All disclosures, notices and warranty conditions are being written on EK Water Blocks website.
Revision 1.0. Released on 5
th
of December, 2013.
EK-SF3D Critical Point
GPU liquid nitrogen evaporation cooler installation 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
Before you start using this product please follow these basic guidelines:
1.
Please carefully read the manual before through before beginning with the installation process!
2.
Art eraser insulation method is not recommended on graphics cards which exhibit severe memory IC “cold bug”. In such cases EK recommends either Vaseline coat insulation method or using
neoprene sheets.
3.
It is vital to ensure proper VRM (voltage regulation module) cooling, especially when overclocking high power draw graphics cards. Leaving VRMs uncooled may result in permanent damage
to the graphics card.
4.
It is vital to insulate PCI-express goldfingers (pins) on the motherboard in order to prevent any short circuit which may damage motherboard and/or graphics card. Standard extreme
overclocking rules and precautions apply.
STEP 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ON PRODUCT COMPATIBILITY
STEP 2: TABLE OF CONTENT
Congratulations on your purchase of EK-SF3D Critical Pint universal GPU liquid
nitrogen evaporation cooler. This item comes pre-assembled and ready for use on
GeForce GTX 670/680/770/780(Ti)/Titan series graphics cards.
In order to install this product on graphics card other than mentioned above it is
mandatory to exchange the mounting plate for alternative enclosed with this product
as well as on how to install the thermal probe please
SEE STEP 5 and STEP 6.
The following items are enclosed with each EK-SF3D Critical Point unit:
-
EK-SF3D Critical Point
/w pre-installed G80 mounting plate and 2.5mm M3
standoffs
-
Universal GPU Backplate (stainless steel)
-
Additional mounting plates:
o
G92 (53x53mm square pattern) /w 2.5mm standoffs (M3 thread)
o
G200 (61x61mm square pattern) /w 3.9mm standoffs (M2.5 thread)
o
GF560 /w 3.9mm standoffs (M3 thread)
o
HD7970 (54x54mm square pattern) /w 2.5mm standoffs (M3 thread)
-
Mounting screws:
o
Plastic washers M4 (0.8mm) & M3 (0.5mm)
o
M3 Thumb screws
o
M3x4 DIN7985 screws
o
M2.5x4 DIN7985 screws
o
Additional 3.9mm standoffs (M3 thread)
-
Required set of 2.5mm Allen key and EK-UNI standoff key
-
TIM Gelid GC-Extreme (1.5g)
Insulation material is not enclosed. We
recommend self-adhesive neoprene tape
(50mm wide; 3mm thickness). Insulation
material must never overlap or interfere in any
other way with mounting hold-down plate
and/or standoffs!
STEP 3: PREPARING THE GRAPHICS CARD
STEP 4: INSTALLING THE GPU EVAPORATOR UNIT
1. 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
, as shown on sample photo) 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.
2. 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 cross form for best performance (see sample picture).
Put the insulated EK-SF3D Critical Point unit on it’s back and place the
graphics card onto the unit as shown on the picture below:
STEP 4 cont.: INSTALLING THE GPU EVAPORATOR UNIT
1. USING NO BACKPLATE
: By using Philips screwdriver screw in enclosed
M3x4 DIN7985 screws (or M2.5x4 DIN7985 – depending on the type of graphics
card; see STEP 5). Always use a plastic washer under each and every screw!
2. USING UNIVERSAL BACKPLATE
:
1) Install four (4) enclosed M3 Thumbs screws with washers onto the graphics
card.
2) Place universal GPU backplate on top of
thumbs screws and secure
it with enclosed M3x4
DIN7985 screws.
This backplate system is designed
to accommodate 10mm thick sheet
of insulation material (neoprene)
beneath the back plate assembly.
M4x6 DIN7991 screw
GPU mounting plate with
standoff
0.8mm plastic washer
Aluminum extension
Main copper core
Screw M3 or M2.5x4
DIN7985
Plastic washer
Screw M3x4 DIN7985
Universal GPU
backplate
M3 Thumb Screw
