Upgrading to RGB fans

Joshua Turner · 7 Nov 2020 at 15:30

GPU 2070 super

CPU i7 9700k

CPU Cooler ARCTIC FREEZER 34 ESPORTS DUO

MB gigabyte z390 x gaming

RAM Corsair vengeance 3000mzh 2x8gb

Storage m.2 Samsung plus/ western digital 1 TB

Power supply Corsair tx550w gold

Case cooler master h500 mesh

This is my set up. Currently I can’t change the rgb on the front two 200mm fans they work and light up white but that’s It and I want to be able to control the colour and was thinking of buying 3 cooler master 120mm halo fans and the cooler master controller to run all the fans through, would that work? My motherboard doesn’t have an ARGB header Just has a RGB head? All very confusing for a new pc gamer someone please help

Joshua Turner · 7 Nov 2020 at 16:46

Also could I hook up a Phanteks NEON Digital-RGB LED Strip to the cooler master controller as well not sure how it all works

mickyflinn · 7 Nov 2020 at 17:04

Is there a button on the case to change the colours ?

Joshua Turner · 7 Nov 2020 at 17:18

I think the reset button can be wired into the controller to be able to change the colour but I wanted to add more rgb and have a better way to change the lighting, do you know if I can get a Corsair commando pro and connect my cooler master rgb case fans to that or do I need to get cooler master for it to work?

Grimley · 8 Nov 2020 at 08:20

Right, Here's what I know about the wild & wacky world of RGB.

RGB = 12volt, shows one colour at a time.

Addressable or ARGB = 5volt, multiple colours at once.

I think your existing fans are RGB only.

I Agree with buying the 3 pack of halo fans, Also buy this:

https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/rgb-accessories/argb-led-controller/#overview

you can connect this to the board via its 12volt RGB socket or/and a USB2 header on your board. Only thing I don't know is if gigabytes RGB Fusion software will use the 12volt RGB or the USB to control the ARGB components the hub is connected to.

Joshua Turner said:
Also could I hook up a Phanteks NEON Digital-RGB LED Strip to the cooler master controller as well not sure how it all works

The Controller I linked to has several 5volt ARGB sockets & the phanteks strips have 5volt ARGB plugs so it should work, but sod's law it wont.

However the alternative below DOES work & works well, because I have this!

not cheap though.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Corsair Lighting Node Pro, RGB Lighting Controller with Individually Addressable RGB LED Strips= £54.95
1 x Corsair LL120 RGB, 120mm Dual Light Loop RGB LED PWM Fan, 3 Fan Pack with Lighting Node PRO= £92.99

Total: £156.64 (includes shipping: £8.70)

The final alternative is to sell your case & look at a case with ARGB fans included & a ARGB controller which plugs into a USB2 header, all you have to do is add ARGB light strips, job done.

Joshua Turner · 8 Nov 2020 at 09:43

Thank you so much for the reply. I thought it would be best to have the whole eco system on the same company, but seen some videos on that lightening strip and I really want it in my system. To be honest I dont want cooler master fans don’t have best results in tests and people seems to have problems with the software. So if I brought Corsair fans the ones you have could I still link them up with my cooler master 200mm rgb fans? Would I need to buy the commando pro hub? I would prefer to get Corsair fans because I will upgrade my ram to the dominator rgb 3600mhz then I could link them with the fans right? Sorry I’ve got so many unanswered questions!! so you think if I brought Corsair stuff I shouldn’t get the ARGB strip light from that other company and just get the Corsair one?

Joshua Turner · 8 Nov 2020 at 10:04

I could maybe replace the two 200mm cooler master fans with three Corsair 120mm fans later down the line so have it all synchronised? So could have 3 intake and 3 out?

Grimley · 8 Nov 2020 at 14:40

Joshua Turner said:
I could maybe replace the two 200mm cooler master fans with three Corsair 120mm fans later down the line so have it all synchronised? So could have 3 intake and 3 out?

better idea. Corsair RGB fan hubs only work with Corsair fans AFAIK. Corsair fans RGB plugs on their own may have different RGB plugs to the ones you buy in packs of 3 (I don't know that for certain) The lighting node pro has 6 sockets, for either fans or lighting strips (I have four in use, 3 for the fans & one for the four lighting strips) If you have any spare USB2 headers on your board, I would assume the Icue software would be able to detect more than one corsair controller connected to your board that way & be able to sync all the RGB that way.

Joshua Turner · 8 Nov 2020 at 15:02

Okay I’ll go for that then Corsair all the way. All the fans and led strip should work with the commando pro because it’s all Corsair?

Dave Burton · 8 Nov 2020 at 15:05

Will happily vote for the Corsair setup as I also have this, very happy with it despite the initial costs being a little higher than others

Grimley · 8 Nov 2020 at 15:56

Joshua Turner said:
Okay I’ll go for that then Corsair all the way. All the fans and led strip should work with the commando pro because it’s all Corsair?

Correct. Though you wont need the commando pro if you buy what I linked to, everything will be included to do what you want. Download the icue software & that will control the fans, the strips & Corsair RGB Ram if you have that.

Joshua Turner · 9 Nov 2020 at 20:24

Thank you very much mate