ekwb EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB User manual

INSTALLATION MANUAL
EKNucleus AIO
CR360 Lux D-RGB / CR240 Lux D-RGB /
CR120 Lux D-RGB
Compatible with:
Intel Socket 115X/1200/1700/20xx CPUs
AMD Socket AM4 CPU
To ensure safe and easy installation, please carefully read
this manual before beginning the installation process!
1st Revision - September 27, 2021

1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 4
2. SPECIFICATIONS 4
3. ENCLOSED IN THIS PACKAGE 5
ACCESSORY BOX 5
4. INSTALLATION  INTEL LGA 115X/1200/1700 SOCKET 6
STEP 1: REMOVING THE MOTHERBOARD 6
STEP 2: ATTACHING THE BACKPLATE TO THE MOTHERBOARD 6
STEP 3: ATTACHING MOUNTING SCREWS 6
STEP 4: INSTALLING THE FANS TO THE RADIATOR 6
STEP 5: REMOVING THE COLD-PLATE PROTECTIVE COVER 6
STEP 6: MOUNTING-BRACKETS INSTALLATION 6
STEP 7: PUMP UNIT INSTALLATION 6
STEP 8: INSTALLING THE ASSEMBLY OF FANS AND RADIATOR INTO A PC CASE 7
STEP 9: PUMP – CONNECTING CABLES 7
STEP 10: FANS – CONNECTING CABLES 8
STEP 11: PUMP TOP ORIENTATION 9
OPTIONAL STEP! APPLYING THE THERMAL COMPOUND 9
5. INSTALLATION  INTEL LGA 20XX SOCKET 9
STEP 1: ATTACHING MOUNTING SCREWS (LGA 20XX) 9
6. INSTALLATION  AMD AM4 SOCKET 9
STEP 1: REMOVING OF THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC HOLD-DOWN CLAMPS (AMD) 9
STEP 2: ATTACHING MOUNTING SCREWS (AMD) 9
STEP 3: INSTALLING THE FANS TO THE RADIATOR (AMD) 9
STEP 4: REMOVING THE COLD-PLATE PROTECTIVE COVER (AMD) 10
STEP 5: MOUNTING-BRACKETS INSTALLATION (AMD) 10
STEP 6: PUMP UNIT INSTALLATION (AMD) 10
STEP 7: INSTALLING THE ASSEMBLY OF FANS AND RADIATOR INTO A PC CASE (AMD) 10
STEP 8: PUMP – CONNECTING CABLES (AMD) 11
STEP 9: FANS – CONNECTING CABLES (AMD) 11
STEP 10: PUMP TOP ORIENTATION (AMD) 12
OPTIONAL STEP! APPLYING THE THERMAL COMPOUND 12
7. SUPPORT AND SERVICE 12
8. SOCIAL MEDIA 12
TABLE OF CONTENTS

- 4 -
Please follow the instructions in this manual for proper 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 website at www.ekwb.com for updates.
1. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Keep and store the product away from the reach of children.
2. Check the component list and condition of the product before installation. If there is any
problem, contact the shop where you purchased the product to get a replacement or refund.
3. EKWB d.o.o. is not responsible for any damages due to external causes, including but not
limited to, improper use, problems with electrical power, accident, neglect, alteration, repair,
improper installation, and improper testing.
4. CPU and motherboard are subject to damage if the product is incorrectly installed.
5. Excessive force exerted on the fan may cause damage to the fan and/or system.
6. This product is a CPU liquid cooling solution kit, composed of individual, original EKWB parts.
Combining this liquid cooling unit with parts, other than EK Water Blocks products, may lead
to warranty loss.
7. Product design and specifications may be revised to improve quality and performance.
8. You must not run the pump below 20% RPM. The pump must stay within a 20-100% PWM
duty cycle at all times. We recommend always running the pump at 100%. (For help on how to
control the PWM, please refer to your motherboard instructions.)
2. SPECIFICATIONS
Model EK-Nucleus AIO CR120 Lux
D-RGB
EK-Nucleus AIO CR240 Lux
D-RGB
Radiator Dimensions 162x124x27 mm 281x124x27 mm
Fin material Al Al
Fan
Dimensions 120x120x25 mm 120x120x25 mm (2x)
Speed 550-2200 RPM ±10%
(PWM: 25-100%)
550-2200 RPM ±10%
(PWM: 25-100%)
Air Flow 72 CFM 72 CFM
Life Expectancy 70.000 hours 70.000 hours
Noise Level 36 dB 36 dB
Bearing Type FDB bearing FDB bearing
Fan Connector 4Pin 4Pin
Fan Rated Voltage 12V 12V
D-RGB Connector 3Pin 3Pin
D-RGB Rated Voltage 5V 5V
Pump
Dimensions (mm) 82.3x69.2x61.6 mm 82.3x69.2x61.6 mm
RPM 3100 RPM ± 10%
(PWM: 20-100%)
3100 RPM ± 10%
(PWM: 20-100%)
Life Expectancy 70.000 hours 70.000 hours
Noise Level 18.5 dB 18.5 dB
Input Current 0.37 ±10% A 0.37 ±10% A
Model EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux
D-RGB
Radiator Dimensions 400x124x27 mm
Fin material Al
Fan
Dimensions 120x120x25 mm (3x)
Speed 550-2200 RPM ±10%
(PWM: 25-100%)
Air Flow 72 CFM
Life Expectancy 70.000 hours
Noise Level 36 dB
Bearing Type FDB bearing
Fan Connector 4Pin
Fan Rated Voltage 12V
D-RGB Connector 3Pin
D-RGB Rated Voltage 5V
Pump
Dimensions (mm) 82.3x69.2x61.6 mm
RPM 3100 RPM ± 10%
(PWM: 20-100%)
Life Expectancy 70.000 hours
Noise Level 18.5 dB
Input Current 0.37 ±10% A

- 5 -
3. ENCLOSED IN THIS PACKAGE
E K - F P T F A N 1 2 0 D - R G B F u l l P r e s s u r e Te c h n o l o g y F a n
(1x / 2x / 3x – number of fans depends on the AIO version)
EK-Nucleus AIO CR120 Lux D-RGB /
EK-Nucleus AIO CR240 Lux D-RGB /
EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 Lux D-RGB /
(1x)
Tube of Thermal Paste
1x
ACCESSORY BOX
Phillips Head Screw
UNC 6-32 x 30mm
(4 mm thread length)
4x / 8x / 12x
Phillips Head Screw
UNC 6-32 x 34mm
4x / 8x / 12x
Phillips Head Screw
UNC 6-32 x 6mm
4x / 8x / 12x
Mounting Plate Phillips Head
M4x4mm (for the installation of
mounting brackets)
4x
Mounting thumb screw for
Intel LGA 115x/LGA1200/
LGA1700/AMD AM4 socket
4x
Mounting thumb screw for
Intel LGA 20XX socket
4x
Thumb nut (Intel /AMD)
4x
Spring
4x
Intel LGA 115x/1200 Backplate
1x
Intel mounting bracket
1x
Intel LGA 1700 Backplate
1x
AMD mounting bracket
1x
Mounting Screw Tool
1x
Extension cable 500mm
Accessory box
(1x)
User Manual
(1x)

- 6 -
Thumb Nut
Spring
4. INSTALLATION  INTEL LGA 115X/1200/1700 SOCKET
STEP 1: REMOVING THE
MOTHERBOARD
If your PC case doesn’t have a cutout from the
bottom CPU side of the motherboard, you will
first need to remove the motherboard from
your computer.
STEP 2: ATTACHING THE BACKPLATE
TO THE MOTHERBOARD
Install the Intel backplate for LGA
115x/1200/1700 socket to the back of your
motherboard. Choose the right backplate
depending on which chipset you are using.
Align the holes on the motherboard with the
holes on the backplate.
Intel LGA 115x / 1200
or 1700 Backplate
STEP 3: ATTACHING MOUNTING
SCREWS
Install 4x mounting thumb screws through
your motherboard to the backplate. The
screws can be installed by using Mounting
Screw Tool. Do not use other tools, because
you may damage the motherboard. (i.e. pliers).
Mounting thumb
screw for INTEL
LGA 115x / 1200
/ 1700 and AMD
AM4 socket
STEP 6: MOUNTING-BRACKETS
INSTALLATION
Use 4x M4x4 screws to install Intel bracket on
the pump unit.
Be careful not to touch or damage the pre-
applied thermal compound.
M4x4
Intel Mounting
Bracket
STEP 4: INSTALLING THE FANS TO
THE RADIATOR
Assemble the fans (1x, 2x or 3x ... depending
on the AIO version) to the radiator with the
UNC 6-32 x 30mm screws.
UNC
6-32 x 30 mm
Fan
Radiator
Mounting Screw Tool
STEP 5: REMOVING THE COLD-PLATE
PROTECTIVE COVER
Remove the protective cover from the
backside of the pump unit. It is there only to
prevent damage to the cold-plate and the
pre-applied thermal compound that is on the
cold-plate.
When removing the protective cover and
proceeding with installation, be careful not
to touch or damage the pre-applied thermal
compound.
STEP 7: PUMP UNIT INSTALLATION
Wipe the CPU’s contact surface (using a
non-abrasive cloth or a Q-tip as shown in the
sample image).
Align the pump unit over the mounting screws
and CPU as shown in the picture.
Place the enclosed compression springs and
thumb nuts over the mounting screws (4x).
Start fastening two thumb nuts at a time,
preferably in a cross pattern, and do not
tighten them fully until all of them are partially
screwed in.
Non-abrasive
cloth IHS
Protective Cover
Pre-applied
thermal
Compound

- 7 -
STEP 9: PUMP – CONNECTING
CABLES
D-RGB Connector
4-pin
PWM
STEP A:
Plug the 4-pin PWM connector from the pump
to the motherboard.
STEP B:
Plug the 3-pin connector from the pump D-RGB LED
light to the D-RGB HEADER on the motherboard.
The LED will work if the pin layout on the header is as
follows: +5V, Digital, empty, Ground. Alternatively, with
some motherboards you can use a VDG connector
instead of a D-RGB to connect the LED.
Please ensure that the arrow indicated on
the connector is plugged into the +5V line
as indicated on your motherboard. If you
put LED Diode to the 12V RGB HEADER
you can damage the LEDs.
Connector is the same on D-RGB and RGB
versions, but D-RGB version has 3 cables
from connector to PCB; RGB version has
4 cables. If you connect D-RGB led to
ordinary RGB header you can damage
your motherboard or LED strip.
STEP 8: INSTALLING THE ASSEMBLY
OF FANS AND RADIATOR INTO A PC
CASE
Attach the assembly of radiator and the fan(s)
to the PC case with the UNC 6-32 x 6mm
screws.
EK-AIO Nucleus 120
EK-AIO Nucleus 240
EK-AIO Nucleus 360
UNC 6-32 x 6 mm
(4x)
UNC 6-32 x 6 mm
(8x)
UNC 6-32 x 6 mm
(12x)
Radiator on top (recommended)
Vertical placement of the radiator with
tubing at the bottom (recommended)
Avoid vertical placement of the radiator
with tubing at the top
Avoid radiator at the bottom

- 8 -
STEP A:
Connect the 4-pin fan connector from the
extension cable directly to the CPU fan header
on the motherboard. Always use CPU fan
header when possible.
STEP 10: FANS – CONNECTING
CABLES
STEP B:
Plug the 3-pin D-RGB connector from the
extension cable to the D-RGB header on the
motherboard.
Please ensure that the arrow indicated on
the connector is plugged into the +5V line
as indicated on your motherboard. If you
put LED Diode to the 12V RGB HEADER
you can damage the LEDs.
Connector is the same on D-RGB and RGB
versions, but D-RGB version has 3 cables
from connector to PCB; RGB version has
4 cables. If you connect D-RGB led to
ordinary RGB header you can damage
your motherboard or LED strip.
D-RGB Header
RGB Header
Fan Connector
Male Connector
Female Connector
Fan Connector
D-RGB Connector
Female Connector
STEP C:
Connect the female connector from the
extension cable to the male connector from
the first fan in line.
Be careful to turn the micro-fit connector
correctly.
Male Connector
Female Connector
STEP D:
In the case of the EK-Nucleus AIO CR240
D-RGB or EK-Nucleus AIO CR360 D-RGB
version, connect the second and third fan in
series with the “daisy-chain”.
Be careful to turn the connector correctly.
Male
Connector
Female
Connector

- 9 -
5. INSTALLATION  INTEL LGA 20XX SOCKET
STEP 1: ATTACHING MOUNTING
SCREWS (LGA 20XX)
LGA 20xx (2066 / 2011 V3 / 2011) socket
motherboards do not require backplate
installation. Install 4x LGA 20XX mounting
thumb screws into M4 threaded stubs on the
LGA 20XX socket integrated latch
mechanism (ILM). The screws can be
installed by using Mounting Screw Tool.
Do not use other tools, because you may
damage the motherboard. (i.e. pliers).
Continue installation by following
the instructions from Step 4 on
page 6
OPTIONAL STEP! APPLYING THE
THERMAL COMPOUND
This step is relevant only in the case of a
second installation of AIO or if you have
damaged the pre-applied paste on the
backside of the pump unit. For the first
installation, you don’t need to apply the
additional thermal compound to the CPU’s
contact surface.
Wipe the CPU’s contact surface (using a non–
abrasive cloth or Q-tip, as shown in sample
photo). On a clean IHS, apply a line of thermal
compound and spread it over the whole
CPU heat spreader (IHS) with a credit card or
equivalent.
For help on how to control the D-RGB lights,
please refer to your motherboard instructions.
12 34
LGA 2011 M3.5
Thumb Screw
6. INSTALLATION  AMD AM4 SOCKET
STEP 1: REMOVING OF THE
ORIGINAL PLASTIC HOLD-DOWN
CLAMPS (AMD)
Using a Philips head screwdriver, remove the
four UNC 6-32 screws securing the original
plastic hold-down clamps around the socket
as shown on the sketch. Keep the original
AMD® backplate and remove the hold-down
clamps and store them away. See the image for
further part identification.
STEP 2: ATTACHING MOUNTING
SCREWS (AMD)
Install 4x mounting thumb screw for AMD AM4
socket onto your motherboard. The screws
can be installed by using Mounting Screw
Tool. Do not use other tools, because you may
damage the motherboard. (i.e. pliers).
Mounting thumb
screw for INTEL
LGA 115x / 1200 /
1700 and AMD AM4
socket
Hold-down
clamps
UNC 6-32 Screws
STEP 3: INSTALLING THE FANS TO
THE RADIATOR (AMD)
Assemble the fans (1x, 2x or 3x ... depending
on the AIO version) to the radiator with the
UNC 6-32 x 30mm screws.
STEP 11: PUMP TOP ORIENTATION
Lift the top, rotate it until the EK logo is oriented
correctly, and put it back down. The magnets
will hold the top in place.
Congratulations! You have successfully
installed your EK-Nucleus AIO.
Non-abrasive
Cloth
IHS
UNC
6-32 x 30 mm
Fan
Radiator
Mounting Screw Tool
Mounting Screw Tool

- 10 -
STEP 7: INSTALLING THE ASSEMBLY
OF FANS AND RADIATOR INTO A PC
CASE (AMD)
Attach the assembly of radiator and the fan(s)
to the PC case with the UNC 6-32 x 6mm
screws.
Radiator on top (recommended)
Vertical placement of the radiator with
tubing at the bottom (recommended)
STEP 5: MOUNTING-BRACKETS
INSTALLATION (AMD)
Use 4x M4x4 screws to install AMD bracket on
the pump unit.
Be careful not to touch or damage the pre-
applied thermal compound.
STEP 4: REMOVING THE COLD-PLATE
PROTECTIVE COVER (AMD)
Remove the protective cover from the
backside of the pump unit. It is there only to
prevent damage to the cold-plate and the
pre-applied thermal compound that is on the
cold-plate.
When removing the protective cover and
proceeding with installation be careful not
to touch or damage the pre-applied thermal
compound.
STEP 6: PUMP UNIT INSTALLATION
(AMD)
Wipe the CPU’s contact surface (using a
non-abrasive cloth or a Q-tip as shown in the
sample image).
Align the pump unit over the mounting screws
and CPU as shown in the picture.
Place the enclosed compression springs and
thumb nuts over the mounting screws (4x). Start
fastening two thumb nuts at a time, preferably
in a cross pattern, and do not tighten them fully
until all of them are partially screwed in.
Thumb Nut
Spring
Non-abrasive
cloth IHS
Protective Cover
Pre-applied
thermal
Compound
M4x4
AMD Mounting
Bracket
EK-AIO Nucleus 120
EK-AIO Nucleus 240
EK-AIO Nucleus 360
UNC 6-32 x 6 mm
(4x)
UNC 6-32 x 6 mm
(8x)
UNC 6-32 x 6 mm
(12x)

- 11 -
STEP 8: PUMP – CONNECTING
CABLES (AMD)
D-RGB Connector
4-pin
PWM
STEP A:
Plug the 4-pin PWM connector from the pump
to the motherboard.
STEP B:
Plug the 3-pin connector from the pump D-RGB LED
light to the D-RGB HEADER on the motherboard.
The LED will work if the pin layout on the header is as
follows: +5V, Digital, empty, Ground. Alternatively, with
some motherboards you can use a VDG connector
instead of a D-RGB to connect the LED.
Please ensure that the arrow indicated on
the connector is plugged into the +5V line
as indicated on your motherboard. If you
put LED Diode to the 12V RGB HEADER
you can damage the LEDs.
Connector is the same on D-RGB and RGB
versions, but D-RGB version has 3 cables
from connector to PCB; RGB version has
4 cables. If you connect D-RGB led to
ordinary RGB header you can damage
your motherboard or LED strip.
Avoid vertical placement of the radiator
with tubing at the top
Avoid radiator at the bottom
STEP A:
Connect the 4-pin FAN connector from the
extension cable directly to the CPU fan header
on the motherboard. Always use a CPU fan
header when possible.
STEP 9: FANS – CONNECTING
CABLES (AMD)
Fan Connector
Male Connector
Female Connector
Fan Connector
D-RGB Connector
Female Connector