Question 3 ARGB fans but only a single case fan connector on my motherboard; how do I make this work?

[Ali Tauseef]

Hi everyone, long-time member here and I'm afraid to admit that I am nearly clueless here with this query here

I just recently got a new chassis (with tempered glass and all, the first one I've ever gotten) which comes with three A-RGB fans. Now, the problem is that I only have a single case fan header in my motherboard (and obviously, no RGB headers). Now, I know fan splitters do the job for regular fans, but since these are A-RGB and I want to be able to control them, what's supposed to be the work-around that? Will a fan splitter and a separate RGB controller be the right choice/most convenient? Any help will be really appreciated!!

The motherboard model is Gigabyte H81 S2PV rev 2.0.

 

[SkyNetRising]

what's supposed to be the work-around that?
Will a fan splitter and a separate RGB controller be the right choice/most convenient?

Yes.
Separate fan controller/aRGB controller.

What fans exactly do you have?
Can you show photos of available connectors on those fans?
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

 

[Ali Tauseef]

Yes.
Separate fan controller/aRGB controller.

What fans exactly do you have?
Can you show photos of available connectors on those fans?
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

thank you for your response;

https://imgur.com/a/lezAPrH

View: https://imgur.com/a/lezAPrH


The first three images show the different connectors coming out of the rear fan, including a SATA, which, I don't understand why that's needed. The last one shows the connectors coming out of the 2 side fans and these cables are interconnected, in which the fan connectors are joined to this other port (?).. I removed each of them from this port and inserted them into the single system fan header and surprisingly (and worryingly) they did not work. So, unfortunately I can't even get a single case fan working at the moment and airflow is non-existent unless i remove the side panel.

As for the fans, I had to do some digging and they seem to be "Thunder Tornado" fans. Thunder is a rather obscure brand and doesn't even seem to have a website, but here's what I was able to dig up about the specifications:

Model : TCS-90
Dimensions : 120x120x25mm
Rated Voltage : 5VDC
Connector : 1main + auxilary Fan
Number of LED: 6 LED

Hope this helps; And just to be sure, you're saying that a fan splitter and an A-RGB controller will do the job? Where does the A-RGB controller connect?
And lastly, could you recommend some specific ones that would work for me?

 

[SkyNetRising]

1. Disconnect all fan connectors (from wherever you have connected them),
2. Connect rear fan sata plug ( picture #1) to PSU,
3. Connect connector from 2nd fan to other plug in picture #1,
4. Connect connector from 3rd fan to plug on fan #2 (daisy chain them all together).
5. Plug in picture #2 is aRGB connector. Do not connect it to anything,
6. Picture #3 is too blurry/out of focus. I don't understand, what that is. May be make another photo.

 

[Ali Tauseef]

1. Disconnect all fan connectors (from wherever you have connected them),
2. Connect rear fan sata plug ( picture #1) to PSU,
3. Connect connector from 2nd fan to other plug in picture #1,
4. Connect connector from 3rd fan to plug on fan #2 (daisy chain them all together).
5. Plug in picture #2 is aRGB connector. Do not connect it to anything,
6. Picture #3 is too blurry/out of focus. I don't understand, what that is. May be make another photo.

https://imgur.com/a/IcgGjnI

View: https://imgur.com/a/IcgGjnI


Hope this is clear enough: there are two pins inside while one of the "holes" is empty (no pins coming out)..

Following the other steps you mentioned; am I supposed to plug the last free connector after daisy-chaining into the system fan port? (edit 3: I'm dumb, that's a 4 pin cable not a connector; where is this supposed to go?

edit: there's no sata port in the PSU 😭 are non-modular ones supposed to have them? because mine is non-modular

edit 2: got it, connected it to the sata port cable coming out of the PSU

 

[Ali Tauseef]

Also, I did end up connecting the VDG plug into the SATA cable earlier in all my confusion, is that bad news?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Hope this is clear enough: there are two pins inside while one of the "holes" is empty (no pins coming out)..

Still can't understand, what that is.
Should be rpm sense pin, but it's some weird form factor. Don't know, where that goes.
Edit: could be also rgb mode change pins.

am I supposed to plug the last free connector after daisy-chaining into the system fan port?

No. Leave it hanging (not connected to anything).
It doesn't appear to be compatible with normal fan headers.

Also, I did end up connecting the VDG plug into the SATA cable earlier in all my confusion, is that bad news?

If you turned on your pc in that state, you may have burned out RGB on your fans.

 

[Ali Tauseef]

No. Leave it hanging (not connected to anything).
It doesn't appear to be compatible with normal fan headers.

that was my bad.. its a 4-pin connector. Where is that supppsed to go?

If you turned on your pc in that state, you may have burned out RGB on your fans.

oh lord, only the RGB, not the entire fans I hope? 😭

-

What should be my next step?

 

[SkyNetRising]

I just recently got a new chassis (with tempered glass and all, the first one I've ever gotten) which comes with three A-RGB fans.

BTW - what model pc case is that?
If it came with aRGB fans integrated, it should have user manual describing, how to connect everything.

that was my bad.. its a 4-pin connector. Where is that supppsed to go?

Nowhere. It's meant for connecting another fan.

What should be my next step?

Connect everything as described in post #4 and turn on your pc.
Fans should start spinning at least.

 

[Ali Tauseef]

BTW - what model pc case is that?
If it came with aRGB fans integrated, it should have user manual describing, how to connect everything

Thunder Black Fox, and unfortunately, the manual doesn't say anything about the fan setup. Can't find any reviews on it either. I guess I should try finding someone that is using this chassis and ask them for help?

 

[Ali Tauseef]

Connect everything as described in post #4 and turn on your pc.
Fans should start spinning at least.

OMG THEY'RE WORKING AND SO IS THE RGB!! YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER!

The fans are fixed to a blue color and not rainbow, so I can work with that for now. Now, I just need to get an RGB controller and everything should be set? Pls recommend one if so!!

 

[SkyNetRising]

Take that weird connector shown in post #5 and try shorting pins in it for a brief moment.
If that is rgb mode switch, then it should force color change.

 

[Ali Tauseef]

Take that weird connector shown in post #5 and try shorting pins in it for a brief moment.
If that is rgb mode switch, then it should force color change.

Shorting pins? could you elaborate?

 

[SkyNetRising]

Shorting pins? could you elaborate?

Stick flat screwdriver in there, so pins get shorted.

Like in this photo - but with contacts in connector shown in post #5.

 

[Ali Tauseef]

Stick flat screwdriver in there, so pins get shorted.

Like in this photo - but with contacts in connector shown in post #5.

Aaaand you are a winner again!! You're absolutely right and this worked flawlessly!! thank you so much for all your help and bearing with me..

Last question(s): if I'm to control the RGB externally, now I should get an RGB controller right? And will I be able to control the fan speeds with the current configuration, if so, how can I?

Also on a side note: I literally can't seem to find where to give the "Solution" award..

 

[SkyNetRising]

You're absolutely right and this worked flawlessly!! thank you so much for all your help and bearing with me..

Ok. That is RGB mode switch then.
You can connect reset switch coming from pc case to those pins.
Then you'll be able to change RGB with push of reset button.

Last question(s): if I'm to control the RGB externally, now I should get an RGB controller right?

Yes. aRGB 5v controller.

And will I be able to control the fan speeds with the current configuration, if so, how can I?

I'm not sure, if it is possible at all to control speed of those fans.
It may not be possible. Unless there are some other cables, you did not show.

 

[Ali Tauseef]

Ok. That is RGB mode switch then.
You can connect reset switch coming from pc case to those pins.
Then you'll be able to change RGB with push of reset button.

Sweet!!! thanks

Yes. aRGB 5v controller.

Alrighty

I'm not sure, if it is possible at all to control speed of those fans.
It may not be possible. Unless there are some other cables, you did not show.

That was definitely all of them; I'll do some digging and find users with this chassis for an answer. Thanks again for all your help!