ekwb EK-FC 780 GTX Lightning Manual

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 29th of October, 2013. Revision 1.0
Installation and mounting manual for EK-FC 780 GTX Lightning
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 before through before beginning with 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 corrosion inhibiting coolants is always recommended for any liquid cooling system.
STEP 1: GENERAL INFORMATION. Sample picture of MSI N780 Lightning series graphics card.
STEP 2: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD.
1. REMOVING STOCK COOLER: Remove encircled screw on the
I/O bracket:
STEP 2 cont.: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD
1.cont. REMOVING MSI FACTORY PROVIDED BACKPLATE: Remove all encircled screws attaching
the aluminium backplate to the circuit board. All backplate assembly screws should be removed. There
are 12 screws on the back of the graphics card (see photo below). Do not unplug the backplate power
connector if you intend to re-use the backplate with the EK-FC780 Lightning water block (see STEP 3a)!
1.cont.: Carefully detach metal heat spreader plate. This step may
require some force as the thermal pads may adhere the backplate
firmly to the components on the circuit board. We recommend users
to slowly and carefully pry the metal heat spreader plate from the
PCB using bare hands (tool-less approach).
2. CLEANING THE PCB & APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND. 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 ) of the original thermal compound until the
components and circuit board are completely clean. lightly coat Nvidia GPU chip with
enclosed EK-TIM Ectotherm thermal grease. EKWB recommends to apply thermal grease in
cross form 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.
STEP 3: INSTALLING THE WATER BLOCK
1. PLACING THERMAL PADS ON PCB. Place thermal pads on chips so that numbers on chips match size of thermal pads. EKWB made sure users have more than enough
pads to cover all surfaces that need to be covered to make block fully functional. EKWB recommends using small drops of electrically non-conductive (for example: EK-TIM,
Arctic Cooling MX-2 ™, MX-4 ™ or GELID GC-Extreme™) thermal grease on each phase regulator (that is being covered with thermal pad) in order to even further improve the
thermal performance of the EK-FC780 GTX Lightning series water block.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1: Thermal pad D –0.5mm
(for memory IC):
2
2: Thermal pad A –1mm
(for VRM):

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 29th of October, 2013. Revision 1.0
2. PLACING THE BLOCK ON TO THE GRAPHICS CARD. Carefully position the water
block with preinstalled 2.5 mm 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.
Also pay attention not to use too much force by pressing the block down to the PCB.
Chip dies are prone to cracking.
3a. ATTACHING THE BLOCK AND MSI BACKPLATE TO GRAPHIC CARD. By
using Philips screwdriver screw in enclosed M3x4, M3x6 DIN7985 screws and washers.
EKWB recommends the following procedure:
1. Screw in four (4) M3x4 DIN7985 screws around the GPU core. Do not tighten
the screws firmly just yet.
2. Start screwing eight (8) M3x6 DIN7985 screws to secure the backplate to the
water block.
3. Once all twelve (12) screws are in position tighten the screws completely.
Please note: You may need to widen (re-drill) the holes on
the backplate to 3mm using electric power drill in order to
re-use the backplate!
STEP 4: 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 3b:ATTACHING THE WATER BLOCK (W/O the Backplate)
STEP 5: INSTALLATION OF FITTINGS AND TUBING
Gently fasten M3x6 DIN7985 screws into pre-installed standoffs. There is no need
to use excessive force on screws as you may over-tighten them and make
damage to standoff/screw connection.
When reinserting MSI’s GPU reactor, be careful to precisely reattach PCB and not
force it downwards as you may bend the connection pins. Re-insert the lid to
finish installation.
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-CSQ fittings
with the EK-FC 780 GTX Lightning 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.
CAUTION: In case of using connectors other than EK-CSQ series compression fittings, take
special attention to the length of the fittings’ male G1/4” thread. In case the thread is longer
than 5 mm please use the enclosed 1.8 mm nickel plated spacer!
5mm is the maximum allowed G1/4” thread length!
STEP 5: 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 thermal grease power drill with 3mm drill bit (optional)
M3x4 DIN 7985 screw
EK-CSQ Fitting
Tubing
EK-Plug G1/4
Acetal Terminal
Plastic washer
Screw M3x4 DIN 7985
Screw M3x6 DIN 7985
Plastic washer

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 29th of October, 2013. Revision 1.0