EK warns its users about RTX 30 series water block compatibility – Founders Editions are not Reference

Nvidia plans to release their RTX 3080 graphics cards on September 17th, and EK is ready with a new series of RTX 30 series compatible Quantum Vector water blocks.  

While pre-orders for these water blocks are already available through EK’s webstore, the company has warned that consumers should wait for confirmed water block compatibility before purchasing RTX 30 series graphics cards and water blocks. 

EK has created water blocks for Nvidia’s reference RTX 3080/3090 PCB designs, and it is worth noting that Nvidia’s Founders Edition graphics cards do not use reference PCBs. Nvidia’s Founders Edition designs are now fully custom models, which require dedicated water block designs from EK. 

ASUS, Palit, and Gainward have already confirmed that they will be releasing RTX 3080 and RTX 3090 graphics cards using Nvidia’s reference PCB designs, making them compatible with EK’s reference RTX 30 series water blocks. EK is currently in the processor of confirming water block compatibility on a SKU-by-SKU basis with every major GPU vendor. EK plans to update their EK Cooling Configurator to give their customers precise compatibility data for 3rd party RTX 30 series GPU models. 

EK’s RTX 30 series Quantum Vector water blocks will ship with Nickel (with D-RGB) and Copper variants, each of which has a Plexi and Acetal option. Black and Nickel backplates will also be available. 

Like EK’s existing Quantum Vector water blocks, their D-RGB compatible variants will release with 3-pin LED connectors which are compatible with +5V RGB headers. These RGB LEDs will be supported by all major RDB synchronisation technologies from motherboard vendors, such as ASUS Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light and Gigabyte RGB Fusion.  

EK’s reference RTX 30 series water blocks will be shipped for prices of between €130-155 and backplates will be available for between €37-45.