EK-Thermosphere Installation and Mounting Manual
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.com for updates.
Before you start using this product please follow these basic guidelines:
- Please carefully read the manual before beginning with the installation process!
- Please remove your motherboard from the computer to assure safest mounting process in order to prevent any possible damages to your CPU and/or motherboard's circuit board (PCB).
- The EK High Flow and EK-PSC type fittings require only a small amount of force to screw them firmly in place since the liquid seal is ensured by the rubber o-ring gaskets.
- The inhibiting use of corrosion coolants is always recommended for any liquid cooling system.
STEP 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ON PRODUCT COMPATIBILITY
Congratulations on your purchase of EK-Thermosphere. This item comes pre-assembled and ready for use on GeForce GTX 600 and -700(Ti)/Titan series graphics cards.
In order to install this product on graphics cards other than mentioned above, it is mandatory to exchange the mounting plate for an alternative one, which needs to be purchased separately!
Diagram showing the EK-Thermosphere GPU water block components, including the copper base, GPU mounting plate with standoffs, and M3x5 DIN7991 screws.
STEP 2: TABLE OF CONTENT
The following items are enclosed with each EK-Thermosphere unit:
- EK-Thermosphere with pre-installed G80 mounting plate and 2.5mm M3 standoffs
- Mounting screws:
- M3x4 DIN7985 screws
- M2.5x4 DIN7985 screws
- Additional 3.9mm standoffs (M3 thread)
- Required set of 2.0mm Allen key and EK-UNI standoff key
- TIM EK-Ectotherm (1g)
Alternative mounting plates available for separate purchase through EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network:
- EK-Thermosphere Mounting Plate G92: 53x53mm (EAN: 3831109805299)
- EK-Thermosphere Mounting Plate R600: 54x54mm (EAN: 3831109805282)
- EK-Thermosphere Mounting Plate GF560: 51x61mm (EAN: 3831109805312)
- EK-Thermosphere Mounting Plate G200: 61x61mm (EAN: 3831109805305)
STEP 3: PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
- CLEANING THE CARD: 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 qtip) 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.
- APPLYING THERMAL COMPOUND: Wipe off the remains (by using non-abrasive cloth or qtip) of the original thermal compound until the components and circuit board are completely clean. Apply thermal compound: lightly coat GPU chip with enclosed Gelid GC-Extreme thermal grease. EKWB recommends to apply thermal grease in a cross form for best performance.
A sample picture illustrating the application of thermal compound, showing a GPU chip with a red 'X' symbol over it, indicating an incorrect application method.
STEP 4: ATTACHING WATERBLOCK
Carefully position the water block with pre-installed standoffs onto 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, as chip dies are prone to cracking. Use a Philips screwdriver with the enclosed M3x4 DIN 7985 screws. EKWB recommends users to start tightening the screws in a cross pattern.
Diagram illustrating the attachment of the EK-Thermosphere water block to a graphics card. It shows the graphics card, the EK-Thermosphere unit, M3 plastic washers, and M3x4 DIN7985 screws.
STEP 5: INSTALLING ALTERNATIVE GPU MOUNTING PLATE (OPTIONAL)
Prior to taking the next steps, it is mandatory to remove the four M3x4 DIN7991 screws holding the mounting plate attached to the copper base. Use the enclosed Allen key 2.0mm to remove the screws as shown in STEP 1.
After disassembling the mounting plate as shown in STEP 1, please replace the metal hold-down plate with the plate of your choice.
OPTIONAL: Remove existing standoffs using the enclosed EK-UNI standoff key to install alternative sized ones if necessary (example: in order to use this water block with an nVidia GeForce GTX 580 graphics card, one must install 3.9mm M3-threaded standoffs (enclosed) onto the G80 Mounting plate).
Please follow the general fitting guideline below. For a detailed compatibility list, please visit http://www.coolingconfigurator.com !
G80 Mounting Plate:
- Used with 2.5mm standoffs (pre-installed): for modern NVIDIA GeForce GTX 600 and GTX 700 family graphics cards (GK104, GK106, GK110).
- Used with 3.9mm standoffs (optional): for NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS/GTX (G80) and GTX 465/470/480/560 448c/570/580 (GF100, GF110) family graphics cards.
G92 Mounting Plate:
- Used with 2.5mm standoffs: for NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT(S) and 9800 GT(X) family graphics cards (G92).
- For ATi/AMD Radeon HD 3800, 4800, 5800, 6800, 6900, 7800 series graphics cards.
- For modern AMD Radeon R9 270(X) series graphics cards.
G200 Mounting Plate:
- Used with 3.9mm M2.5 threaded standoffs: for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260/275/280/285 family graphics cards (G200, G200b).
GF560 Mounting Plate:
- Used with 3.9mm standoffs: for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460/560 (Ti) series graphics cards.
R600 Mounting Plate:
- Used with 2.5mm standoffs: for ATi Radeon HD 2900 (R600) family cards.
- For AMD Radeon HD 7950/7970 series graphics cards.
- For modern AMD Radeon R9 280(X)/290(X) series graphics cards.
Caution: GPU shim must be removed on some R600 and 7950/7970 series graphics cards.
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-CSQ fittings with the EK-FC R9-290X 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-CSQ or EK-PSC series compression fittings, take special attention to the length of the fittings' male G1/4" thread. In case the thread is longer than 5 mm, please use the enclosed 1.8 mm nickel plated spacer!
5mm is the maximum allowed G1/4" thread length!
PLEASE NOTE THE PREFERED INLET PORT SIDE.
Diagram showing the connection of liquid cooling tubing to the water block via fittings, including an EK-Plug G1/4, Acetal Terminal, and EK-CSQ Fitting. It also highlights the preferred inlet port side.
All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EK Water Blocks website.
