ekwb EK-FC970 GTX ACX Series Manual

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EKWBweb page. Please check terms of use. Revision 1.1. Published on September 15th, 2015
Installation and mounting manual for EK-FC970 GTX ACX 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.comfor updates.
Before installation of this product please read important notice, disclosure and warranty conditions printed on the back of t he 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 removeyour motherboard from the computerto assure safest mounting process in order to prevent any possible damagest o your CPU and/or motherboard’s circuit board (PCB).
3. The EK High Flow and EK-ACF type fittings require only a small amount of force to screw them firmly in place since the liquid seal is ensured by the rubb er 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 GeForce GTX 970 ACX series graphics card.
STEP 2: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD.
1. REMOVING STOCK COOLER: Remove encircled screws on
the backside of the graphics card.
STEP 2 cont.: PREPARING YOUR GRAPHIC CARD
1 cont. REMOVING STOCK COOLER. Remove the stock GPU HSF and backplate assembly. Remove all
encircled screws attaching the backplate and 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 q-tip , 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. 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. Apply thermal
compound: 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).
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: Thermal Pad E –0.5mm (RAM 8x), Thermal Pad G –1mm (120x24mm).
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
Ectotherm, 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-FC970 GTX ACX series water block.
2. PLACING THE BLOCK ON TO THE GRAPHICS 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 the PCB with holes on the water block (same
applies for other tops). Also pay attention not to use too much force by pressing the block
down to the PCB. Chip dies are prone to cracking.
1: Thermal pad E –0.5 mm
(for memory IC):
2
1
1
1
1
2
2: Thermal pad G –1 mm
(for main VRM/MOSFET):
1
2

All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EKWBweb page. Please check terms of use. Revision 1.1. Published on September 15th, 2015
3. ATTACHING THE BLOCK TO THE GRAPHIC CARD. Use a Philips screwdriver with the enclosed M2,5x4 DIN 7985 screws and PVC washers. EKWB recommends
users to start tightening the screws around the GPU core and continue outwards.
STEP 4: CHECKING FOR CONTACTS
If necessary temporarily remove 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 5: INSTALLATION OF FITTINGS AND TUBING
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-ACF
fittings with the EK-FC970 GTX ACX 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-ACF series compression fittings, take special attention to the length of the fittings’ male G1/4” thread. 5mm is the
maximum allowed G1/4” thread length!
STEP 6: 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
Screw M2.5x4 DIN7985
PVC washer
This screw is applied
without washer!!
If the washers are not stock-glued
on the PCB you must use enclosed
PVC washers. Be careful not to
double the washers!
The original factory backplate
cannot be re-used without
modifications!
EK-ACF Fitting
Tubing
EK-Plug G1/4
Acetal Terminal