Zotac RTX 3070-3090 Trinity Deshroud Guide

The Zotac 3080/3090 Trinity cards are an excellent choice for deshrouding. The most challenging step is removing the RGB light connector. In this guide, I'll show you two different methods for accessing and disconnecting this connector - one that keeps the backplate intact (preferred if possible) and another that involves removing the backplate.

Step 1

Remove just the 6 screws marked by the circles. Use a precision screwdriver head and take care to not strip the screws. If you lose them, these screws are M2 and 3.5mm long.

Tip: You do not remove the screws that connect the fans to the shroud.

Shroud screws circled

Step 2

Lift the shroud gently away from the heatsink. You can disconnect the fan connectors. The RGB connector is trickier to access.

There are two different methods for disconnecting the RGB light connector, one involving the removal of the backplate and the other not. It's generally advisable to avoid removing the backplate whenever possible to prevent the need for potential repasting. On certain models like the 3090, the RGB connector is easily accessible. Therefore, if you can unplug the RGB connector cable without removing the backplate, that is best.


Method 1
This method requires some patience and you may need to reapply thermal paste, so make sure you have thermal paste before you start.

Remove the 6 screws on the back of the card. Gently wiggle the heatsink to loosen it from the thermal paste that holds it in place. Be careful not to displace thermal pads.

Backplate screws circled


Method 2

This method requires dexterity, patience and good lighting. If your model has a recessed RGB connector, attempt to wiggle out the fan connector using a small stick or prying tool. I recommend plastic or wood to help avoid scratching the fan connector. You want to slowly push out against the tabs of the fan connector to loosen the connection. The LED connector we want to unplug is the one that is deeper inside (the outside connector is for the backplate lighting). Some users prefer to remove both connectors to decrease the power usage.

Header close-up

Step 3

Install the fan brackets with the old shroud screws.

Bracket placement

Install the fans using the 8 included screws. Take care not to screw the fans in too far. Plug in the fan cable to either the white (FAN 1) or black (FAN 2) connector. Either connector will work and the choice won't impact performance. The white connector corresponds to FAN 1 in software and the black connector corresponds to FAN 2, but this only matters if you're using individual fan cables and want to control them separately.

Note about the Y-cable: You may notice that one of the pins in the male header of the Y adapter cable is "missing." This is by design. The missing pin ensures that only one fan reports its RPM signal to prevent conflicts when multiple fans are connected to the same header.

Fans mounted

Attach the cosmetic cover

Completed installation

Software Setup

If you are using MSI's Afterburner software, I find that the default fan curve is optimal for both performance/noise when using a pair of Noctua NF-A12 fans.

  1. Access the Settings menu in Afterburner (white arrow)
    Afterburner settings
  2. Click on the Fan tab, click Enable user defined software automatic fan control, select Default and then click Apply
    Afterburner fan curve

Please feel free to message me on Etsy if you have any issues with the install. There can occasionally be differences in mounting holes among different revisions of the same GPU model. If this is the case, please reach out to me and I will help you right away.