Tuesday, March 16th 2021

(EKWB) New Class of Cooling - Active Backplates for RTX 3080, 3090 Reference GPUs

EK, the leading computer cooling solutions provider, is introducing a cutting-edge addition to the EK-Quantum Line. EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX3080/3090 active backplate is made to complement the existing EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX 3080/3090 water blocks and actively cool the backside of a reference design NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 and 3090 GPUs.

EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplates
EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX 3080/3090 active backplate links the water block and active backplate part with a new terminal, which replaces the stock terminal that comes with your water block. This way, the whole enclosure requires only one inlet and one outlet, removing unnecessary additional tubing and reducing clutter. It is the ultimate aesthetic and performance solution that finds your GPU sandwiched between two water blocks, allowing maximum cooling.
The brand new Vector Active Backplate directly cools all PCB hotspots found on the backside of the GPU core and VRM (voltage regulation module). In the case of RTX 3090, the VRAM located on the backside is being cooled, while the PCB on RTX 3080 GPUs is being cooled around the front-mounted VRAM. Cooling liquid is channeled over all these critical areas.

These newly developed active backplates feature a fin array with six wide channels allowing for very low flow restriction. This, in turn, provides overall lower temperatures, while the active backplate itself gets more than sufficient surface area for heat transfer.

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. The rest of the backplate is made of nickel-plated or anodized aluminum, and it doesn't come in contact with the liquid. These Vector Active Backplates also feature terminals that match the top cover - the Plexi version has an acrylic terminal, while the acetal one boasts the black POM acetal terminal. The watertight sealing is ensured by high-quality EPDM O-rings.

Compatibility
EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplates are compatible with EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX 3080/3090 water blocks made for reference PCB design. For a full compatibility list, please check the EK Cooling Configurator.

D-RGB Lighting on EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX 3080/3090 Active Backplate
On the acrylic model, the aesthetic end-piece is housing the addressable D-RGB LED strip, while the acetal model has no LED lighting. This active backplate boasts a total of eight individually addressable RGB LEDs, and it's compatible with popular RGB sync technologies from all major motherboard manufacturers. The arrow marking on the 3-pin D-RGB LED connector is to be aligned with the +5V marking on the D-RGB (addressable) header.

Availability and Pricing
The EK-Quantum Vector RE RTX series active backplates are made in Slovenia, Europe, and are already available for pre-order through EK Webshop or EK Partner Reseller Network at an MSRP of 134.90 EUR (inc. VAT). They are expected to start shipping in early April 2021.
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24 Comments on (EKWB) New Class of Cooling - Active Backplates for RTX 3080, 3090 Reference GPUs

#2
dorsetknob
"YOUR RMA REQUEST IS CON-REFUSED"
Niche product
Only worth having IF you have the Card
You would not buy one untill you got the Card
So Expect low Sales Volume................................
Posted on Reply
#3
Sah7d
I mean... whats the point if there are no cards
Posted on Reply
#4
Mamya3084
Where's my Asus TUF 3090 active backplate?
Posted on Reply
#5
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
As someone who just slapped copper heatsinks and a 92mm fan on his 3090: yeah this shits needed :(
Posted on Reply
#6
Breit
MusselsAs someone who just slapped copper heatsinks and a 92mm fan on his 3090: yeah this shits needed :(
I feel you. Too bad I have a 3090 FE and this only works on the reference model. I'm very curious on how their special edition block works with the hybrid backplate. But I guess an active backplate indeed is needed. RAM gets to over 100°C during gaming and this is while having a 120mm Delta fan pointed at the stock backplate and leaving the side panel of the case open.
Posted on Reply
#7
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
BreitI feel you. Too bad I have a 3090 FE and this only works on the reference model. I'm very curious on how their special edition block works with the hybrid backplate. But I guess an active backplate indeed is needed. RAM gets to over 100°C during gaming and this is while having a 120mm Delta fan pointed at the stock backplate and leaving the side panel of the case open.
Theirs looks nicer, lol
Posted on Reply
#8
phill
It's more so a shame they don't say how much better this is for cooling.... Which is not good....
Posted on Reply
#9
itguy2003
Still no waterblocks for the Gigabyte Gaming OC cards. Had to order some off brand from China.
Posted on Reply
#10
SteveS45
MusselsTheirs looks nicer, lol
Just pointing out, the air from that 92mm fan has no where to escape. You're not getting much thermal efficiency like that. Basically the air bounces back and collides. You just get noise and vibration, minimum airflow and cooling.
What you should do is to at least create a gap between the fan and copper plate. Or place the fan at an angle.
Posted on Reply
#11
Breit
SteveS45Just pointing out, the air from that 92mm fan has no where to escape. You're not getting much thermal efficiency like that. Basically the air bounces back and collides. You just get noise and vibration, minimum airflow and cooling.
What you should do is to at least create a gap between the fan and copper plate. Or place the fan at an angle.
I was going to say about the same thing. But those copper cooling plates are nice, where do you get those?
Posted on Reply
#12
low
Well.... i didnt see any Founders Edition this year. Production might be stopped?
Posted on Reply
#13
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
you guys really thought the intel stock cooler would stay off the 3090?



It only delays the heat build up, stupid VRAM dumps out excessive amounts of heat
Posted on Reply
#14
SteveS45
Musselsyou guys really thought the intel stock cooler would stay off the 3090?



It only delays the heat build up, stupid VRAM dumps out excessive amounts of heat
Actually what's happening now is that you are blowing air through the Intel heatsink fins, then reaching the copper backplate. Without mounting pressure between the copper backplate and the aluminum Intel sink basically there's close to zero heat transfer there. So basically the Intel heatsink is just blocking air. I would suggest to just get a few plastic standoffs and attach them to the four corners of your 92mm fan so you get around a 1 inch or 2~3cm gap between fan and backplate.
Posted on Reply
#15
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Guys... i'm screwing with you. i change the setup on the ridonky cooling every few minutes as i find random things to screw around with

RN i've got the 92mm flush facing up, so its sucking air in through the copper fins... now if i got an ARGB 92mm fan there...
Posted on Reply
#17
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
SchikakaQuick question guys, would this backplate fit this www.scan.co.uk/products/ek-quantum-vector-tuf-rtx-gpu-water-block-d-rgb-nickel-plus-plexi-g1-4-for-asus-tuf-rtx-3080-3090 water block?
Confused as it says Vector RE RTX 3090 and I'm not entirely sure what RE stands for. Sorry, beginner here. Just wasted 150 on a hybrid cooler that did not fit my card. Don't want to make any more mistakes.
RE stands for reference, these backplates fit the reference design cards (and front block)
EK have a compatibility checker on their website, load your card into it and see what pops up

My card was reference, i ended up getting the RE front and backplates and i'm having a good time

Posted on Reply
#18
Schikaka
MusselsRE stands for reference, these backplates fit the reference design cards (and front block)
EK have a compatibility checker on their website, load your card into it and see what pops up

My card was reference, i ended up getting the RE front and backplates and i'm having a good time

Thank you for taking the time to answer! Much appreciated!
Can I ask you what is your peak junction temperatures now?
What I'm hoping to achieve by buying these is to reduce the junction temperature on my RTX3090 TUF, as it hits 110°C. If I do mining. That's without overclocking.
I wonder would wather block and active backplate cooler would solve the issue?
Posted on Reply
#19
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
SchikakaThank you for taking the time to answer! Much appreciated!
Can I ask you what is your peak junction temperatures now?
What I'm hoping to achieve by buying these is to reduce the junction temperature on my RTX3090 TUF, as it hits 110°C. If I do mining. That's without overclocking.
I wonder would wather block and active backplate cooler would solve the issue?
With +600 on the VRAM while mining i'm seeing 80C at most
Posted on Reply
#20
Schikaka
MusselsWith +600 on the VRAM while mining i'm seeing 80C at most
That sounds great to me! Worth spending the money. Just one problem, backplates are not available. I guess I will have to pre-order and hope I will get it in this decade.
Posted on Reply
#21
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
SchikakaThat sounds great to me! Worth spending the money. Just one problem, backplates are not available. I guess I will have to pre-order and hope I will get it in this decade.
mine was a pre order, took about 2 weeks from the pre order date
Posted on Reply
#22
Mamya3084
Thanks EK!! oh wait...I mean Bykski!

Only annoyance is, serial block...but i'll rectify that on the weekend.

oh, also, back plate doesn't clear the left bank of ram on a Threadripper system.

Posted on Reply
#23
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Any LED's in that bad boy, or is she just a pure coolant looker?
Posted on Reply
#24
Mamya3084
MusselsAny LED's in that bad boy, or is she just a pure coolant looker?
Finally got around to tidying it up a bit.
Posted on Reply
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