Question Best aRGB fans with easy setup?

[Haliax68]

Just looking for good suggestions for the best aRGB fans. I've read some horror stories about these things, getting them setup, getting them to do what you want, or even just getting them to work at all. The specific ones I'm most interested in, also seem to be the ones with the most problems. The Lian Li UNI fans. But I've read all sorts of horrible stuff about almost all the brands. So just wondering if someone like myself who is just starting to build their first PC would be able to figure this out, or is it a nightmare? Or does it just come down to dumb luck and quality control? Meaning, do they all work fairly well, but sometimes people just get dud units, and that is what is causing the headaches. Or is setting up and getting aRGB fans to work always tough and filled with problems?

So just looking for some newbie advice on which brands/models are the easiest to get setup and working properly? And do any of the companies that make these aRGB fans have better or worse customer service? When dealing with having to send back bad units that don't seem to be working? In all of the bad reviews and nightmare problems I've read with Lian Li's UNI fans, I've also read that they usually take care of the customer and get them new fans. So that is something that I'm very interested in knowing. Which brands will stand behind their products and make sure you get up and running.

I'm new to all of this and don't want complicated. But I can't stop thinking about how amazing they make computers look. I've already got a million amazing ideas of which kinds and how I want to set them up, and would really like to give it a go.

FYI, my build has the Asus PRIME B660M-A D4 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard. So it has three 5v headers if I'm not mistaken. Just in case you're wondering what MOBO I am going to use.

Thanks

 

[Aeacus]

Out of the tree fan illumination options: 1. Single LED, 2. RGB, 3. ARGB, the ARGB (addressable RGB) is inherently the most complex, thus hardest to learn.

Single LED
If you do not want any hassle with RGB/ARGB, get single color LED fan. E.g Corsair ML Pro LED series (which i have in use in my Skylake and Haswell builds, full specs with pics in my sig).
120mm specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Fans/ml-pro-led-config/p/CO-9050042-WW
140mm specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Fans/ml-pro-led-config/p/CO-9050047-WW

Corsair ML Pro LED fans are one of the best performing fans, where only Noctua and Delta would be better (but latter two won't offer illumination).

RGB
RGB fans, with 4-pin 12V RGB connector are relatively simple, all you need is control unit for them (usually comes with an IR remote), or connect the cable directly to MoBo 4-pin RGB header and then use MoBo RGB software to control them.
Figuring out the MoBo RGB software can be a hassle, given that your MoBo actually has RGB headers on it.

ARGB
ARGB fans usually need 3-pin 5V header on MoBo, or they come with their own control unit.
Figuring out the MoBo ARGB software can be same hassle as with RGB fans when connected directly to MoBo. Now, i personally don't use MoBo RGB software (since my MoBo even doesn't have RGB/ARGB headers). Instead, i opted for ARGB fans with control unit, namely NZXT ecosystem, with HUE+ as a control unit and AER140 RGB fans, which also are one of the better performing fans out there.

--

Since you want to go with ARGB fans, you have 3 choices:

1. ARGB fan with 3-pin 5V header, that connects to MoBo + using MoBo RGB software to control them.
2. Cheapo ARGB fan set, with proprietary connectors and control unit. Usually controlled with included remote. E.g this thing or similar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079JFHQMS
3. (A)RGB ecosystem by known brand, e.g Corsair, NZXT, Asus and few more.

I'll explain the 3rd one more in depth.
3rd option, going with ecosystem, is the most expensive, most difficult to figure out and can be somewhat pain to install and route fan wires, BUT it also offers the best looks with most customizability.

For example: Corsair.
Corsair has iCUE program to control their RGB ecosystem, which includes: KB, mice, mouse pad, headset, headset stand, fans, LED strips, ambient light fixtures, AIO water cooler, RAM. <- All those components can be controlled via 1 software.
Here's full list of hardware what iCUE supports: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/CORSAIR-iCUE/c/Cor_Products_iCue_Compatibility

Now, if you already have Corsair hardware and are already using iCUE, then it's better to expand into that ecosystem, rather than going with another ecosystem. Or when you have NZXT CAM in use, you can expand it more with AER addressable ARGB fans.
Oh, do note that when going with ecosystem route, many hardware have proprietary connectors, that work only within the hardware needed in that ecosystem. Corsair is notorious with this.

--

Customer support wise, NZXT and Corsair have very good support. Don't know about others. (Haven't had much reason to contact others, since my hardware is sound. Oh, Seasonic is also top notch and i didn't contact them because my PSU went out, i instead had compatibility question about PSUs, about CableMod custom sleeved power cables to be exact.)

Oh, i have both the Corsair and NZXT ecosystems in my two builds, Skylake and Haswell. NZXT CUE deals with ARGB fans and ARGB LED strips, while Corsair iCUE is for: KB, mouse, mouse pad, headset, headset stand. (And yes, i'm one of the few crazy people who bought the branded Corsair ARGB headset stand, the ST100. )

 

[Haliax68]

Out of the tree fan illumination options: 1. Single LED, 2. RGB, 3. ARGB, the ARGB (addressable RGB) is inherently the most complex, thus hardest to learn.

Single LED
If you do not want any hassle with RGB/ARGB, get single color LED fan. E.g Corsair ML Pro LED series (which i have in use in my Skylake and Haswell builds, full specs with pics in my sig).
120mm specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Fans/ml-pro-led-config/p/CO-9050042-WW
140mm specs: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Fans/ml-pro-led-config/p/CO-9050047-WW

Corsair ML Pro LED fans are one of the best performing fans, where only Noctua and Delta would be better (but latter two won't offer illumination).

RGB
RGB fans, with 4-pin 12V RGB connector are relatively simple, all you need is control unit for them (usually comes with an IR remote), or connect the cable directly to MoBo 4-pin RGB header and then use MoBo RGB software to control them.
Figuring out the MoBo RGB software can be a hassle, given that your MoBo actually has RGB headers on it.

ARGB
ARGB fans usually need 3-pin 5V header on MoBo, or they come with their own control unit.
Figuring out the MoBo ARGB software can be same hassle as with RGB fans when connected directly to MoBo. Now, i personally don't use MoBo RGB software (since my MoBo even doesn't have RGB/ARGB headers). Instead, i opted for ARGB fans with control unit, namely NZXT ecosystem, with HUE+ as a control unit and AER140 RGB fans, which also are one of the better performing fans out there.

--

Since you want to go with ARGB fans, you have 3 choices:

1. ARGB fan with 3-pin 5V header, that connects to MoBo + using MoBo RGB software to control them.
2. Cheapo ARGB fan set, with proprietary connectors and control unit. Usually controlled with included remote. E.g this thing or similar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079JFHQMS
3. (A)RGB ecosystem by known brand, e.g Corsair, NZXT, Asus and few more.

I'll explain the 3rd one more in depth.
3rd option, going with ecosystem, is the most expensive, most difficult to figure out and can be somewhat pain to install and route fan wires, BUT it also offers the best looks with most customizability.

For example: Corsair.
Corsair has iCUE program to control their RGB ecosystem, which includes: KB, mice, mouse pad, headset, headset stand, fans, LED strips, ambient light fixtures, AIO water cooler, RAM. <- All those components can be controlled via 1 software.
Here's full list of hardware what iCUE supports: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/CORSAIR-iCUE/c/Cor_Products_iCue_Compatibility

Now, if you already have Corsair hardware and are already using iCUE, then it's better to expand into that ecosystem, rather than going with another ecosystem. Or when you have NZXT CAM in use, you can expand it more with AER addressable ARGB fans.
Oh, do note that when going with ecosystem route, many hardware have proprietary connectors, that work only within the hardware needed in that ecosystem. Corsair is notorious with this.

--

Customer support wise, NZXT and Corsair have very good support. Don't know about others. (Haven't had much reason to contact others, since my hardware is sound. Oh, Seasonic is also top notch and i didn't contact them because my PSU went out, i instead had compatibility question about PSUs, about CableMod custom sleeved power cables to be exact.)

Oh, i have both the Corsair and NZXT ecosystems in my two builds, Skylake and Haswell. NZXT CUE deals with ARGB fans and ARGB LED strips, while Corsair iCUE is for: KB, mouse, mouse pad, headset, headset stand. (And yes, i'm one of the few crazy people who bought the branded Corsair ARGB headset stand, the ST100. )

So I definitely only want to do this with aRGB or there's no point to this, haha. So moving on to which choice to go with setting it up. It seems like option 1 is the best for me? I don't want a cheapo set, and I don't have any plans, nor do I want to have lights on other stuff. Just the computer case. And it will be simple and clean looking, nothing insane. There will be 6 fans total (3x120 front, 2x120 top, and 1x120 rear). So option 3 doesn't seem like something I want to do because it sounds like it's only needed for controlling not only the case fans but all sorts of other peripherals from that company. So that's not me.

And one more thing, I'm only planning on buying the 6 fans from the same manufacturer, not combing different fans from different brands. And ideally, sticking with the Lian Li UNI SL Infinity and SL fans. So hopefully that will make things easier and have a better chance of getting it setup and working how I want with more ease?

So my Mobo is an Asus PRIME B660M-A D4 Micro ATX LGA1700, so it comes with three 5v rgb headers. So not sure if that helps or makes it harder? And I looked it up, the Lian Li UNI fans come with a controller and have their own software.

So knowing all that, my first question is
1. Am I going to control the fans/rgb's with the Mobo or the Lian Li controller? I'm not sure I understand this part? I see people talking about controlling the fans/lights from their Mobo. And other people controlling the fans/lights from the companies controllers/software? Which option is probably going to be easier to setup and get to work easier?

2. I don't plan to sync these fans up/hook them up to anything else in the case. I'll run my RAM RGBs through whatever software or options they come with. I also don't plan to use PWM fans. I just want simple and this build will not produce enough heat to even worry about having to add an AIO cooler. At the most, I'll just need some cheap pc fan cooler.

 

[Aeacus]

And ideally, sticking with the Lian Li UNI SL Infinity and SL fans. So hopefully that will make things easier and have a better chance of getting it setup and working how I want with more ease?

Do note that those Lian-Li fans are not option #1, but instead option #3 and part of the Lian-Li ecosystem.

How so?
Simple, the SL Infinity fans have 7-pin proprietary connector, that plugs into the dedicated Lian-Li ARGB controller device and fans are controlled by Lian-Li L Connect 3 software.
Fan specs (just scroll down the page to see that): https://lian-li.com/product/uni-fan-sl-infinity/

However, if you were to buy single fan, it does come with the needed adapter for 4-pin PWM and 3-pin ARGB, that you can hook directly to MoBo.

So, you need to buy 6x individual fans, rather than saving money and buying two boxes of triple fan sets.

Besides that, and since your MoBo only has 3x ARGB headers, while you want to use 6x ARGB fans, you also need to buy three 3-pin ARGB Y-splitters, so that you can hook up two fans to single header. E.g this thing: https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-ZCZQC-13-19inch-Extension-Computer/dp/B09Q2SCPTN/

Same goes with fan power cable, where you need three Y-splitters, since your MoBo doesn't have 6 fan power headers, only 3. For power Y-splitter, you can go for these Noctua ones, amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NA-SYC1-Accessory-4-pin-Y-Cables/dp/B00KG8K5CY

1. Am I going to control the fans/rgb's with the Mobo or the Lian Li controller? I'm not sure I understand this part? I see people talking about controlling the fans/lights from their Mobo. And other people controlling the fans/lights from the companies controllers/software? Which option is probably going to be easier to setup and get to work easier?

Depending which Lian-Li fan packs you are buying, defines how you have to hook them up and by what you control fans with.

• 3 pack = controller + Lian-Li L Connect 3 software.
• individual fan = Y-splitters (ARGB and power, three of each), hook to MoBo and control with MoBo RGB software (for your Asus MoBo, it's Armoury Crate).

2. I don't plan to sync these fans up/hook them up to anything else in the case. I'll run my RAM RGBs through whatever software or options they come with. I also don't plan to use PWM fans. I just want simple and this build will not produce enough heat to even worry about having to add an AIO cooler. At the most, I'll just need some cheap pc fan cooler.

For installation, easier would be going with 3 pack and controller. Since making sense of it, usually, is easier (having only 1 cable per fan), than using Y-splitters and connecting fans to MoBo, where each fan has 2 cables + Y-splitter as well.

As far as learning the software - that i can not tell. The two ARGB softwares that i have and am using (Corsair iCUE and NZXT CAM) took quite a bit of figuring out on how to get the looks what i wanted. But with all of them (as far as i've seen), there are presets that you can pick, making your life easier.

So I definitely only want to do this with aRGB or there's no point to this, haha. So moving on to which choice to go with setting it up. It seems like option 1 is the best for me?

Based on what little, if any, effort you want to put in to fan installation and LED control, the best option for you would be the single color LED fan. Since with that fan, there is only 1 cable, that you need to plug into the MoBo. BIOS takes care of the fan speed (based on internal temperatures) and the same cable also powers the LEDs. Easiest to install without any need to mess with (A)RGB software.

Installation of ARGB fans, especially 6 of them, is going to be complex. Making sense of the ARGB software is going to be hard. And this is just the inherit nature of ARGB fans. High customizability requires solid effort.

--

For example, here's a pic of a PC, where only three top fans are ARGB, while the rest are single LED color. In your opinion, does the following build look bad, just because it has single color LED fans in it?

 

[Karadjgne]

There's also option 'D'. None of the above. Use whichever fans you wish to use, whatever color blade or fan company, and use a simple ARGB strip. Almost all strips are directly controlled by motherboard software, not needing seperate controllers unless you want to combine fans and strips.

Strips are more for actual case lighting and affects, fans are more focused.

 

[Aeacus]

There's also option 'D'. None of the above. Use whichever fans you wish to use, whatever color blade or fan company, and use a simple ARGB strip. Almost all strips are directly controlled by motherboard software, not needing seperate controllers unless you want to combine fans and strips.

Strips are more for actual case lighting and affects, fans are more focused.

This reminds me simple solution for OP: Phanteks Halos fan frame.

Works on any 120/140mm fan;
Halos, specs: http://www.phanteks.com/Halos.html
Halos Digital, specs: http://phanteks.com/HalosDigital.html
Halos Digital Lux, specs: http://phanteks.com/HalosLuxDigital.html

Diff between the three is:
Halos - plastic frame, non-addressable LEDs (all LEDs show same color), 18x LEDs for 120mm, 21x LEDs for 140mm
Halos Digital - plastic frame, addressable LEDs (can set each LED in different color), 30x LEDs for 120/140mm
Halos Digital Lux - aluminum frame, addressable LEDs, 30x LEDs for 120/140mm, comes with extension wire

 

[Haliax68]

Do note that those Lian-Li fans are not option #1, but instead option #3 and part of the Lian-Li ecosystem.

How so?
Simple, the SL Infinity fans have 7-pin proprietary connector, that plugs into the dedicated Lian-Li ARGB controller device and fans are controlled by Lian-Li L Connect 3 software.
Fan specs (just scroll down the page to see that): https://lian-li.com/product/uni-fan-sl-infinity/

However, if you were to buy single fan, it does come with the needed adapter for 4-pin PWM and 3-pin ARGB, that you can hook directly to MoBo.

So, you need to buy 6x individual fans, rather than saving money and buying two boxes of triple fan sets.

Besides that, and since your MoBo only has 3x ARGB headers, while you want to use 6x ARGB fans, you also need to buy three 3-pin ARGB Y-splitters, so that you can hook up two fans to single header. E.g this thing: https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-ZCZQC-13-19inch-Extension-Computer/dp/B09Q2SCPTN/

Same goes with fan power cable, where you need three Y-splitters, since your MoBo doesn't have 6 fan power headers, only 3. For power Y-splitter, you can go for these Noctua ones, amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NA-SYC1-Accessory-4-pin-Y-Cables/dp/B00KG8K5CY



Depending which Lian-Li fan packs you are buying, defines how you have to hook them up and by what you control fans with.

• 3 pack = controller + Lian-Li L Connect 3 software.
• individual fan = Y-splitters (ARGB and power, three of each), hook to MoBo and control with MoBo RGB software (for your Asus MoBo, it's Armoury Crate).

For installation, easier would be going with 3 pack and controller. Since making sense of it, usually, is easier (having only 1 cable per fan), than using Y-splitters and connecting fans to MoBo, where each fan has 2 cables + Y-splitter as well.

As far as learning the software - that i can not tell. The two ARGB softwares that i have and am using (Corsair iCUE and NZXT CAM) took quite a bit of figuring out on how to get the looks what i wanted. But with all of them (as far as i've seen), there are presets that you can pick, making your life easier.



Based on what little, if any, effort you want to put in to fan installation and LED control, the best option for you would be the single color LED fan. Since with that fan, there is only 1 cable, that you need to plug into the MoBo. BIOS takes care of the fan speed (based on internal temperatures) and the same cable also powers the LEDs. Easiest to install without any need to mess with (A)RGB software.

Installation of ARGB fans, especially 6 of them, is going to be complex. Making sense of the ARGB software is going to be hard. And this is just the inherit nature of ARGB fans. High customizability requires solid effort.

So please realize I don't necessarily know about everything we're talking about, and learning on the fly with your assistance. So I didn't know that the option I wanted to go with was option 3. And that's fine.

I also wanted to address a comment you made much later about me not wanting to put any effort in to this installation and clarify that. I don't want you to think I don't want to put in hard work or time and effort. I guess that's just a miscommunication on my part. That is not what I'm talking about when I say I don't want a nightmare and want the install to be easy. I have no problem following detailed instructions that may take time and effort. But what I don't want to get into is something where I follow all these detailed intricate instructions and the product still doesn't work and it never works and then I have these expensive useless fans. That is what I was reading about in reviews. So that is what I wanted to avoid.

But after watching some great videos specifically dealing with the Lian Li UNI SL Infinity fans and installing them, plus reading what you wrote, I think I understand a bit more now what people are saying when they say it's not working for them, or a "nightmare."

So one thing I think I've realized after reading your post and watching the 2 videos is the idea of either hooking them up to your RGB Mobo headers, or just using the Lian Li controller. And it seems like it would be much better to use the Controller. It lets me control the fans and lights in a very precise intricate way. Whereas using the Mobo to control them, will just limit them to the RGB functions, and nothing else. Which is not what I want. If I'm going to pay all this money for these excellent looking fans w/lights, then I want to be able to control them in very intricate exact ways that I want. So I'll definitely be using the controller method to hook them all up and run them. The two videos I watched had great up close instructions on how to hook them up and work with the L-Connect 3 software. It has millions upon millions of combos, it's insane.

Plus, I think 1 controller allows me to hook UP to 16 fans. But they would obviously have to be daisy chained 4 sets of 4 fans. Not that I can or want to do that. And in fact, I think I'll have to get at least 2, if not 3 controllers? Not sure yet. I could use some help there figuring that out. Or if nobody knows, I can always just contact Lian Li and hopefully they know.

I'll have 3 fans daisy chained on the front of the case. Then 2 daisy chained on the top. Then just 1 in the back. So I think, that is considered "3" sets of fans. 1 "set" is the 3 front ones, then the second "set" is the 2 top ones, and the third "set" is the 1 rear one? Correct me if I'm wrong as I'm doing my best educated guess after reading your info and watching some videos. So I'm not sure yet how many controllers I need to do that? That is the next thing I need to figure out. But the videos and then re-reading your post REALLY is making this all easier to understand how it works now. And I think I should be able to do this. It may be detailed and require some planning, but it seems like I can do after watching the videos.

And then the software is great. Intricate/complex/millions of options yes. But it makes sense and I understand how it works after watching the videos and will just take loads of time to get it where I want, and then save the different presets. But that is stuff I can play around with after I get it working and installed down the road. I have all winter inside to mess around with that stuff.

Thank you for your detailed explanation of how this stuff works. Once again, I truly appreciate you more advanced users helping out a newbie like myself. And sorry I made it sound like I didn't want to put in time and effort to make this work. I have NO problem with hard work and effort. But was just worried I'd get burned even if I followed all the instructions to a T. But after watching the videos along with reading your posts, I'm definitely getting a much clearer idea of how this works. I'm still not there yet, and will for sure have questions, but at least I understand a lot more now, then I did when I started this discussion.

And by the way, VERY nice computer builds you have! That looks like a lot of work and they look great! Thanks for sharing

 

[Aeacus]

I also wanted to address a comment you made much later about me not wanting to put any effort in to this installation and clarify that. I don't want you to think I don't want to put in hard work or time and effort. I guess that's just a miscommunication on my part. That is not what I'm talking about when I say I don't want a nightmare and want the install to be easy. I have no problem following detailed instructions that may take time and effort. But what I don't want to get into is something where I follow all these detailed intricate instructions and the product still doesn't work and it never works and then I have these expensive useless fans. That is what I was reading about in reviews. So that is what I wanted to avoid.

The thing is, if you're saying such things:

And it will be simple and clean looking, nothing insane.

2. I don't plan to sync these fans up/hook them up to anything else in the case. I'll run my RAM RGBs through whatever software or options they come with. I also don't plan to use PWM fans. I just want simple

Then it does show people that you essentially want to connect 1 wire and call it a day.

But after watching some great videos specifically dealing with the Lian Li UNI SL Infinity fans and installing them, plus reading what you wrote, I think I understand a bit more now what people are saying when they say it's not working for them, or a "nightmare."

Now, the horror stories you can see around the net, are mainly produced by people who doesn't bother to read manuals/guides. Instead, they try to figure it out by themselves and if they can not, the instantly call it a bad product. <- Only thing bad is the fitting between the KB and chair, who is so lazy, not to be bothered by reading a manual, which is included to help the installation.

Plus, I think 1 controller allows me to hook UP to 16 fans. But they would obviously have to be daisy chained 4 sets of 4 fans. Not that I can or want to do that. And in fact, I think I'll have to get at least 2, if not 3 controllers? Not sure yet. I could use some help there figuring that out. Or if nobody knows, I can always just contact Lian Li and hopefully they know.

Yes. Control box has 4 channels (ports), to which, you can hook up to 4 fans, per channel. So, 16 in total.

I'll have 3 fans daisy chained on the front of the case. Then 2 daisy chained on the top. Then just 1 in the back. So I think, that is considered "3" sets of fans. 1 "set" is the 3 front ones, then the second "set" is the 2 top ones, and the third "set" is the 1 rear one? Correct me if I'm wrong as I'm doing my best educated guess after reading your info and watching some videos. So I'm not sure yet how many controllers I need to do that?

Well, one controller box should be enough, since you plan to go with 6 fans. Buying the triple fan pack, with controller included, times two (to get 6 fans), should do the trick. Then, it's up to you, if to connect all 6 fans to single controller box, or 3 to each one. (Since you'd be getting two controller boxes.)

And I think I should be able to do this. It may be detailed and require some planning, but it seems like I can do after watching the videos.

As long as you're willing to read manuals/watch guides, and put your mind to it, it is actually quite easy to install. Hardest part would be fan cable routing, for clean looks. Unless you ditch that and leave a ratsnest of cables. 😆

But was just worried I'd get burned even if I followed all the instructions to a T.

On a rare chance, a fan may not light up, you can rewire it (try different port on control box). If the fan still doesn't work, RMA it. That's the reason why we have warranty. Now, if hardware never brakes or isn't DOA (Dead On Arrival), then there's no need for warranty what-so-ever.

Btw, in my years, i've also had to contact customer support with my hardware. E.g Corsair 750D Airflow Edition PC case, that i bought for my Haswell build, arrived with several front panel clips broken and with a dead power button. So, i had to contact Corsair and they sent me replacement parts, which i replaced and build works like a charm. In that sense, i have a mantra that i follow: "the more you fear something, the more likely it is, that it will happen". Or in other words, don't fear failure. 😉

And by the way, VERY nice computer builds you have! That looks like a lot of work and they look great! Thanks for sharing

👍
My PCs are a prime example what hard work and dedication can achieve (and some money too).

 

[Haliax68]

And it will be simple and clean looking, nothing insane.

Haliax68 said:
2. I don't plan to sync these fans up/hook them up to anything else in the case. I'll run my RAM RGBs through whatever software or options they come with. I also don't plan to use PWM fans. I just want simple

So all I was saying there, is that all I'm doing with RGB is the fans. The RAM will have it's own software or I'll use the Mobo to control it, and just have it simple. And nothing else. Not sure how that translates to me not wanting to work hard and follow directions? I just wanted to explain that I'm not looking to do some crazy complicated tons of fans, tons of RGB stuff with this build. JUST the fans, and then the RAM will do it's own thing, and I don't need them synced up or anything. But I can see how you might think me saying I want easy, simple, reliable, no problems as possibly meaning I don't want to take the time to learn, read and do my research on how to do this right. That's why I apologized already as my communication was probably not the best. Be assured, I will put in the time and effort to do this right. Just want to make sure I'm getting a good product that will work if I follow instructions.

Plus, remember, I don't know about any of this stuff. I'm learning on the go. I'm a newbie to all of this. So I may say certain things that I "think" I want or want to do, but I don't know. I'm just guessing. That is why I'm on here, relying on you nice people to help me, educate me and steer me in the right direction. You had said the third option was to control all sorts of stuff. Like the "KB, mice, mouse pad, headset, headset stand, fans, LED strips, ambient light fixtures, AIO water cooler, RAM. <- All those components can be controlled via 1 software." Which I don't want to do. I only want to control 6 fans. That's it. So I "thought" I wanted option 1, not to control and entire ecosystem of RGB stuff like you stated. So that is why I thought I wanted option 1. I just don't know everything and having to learn on the fly.

So I think we were just not communicating perfectly, but no big deal. We're getting there and I REALLY appreciate your time, patience and help so far! You are helping me a TON! I can't wait to get this thing built, up and running, and then share the hard work with you and the community.

"Well, one controller box should be enough, since you plan to go with 6 fans. Buying the triple fan pack, with controller included, times two (to get 6 fans), should do the trick. Then, it's up to you, if to connect all 6 fans to single controller box, or 3 to each one. (Since you'd be getting two controller boxes.)"

So it sounds like you are saying I can in fact control all 6 fans with either 1 controller or 2? Is there an advantage to going one controller or two? Besides less wires and one less controller?

"Now, the horror stories you can see around the net, are mainly produced by people who doesn't bother to read manuals/guides. Instead, they try to figure it out by themselves and if they can not, the instantly call it a bad product. <- Only thing bad is the fitting between the KB and chair, who is so lazy, not to be bothered by reading a manual, which is included to help the installation."

"As long as you're willing to read manuals/watch guides, and put your mind to it, it is actually quite easy to install. Hardest part would be fan cable routing, for clean looks. Unless you ditch that and leave a ratsnest of cables."

Ok, that makes sense! I was wondering if that was the case or not? I was getting mixed review results. I've been reading website reviews online the last few days for these fans and watching videos. And those people don't seem to have any problems I was reading about. They say it's pretty easy actually. The problems I was reading about, are all on forums or reddit. So it makes sense now. These people are probably just lazy a$$es and don't want to read manuals or watch some videos, then freak out and say the products suck like you say.

Oh, I'm definitely willing, able and ready to read manuals, watch guides and do my due diligence to make this work.

"On a rare chance, a fan may not light up, you can rewire it (try different port on control box). If the fan still doesn't work, RMA it. That's the reason why we have warranty. Now, if hardware never brakes or isn't DOA (Dead On Arrival), then there's no need for warranty what-so-ever."

Good info to know, thank you for that.

 

[Karadjgne]

Lotta over-thinking, over worrying, you'll be fine.

It's like this. Everything has a failure rate. This is a known Fact. Everybody also knows AIO's leak. There's multiple horror stories and supposition posts about aio coolant blowing up their pc.

So failure rates. For an aio, that averages about 0.1%. Kinda tiny %age. If Corsair sold 1M aios last year, that's 1000 failures. Out of that 1000, 90% are DOA, bad bump, busted radiator from shipping etc. That leaves 100 ppl who had a leak. 90% of those are installer error, the idiot flexed the tubing too hard, lifted the pump by the tube, tried to move the tubing facing a different direction etc. That leaves 10 people who have a verified manufacturer failure leak situation. 9 of those people figure it was just their luck, return the aio and get a new cooler. 1 person makes a video and sticks it on YouTube claiming 'aio destroys pc'.

In a few hours, that horror story gets a million hits, and those million people get on forums and tell 10 other people reading the post, check out this vid cuz it's proof that aios leak. 1 person made a vid, 10 million people now fully understand the dangers and keep spouting that aios are dangerous because they leak.

And you've been reading those same horror stories, watching the same videos, about RGB fans.

Everybody tends to forget the original failure rate was just 0.1%, so there's 999,000 happy customers vrs 1 guy making a video.

 

[Haliax68]

Lotta over-thinking, over worrying, you'll be fine.

It's like this. Everything has a failure rate. This is a known Fact. Everybody also knows AIO's leak. There's multiple horror stories and supposition posts about aio coolant blowing up their pc.

So failure rates. For an aio, that averages about 0.1%. Kinda tiny %age. If Corsair sold 1M aios last year, that's 1000 failures. Out of that 1000, 90% are DOA, bad bump, busted radiator from shipping etc. That leaves 100 ppl who had a leak. 90% of those are installer error, the idiot flexed the tubing too hard, lifted the pump by the tube, tried to move the tubing facing a different direction etc. That leaves 10 people who have a verified manufacturer failure leak situation. 9 of those people figure it was just their luck, return the aio and get a new cooler. 1 person makes a video and sticks it on YouTube claiming 'aio destroys pc'.

In a few hours, that horror story gets a million hits, and those million people get on forums and tell 10 other people reading the post, check out this vid cuz it's proof that aios leak. 1 person made a vid, 10 million people now fully understand the dangers and keep spouting that aios are dangerous because they leak.

And you've been reading those same horror stories, watching the same videos, about RGB fans.

Everybody tends to forget the original failure rate was just 0.1%, so there's 999,000 happy customers vrs 1 guy making a video.

Gotcha! Makes sense. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. But it's not a lot of overthinking. It's preparing. And not preparing is the mother of all F*CKUPS and leads to failure, haha. So I'd rather be prepared then not.

 

[Aeacus]

Plus, remember, I don't know about any of this stuff. I'm learning on the go. I'm a newbie to all of this. So I may say certain things that I "think" I want or want to do, but I don't know. I'm just guessing. That is why I'm on here, relying on you nice people to help me, educate me and steer me in the right direction. You had said the third option was to control all sorts of stuff. Like the "KB, mice, mouse pad, headset, headset stand, fans, LED strips, ambient light fixtures, AIO water cooler, RAM. <- All those components can be controlled via 1 software." Which I don't want to do. I only want to control 6 fans. That's it. So I "thought" I wanted option 1, not to control and entire ecosystem of RGB stuff like you stated. So that is why I thought I wanted option 1. I just don't know everything and having to learn on the fly.

While the RGB ecosystem is complex, and can be used to control several devices from 1 software, given that all your hardware is from the same brand; it is actually the easiest way of PC RGB. I'm not saying that you have to use all the other RGB capable hardware. What i'm suggesting, is, that when you start going down the RGB route, you'll have it far easier with one brand RGB ecosystem, than with different brand components.

I'll give you an example.

(hardware - software)
Build 1:

• Asus/MSI/EVGA/Gigabyte RGB MoBo - MoBo RGB software
• NZXT AIO water cooler - NZXT CAM
• MSI GPU - MSI App Center
• Gigabyte M.2 RGB SSD - RGB Fusion
• Lian-Li SL Infinity fans - L Connect 3
• Corsair CXF RGB PSU - Corsair iCUE
• Steelseries KB - Steelseries Engine
• Razer mouse - Razer Synapse
• Cooler Master RGB mousepad - Cooler Master MasterPlus
• Logitech headset - Logitech G Hub

Build 2:

• Asus/MSI/EVGA/Gigabyte RGB MoBo - MoBo RGB software
• Corsair RGB AIO (H150i Elite) - Corsair iCUE
• Corsair RGB RAM (Dominator Platinum RGB) - Corsair iCUE
• MSI GPU - MSI App Center
• Corsair RGB fans (LL120 RGB) - Corsair iCUE
• Corsair RGB PSU (CX750F RGB) - Corsair iCUE
• Corsair RGB KB (Strafe MK.2) - Corsair iCUE
• Corsair RGB mouse (M65 RGB Ultra) - Corsair iCUE
• Corsair RGB mouse pad (MM800 Polaris) - Corsair iCUE
• Corsair RGB headset (Void Pro RGB) - Corsair iCUE
• Corsair RGB headset stand (ST100 RGB) - Corsair iCUE

Which of the two builds you'd pick?

All those different programs, while helpful to the specific hardware they support, eventually will hog down system resources. So, in that sense, it would be best if you don't have hardware zoo in your PC.

So it sounds like you are saying I can in fact control all 6 fans with either 1 controller or 2? Is there an advantage to going one controller or two? Besides less wires and one less controller?

I'm not sure how the 4 different channels (ports) are allocated on the controller box. What i can speak about, is my NZXT HUE+, which has two ports, and thus, two channels. Meaning that all the hardware connected to single channel, has the same preset (e.g covering marque), while other channel and hardware, can have different preset (e.g blinking). Or both can have same. But i can not set individual profile on hardware within the chain.

For better explanation, i have mine connected as;
Channel #1 - 3x 140mm fans
Channel #2 - 2x 30cm LED strips

Now, if i were to select built-in profile, e.g rainbow wave and apply it to Channel #1, then all my fans follow the set rainbow wave profile. But since they are daisy-chained to single channel, i can't pick, e.g middle fan, and set it to blinking or any other profile. Profile i select, applies to all fans, at once.

Now, same limitation may be for you as well, when you use just 1 controller box and connect 2-3 fans per single port. That is, if individual ports are individual channels. You using 2 controller boxes would allow you to hook up each fan individually and gives more flexibility in terms of built-in presets (if you plan to use those). If not, and if you customize your fan LEDs individually (aka user preset), then this limitation should not apply.

--

Just for info, what is your MoBo make and model and also what is your PC case make and model? Since i need to check one thing within your build, regarding you going with those Lian-Li fans and 1-2 controller boxes.

 

[Haliax68]

While the RGB ecosystem is complex, and can be used to control several devices from 1 software, given that all your hardware is from the same brand; it is actually the easiest way of PC RGB. I'm not saying that you have to use all the other RGB capable hardware. What i'm suggesting, is, that when you start going down the RGB route, you'll have it far easier with one brand RGB ecosystem, than with different brand components.

Ok, I gotcha now. Going with Lian Li fans, IF I ever want to add any other rgb stuff, I should stick with Lian Li if possible. Since I'll be able to control it all easily with their software?

Thanks for all your help so far. Can't wait to start building this thing soon and show you my hard work

My Mobo is the ASUS PRIME B660M-A D4 Micro ATX LGA1700. It has three 5v rgb headers.

 

[Aeacus]

IF I ever want to add any other rgb stuff, I should stick with Lian Li if possible. Since I'll be able to control it all easily with their software?

Yes. That's the convenience of ecosystem - 1 software to rule them all. 😆

My Mobo is the ASUS PRIME B660M-A D4 Micro ATX LGA1700. It has three 5v rgb headers.

Lian-Li RGB control box needs internal USB 2.0 header to work. If you use both controller boxes, you have to use two internal USB 2.0 headers, which your MoBo has. However, if your PC case has USB 2.0 ports and/or you have other devices that utilize those internal USB 2.0 ports, then you're in trouble.

Also, Lian-Li L Connect 3 software is to control the fans via controller box. Though, i don't think L Connect 3 is able to detect the fans, when you plug them directly to MoBo 3-pin 5V ARGB headers. Instead, you'd be left using Armoury Crate software instead.

Lian-Li uni fan SL infinity, 3 pack manual,
link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1428Q0F4Ekk-NwvFI--JDTHxeU6fsNDQi/view

Page 2, "Controller Cable Connection". You can clearly see that control box needs USB cable to MoBo (that's how software communicates with the control box).

 

[Haliax68]

Yes. That's the convenience of ecosystem - 1 software to rule them all. 😆



Lian-Li RGB control box needs internal USB 2.0 header to work. If you use both controller boxes, you have to use two internal USB 2.0 headers, which your MoBo has. However, if your PC case has USB 2.0 ports and/or you have other devices that utilize those internal USB 2.0 ports, then you're in trouble.

Also, Lian-Li L Connect 3 software is to control the fans via controller box. Though, i don't think L Connect 3 is able to detect the fans, when you plug them directly to MoBo 3-pin 5V ARGB headers. Instead, you'd be left using Armoury Crate software instead.

Lian-Li uni fan SL infinity, 3 pack manual,
link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1428Q0F4Ekk-NwvFI--JDTHxeU6fsNDQi/view

Page 2, "Controller Cable Connection". You can clearly see that control box needs USB cable to MoBo (that's how software communicates with the control box).

Yes. That's the convenience of ecosystem - 1 software to rule them all. 😆

L-Connect3 Hahahahaha

Lian-Li RGB control box needs internal USB 2.0 header to work. If you use both controller boxes, you have to use two internal USB 2.0 headers, which your MoBo has. However, if your PC case has USB 2.0 ports and/or you have other devices that utilize those internal USB 2.0 ports, then you're in trouble.

So here is the list from ASUS for the Internal I/O Connectors of my motherboard below. It looks like it has 3 total USB 2.0 headers. So if I use 1 control box (which is all it sounds like I need), I'll have two of those USB 2.0 headers left. And if I need more USB ports, I can always add one of these PCIe cards to the rear expansion slots to add a few more USB's. This Phoenix PCI Express x1 To Dual 20 Pin USB 3.0 Header Card . It says it can: Extend with 2 USB3.0 19pin connector (can expand 4 USB 3.0 ports) from desktop PC which with one free PCIe slot. So that would be even better than having USB 2.0 headers. I'd get 2 more USB 3.0 ports which would give me a total of 5 USB 3 ports! Way more then I'll ever need, but nice to know I have them if I need them for stuff.

So I will have plenty of USB 2.0's if I need them. But one thing I don't quite understand on this list from ASUS about my Mobo (and in the description of the PCIe USB expansion card above) is when it says the following: 2xUSB headers support additional 4 USB ports. What does that mean? To me, not knowing, it sounds like 2 ports support running 4 additional ports off of those 2 ports? Or maybe 4 additional off each port, for a total of 8? I have no idea. Wondering if you could explain that as it's confusing to me not knowing this stuff as well yet.

USB
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 headers support additional 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 connector (supports USB Type-C®)
2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
1 x USB 2.0 header supports 1 USB 2.0 port

Also, Lian-Li L Connect 3 software is to control the fans via controller box. Though, i don't think L Connect 3 is able to detect the fans, when you plug them directly to MoBo 3-pin 5V ARGB headers. Instead, you'd be left using Armoury Crate software instead.

So I'm not 100% sure, but 99% sure you can control the fans with the L-Connect3 software. All the videos show L-Connect3 controlling the fans. Here is a photo of it. You can choose 4 different methods for them. Plus there is a button up top to "Mobo RPM sync." Whatever that means, haha. So I don't "think" I'll have to use my Mobo's software to control any of that.

 

[Aeacus]

It looks like it has 3 total USB 2.0 headers.

It has, yes, but one of them is only "half" header. With 4 pins, and not the full 9 pins.

But one thing I don't quite understand on this list from ASUS about my Mobo (and in the description of the PCIe USB expansion card above) is when it says the following: 2xUSB headers support additional 4 USB ports. What does that mean?

It means, that one (full) USB internal header is able to support 2x USB ports. Applies to USB 2.0 and 3.0. And when you have "half" USB 2.0 header, like you do, it is able to only support 1 USB 2.0 port.

Here is your MoBo internal USB headers and what they provide:

The USB cable from Lian-Li RGB control box needs the full 9-pin header. And with two control boxes, you'd be using up both "full" USB 2.0 internal headers.

So I'm not 100% sure, but 99% sure you can control the fans with the L-Connect3 software. All the videos show L-Connect3 controlling the fans. Here is a photo of it.

Yes. But what the photos/videos doesn't show, is where the Lian-Li ARGB fans are connected. I think they are connected to control box, and not directly to MoBo. But that we don't know for sure, once you test it out (that is, IF you plan to plug the fans directly to MoBo 3-pin ARGB headers).

 

[Haliax68]

It has, yes, but one of them is only "half" header. With 4 pins, and not the full 9 pins.

It means, that one (full) USB internal header is able to support 2x USB ports. Applies to USB 2.0 and 3.0. And when you have "half" USB 2.0 header, like you do, it is able to only support 1 USB 2.0 port.

Oh ok, I think I see and understand what you are saying. 2 of the USB 2.0 headers on my Mobo are full ones (9pins), whereas one of them is only half. So if I can do simple math, haha, then that means with 2 Full USB 2.0 headers can support 4 ports, and then the half header can support 1. So in theory, I could have 5 USB 2.0 ports? But, since I have to hook up the Lian Li controller to the Mobo in a full port, I will lose 2 USB 2.0 ports, bringing me down to a total of 3? And then I'll still have 4 USB 3.2 ports and 1 Type C USB 3.2 port. So 7 USB 2.0 + 3.2 ports? That's a LOT for me. And like I said, if I need more (which I can't imagine I will), then I can get that PCIe expansion card, that adds two more USB 3.2 ports. So I'm good there.

And I'm only going to need to use 1 Lian Li RGB controller. I can hook up my 3 front fans to one port, the 2 top fans to another port, and the last single rear fan to another port. Leaving me still with 1 port to put more fans into if I want. And it even has 1-2 other ports on it, so I can add the Strimer Plus V2 or the Galahad AIO cooler if I ever needed or wanted too (don't think I need that though according to you and some others. Just a regular cpu cooler will do fine).

So I think I'm good to go with the fans. Just need to start buying all this stuff and then put it together. I'm either buying everything in 2 big purchases or 3 smaller purchases over the next few weeks. We'll see. Then once I have EVERYTHING, I'll start building it!

 

[Aeacus]

So I think I'm good to go with the fans. Just need to start buying all this stuff and then put it together. I'm either buying everything in 2 big purchases or 3 smaller purchases over the next few weeks. We'll see. Then once I have EVERYTHING, I'll start building it!

👍 Good luck and don't forget to ground yourself, before touching PC internals.

 

[Karadjgne]

A 9pin usb 2.0 has 2 channels, basically the upper and lower. Many items such as AIO's, info monitors, lcd screens etc only use 1 of those channels. They are easy to recognise because there'll only be a few wires actually present on the connector and all on 1 side.

So they'll hook into either the single channel or double channel USB header. I had 2 of those in a client's build, and he ran out of USB headers, so I re-pinned a double connector with both sets of wires, basically an adapter. So each fit in one shared connector.

Realistically, a 19 pin USB3.0 header can be used by upto 4x USB2.0 components, if they only require single channel.