ekwb EK-FC790 Guide

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 28th of June, 2012. Revision 1.0
Installation and mounting manual for EK-FC790 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.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 nVidia GeForce GTX 790
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 19 screws on the back of the graphics card. After you remove the fan housing do not forget to unplug
the fan. You may need Torx T6 screwdriver instead of Philips head screwdriver (depending on
manufacturer).
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 both nVidia GPU chips as well as
PLX bridge 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:2,5x Thermal Pad A –0.5mm (16x100mm),3x Pad D –0.5mm (8xRAM)
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-FC7
2. 90 GTX series water block.
1: Thermal pad D–0.5mm
(RAM):
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
¸
2
2
1: Thermal pad A –0.5mm
(for mosfet):
2
2
2
2
2
2

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on the EKWB website. Please read terms of use. Released on 28th of June, 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 M2.5x4 DIN7985 screws. EKWB recommends start
screwing the screws around the GPU core using Philips head screwdriver and
continue outwards. After block is installed attach stock backplate. Tighten
backplate with six (6) M2.5x6 DIN7985.
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 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.
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-FC790 GTX 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 or torx T6 screwdriver
thermal grease
M3x6 DIN7985 screw
Bracket
EK-PSC Fitting
Tubing
Water block top
EK-FC Link
M4x25 DIN7984
OR 14x1.5mm
Use eight (8) M2.5x4
for attaching block