[SOLVED] Can you help me select some case fans please?

[beauknowsdiddly]

Hello everyone,
I'm trying to find some rgb fans for my new case. It's a Corsair 4000D. I definitely want 3 in the front and one in the back. Maybe a couple on top, not sure about that though. After researching though I'm more confused than when I started. There's RGB, SRGB, ARGB, and of course there's 3 pin, 4 pin, molex. My board is an AsRock B450M-HDV. with a piece of crap RS-500-PCAR-D3 paper weight PSU. The board only has one 3 pin and one 4 pin connector. The PSU has plenty of Molex inputs it looks like. I know I could daisy chain to my board but then I'm concerned about the power draw on the fan headers.
What fans would you guys recommend for this set up? I'm hoping not to spend any more than say 15 to 30 bucks.

Wait a minute, what if I got a fan control hub that plugged into a fan header on the board but then the power came from a sata connection off my PSU? Is that the answer?

Thank you, thank you!

 

[RAIDGoblin]

confirm this manual is your mobo:
https://download.asrock.com/Manual/B450M-HDV.pdf

if it is, you have no RGB header on your mobo, so to drive RGB lights or RGB anything (strips etc...) you would need to buy a controller as well, make sure it is a controller not a 'hub', an RGB hub will require an RGB input from a mobo (that you don't have) and just duplicate it multiple ways. An RGB controller will just take power from sata power or molex and generate an RGB output, this is what you need

there are two main types of RGB:

12V 4 pin RGB (where the 4 pins are Red, Green, Blue and ground)
DRGB - Digital RGB (sometimes called ARGB - Addressable RGB), this is 3pin and 5V

Doesn't matter which one you use so long as everything is on the same system, if you cross them over you'll get magic smoke.

You can get better effects with DRGB

no need to worry about power draw on fan headers, the RGB fans will have two wires, one for fan power (that'll take the same as normal fans) and one for RGB, that'll be powered sepratly from the controller through your PSU

for fan power, you only really have one 3 pin case fan plug on that board, the other is for the CPU, as a matter of course I don't like to use splitters on the CPU fan power for case fans, you can but it's bad practice, other folk may have differing oppinions tho

To drive more fans you probably need a fan power hub that will run from molex and take the input from your mobo as well, or you can use a molex/sata power to fan power adaptor, with both these options the fans will just be driven full speed all the time because a 3 pin fan power plug is just constant power, the 4 pin ones are called PWM and have speed controll but you don't have one of those free, so I would recomend a fan power molex adaptor:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeved-Ad...-Splitter/dp/B085SXR79X/ref=asc_df_B085SXR79X

You can also get fan speed controllers where you can manualy adjust the fan speed, there are various options for this

 

[beauknowsdiddly]

confirm this manual is your mobo:
https://download.asrock.com/Manual/B450M-HDV.pdf

if it is, you have no RGB header on your mobo, so to drive RGB lights or RGB anything (strips etc...) you would need to buy a controller as well, make sure it is a controller not a 'hub', an RGB hub will require an RGB input from a mobo (that you don't have) and just duplicate it multiple ways. An RGB controller will just take power from sata power or molex and generate an RGB output, this is what you need

there are two main types of RGB:

12V 4 pin RGB (where the 4 pins are Red, Green, Blue and ground)
DRGB - Digital RGB (sometimes called ARGB - Addressable RGB), this is 3pin and 5V

Doesn't matter which one you use so long as everything is on the same system, if you cross them over you'll get magic smoke.

You can get better effects with DRGB

no need to worry about power draw on fan headers, the RGB fans will have two wires, one for fan power (that'll take the same as normal fans) and one for RGB, that'll be powered sepratly from the controller through your PSU

for fan power, you only really have one 3 pin case fan plug on that board, the other is for the CPU, as a matter of course I don't like to use splitters on the CPU fan power for case fans, you can but it's bad practice, other folk may have differing oppinions tho

To drive more fans you probably need a fan power hub that will run from molex and take the input from your mobo as well, or you can use a molex/sata power to fan power adaptor, with both these options the fans will just be driven full speed all the time because a 3 pin fan power plug is just constant power, the 4 pin ones are called PWM and have speed controll but you don't have one of those free, so I would recomend a fan power molex adaptor:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleeved-Ad...-Splitter/dp/B085SXR79X/ref=asc_df_B085SXR79X

You can also get fan speed controllers where you can manualy adjust the fan speed, there are various options for this

Hey thank you RAIDGoblin!
So let's see if I have this right. If I were to get this... https://www.amazon.com/Molex-Case-S...tter+y+power+cable&qid=1735462407&sr=8-3&th=1
I could plug in 6 fans without using the headers on the board at all?

 

[beauknowsdiddly]

confirm this manual is your mobo:
https://download.asrock.com/Manual/B450M-HDV.pdf

I'm sorry that manual is definitely my mobo.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

Hey thank you RAIDGoblin!
So let's see if I have this right. If I were to get this... https://www.amazon.com/Molex-Case-S...tter+y+power+cable&qid=1735462407&sr=8-3&th=1
I could plug in 6 fans without using the headers on the board at all?

No problem
correct, but that will only provide fan power, you would also need an RGB controller to run the lighting on the fans

 

[RAIDGoblin]

if you choose ARGB fans, you would use something like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Controller...ing-Black/dp/B0D9SDV49W/ref=asc_df_B0D9SDV49W
^controlled using the button to pick one of the ARGB lighting patterns that are programmed

or use a controller that will connect to the PC via USB and give you software control of the lighting, but that is a little more complex and requires software compatibility etc... but will give a grater range of effects*

then connect it to a hub, like this, that will run off sata power and duplicate your signal and give you enough ports to run the fans:
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/deepcool-sc700-argb-hub-magnetic-12-port-3-pin-argb



*(edit) if you go the software driver route there are some controllers on the market that will take power from a single SATA power plug, and plug into a mobo usb header, and provide both PWM fan power and ARGB, allowing software control of ARGB and fan speed all from one device, someone else would have to recommend one tho because it's not something I have ever used

 

[beauknowsdiddly]

if you choose ARGB fans, you would use something like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Controller...ing-Black/dp/B0D9SDV49W/ref=asc_df_B0D9SDV49W
^controlled using the button to pick one of the ARGB lighting patterns that are programmed

or use a controller that will connect to the PC via USB and give you software control of the lighting, but that is a little more complex and requires software compatibility etc... but will give a grater range of effects*

then connect it to a hub, like this, that will run off sata power and duplicate your signal and give you enough ports to run the fans:
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/deepcool-sc700-argb-hub-magnetic-12-port-3-pin-argb



*(edit) if you go the software driver route there are some controllers on the market that will take power from a single SATA power plug, and plug into a mobo usb header, and provide both PWM fan power and ARGB, allowing software control of ARGB and fan speed all from one device, someone else would have to recommend one tho because it's not something I have ever used

Okay then, I'm sure it's not complicated for you but the more you explain it, the more I don't know what I should do. now I'm getting, add a splitter, a controller AND a hub. The hub would replace the splitter though right?

Anyway I think I'm going to nix the whole lighting idea. I have these.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BKKG1ZND/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Can I just get that splitter and be done with it? LOL
Again thanks for all your help I REALLY appreciate it!

 

[RAIDGoblin]

OK, sorry, it's annoying to get a system with RGB that works, because of manufacturers and proprietary stuff etc... plus I'm probably not the best at explaining, I had hopes someone else would come on here

Anyway I think I'm going to nix the whole lighting idea. I have these.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BKKG1ZND/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Can I just get that splitter and be done with it? LOL
Again thanks for all your help I REALLY appreciate it!

you could get a lit fan, where the lighting is just static and runs from 3 pin fan power, like these:

https://www.amazon.com/upHere-Airflow-Coolers-Radiators-PF120BE3-3/dp/B07VTP335M/ref=sr_1_1

6 of these and the molex splitters to power them and you have a splash of lighting with nearly no effort, you can get fans like these in a whole lot of different color's and designs if you look

I'm doing a build at the moment with these:
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/120...e-led-fan-with-airguide-single-fan-pack-black
corsair make them in blue, red and white (but US amazon don't stock them) it's a great way to add lighting without the fuss/worrying about software, and you'll never end up in a mess where the PC won't talk to the controller and it all gets stuck on a color you don't like, because it'll just be the color you buy

you'd basically be doing exactly the same thing as using the non-lit fans, except they'd have built in LED's

edit: they look like this:

^pretty cool right, only one wire, the PWM fan connector like on those molex spliters

-

other than that, if you don't want to fully ditch the idea of controllable lighting, many of the manufacturers make sets, like this one as an example:
https://www.scan.co.uk/products/120...KV_6B3MCKFpkcNOZtNVtensz52LsvhfBoCSs4QAvD_BwE
where they sell everything you need all together in one box that will all definitely work together, but from my POV these kind of sets are over priced

 

[RAIDGoblin]

update: don't just buy a set without checking the controller they include doesn't need an ARGB input (that you don't have)

Okay then, I'm sure it's not complicated for you but the more you explain it, the more I don't know what I should do. now I'm getting, add a splitter, a controller AND a hub. The hub would replace the splitter though right?

I re-read my first comments, and that was written in a rush and I didn't do very well, I mixed everything up, my bad
to answer your question, no the hub doesn't replace the splitter, the hub provides the ARGB signal, and the splitter provides fan power, the two things are separate and if you wanted controllable ARGB you need both.

There are some very good youtube guides about it all, I should have just linked one of those, if you still want me too I'll find one tomorrow but it's late in my timezone

 

[beauknowsdiddly]

you could get a lit fan, where the lighting is just static and runs from 3 pin fan power, like these:

https://www.amazon.com/upHere-Airflow-Coolers-Radiators-PF120BE3-3/dp/B07VTP335M/ref=sr_1_1

6 of these and the molex splitters to power them and you have a splash of lighting with nearly no effort, you can get fans like these in a whole lot of different color's and designs if you look

This is probably the answer! But yes, you can link those videos if you wouldn't mind.

 

[RAIDGoblin]

This is probably the answer! But yes, you can link those videos if you wouldn't mind.

it is the simplest answer because you don't have to worry about RGB signal/software etc...

but if you do go down the RGB route probably start by watching these:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd209pxPzpc&t=96s


^this one goes over a lot of different controllers and manufacturers standards, it's not all relevant, the most important part is from 1:12, the chapters on 5v vs 12v, hub vs controller and proprietary vs non-proprietary

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUNguZBWE5w


^this one shows you what connectors the standard fans have on them, and explains what hubs/controllers can be used to connect them up. He uses fan splitters on his motherboard headers, but because you only have one motherboard system fan header you would pull too much power if you did it this way and risk damaging something. That's why I recommended running fans from molex instead

 

[beauknowsdiddly]

it is the simplest answer because you don't have to worry about RGB signal/software etc...

but if you do go down the RGB route probably start by watching these:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd209pxPzpc&t=96s


^this one goes over a lot of different controllers and manufacturers standards, it's not all relevant, the most important part is from 1:12, the chapters on 5v vs 12v, hub vs controller and proprietary vs non-proprietary

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUNguZBWE5w


^this one shows you what connectors the standard fans have on them, and explains what hubs/controllers can be used to connect them up. He uses fan splitters on his motherboard headers, but because you only have one motherboard system fan header you would pull too much power if you did it this way and risk damaging something. That's why I recommended running fans from molex instead

What a great help you've been! Thank you SO much!

 

[RAIDGoblin]

What a great help you've been! Thank you SO much!

hey, no worries make sure you post a picture of your finished system (only if you want to of course)