EK®, the leading manufacturer of premium liquid cooling gear, is doing a mid-life upgrade of its Quantum Vector² water blocks by releasing five new products. These new EVO version water blocks are compatible with Strix and TUF 4080 and 4090 series graphics cards.

The main upgrades of the EVO water blocks include:

• • A new stand-out end-piece design to shorten the water block 
  • A custom-made inner O-ring that prevents coolant from seeping between the channels and improves flow across the entire water block, focusing more coolant through the cooling fins 
  • New, high-performance pre-cut thermal pads 
  • A better-performing thermal paste 

The new Vector² EVO water blocks efficiently tackle the excessive heat generated during high loads on the GPU. These water blocks, an evolution of the Quantum Vector² GPU water blocks from EK’s premium Quantum Line, feature a 3rd-generation Vector cooling engine that has been tweaked to maximize cooling power. They cool not only the GPU die, but also the voltage regulation module, voltage controllers, and VRAM, providing comprehensive thermal management. 

Key Upgrades of the EVO Water Blocks 

The Vector² EVO water blocks come with significant upgrades designed to enhance performance, reliability, and ease of use.  

One of the standout features is the custom-made inner O-ring, which prevents coolant from seeping between channels. This improvement ensures an uninterrupted flow across the entire block, focusing more coolant through the cooling fins. As a result, overall cooling efficiency is significantly enhanced, allowing your GPU to maintain optimal performance even under heavy loads. 

Additionally, the new high-performance pre-cut thermal pads offer exceptional thermal conductivity, efficiently transferring heat away from critical components. These thermal pads are pre-cut for ease of installation, minimizing user error and ensuring a perfect fit every time, contributing to more effective cooling.  

The upgraded stand-out end-piece design is another key improvement, with a shorter length that reduces the overall size of the water block. This design change increases compatibility with various PC cases and components, allowing for more flexible and space-efficient builds without compromising on cooling performance. 

Another notable upgrade is the use of EK-Loop Thermal Paste NGP, a new, better-performing thermal paste. This paste ensures superior heat transfer from the GPU to the cooling block, enhancing overall system performance and stability.  

These enhancements collectively ensure that the Vector² EVO water blocks provide superior cooling efficiency, reliability, and ease of installation, making them an ideal choice for both enthusiasts and professional builders seeking top-tier thermal management solutions. 

The launch includes water blocks with passive backplates, Active Backplate (ABP) versions, and also a White Edition water block.

Cooling Engine 

The Vector² EVO cooling engine stands as a testament to EK’s engineering excellence. This 3rd-generation cooling engine has been meticulously refined to enhance cooling performance, featuring an innovative design that channels coolant flow through precisely machined microfins. This results in exceptional heat dissipation and minimal hydraulic flow restriction, allowing the cooling engine to deliver top performance even with low-speed pumps. The advanced Open Split-Flow design ensures that the  GPU stays cool and efficient, providing reliability and peak performance even during the most intense usage scenarios. 

Premium Design and Materials 

The Vector² EVO water blocks showcase EK’s commitment to quality and aesthetics, which has earned them the prestigious iF Design Award for 2022. Each block is constructed with a 10mm thick copper cold plate, CNC-machined from high-quality pure electrolytic copper and then nickel-plated to ensure durability and efficient heat transfer. The top is crafted from glass-like cast acrylic, providing a clear view of the coolant flow and adding a sophisticated touch to the design. 

The sleek, minimalistic design of the water blocks is complemented by tactile magnetic covers that conceal the terminal screws, allowing the branding to rotate when the GPU is inverted. These design elements collectively ensure that the Vector² EVO water blocks not only perform exceptionally but also add a refined aesthetic to any build. 

Included Backplate 

Accompanying the Vector² EVO water blocks is a high-quality black anodized aluminum backplate, designed to enhance both the cooling performance and visual appeal of the GPU. Featuring a distinctive L-shaped profile, the backplate encloses the entire GPU, increasing the cooling surface area and providing additional passive cooling for the backside components, including the VRM and VRAM sections.  

Pre-installed captive backplate screws simplify installation by ensuring the correct screw length is always used, preventing errors and streamlining the assembly process. This thoughtful design not only improves thermal efficiency but also contributes to a sleek, professional look, making it an essential component of the Vector² EVO water block system. 

Addressable D-RGB Lighting 

Featuring addressable D-RGB LED lighting along the longest edge, the Vector² EVO water blocks provide improved brightness and uniformity from every viewing angle. The LEDs are compatible with popular RGB sync technologies from major motherboard manufacturers, allowing for seamless integration and customization. The LED PCB and diodes are concealed inside a clean aluminum extrusion, enhancing the overall sleek design. 

EK-Matrix7 Compatibility 

Adhering to the EK-Matrix7 standard, the Vector² EVO water blocks ensure standardized dimensions, port positions, and spacing, making liquid cooling loop assembly intuitive and straightforward. This standardization allows for perfect alignment of ports in both horizontal and vertical orientations, enabling seamless integration with EK-Quantum Reflection² distribution plates. As a result, planning time is reduced, and tube bending is simplified, ensuring an epic build. 

Availability and Pricing

Manufactured in Slovenia, Europe, the new EK-Quantum Vector² EVO Strix and TUF compatible water blocks are now available for order through the EK Webshop and Partner Reseller Network. The table below shows the manufacturer-suggested retail price (MSRP), VAT included.