EK Rolls Out New Water Blocks with Active- and Passive-Backplates for RTX 4090 ROG Strix and TUF Gaming
The all-new RTX 4090 Strix and TUF cards are expected to be significantly more powerful than their 30-series counterparts. And while their efficiency is also improved, these cards still pull over 450 W, which means they will benefit even more from water cooling, mainly due to the 4 nm production process, which increases thermal density compared to the previous 8 nm chips.
EK-Quantum Vector² Strix/TUF RTX 4090 D-RGB GPU Water Block
The EK-Quantum Vector² Strix/TUF RTX 4090 is a single-package liquid cooling solution consisting of a Vector² series water block, a black-anodized aluminum backplate, and a custom-made single-slot PCIe bracket. As with the previous 30-series Vector² water blocks, its aesthetics are dominated by minimalistic straight lines and the backplate coming around the side of the GPU to cover the PCB completely.
The Vector² cooling engine combines the jet plate with a 3D-machined Plexi insert to improve flow distribution and thermal performance. This cooling engine is 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. EK took great care 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 coldplate with a directly attached acetal terminal 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, the 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 the rotation of the badge when the GPU is inverted inside the case.
These GPU water blocks have a specific cutout that enables the use of the included multi-use tool for decoupling the PCIe safety on the motherboard and easy unplugging of the GPU. The same tool also detaches the power cable more easily and tightens the standoffs.
EK-Quantum Vector² Backplate
Each Vector² water block comes with a CNC-machined black-anodized backplate. 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. Connecting the backplate to the water block makes it more efficient at heat transfer, which leads to even better performance.
Captive backplate screws simplify installation, ensuring the correct length is always used where it’s needed to avoid user errors and second-guessing.
EK-Quantum Vector² Strix/TUF RTX 4090 D-RGB ABP Set
This ultimate cooling set consists of a high-performance GPU water block and the latest generation Active Backplate cooling solutions in a single enclosure. Although ROG Strix and ASUS TUF RTX 4090 GPUs don’t have VRAM on the backside, the active backplate still helps lower temperatures by cooling the PCB behind the core, VRM, and VRAM. Since the PCB has a lot of copper, it soaks a lot of heat, transferring it across its surface and warming other components. By effectively cooling the PCB, the entirety of the GPU becomes cooler.
Available finishes:
The active backplate is a full-blown water block with its own copper coldplate and a full-length acrylic or acetal top. The connectivity is also taken to another level with “Direct Link” terminals that implement a conventional 4-port layout, allowing serial and parallel connections from adjacent or opposing sides of the block.
This is the ultimate combination of a Vector² water block, an Active Backplate, and a mounting mechanism, available in Nickel + Plexi and Nickel + Acetal versions. Both versions come with an included EK-Quantum Vector² Strix/TUF RTX 4090 D-RGB ABP Side Cover in the anodized black finish. The side cover is placed between the GPU water block and the active backplate to conceal the GPU PCB. This 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 Strix/TUF RTX 4090 water block, EK-Quantum Vector² Strix/TUF RTX 4090 Active Backplate, and EK-Quantum Vector² Strix/TUF RTX 4090 ABP Side cover envelops the GPU from all sides.
EK-Matrix7 Standard
EK-Matrix7 standardizes the dimensions of products, including the port position and spacing, thus making liquid cooling loop assembly more intuitive and easy. All Vector² products feature full EK-Matrix7 compliance in every axis, ensuring easy integration and alignment with other EK-Matrix7 products. This perfect alignment of ports in both horizontal and vertical positions means less time spent planning the loop, bending tubes, etc., with the end result being an epic build.
Availability and Pricing
The EK-Quantum Vector² Strix/TUF RTX 4090 ABP Sets are available for pre-order through EK Webshop and Partner resellers. EK will update you with the exact availability dates as soon as possible. The table below shows the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP), VAT included.
