Alphacool GPX-N 1080Pro-M22 Graphics Card Cooler Installation Manual

Included Parts

The following components are included with your cooler:

• Screw Set:
  • 11x M3x11 screws
  • 3x M3x6 screws
  • 2x SW 2 / SW 2.5 tools
• Thermal Pads:
  • 13x 15mm x 15mm x 0.5mm (pink)
  • 1x 30mm x 30mm x 0.5mm (pink)
  • 12x 15mm x 15mm x 2mm (orange)
  • 1x 30mm x 30mm x 2mm (orange)

Installation Steps

Step 1: Preparation and Original Cooler Removal

Place the hardware on an antistatic mat. Begin dismantling the original cooler. Depending on the cooler's structure, you may need to remove fan screws and unhook fan connectors first. If the original cooler uses thermal glue, exercise extreme care to avoid damaging parts. Collect all removed items. Clean the hardware of thermal paste or pad residues using a solvent like alcohol.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows the removal of an existing cooler from a graphics card, highlighting the need for an antistatic mat and careful handling of components.

Step 2: Apply Thermal Paste

Using a plastic strip or thermal paste spreader, apply a thin, even layer of thermal paste onto the GPU. The layer should be less than one millimeter thick to prevent contamination of surrounding components.

Diagram Description: Illustration depicts applying thermal paste to the central processing unit (GPU) on the graphics card using a spreading tool, emphasizing a thin, even layer.

Step 3: Apply Thermal Pads (Memory & VRM)

Remove the protective film from the pink 15mm x 15mm x 0.5mm thermal pads and place them onto the memory modules. The pink 30mm x 30mm x 0.5mm thermal pads for the voltage regulators must be trimmed to size. Do not forget to remove the protective film from these pads as well.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows the placement of pink thermal pads on specific components (memory chips) and indicates where larger pink pads need to be trimmed for voltage regulators on the graphics card PCB.

Step 4: Mount the Cooler

Place the assembled cooler onto the graphics card as shown. If there is a protective film on the cooler's base, remove it now. Clean the contact surfaces on the cooler's bottom side with alcohol or a similar cleaner. The surface must be free of contaminants.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows the cooler being aligned and placed onto the graphics card. Two visual examples are provided: one marked '[wrong]' indicating poor contact and another marked '[correct]' showing good contact and thermal paste distribution.

[wrong] No contact, bad footprint.

[correct] Good contact, well-distributed thermal paste.

Step 5: Initial Screw Tightening

Mount the screws with washers as shown in the picture. Be sure to keep the screws slightly loose for now.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows screws and washers being inserted through the cooler into the graphics card PCB. A note indicates to tighten screws only slightly at this stage.

Step 6: Apply Thermal Pads (Backside)

Remove the protective film from the orange 15mm x 15mm x 2mm thermal pads and place them on the memory chips. Cut the orange 30mm x 30mm x 2mm thermal pads for the back of the card as seen in the picture; these are placed on the rear side of the voltage converters. Place the pink 15mm x 15mm x 0.5mm pad on the back of the GPU. Remember to remove the protective film from these as well.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows the placement of orange thermal pads on memory chips on the back of the graphics card PCB, and orange pads for voltage converters. A pink thermal pad is shown for the GPU area on the back.

Step 7: Attach Backplate

Put the backplate on as shown in the picture. A slight pressure ensures optimal contact between the backplate, cooler, and graphics card.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows the backplate being positioned onto the rear of the graphics card, with an indication of applying light pressure for optimal contact.

Step 8: Final Cooler Assembly and Tightening

Screw the cooler together. Hand-tighten the screws crosswise with one turn each. Please also retighten the screws placed in Step 5, which are holding the cooler and graphics card together. Pay attention to the pertinent instructions.

[warning] Tighten the screws after about 12 hours of use of the graphics card.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows the final assembly of the cooler onto the graphics card. A warning icon [warning] is present, accompanied by text instructing to tighten screws crosswise and to retighten them after approximately 12 hours of graphics card usage.

Step 9: Final Check

The graphics card is ready for use.

Diagram Description: Illustration shows the fully assembled graphics card with the new cooler installed. Text confirms the graphics card is ready for use.

Security Advice

• Not suitable for children under 6 years (contains swallowable small parts).
• Do not run any cooling components without ensuring that cooling liquid is flowing through the cooling system. Coolers operated without coolant can become very hot. Caution: Burn Hazard!
• Coolers that have no coolant flowing through them can destroy the computer hardware. When switching on the hardware, always make sure that the pump is functioning.
• Please note that in order to tighten the connectors no tools such as screw wrenches, calipers, or the like should be used. All plastic products or metal threaded connections, which are linked with plastic parts, are easily over-loaded with tools! Tearing or other damages incurred in this way, as well as damage from leaking coolant, are not covered under the warranty!
• Use only connectors with a sealing ring! When using a sealing ring a firm tightening with the hand is enough! Your instruction manual will clearly refer to the use of tools in exceptional cases!
• If you have not done so yet, please check your hardware and cooling system (tightness, pump function and fans). This will minimize time spent searching for possible problems. Alphacool accepts no liability on the warranty of the manufacturer of the electronic components. The assembly of the cooling system takes place at your own risk.
• The screws should not be tightened too firmly. If you tighten the screws excessively, the knurled nuts can loosen and the cooler’s uniform pressure is no longer guaranteed.
• Fasten the connections of your choice to the cooler. Do not use tools such as wrenches for fastening the connections. Connectors with 8mm long threads may stop the flow.
• We recommend a tightness test before assembling/installing the cooler. The water pressure in the water cooling loop can be at a maximum of 0.8 bar. DO NOT use tools on the connectors.
• Ensure that the cooler is touching all components to be cooled through thermal grease and thermal pads. The picture shows what the imprint of a GPU should look like.

Specified Normal Operation

All Alphacool International GmbH cooling components are constructed and licensed for Alphacool International GmbH computer construction parts. Warranty expires in case of misuse.

Warranty

1. Data, designs, illustrations, technical data, weight, measurement and specifications, contained in folders, catalogs, circulars, announcements or price lists, have a purely informative character. We do not undertake warranty for the correctness of these data. As to the kind and the range of delivery, the data contained in the order and confirmation of order alone are decisive.

2. Provided that there is a lack of warrantor, you are entitled, on the basis of the legal regulations to require subsequent delivery, to withdraw from the contract or reduce the purchase price. If you are a consumer, the limitation period of warranty claims for the supplied commodity amounts to two years starting from receipt of goods ( 13 BGB). If you are an entrepreneur, in accordance with legal conditions the limitation period amounts to only one year ( 14 BGB).

3. The warranty claim is valid only in combination with the original invoice, the sales slip or an ALPHACOOL confirmation on warranty claim.

4. It is ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH’s own discretionary authority to replace or repair the defective product or defective component. The replaced product or component change into property of ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH.

5. All warranty claims are accomplished by ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH or its authorized dealers. If the repair is carried out by a non-authorized or assigned person, ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH does not take over either costs or liability, unless the repair has been previously agreed upon with ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH.

6. All costs resulting from refitting of the products are not taken over by Alphacool International GmbH.

7. ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH`s warranty excludes the following points:

• 7.1. Regular controls, maintenance and repair or the replacement of parts subject to regular wear and tear.
• 7.2. Improper manipulation or defects caused by incorrect installation.
• 7.3. Damages caused by storm, water, fire, overvoltage, acts of God, war, incorrect connection to the net, insufficient or incorrect ventilation or other reasons over which ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH has no influence.
• 7.4. Damages resulting from transportation or improper packaging.

8. Consumer’s rights are valid in the respective country; demands made to the salesman, as explained and laid down in the sales contract, will not be covered by this warranty. ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH, its Branch Office and Distributors, are not responsible for direct or indirect damage or losses, as far as the compelling legal regulations do not oppose it.

9. ALPHACOOL INTERNATIONAL GMBH does not take over the warranty of the manufacturer of the electronic construction units and components. The assembly of the cooler takes place at your own risk.

Contact Us

Address:
Alphacool International GmbH
Marienberger Str. 1
D-38122 Braunschweig

Internet: www.alphacool.com

Support Phone: +49 (0)5 31/ 288 74-0

Fax: +49 (0)5 31/ 288 74-22

Mail (German/ English): info@alphacool.com

Forum: Accessible over the homepage