ekwb EK-FC680 GTX FTW Guide

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 22nd of October, 2012. Revision 1.0
Installation and mounting manual for EK-FC680 GTX FTW 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 EVGA GeForce GTX 680 FTW (EVGA079 rev1.0 equivalent)
STEP 2: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD.
1. REMOVING STOCK COOLER: Remove encircled screw on
the bracket (required only on certain models):
STEP 2 cont.: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD
1 cont.. REMOVING STOCK COOLER. Remove all encircled screws. All heat sink assembly
screws should be removed, including self-adhesive washers on both sides of the PCB (if
present). There are up to 18 screws on the back of the graphics card. After you remove the
fan housing, unplug the fan and also remove two push-pins securing the aluminium VRM
heatsink to the circuit board.
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 nVidia GPU chip with for example
Arctic Cooling MX-2 ™,MX-4 ™ or GELID GC-Extreme ™
thermal grease. EKWB recommends to apply thermal
grease in cross form for 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 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.
Replacement thermal pads: 2x Thermal Pad A –0.5mm (75x50mm).
STEP 3: INSTALLING 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: 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-FC680 GTX FTW series water block.
1: Thermal pad A –0.5mm
(for memory IC):
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2: Thermal pad A –0.5mm
(for VRM):
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 22nd of October, 2012. Revision 1.0
2. PLACING BLOCK TO GRAPHIC CARD. Carefully position the water block with
preinstalled 2.5mm standoffs on to the graphics card. During this process please
make sure you align mounting holes on PCB with holes on the water block. Also
pay attention not to use too much force by pressing block down to PCB. Chip dies
are prone to cracking.
3. ATTACHING BLOCK TO GRAPHIC CARD. By using Philips screwdriver screw in
enclosed M3x4 DIN7985 screws. EKWB recommends start screwing the screws around the
GPU core and continue outwards. Always use a PVC washer under each and every screw!
STEP 4: CHECKING FOR CONTACTS
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 VRM. Then repeat sub-steps in previous section to re-attach the block. In case you fail to obtain good contact,
please check again your thermal pad thickness or contact our support service.
STEP 5: SECURING I/O BRACKET
STEP 6: FITTING POSITIONING
Use one M3x6 screw, one PVC washer and one M3 nut to secure the I/O (also known
as PCI) bracket firmly to the circuit board. This will allow the computer chassis to carry
the weight of the water block thus reducing the tension to the PCI-express slot.
Tighten the screw with Philips head screwdriver while holding the M3 nut with your
thumbs firmly.
Screw in the fittings in the G1/4 threaded openings on plastic top of the water block.
EKWB recommends using EK-PSC fittings with the EK-FC680 GTX FTW 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.
INSTALLING EK-FC LINK:
Alternatively you can install the enclosed EK-FC Link which allows installation of both
EK-FC Bridge system as well as the use of G1/4 threaded fittings.
Please remove the middle M4x8 DIN7984 screw, install the EK-FC Link together with
OR 14x1.5mm gaskets and secure it with enclosed M4x25 DIN7985 screw. Use
enclosed 2.5mm Allen (hex) key!
Once installed you can install two (preferably angled) G1/4 threaded fittings or any EK-
FC Bridge CSQ series interconnect ( serial or parallel )
STEP 7: INSERTING 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 AND MOUNTING SCREWS:
scissors philips screwdriver
thermal grease
Use 10 enclosed PVC washers underneath each screw!
M3x6 DIN7985 screw
M3 PVC washer
M3 nut
EK-PSC Fitting
Tubing
Water block top
EK-FC Link
M4x25 DIN7984
OR 14x1.5mm
Philips head
screwdriver
Screw M3x4
DIN7985