and 2 (two) M3x4 DIN7985 screws and 6 (six) 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 X99 LE 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
Chip die thermal grease imprint
Thermal pad imprints
M2.5 x 4 screw
M3 x 4 screw
PVC washer M2.5
PVC washer M3
Glue plastic washer on standoffs on
SB and Mosfet block if not pre-glued
Plastic washer M3
Plastic washer
M2.5