EKWB Launch Vector² Water Blocks for Reference 3080, 3080 Ti, & 3090 GPUs

Mike Sanders / 3 years ago

EK Water Blocks (EKWB), is introducing a whole new dimension of liquid cooling for modern graphics cards. The RTX 3080, 3080 Ti, and 3090 cards following the reference PCB design get their Vector² water block with passive backplate, new synergistic active backplate, and other aesthetic pieces to customize your water-cooled reference RTX GPU to your own desires. The EK-Quantum Vector² RE RTX 3080/3090 D-RGB is a complete liquid cooling solution including a new Vector² water block, black-anodized aluminium backplate, and mounting mechanism. The new look of the next-gen water blocks is dominated by minimalistic straight lines.

The 3rd-generation Vector cooling engine combines the jet plate with a 3D machined Plexi insert to improve flow distribution and thermal performance. This new cooling engine is still based on an Open Split-Flow cooling engine design, which proved to be a superior solution for GPU water blocks. It is characterized by low hydraulic flow restriction, meaning it can be used with weaker water pumps or pumps running on low-speed settings, and still achieve top performance. Great care was taken to achieve a symmetrical flow domain by utilizing an internal bridge to secondary components. This was done to ensure the cooling of secondary components without sacrificing flow distribution over the GPU core.

EKWB Vector² Water Blocks for Reference Nvidia 3080, 3080 Ti, & 3090

All Vector² GPU water blocks use a thick 11 mm copper cold plate with an acetal terminal attached directly and a robust single o-ring top design. This simple construction provides confidence during customization and maintenance. Two distinctive and unique D-RGB lighting options are now available to complement the material choice of the product, Nickel + Plexi and Nickel + Acetal. Both versions include a black-anodized aluminium backplate and a base that is CNC-machined out of nickel-plated electrolytic copper.

On the Plexi version, D-RGB LED lighting is deployed on the longest edge of the water block for improved uniformity and brightness. The PCB and diodes are concealed inside a clean aluminium extrusion.

On the Acetal version, a dense D-RGB LED strip illuminates the parting line of the stand-out element on both sides of the block. This subtle effect allows vivid displays of color while the block remains entirely black. Tactile magnetic covers are used to conceal the terminal screws, which allows rotating the branding when the GPU is inverted in the case.

Features

EK-Matrix7 Standard

EK-Matrix7 standardizes the dimensions of the products, including the port position and spacing, making liquid cooling loop assembly more intuitive and easy. All Vector² products feature full EK-Matrix7 compliance in every axis ensures ease of integration and alignment with all other EK-Matrix7 products. This brings perfect alignment of ports in both horizontal or vertical positions, meaning less time used for planning the loop, bending tubes, and the end result will still be an epic build.

EK-Quantum Vector² RE RTX 3080/90 ABP Set D-RGB

This ultimate cooling set consists of a high-performance GPU water block and the latest generation of Active Backplate cooling solutions as a single enclosure. The GPU backside cooling is now provided by a full-blown water block with its own copper cold plate and a full-length acrylic or acetal top. The connectivity is also taken to another level with the “Direct Link” terminals that implement a conventional 4-port layout, that allows serial and parallel connections from adjacent or opposing sides of the block.

This is the ultimate combination of a Vector² water block, Active Backplate, and mounting mechanism, available in Nickel + Plexi and Nickel + Acetal. Both versions have included an EK-Quantum Vector2 RE RTX 3080/90 ABP Side Cover in the anodized-black finish. The side cover is placed between the GPU water block and active backplate to conceal the GPU PCB. This allows users to buy the all-around ultimate cooling set for their GPU, ensuring the best possible cooling and performance uplift.

The combination of the EK-Quantum Vector2 RE RTX 3080/90 water block, EK-Quantum Vector2 RE RTX 3080/90 Active Backplate, and the EK-Quantum Vector2 RE RTX 3080/90 ABP Side cover envelop the GPU from all sides.

EK-Quantum Vector² Backplate

Each Vector² water block now comes with a CNC machined black-anodized backplate, but two alternative finishes of the backplate are also available – Nickel and Silver. Captive nickel-plated mounting screws are included with these backplates to replace the original black screws. The backplate has a new L-shaped profile that touches the base of the water block and encloses the entire GPU while increasing the cooling surface leading to even better performance. By connecting to the water block, which is far more efficient at heat transfer, performance is further increased.

Captive backplate screws simplify installation, ensuring the correct length is always used where it is needed to avoid any user error or second-guessing.

EK-Quantum Vector² Side Cover

These separate accessories add the ability to replace the standard black part, which conceals the entire PCB, with two alternative finishes, Nickel and Silver.
The Silver variant is a great fit with EK’s products in the Satin Titanium finish.

EK-Quantum Vector² RE RTX 3080/90 ABP D-RGB

This is an upgrade kit with all parts required to transform the EK-Quantum Vector² RE RTX 3080/90 water block into an Active Backplate Set (ABP set). It is available in Nickel + Plexi and Nickel + Acetal variants. Both versions incorporate unique D-RGB lighting and a black side cover. The material chosen for the ABP must correspond to the water block it will be installed with, as the D-RGB lighting integration is not cross-compatible. Nickel + Acetal ABP’s require Nickel + Acetal water blocks, the same goes for Nickel + Plexi variants.

As with the water block, when upgraded with an active backplate, the entire enclosure stays fully EK-Matrix7 compliant on every axis. This ensures ease of integration and alignment with all other EK-Matrix7 products.

These new Vector² Active Backplates feature a Direct Link flow solution- the first multiple block solution to implement a conventional 4-port terminal layout. That allows serial and parallel connections from adjacent or opposing sides of the block. It was made possible by the addition of a machined brass insert that diagonally links the water block directly to the active backplate inside the acetal terminal. Direct Link proves invaluable when incorporating an ABP with a standard distribution plate or vertical GPU mount.

Tactile magnetic covers are used to conceal the terminal screws, which allows rotating the branding when the GPU is inverted in the case.

The base of the Active Backplate is CNC-machined out of nickel-plated electrolytic copper, while the top is either CNC-machined out of glass-like cast acrylic or black POM acetal. Two distinctive and unique D-RGB lighting solutions complement the material choice of the product.

A black-anodized aluminium side cover is included with every active backplate to conceal the entire PCB and create a seamless enclosure.

Price & Availability

The EK-Quantum Vector² RE RTX series liquid cooling products are already available for pre-order through the EKWB Online Shop and Partner Reseller Network. They are expected to start shipping in the middle of March 2022. – For more information, you can check out the official product website links below: