EKWB Unveil Water Blocks for Gigabyte’s AORUS Xtreme 3000 Graphics Cards

Mike Sanders / 3 years ago

EK Water Blocks (EKWB) is introducing a whole series of Vector² liquid cooling products for AORUS’s Xtreme graphic cards. EKWB made sure that powerful AORUS GeForce RTX 3080, 3080 Ti, and 3090 Xtreme card owners can get their Vector² water block with passive backplate, new synergistic active backplate, and other aesthetic pieces to customize your water-cooled 30-series AORUS GPU to your own desires.

The EK-Quantum Vector² AORUS Xtreme RTX 3080/90 D-RGB is a complete liquid cooling solution that includes a new Vector² water block, a black-anodized aluminium backplate, and a mounting mechanism. Minimalistic straight lines dominate the new look of the next-gen water blocks.

EKWB Water Blocks Designed for AORUS Xtreme 3000 Series Graphics Cards

The 3rd-generation EKWB 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. EKWB went to great lengths 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.

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. Tactile magnetic covers 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 easier and more intuitive. All Vector² products feature full EK-Matrix7 compliance in every axis, ensuring ease of integration and alignment with all other EK-Matrix7 products. This brings perfect alignment of ports in both horizontal and vertical positions, meaning less time spent planning the loop and bending tubes while still having an epic build as the final product.

EK-Quantum Vector² Xtreme 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 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 It includes an EK-Quantum Vector² Xtreme 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 offer allows users to buy the ultimate all-around cooling set for their GPU, ensuring the best possible cooling and performance uplift.

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

EK-Quantum Vector² Backplate

Each EKWB Vector² water block now comes with a CNC-machined black-anodized backplate, but an alternative finish of the backplate is also available – Nickel. 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 resulting in even better performance. Performance is further improved by connecting to the water block, a far more efficient heat transfer solution.

Captive backplate screws make the installation process much easier, always ensuring the use of correct length and preventing any user error or second-guessing.

EK-Quantum Vector² Side Cover

This separate accessory allows you to replace the standard black part, which conceals the entire PCB, with an alternative finish – Nickel.

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

This upgrade kit includes all parts required to transform the EK-Quantum Vector² Xtreme RTX 3080/90 water block into an Active Backplate Set (ABP set). It is available in the Nickel + Plexi variant. It incorporates a unique D-RGB lighting and a black side cover. When upgraded with an active backplate, the entire enclosure stays fully EK-Matrix7 compliant on every axis, ensuring simple integration and alignment with all other EK-Matrix7 products.

These new EKWB Vector² Active Backplates feature a Direct Link flow solution – the first multiple block solution to implement a conventional 4-port terminal layout. This allows serial and parallel connections from adjacent or opposing sides of the block, which was made possible by adding a machined brass insert that, in a diagonal manner and directly, links the water block 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 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 CNC-machined out of glass-like cast acrylic. 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. A black-anodized aluminium side cover is included with every active backplate to conceal the entire PCB and create a seamless enclosure.

Where Can I Learn More?

EK-Quantum Vector² Xtreme RTX 3080/90 water blocks, backplates, and active backplates are compatible with Aorus Xtreme GeForce RTX 3080, 3080 Ti, and 3090 GPUs and are already available for pre-order through the EK Online Shop and Partner Reseller Network. They are expected to start shipping later in 2022.

For more information, you can check out the official EKWB product website links below: