Howdy!
 
Forgive my ignorance if this is in the wrong area, but I didn't see a waterblock specific section on the forum.
 
I have a 2080ti black; 11G-P4-2281-KR. I recently tried putting a corsair waterblock on it, but it didn't fit very well (flex issues) and after two tries with two of their blocks, 0.5mm thermal pads at my expense and 3 weeks of support with them I'm giving up.
I know the EVGA 400-HC-1389-B1 is listed as compatible (but not in stock), but can anyone tell me if it's guaranteed compatible? As in, what happens if I order this block from EVGA and say it doesn't fit right, am I stuck with a block I can't use?
I know EKWB has several blocks which also are considered compatible with the 2281, but they do not guarantee it 100% and if in the case there is some strange oddity with my card that doesn't make it fit, I'm left high and dry with a block I can't use.
 
Are there any other 2281 owners out there with waterblocks installed that can comment?
 
Cheers!

I have a 2080 Ti Black with a EVGA HC for my GPU and it fit fine.  Most have gone with EK and fit fine.  I don't know of anyone as of yet that has used a Corsair WB but it should also fit fine.  When you say it doesn't fit with .5mm at your expense, are you personally putting another 3rd party pads on there to make it fit?  If so, don't.  You'll damage your GPU if you put too small of a size or not make good contact if they are too big but I think the lowest I've see pads go on these blocks is 1.0/1.2 mm and you're at half.  I'd be extra cautious.
 
What has Corsair said since this is their block?

I thought I'd add to this. a) I'm glad I was too chicken to boot with 0.5mm pads on the memory and b) I'm thankful for GTXJackBauer's concern.
 
For science I decided to double up my 0.5mm pads on the memory. Doing this definately gave me contact and imprint.
However, this also brought back the warping, though not as servere as the stock 1mm pads but still too much for me to entertain the idea of shoving it into a pci-e slot.
I also noticed the tim spread wasn't as good with my doubled 0.5mm compared to single 0.5mm, though this could be because I don't tighten the screws like a madman.
 
It makes sense that I should go ahead with either an EK or EVGA block next. I'll just have to suffer its gross air cooler a little while longer. ;)

Perhaps someone here can verify my assumption that there's no significant difference between EK's Vector RTX / Vector RTX RE / RTX Classic blocks with the 2281 black?
 
Have a super day!

I think I should clarify what I mean by warp as perhaps I'm using the wrong term.
After attaching the 8+ screws surrounding the die, the pci-e connector aka golden fingers is what warps and by that I mean curves. You know how your pci-e slot is straight? Well, the part of the video card you stick into that isn't straight anymore and to make it go in you'd have to use a significant amount of force. I'm pretty sure no sane person would even attempt that.
 
The corsair block is my first deviation from EK, I blame my impatience and Amazon. Otherwise I've been using EK for my gpu's since the core 2 duo 8800gtx days. I've never seen this type of pci-e connector warp in a video card after installing a block before, so I guess it has me rattled, wondering if my 2281 black is a new revision or something since they were verified as compatible with block vendors. I mean, if it HAS changed and I order from someone who doesn't have a generous return policy like Amazon, I'm stuck with it because it's not broken, you know what I mean?
 
As for the 'classic block' I'm referring to EKWB. "EK Classic Product Line that is characterized by minimalistic and clean design while maintaining class-leading performance." If you look at the EK shop website, there is a tab called Classic that contains those products. They're separate from the Water Blocks tab for some reason. They also seem a little bit cheaper, but not by a whole lot.
So for EK, they've got

• EK-FC RTX 2080 +Ti Classic
• EK-Vector RTX 2080 Ti
• EK-Vector RTX RE Ti
• EK-Quantum Vector RTX RE Ti

I can't imagine they're significantly different? When did EK get so complicated, I seem to recall there being only one product line for my 1070FTW! :p

I was considering an EVGA block, after all how could it not fit/work, but it's been out of stock for a while now. And if you're saying EK is better and all ;)

Perhaps I'm just being punished for defying the EK gods...
 

The only thing I would be cautious with which I still don't know why they even did this is make sure to separate their aluminum 'Fluid Gaming' line and everything else they sell.  I always worried some novice out there would make the mistake to include both and have a disaster at their hands.
 
After checking their site, the 'Classic' isn't part of the 'Fluid Gaming' all aluminum line which is their more affordable line.
 
I'm actually boggled by your PCIe warp statement.  Are you able to share some images with us?  Maybe it's the MB's PCIe lane as some MB's have reinforced versions. 

Ok now I see it.  Are the main screws around the GPU through their threads.  Maybe one skipped one and is just poking at it.  Idk...it's tough to tell from here.  Maybe their blocks are slightly out of spec or pads?

I think you'll do great with a EK block since EVGA's is out of stock.

I had to twist my head just to see that image.  Felt like my head was going to fall off my body.  Must be the cold I got. 
 
Anyways, looks good on my end.  Just make sure to leak test for 24hrs before powering everything on.

if the end plate of the card & ruler are both touching the desk - its probably not the card causing the gap at the bottom that your seeing
 
Its hard to tell in your photo, even when enlarged

The majority of PCB's have natural warp to them.

All seems well, pinned the cpu and gpu for an hour, gpu didn't go above 45C. I'm sure that'll change in the summer, but not by too much.
 
Thanks everyone for your input/help!

tbor_
All seems well, pinned the cpu and gpu for an hour, gpu didn't go above 45C. I'm sure that'll change in the summer, but not by too much.
 
Thanks everyone for your input/help!

that is Great