In a Youtube Video is an Alphacool Block installed. Good Video... But...
In the comments a user describes that he also received the Post Code 97 after installing the Alphacool Block. I think, it's an EVGA and not a EKWB-problem.
3 days ago I write to EVGA about the problem. No response received yet. Usually it takes a day

renbin
In a Youtube Video is an Alphacool Block installed. Good Video... But...
In the comments a user describes that he also received the Post Code 97 after installing the Alphacool Block. I think, it's an EVGA and not a EKWB-problem.
3 days ago I write to EVGA about the problem. No response received yet. Usually it takes a day

Same in my case, I already opened 2 support tickets, no response from EVGA for a week now. They certainly are aware of this situation.

I too am convinced this is a problem with cards and not the EK blocks

jjbros64
Are you not tempted to sell the FTW3 for a card that isn’t so plagued with problems?

I’m scared to install my ekwb block now

I was tempted, but its almost impossible to get any gpus in my country right now. I was lucky enough to get the ftw3 at MSRP when it launched

I don’t understand. Which plug are they referring to?

crestline33
There is a small rgb plug on the back of the pcb that you can either disconnect when installing your block or connect it doesn’t matter. Guy in the comments probably messed something up if his card is intermittently working. Sounds more like a user error in his instance. Hard to tell who is at fault here EK or EVGA, all I know is my replacement 3080 works great now having installed the alphacool block.

The fact that EVGA is still silent on this topic and gives out new card/ replacement to anyone who RMAs for this issue, makes me more and more convinced its the cards fault.

If it was a fault of the block, they would certainly declare that to avoid giving out new cards. There is no way EVGA does this from a kindness of heart. They are still company that is there to make profit. There is no profit in giving out new cards to anyone who breaks the card by waterblock installation. Mainly in these days, where gpus are sold for twice of theirs msrp.

Hi guys, I just finished reading this whole thread after running into the same issue as many of you. I got my 3090 FTW3 UG late last year and it's been running well for the past 4 months, other than running a bit warmer than I'd like so I decided to water cool the whole system. I had to wait just over 3 months for EK to make the water blocks I needed and upon finally receiving them I got to work slowly attaching the blocks and creating the loop.

My system:
AMD 3950X
Asus Crosshair Hero VIII
EVGA 3090
Lian LI 011 XL
G1 Distro plate

My card has the serial number starting in 20129, made in Taiwan, has black lips. I get no signal to any video outputs and my motherboard has always been AA so far, which to my understanding means that the system is ok. I haven't removed the card from my system yet as I read that an EK rep advised not to and I figured I might do the same until I hear back from them also, though I am open to thoughts about that here too.
 
My first thought when it had no signal was, hey maybe with no fans connected there is a fail safe built in to not allow it to run without fans but google quickly led me here and now my heart has started to sink. I have contacted EK with no reply so far. I have also sent an email to EVGA, linking this thread, to investigate an RMA. Re the RMA, I'm in Australia so I hope they have someone within my country to send it because I'm kinda worried after reading that EVGA make you pay for shipping...it's usually so expensive to ship from here.

Edit: did you have to pay to ship to EVGA? If so, did you get it back when it was deemed faulty?

My PC is a work PC as well as a gaming PC so this is horrific for me right now. Even if I wanted go buy a new card to keep working while I go through this process, there is basically nothing around unless I pay for a "lesser" brand with an inflated price that would actually be more than what I paid for the FTW3. This part is just me whining, so you can ignore it, I just don't know what to do other than add my hat in the ring here and send the emails I have sent.
 
Thanks for you time :)

GrimDoctorAU
I got a pretty quick reply from EVGA but unfortunately this was the reply...

Dear Customer, 

Thank you for reaching out EVGA support team. 
Please note that our product is designed for other EVGA products only.
According to your description, we would like to know if the graphics card is running well with original fan cooling? 

Regards, 
EVGA

They didn't appear to read much or any of what I sent them. I saw a prior post of them doing this so I have asked to escalate this to someone that will at least read the request.

Yeah well, looks like they chose to not make any comments to the third party products compatibility, since they dont really have to.
I guess they are just checking if the card works with the stock cooler and if it doesnt, they will forward you to RMA.

I am really disappointed EVGA wont do one step further and investigate the issue properly.

Well, at least we are getting our cards RMAed. It could be a lot worse. I got my card replaced in a matter of few days. Wish everyone the same experience.

Finally, I just received the response from EVGA regarding this situation. Just as I said, they will not guarantee or investigate compatibility with third party waterblocks:

EVGA response:

“The Graphics cards are tested with our own cooling system including Water Blocks and Hybrid cooler.

and found no such issue with compatibility with our own cooler for these Graphics card.

But these Graphics card are not tested with third party water blocks for compatibility.

So we can not assure any compatibility of those third party water blocks on the EVGA Graphics card.”

No, you misunderstood. Totally go ask for RMA, they will honor it. Many people in this thread, including me, got a replacement.

It just that, they wont comment on this issue with EK blocks because its not their product. They cannot assure compatibility with third party products.

Eksu99
So basically EKWB is saying that the problem is caused because EVGA’s poor quality and EVGA is blaming the problems on EKWB.. Great..

Would you expect anything else from companies? No one is gonna take the blame. Its bad for business.

I’ll bet EVGA is investigating the cause and with so many RMAs, I’m sure a common issue will be noticed if there is one. EVGA stands by their products and if one proves to be at fault, they aren’t the type of company to sweep it under the rug. It’s happened in past and they did the right thing.

If it’s the disassembly process causing the issue, then that’s something that needs to be addressed since card disassembly is essential for maintenance.

Filip1995

Eksu99

Filip1995

Eksu99
So basically EKWB is saying that the problem is caused because EVGA’s poor quality and EVGA is blaming the problems on EKWB.. Great..

Would you expect anything else from companies? No one is gonna take the blame. Its bad for business.

For real I didn’t expect. Now it’s just a shame that we can’t know if we are safe with EK blocks to begin with.

Are you going to install EK again on your new card?

I probably will. I got in touch with few people that had no problem with the block on their replacement. Gonna be extra careful this time around.

Please let us know how it goes and if you made anything different than before or what the manual says. Good luck :)

I havent tried mine, still waiting for some additional parts to arrive, but here are some tips I got from one kind fellow, who succesfully installed the WB on his replacement:
 
"Main mistakes people do when taking their card apart is:
1. You know that retaining bracket on the back. You loosen the screws little by little working your way around to relieve stress all accross its 4 points. If you just unscrew one and the other 3 are still all the way tightened it puts stress on one side of the chipset;
2. They apply too much pressure on one side as they try to remove the cooler. Make sure you slowly and evenly pry from each side. It flexes the board it you just do it from one side;
3. the thermalpad you put on your vrms. Those two rows of rectangle chips that are elevated. Trim the width to just as wide as them or it'll put pressure where you don't want it to when you put the block on. Same for the small black chips next to them;
4. When cleaning the thermal putty off the vrms use a soft bristle toothbrush and be gentle you don't have to get the putty inbetween;
5. Don't ratchet down on your screws when screwing the block on. If you apply too much pressure itll Crack the pcb. Like twist until they catch and you start to feel pressure, then do one more turn. But if you start to see the washer get crushed you did too much. Think of screwing in using your fingertips only. If you have to really grab the screwdriver your doing too much;
6. When putting the screws on start with the 4 around the gpu."
 
I knew most of these prior my first install. But my mistake was probably overtightening the screws. I remember crushig some of the washers. This is a thing that EKWB shoud totally mention in their manual, since this was never clear to me how much pressure is needed not just for mounting waterblocks, but also for cpu coolers.
 
Edit:
Also I will follow this video on the thermal pads placement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7YtQfdSMGw&ab_channel=Csavez 

Filip1995
I havent tried mine, still waiting for some additional parts to arrive, but here are some tips I got from one kind fellow, who succesfully installed the WB on his replacement:
 
"Main mistakes people do when taking their card apart is:
1. You know that retaining bracket on the back. You loosen the screws little by little working your way around to relieve stress all accross its 4 points. If you just unscrew one and the other 3 are still all the way tightened it puts stress on one side of the chipset;
2. They apply too much pressure on one side as they try to remove the cooler. Make sure you slowly and evenly pry from each side. It flexes the board it you just do it from one side;
3. the thermalpad you put on your vrms. Those two rows of rectangle chips that are elevated. Trim the width to just as wide as them or it'll put pressure where you don't want it to when you put the block on. Same for the small black chips next to them;
4. When cleaning the thermal putty off the vrms use a soft bristle toothbrush and be gentle you don't have to get the putty inbetween;
5. Don't ratchet down on your screws when screwing the block on. If you apply too much pressure itll Crack the pcb. Like twist until they catch and you start to feel pressure, then do one more turn. But if you start to see the washer get crushed you did too much. Think of screwing in using your fingertips only. If you have to really grab the screwdriver your doing too much;
6. When putting the screws on start with the 4 around the gpu."
 
I knew most of these prior my first install. But my mistake was probably overtightening the screws. I remember crushig some of the washers. This is a thing that EKWB shoud totally mention in their manual, since this was never clear to me how much pressure is needed not just for mounting waterblocks, but also for cpu coolers.
 
Edit:
Also I will follow this video on the thermal pads placement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7YtQfdSMGw&ab_channel=Csavez 

Let me know how it works out. I have my card and I'm hesitating to add in the waterblock. I kind of don't want to risk it and just using air cooler for now. So unfortunate, basically have 3x360mm rads for my 5950x.

GrimDoctorAU
For those that put the stock cooler back on to test, did you just use the EK thermal pads from the water block?

When I took the stock cooler off, all the putty/pads just crumbled off. I have asked for advice from EVGA but they have gone silent now, as have EK. More annoyingly, EVGA seem to have closed my RMA ticket even though they haven't responded to anything.

Yes, I have used EK thermal pads, had to stack few of them on because the thickness wasnt right. About your RMA. It was closed after it was approved, or what is the situation exactly?