How do I control my EK RGB?

Grim5 · 17 Apr 2021 at 11:31

In my loop, all the EK RGB stuff plugs into the motherboard. The board is asus, there is also a couple lighting strips

So far the only way I've managed to get it not just show rainbow vomit is to use Asus Armory Crate, but that software is quite rubbish - it won't let me change the brightness or set multiple colors

What do I do?

MikeTimbers · 17 Apr 2021 at 12:45

Agreed, Armoury Crate isn't great. I downloaded Aura and use that instead. It's still flaky as hell and sometimes stops working for no apparent reason. I recently had to uninstall all the software and then reinstall it to get it working again. Don't get your hopes up.

Grim5 · 17 Apr 2021 at 13:00

MikeTimbers said:
Agreed, Armoury Crate isn't great. I downloaded Aura and use that instead. It's still flaky as hell and sometimes stops working for no apparent reason. I recently had to uninstall all the software and then reinstall it to get it working again. Don't get your hopes up.

Does Aura let you set multiple fixed colors on the blocks and/or light strips?

I did try various Asus software, I tried the old Aura Sync and the old Asus Aura (both these were failures, the software failed to detect any devices to control)

I also tried the OpenRGB software, however it crashes while running its device detection

MikeTimbers · 17 Apr 2021 at 13:09

Not user to be honest. I have a bunch of ARGB fans running off a cheapo Chinese controller and the EK stuff connected to an Asus IX Formula via the 12v mobo connector and a splitter. Aura is setting the connector and motherboard lighting to breathing red and because they're all off one header they all run the same colour scheme.

RGB is all a mess really. At least two standards, many different solutions and little ability to get a consistent look unless all the gear comes from one company. And even then the software is often buggy and bloated.

Grim5 · 21 Apr 2021 at 21:46

Nothing seems to work other than Armory.

I've tried a few different bits of software and all seem to have the same issues: They either crash when I try to open them or the open but cannot detect any RGB devices

Disco_P · 22 Apr 2021 at 11:05

I don't have my RGB plugged in

ttaskmaster · 22 Apr 2021 at 11:53

Most RGB control software from motherboard manufacturers is utter gash.
The best ones tend to be for those with standalone controllers - Corsair iCUE is pretty great and there's a lot you can do with it, but it takes a LOT of time and fiddling.
Aquasuite has very good RGB control incorporated into it, but again requires buying at least one control hub (Farbwerk, Quadro, Octo, etc) and a few 3-pin adapters for any standard ARGB devices you have.

Grim5 · 22 Apr 2021 at 12:02

ttaskmaster said:
Most RGB control software from motherboard manufacturers is utter gash.
The best ones tend to be for those with standalone controllers - Corsair iCUE is pretty great and there's a lot you can do with it, but it takes a LOT of time and fiddling.
Aquasuite has very good RGB control incorporated into it, but again requires buying at least one control hub (Farbwerk, Quadro, Octo, etc) and a few 3-pin adapters for any standard ARGB devices you have.

icue is fine, but I have EKWB pumps and blocks, not corsair

Disco_P · 22 Apr 2021 at 12:35

Grim5 said:
icue is fine, but I have EKWB pumps and blocks, not corsair

I assume you can plug them into any RGB controller.

Grim5 · 22 Apr 2021 at 12:36

Disco_P said:
I assume you can plug them into any RGB controller.

I have very few options locally, I can get a Thermaltake controller easy though, do they work?

MikeTimbers · 22 Apr 2021 at 12:46

I initially bought a "Cooler Master Small RGB Controller C10 with 4-Pin Ports - Easy & Quick RGB" which meant I could set the effect I wanted and forget it. Once I then had a mobo that could do 12v RGB I then started my fight with RGB software and for me, it's a combination of Armory Crate + AI Suite + Aura ++prayer.

ttaskmaster · 22 Apr 2021 at 13:04

Grim5 said:
icue is fine, but I have EKWB pumps and blocks, not corsair

You can get adapters that link 3-pin ARGB into Corsair's command nodes.
Personally I find Aquacomputer's adapters work better, though.

Grim5 · 22 Apr 2021 at 21:47

MikeTimbers said:
I initially bought a "Cooler Master Small RGB Controller C10 with 4-Pin Ports - Easy & Quick RGB" which meant I could set the effect I wanted and forget it. Once I then had a mobo that could do 12v RGB I then started my fight with RGB software and for me, it's a combination of Armory Crate + AI Suite + Aura ++prayer.

AI Suite won't install, I'm not the only one apparently - newest windows update broke something.
Aura installs but fails to detect any RGB devices, not even my ASUS motherboard - it really is a complete mess

Van Diemen · 23 Apr 2021 at 01:45

I use Corsair iCUE with a Commander Pro for All my EK-ARGB and EK pump speed.

Just need to buy 3-pin ARGB to corsair ComPro cable

Grim5 · 23 Apr 2021 at 02:16

Van Diemen said:
I use Corsair iCUE with a Commander Pro for All my EK-ARGB and EK pump speed.

Just need to buy 3-pin ARGB to corsair ComPro cable

Can you link me to the cable you used?

is one command pro enough for the or do I need two?

1 argb ek cpu block
1 argb ek gpu block
1 argb ek flow indicator
1 argb ek pump
2 argb cable mod light strips

and which connector on the command pro do these all go into or does it not matter?

Van Diemen · 23 Apr 2021 at 02:26

Corsair RGB to 3-pin Standard ARGB 5v Male Adapter on the bay

The ComPro has only 2 extra ARGB channels
I've used a splitter similar to this one here:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/akas...-splitter-cable-extension-50cm-cb-12u-ak.html

and then used two of the 3-pin to corsair cables.

To control thee EK pump, simply plug the PWM connector into one of the fan headers on the ComPro. Works much better if u have temp sensors for the cooling fluid

Van Diemen · 23 Apr 2021 at 02:29

Grim5 said:
Can you link me to the cable you used?

is one command pro enough for the or do I need two?

1 argb ek cpu block
1 argb ek gpu block
1 argb ek flow indicator
1 argb ek pump
2 argb cable mod light strips

and which connector on the command pro do these all go into or does it not matter?

replied above

Grim5 · 23 Apr 2021 at 02:30

Van Diemen said:
Corsair RGB to 3-pin Standard ARGB 5v Male Adapter on the bay

The ComPro has only 2 channels
I've used a splitter similar to this one here:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/akas...-splitter-cable-extension-50cm-cb-12u-ak.html

and then used two of the 3-pin to corsair cables.

To control thee EK pump, simply plug the PWM connector into one of the fan headers on the ComPro. Works much better if u have temp sensors for the cooling fluid

Oh ok. I want each device to have per LED light control. So it sounds like I'll need a minimum of 3 COM PRO's? - damn that's going to be expensive.

Van Diemen · 23 Apr 2021 at 02:38

Grim5 said:
Oh ok. I want each device to have per LED light control. So it sounds like I'll need a minimum of 3 COM PRO's? - damn that's going to be expensive.

No, you can use the much cheaper lighting node pros

Grim5 · 23 Apr 2021 at 03:02

Van Diemen said:
No, you can use the much cheaper lighting node pros

I see the lighting node pro, it's only $5 cheaper for me than the commander pro. But if there isn't any feature loss that I need the ln it's fine cause it's smaller and saves space. I control my pump speed and fan speed in the bios.

So maybe two of the node pros which gives 4 channels.