EK-Quantum Vector Trinity RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate
USER GUIDE
Brand: EKWB
Important Information and Guidelines
This product is intended for installation by expert users only. Please consult with a qualified technician. Improper installation may result in damage to your equipment. EKWB assumes no liability whatsoever, expressed or implied, for the use of this product or its installation. The following instructions are subject to change without notice. Please, read the manual carefully before beginning with the installation process. For updates, visit the official website: www.ekwb.com.
Before you start using this product, please follow these basic guidelines:
- Carefully read the entire manual before beginning with the installation process.
- Remove your graphics card from the computer for the safest mounting process to prevent any possible damage to your GPU or its circuit board (PCB).
- 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.
- Do not use pure distilled water as a cooling liquid!
- For best results, EKWB recommends the use of EK-CryoFuel Coolants.
- Make sure to bleed air out of your water block thoroughly in order to reach optimal performance.
Box Contents
The package includes the following components for the EK-Quantum Vector Trinity RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate D-RGB:
Diagram Description: An illustration shows the main active backplate unit, which is a rectangular metal plate with mounting holes and a terminal block on one side. Adjacent to it are the included components:
- M2.5x8 AX1 Screws (8 pcs): Small screws, approximately 8 mm in length, with a cross-head drive.
- Thermal Pad G 1.0 mm (3 pcs): Rectangular thermal pads measuring 120 mm x 24 mm x 1.0 mm.
- Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm (1 pc): A rectangular thermal pad measuring 120 mm x 24 mm x 1.5 mm.
- Thermal Pad G 2.0 mm (3 pcs): Rectangular thermal pads measuring 120 mm x 24 mm x 2.0 mm.
- Allen Key 2.5 mm (1 pc): A hexagonal L-shaped wrench for tightening screws.
A note indicates that the "Universal Mounting Mechanism" may not require every screw from this package.
Active Backplate Dimensions
Diagram Description: Technical drawings show the dimensions of the active backplate. The main view is a top-down perspective of the backplate, indicating a length of 233 mm, and widths of 110.35 mm and 139.35 mm. A side view shows a height of 33.35 mm. Another view shows the overall height including mounting points as 112.75 mm and 124.25 mm.
Required Tools
Diagram Description: Illustrations depict the necessary tools:
- A Phillips head screwdriver.
- A pair of scissors.
Active Backplate Specifications and Main Parts
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions (L x H x W): 233 x 124 x 33.4 mm
- D-RGB (Addressable RGB) Cable Length: 500 mm
- D-RGB LED Count: 9
- D-RGB Connector: Standard 3-Pin (+5V, Data, Blocked, Ground)
Diagram Description: An exploded view illustrates the assembly of the active backplate. Key components labeled include:
- AB TERMINAL: The main terminal block.
- M4 x 27 DIN7984 SCREW: Larger screws for the terminal.
- EK-PLUG G1/4: A plug for unused G1/4 ports.
- TERMINAL O-RING 15 x 1 mm: Small O-rings for the terminal.
- TERMINAL METAL PLATE: A plate securing the terminal O-rings.
- ACETAL STANDOUT: Stand-off components.
- LED D-RGB STRIP (OPTIONAL): The addressable RGB lighting strip.
- TOP PLATE (PLEXI/ACETAL): The top cover of the backplate.
- MAIN O-RING 92 x 2 mm: A large O-ring for the main seal.
- M2.5 x 5 AX1 SCREW: Smaller screws for attaching the backplate.
- EK BADGE: The brand logo.
- ALU BACKPLATE: The main aluminum backplate structure.
- COLDPLATE (NICKEL): The nickel-plated copper cold plate.
Installation: Step 1 - Preparing the Graphics Card
First, complete the installation of your EK-Quantum Vector Trinity RTX 3080/3090 water block according to its installation manual. If the water block is already installed, remove the six (6) AX1 screws and their PVC washers, as shown in the image.
Diagram Description: An illustration shows a graphics card PCB. Arrows indicate the removal of six AX1 screws and washers from the existing water block. Another diagram shows the original GPU terminal being detached from the water block by unscrewing three M4 x 27 DIN7984 screws. An O-ring (15 x 1 mm) is also shown.
The EK-Quantum Vector Trinity RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate comes with its own terminal. Therefore, the original terminal, along with its two (2) 15x1 O-rings, on the EK-Quantum Vector Trinity RTX 3080/3090 water block must be removed. Unscrew the three (3) M4 x 27 DIN7984 screws and detach the terminal from the water block. The procedure of terminal detachment is shown in the image.
⚠️ Attention! In case the EK-Quantum Vector Trinity RTX 3080/3090 water block is already filled with coolant, empty the content of the water block before continuing with this step. Be careful that the coolant that remained in the water block does not come in contact with the GPU!
Installation: Step 2 - Cutting and Placing Thermal Pads
Diagram Description: Three types of thermal pads are shown with their dimensions: Thermal Pad G 1.0 mm (120 x 24 mm, 1 mm thick, red), Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm (120 x 24 mm, 1.5 mm thick, blue), and Thermal Pad G 2.0 mm (120 x 24 mm, 2 mm thick, orange).
Your backplate comes with thermal pads that need to be cut into smaller pieces to cover all the VRM components. EKWB has provided an adequate quantity of thermal pads to complete this step.
⚠️ You must remove the protective foil from both sides of the thermal pad before installation.
Replacement thermal pads included:
- 3x Thermal PAD G 1.0 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – EAN: 33830046996770
- 1x Thermal PAD G 1.5 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – EAN: 3830046996787
- 3x Thermal PAD G 2.0 mm - (120 x 24 mm) – EAN: 3830046996794
Installation: Step 3 - Placing Thermal Pads
Diagram Description (3080 Version): An illustration of the backplate shows specific areas marked for thermal pad placement. Red areas indicate where Thermal Pad G 1.0 mm should be applied. Blue areas indicate where Thermal Pad G 1.5 mm should be applied. Orange areas indicate where Thermal Pad G 2.0 mm should be applied, covering VRM components.
Diagram Description (3090 Version): Similar to the 3080 version, but with different layouts for VRM coverage using red (1.0 mm), blue (1.5 mm), and orange (2.0 mm) thermal pads.
Once cut to size, thermal pads should be placed on the backplate as illustrated.
Installation: Step 4 - Removing the Terminal Metal Plate
Diagram Description: An illustration shows the terminal block assembly. Arrows indicate the removal of three M4 x 27 DIN7984 screws using an Allen key. The terminal metal plate is shown being detached.
The metal plate attached to the terminal is a precaution to secure the two O-rings and prevent them from falling out of their sockets during transport and handling. Before installing the Active Backplate, this metal plate must be removed. Unscrew the three (3) M4 x 27 DIN7984 screws using the provided 2.5 mm Allen Key. Keep these screws as they will be needed in a later step. The metal plate itself is no longer needed.
Installation: Step 5 - Attaching the Active Backplate
Diagram Description: An illustration shows the active backplate being aligned and attached to the GPU PCB. Arrows indicate the insertion of M2.5 x 8 AX1 screws into specific mounting holes. Another diagram shows the terminal block being attached using M4 x 27 DIN7984 screws.
⚠️ First, make sure the two (2) 15 x 1 O-rings are correctly seated in the terminal slots, as shown in the image.
Place the active backplate onto the GPU PCB, ensuring all holes are aligned. Insert an M2.5 x 8 AX1 screw into each of the five (5) mounting holes and tighten them evenly with a Phillips head screwdriver.
To avoid using excessive force, you can loosen the three (3) M4 x 27 7984DIN screws pre-installed on the terminal. Ensure that the two (2) 15 x 1 O-rings remain in their terminal slots. After attaching the Active Backplate, remember to tighten these three (3) M4 x 27 7984DIN screws again.
Then, position the three (3) M4 x 27 7984DIN screws that were detached from the GPU water block terminal into the corresponding three (3) mounting holes on the backplate and tighten them evenly with the provided 2.5 mm Allen Key.
❗ Do not use excessive force!
❗ CAUTION: When placing the Active Backplate on the PCB, the two inserted 15 x 1 O-rings must remain inside their terminal slots. Wrongly positioned O-rings can cause leaks!
Installation: Step 1 - Installing Fittings and Tubing
Diagram Description: An illustration shows the terminal block with two G1/4 threaded male fittings screwed in. One fitting has tubing attached. An EK-Plug G1/4 is shown ready to be inserted into another port.
Screw in two (2) G1/4 threaded male fittings. Attach liquid cooling tubes and connect the water block to the cooling loop.
⚠️ Do not forget to plug the remaining opening with the enclosed EK-Plug G1/4 or its equivalent.
You can use any opening as an inlet or outlet port. The pre-mounted terminal is positioned for optimal flow in the EK-Quantum Vector Trinity RTX 3080/3090 water block and the Active Backplate. The terminal can be rotated 180 degrees, but doing so will change the inlet and outlet ports.
EKWB recommends using EK fittings with all EK water blocks.
❗ CAUTION: When using connectors other than EK fittings, pay special attention to the length of the fittings' male G1/4" thread – 5mm is the maximum G1/4" thread length allowed!
Installation: Step 1 - Connecting the D-RGB LED Strip
Diagram Description: An illustration shows a 4-pin D-RGB connector being plugged into a motherboard header labeled "D-RGB HEADER". The pinout is indicated as +5V, Data, Empty, Ground.
Plug the 4-pin D-RGB connector from the GPU water block to the D-RGB Header on your motherboard or controller. The LED strip will work only if the pin layout on the header is as follows: +5V, Data, Empty, Ground.
❗ Incorrect installation or installation to a wrong header can damage the LED strip or the header itself!
Testing the Loop
To ensure the installation of EKWB components was successful, we recommend performing a 24-hour leak test.
When your loop is complete and filled with coolant, connect the pump to a PSU outside 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. In case of coolant leaks, fix the issue and repeat the testing process. To prevent possible damage, please ensure that all hardware is dry before powering on the system.
Support and Service
In case you need assistance, please contact:
https://www.ekwb.com/customer-support/
EKWB d.o.o.
Pod lipami 18
1218 Komenda
Slovenia - EU
Social Media
- Facebook: EKWaterBlocks
- Twitter: @EKWaterBlocks
- Instagram: ekwaterblocks
- YouTube: EKWBofficial
- Pinterest: ekwaterblocks
