ekwb EK-FC590 GTX Manual

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the back of the box. Released on 22th of March, 2011.
Installation and mounting manual for EK-FC590 GTX 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.ekwaterblocks.com for updates.
Before installation of this product please read important notice, disclosure and warranty conditions printed on the back of the box.
The barb hose fittings require only a small amount of force to screw them in; otherwise the high flow fittings might break. These fittings do not need to be tightened with much force because the
liquid seal is made using o-rings.
STEP 1: GENERAL INFORMATION: Sample picture of NVIDIA GeForce 590 GTX graphics card
STEP 2: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD:
1. REMOVING STOCK COOLER: Remove the three
(3) encircled screws:
STEP 2 cont.: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD:
1. cont.. REMOVING STOCK COOLER. Remove all encircled screws also marked with
an arrow. All heat sink assembly screws should be removed. There are up 18 screws on
the back of the graphics card.
2. CLEANING THE PCB. Carefully detach the original heat sink after removing all
fasteners securing it to the board and bracket. 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 does
not recommend using any liquids for removing paste.
3. APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND. Apply thermal compound: lightly coat both GPUs
and bridge chip with for example Arctic Cooling MX-2 ™or MX-4 ™ thermal. EKWB
recommends to apply thermal grease in cross form for best performance (see sample
picture). On a smaller chip die such as NF200 apply proportionally smaller amount.
4. 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 (PLEASE REMOVE FOIL ON BOTH SIDES OF THERMAL PADS
PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. WARNING: DIMENSION BELLOW ARE SCALED).
5. PLACING THERMAL PADS ON PCB. Place thermal pads on chips so that
numbers on chips match size of thermal pads. Thermal pad number 1, 2 and 3
will have to be cut by user to match all small power regulation chips (EKWB made
sure users have more than enough pads to cover all surfaces that need to be
covered to make block fully function). You can also use small drop of thermal
grease on chips to make thermal pads more adhesive.
6. PLACING STANDOFFS ON BLOCK. Standoffs are obligatory to make this
block fully functional. Please use small amount of thermal grease on
standoffs and glue them so they are concentric with mounting holes. Once
they are stuck to block be careful not to move them.
1
2
Thickness 1.5 mm
Thickness 1mm
(for VRM)
Thickness 1mm
(for memory)
1
1
We highly recommend using
small droplets of electrically
non-conductive thermal grease
over each phase regulator!
Placing the standoffs:
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the back of the box. Released on 22th of March, 2011.
7. PLACING BLOCK TO GRAPHIC CARD. During this process please make sure you align
holes on PCB with holes on block. Also pay attention not to use too much force by
pressing block down to PCB. Chip dies are prone to cracking.
8. ATTACHING BLOCK TO GRAPHIC CARD. By using Philips screwdriver screw in
eighteen (18) enclosed M3x8 screws. EKWB recommends start screwing the screws
around the GPU core and continue outwards. This is the recommended mounting
method!
8. ALTERNATIVE MOUNTING. By using Philips screwdriver screw in three (3) enclosed
M3x8 screws together with three (3) enclosed PVC washers. Then mount the two original
backplates using the fifteen (15) encased M3x10 DIN965 screws. The screw openings on
the original backplates are a tight fit therefore you may need to expand them using the
electric drill and Ø3mm metal drill bit. This is not the recommended method and is
for expert users only. EKWB recommends start screwing the screws around the GPU core
and continue outwards.
It is highly recommended using EK-590GTX backplate with this block, as backplate serves
as retention plate as well.
STEP 3: CHECKING FOR CONTACTS
Temporarily r emove the water blocks to check for uniform surface contact between
the block and the components. Note the pattern of contact on a piece of paper.
Then repeat substeps 5 and 8 to reattach the block applying more or less pressure
to the areas where you have found it necessary.
STEP 4: POSITIONING FITTINGS
Please use spacer on copper base (see sample picture). Screw in the fittings and
plugs (please use spacers only on copper base), attach the liquid cooling tubes and
connect the water-block(s) into the cooling circuit. EKWB recommends using high
flow fittings with the EK-FC590 GTX series water blocks. To ensure that the tubes
are securely attached to the barb/fittings, please use hose clamps or an appropriate
substitute. The use of an algaecide is always recommended for any liquid cooling
system.
You can use any opening as an inlet/outlet port.
STEP 5: INSERTING CARD IN YOUR PC CASE
Carefully lift your card with installed block and insert it in your PC case. Bear in mind that your card suddenly withstands extra weight thus again be very careful not to bend it or
cause any other unneeded moves that might damage your card or block during installation.
REQUIRED TOOLS AND MOUNTING SCREWS:
scissors philips / torx T6 screwdriver 18 x screws M3x8 DIN7985 15x screws M3x10 Din965 18 x M3 PVC washers
Use 3 PVC washers only.
Do not use them
between the stock
backplate and PCB!
Use 3 screws M3x8
Use 15 screws
M3x10 DIN965 on
backplate(s)
Fittings
Gasket/O-ring
Spacer
Plug
6mm Allen key
Plug with o-ring
6mm Allen key
Use 18 enclosed PVC
washers. This way you
will diminish possibility
of damaging the PCB
due to high screw
tension.
Use 18 screws M3x8