ekwb MSI MPG Z490 Carbon EK X User manual

USER GUIDE
MONOBLOCK
MSI MPG Z490 Carbon
EK X Monoblock

This product is intended for installation by expert users only.
Please consult with a qualified technician for installation. Improper
installation may result in damage to the 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. Prior to the 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:
Carefully read the manual before beginning with the
installation process!
Remove your motherboard from the chassis for the safest
mounting process and to prevent any possible damages.
EK Fittings require only a small amount of force to screw
them firmly in place since the liquid seal is ensured with the
rubber o-ring gaskets.
The use of quality market-proven corrosion-inhibiting
coolants is always strongly recommended for any liquid
cooling system.

- 3 -
TABLE OF CONTENT
BOX CONTENTS 4
PREPARING YOUR MOTHERBOARD 5
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER 5
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND 6
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS 6
PLACING THE BLOCK ON THE MOTHERBOARD 7
ATTACHING BLOCK ON THE MOTHERBOARD 7
CONNECTING THE DRGB LED STRIP 9
TESTING THE LOOP 9
SUPPORT AND SERVICE 10
SOCIAL MEDIA 10

- 4 -
BOX CONTENTS
8
5
MSI MPG Z490 Carbon EK X Monoblock
M4 x 8 7984DIN (5 pcs) M2.5 x 5 AX1 Screws (5 pcs)
M4 PVC Washers (5 pcs)
2.5. mm Allen Key (1 pc)
M2.5 PVC Washers (5 pcs)
Thermal Grease (1 pc) M2.5 Adhesive PVC Washers (5pcs)
MOUNTING MECHANISM - Bag content is universal; you may not need every screw

- 5 -
PREPARING YOUR MOTHERBOARD
REMOVING THE STOCK COOLER
STEP 1
There are two (2) screws on the back of
the motherboard that need to be removed to allow for the removal
of I/O plastic cover.
STEP 2
After removing the I/O cover, you need to remove four(4) MOSFET
screws and take off the VRM MOSFET cooler.
You can attach the I/O cover back on after you have mounted
the Monoblock.
STEP 1&2
Mosfet screws I/O Cover
Screws

- 6 -
CUTTING AND PLACING THERMAL PADS
Your block comes with two pieces of thermal pads that need to
be trimmed to fit the voltage regulation area (MOSFET) on the
motherboard’s circuit board.
1. Thermal PAD F 1.0mm - (120x16mm)
16
Thermal Pad F 1.0mm - (120x16mm)
120
Thermal Pad
F 1.0mm
APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND
Apply the enclosed EK-TIM Ectotherm thermal grease (thermal
compound) on the CPU heat spreader – IHS – as shown in the
image. The layer of the thermal compound must be thin and even in
thickness over the entire surface of the IHS. The excessive or uneven
application may lead to poor performance!

- 7 -
PLACING THE BLOCK ON THE MOTHERBOARD
Place your MSI MPG Z490 Carbon EK X monoblock on the
motherboard, as shown in the scheme. Make sure that mounting
holes are aligned.
Before placing the monoblock on to the motherboard, make sure
that protective sticker on the coldplate is removed!
ATTACHING BLOCK ON THE MOTHERBOARD
STEP 1
Before you fasten the screws, please make sure the mounting holes
on the motherboard’s circuit board are aligned with the water block.
While tightening the screws, do not use excessive force!
For the CPU:
Use four (4) M4 X 8 DIN7984 screws and M4 PVC washers. Tighten
the screws evenly using the enclosed 2.5mm Allen Key.
STEP 1
M4 x 8 DIN7984
M4 PVC Washer
FOR CPU

- 8 -
For Mosfet:
Use four (4) M2.5 x 5 AX1 screws with M2.5 PVC washers. Tighten
the screws evenly.
M2.5 x 5 AX1
STEP 1
STEP 2
For the MSI MPG Z490 Carbon EK X monoblock to operate properly,
the G1/4 port nearest to the right edge of the water block MUST BE
USED AS THE INLET PORT.
STEP 2
IMPORTANT:
Use this opening
as the Inlet Port!
FOR MOSFET
M2.5 PVC Washer

- 9 -
CONNECTING THE D-RGB LED STRIP
Plug the 3-pin connector from the Monoblock’s D-RGB LED light to
the D-RGB Header on the motherboard. The LEDs will work if the pin
layout on the header is as follows: +5V, Data, Empty, Ground.
D-RGB Header
RGB Header
To make sure the installation of EK components was successful, we
recommend you perform a 24-hour leak test.
When your loop is complete and filled with coolant, connect the
pump to a PSU outside of your system. Do not connect power to
any of the other components. Turn on the PSU and let the pump
run continuously.
Inspect all parts of the loop, and in case the coolant leaks, fix the
issue and repeat the testing process. Ensure that all hardware is dry
before the system is powered on, to prevent any damage.
TESTING THE LOOP

For assistance please contact:
http://support.ekwb.com/
EKWB d.o.o.
Pod lipami 18
1218 Komenda
Slovenia - EU
EKWaterBlocks
@EKWaterBlocks
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SUPPORT AND SERVICE
SOCIAL MEDIA