[SOLVED] Change Fan Direction

[HuskyPsycho]

Hello I have purchased and installed Arctic BioniX 120p ARGB fans with a controller hub. I think I've messed up because I have 2 serious issues.

1) the air gets pushed outside the case only. I can't seem to find a way to push air inside the case (I can invert the fans but the rgb will then be hidden...) Is there a way to change Fan Direction from the motherboard?

2) I cant seem to be able to change the colours nor the modes of the ARGB on the fans. They don't change its just static rainbow ARGB.

I wanted to buy another 3 fans to push air inside but if I don't have an option to change Fan direction then I'll just be stuck pushing air outside from 6 fans..

Thank you in advance for any guidance!

 

[SkyNetRising]

Show photos of your pc case with side panel removed. All installed case fans should be visible.
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

 

[Paperdoc]

You cannot reverse the rotation of a fan. The only way to make it blow the other way is to un-mount it and turn the fan around. As you say, however, then you would not see the lights.

You could buy additional fans IF you select them carefully so that the lights are visible on the INTAKE side of the fan. I note that the web page for these does not tell you that spec. Another option: look for fans designed with the lights to shine out both ways. Another: fans with CLEAR fan blades, and their lights mounted in the HUB of the fan so they show out via the blades in all directions. And lastly, look up Phanteks Halos RGB Fan Frames. These are thin frames you can mount on either face of any fan (lighted or not) to provide lights where you want. They come is two levels of quality / durability, and each of those in either plain RGB or ARGB versions.

 

[HuskyPsycho]

Show photos of your pc case with side panel removed. All installed case fans should be visible.
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

Hello this is me, apparently i have this account too. I took the pictures you asked although im not sure if they are of any help.

https://imgur.com/a/X2iO8s3

View: https://imgur.com/a/X2iO8s3


Don't know if it makes a difference
but all the fans are connected to the hub, and 1 of them has 2 connection branches(1 for the hub and one for the mobo), then there is the power cable from the psu to the hub.

Thank you so much.

 

[HuskyPsycho]

You cannot reverse the rotation of a fan. The only way to make it blow the other way is to un-mount it and turn the fan around. As you say, however, then you would not see the lights.

You could buy additional fans IF you select them carefully so that the lights are visible on the INTAKE side of the fan. I note that the web page for these does not tell you that spec. Another option: look for fans designed with the lights to shine out both ways. Another: fans with CLEAR fan blades, and their lights mounted in the HUB of the fan so they show out via the blades in all directions. And lastly, look up Phanteks Halos RGB Fan Frames. These are thin frames you can mount on either face of any fan (lighted or not) to provide lights where you want. They come is two levels of quality / durability, and each of those in either plain RGB or ARGB versions.

Thank you very much for your reply. Sadly i wasnt educated enough when i picked my fans. The phanteks solution doesn't really work as i have chosen fans with ring lighting instead of the actual fans being lit. I will try and search the market for ring lighting fans with the intake on the correct side.

Thank you!

 

[Nine Layer Nige]

The fans are meant to be sucking air into the case from the front so you see the RGB from the front through the grill. Turn the fans around and then you will see the RGB from the front through the grill. You have put them in the wrong way round.
EDIT: I got it wrong, see posts below.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Hello this is me, apparently i have this account too. I took the pictures you asked although im not sure if they are of any help.

Not sure, that you're showing there.
Is that front of the pc case?

Can you show a full photo of your pc case (with side panel removed) ?

 

[Nine Layer Nige]

Its a photo of the inside of the case from the side panel removed looking towards the front, so I think the fans are backwards.
EDIT: I got it wrong, see posts below.

 

[HuskyPsycho]

The fans are meant to be sucking air into the case from the front so you see the RGB from the front through the grill. Turn the fans around and then you will see the RGB from the front through the grill. You have put them in the wrong way round.

Hey, yes i understand the confusing. It is my fault. This case actually doesnt have a front panel. It is just glass from the front and the left side. I uploaded new images for you to better understand the situation.

https://imgur.com/a/E7bcptj

View: https://imgur.com/a/E7bcptj


Moreover, i did some research and found these fans https://armaggeddon.com.my/pc-components/armaggeddon-nimitz-ring-iii-kit-rgb-pc-cooling-fan that are manufactured from the creator of the case. (Armaggedon Nimitz TR8000). These fans were used on youtube tutorials where they build the case. Do you think these will blow the air the correct way? I couldnt find any fans that specify the direction of the air but from the images alone i can tell they are all the same (meaning they all push air to the back assuming i have a front panel).

Do you have any fan recommendations or what i can possible do to achive this images outcome? (3 to suck and another 3 to pump)

Thank you everyone for kindly replying and helping out. Cheers!

 

[Paperdoc]

Let me be sure I understand. The first of your two issues is that the fans ALL blow air OUT of the case and you want the front ones to suck air in instead. That is the right way. Later you have posted a photo taken from the INside of the case showing the front fans, and that appears to show that their lighted rings are facing the INSIDE of your case, towards the back. Is that right? And those are the fans that blow air from the INSIDE (where the rings are visible) through the front panel to the outside?

If that is the situation, then this is much simpler. Those fans simply are installed backwards! Each should be un-installed from the front panel where they are held in place by screws, turned around, and the screws re-installed. When you do this, turning the same screws into the holes of the fan frame may well feel harder to do - those holes have never had screws in them to cut new threads. But they DO screw in. This would place the LIGHTED rings of each fan facing toward the FRONT of your case so they can be seen clearly from outside, AND change the direction of air flow to intakes.

Now, there will be issues involved here. Please check these details because the construction of these fans is not standard. "Standard" ARGB lighted fans have TWO separate cables coming out of each fan. One of these ends in a standard 4-hole female connector about 3/8" wide that plugs into a mobo fan header. The other ends in a wider connector also female with three holes, but it looks like it had 4 with hole #3 filled in. This plugs into a mobo lighting header. YOUR fans, however, each have two sockets on their frames on opposite sides, and come with little connector blocks with 7 pins on each side. It apears the intent is that you use those blocks to connect from the "Power In" socket on one fan to the "Connect" socket of the next so that all three fans are connected together in one chain. The web page I found for these fans says the sockets and connectors distribute power and control of BOTH the fan motors and the lights. Then, I assume, there is a single cable that goes from the first fan in this chain to the "Hub" as you call it. You indicate that this cable has TWO arms, and the second goes to somewhere on the mobo. And lastly you say there is a connection from the PSU to the "Hub". Is that all correct?

If that is correct, there is one thing missing. The fans need both power and control signals for the motors AND the lights. Power for both items probably comes from the PSU through the Hub. Control signals for both the motors (for speed)and the lights (for display control) are needed from different mobo headers, but you indicate that there is only ONE cable going to the mobo. So to where? Does it have a connector about 3/8" wide with 4 holes, and two ridges running down the side of it? That would plug into a mobo header called SYS_FAN or CHA_FAN. OR, does it have a wider connector with 3 holes spaced for 4 holes, but with one blocked off? That would plug into a different mobo header for lights. But as a matter of fact, you have not told us what mobo you have. Tell us which maker and exact model mobo so we can look up its manual and advise. For example, if your mobo has a lighting header of the correct type, you may need to connect to that header to get control of the displays; if no such header, you may need a different control signal source.

Anyway, to return to the fan re-mounting idea above, the little connectors between fans makes it slightly trickier. You may need to remove the mounting screws for all three front fans, temporarily disconnect the cable from the first fan to the Hub, turn around the entire block of fans and re-mount them, then re-connect the cable. That would address your first issue. The info on how and what connections there are to your mobo will help with the lighting control issue.

 

[HuskyPsycho]

Let me be sure I understand. The first of your two issues is that the fans ALL blow air OUT of the case and you want the front ones to suck air in instead. That is the right way. Later you have posted a photo taken from the INside of the case showing the front fans, and that appears to show that their lighted rings are facing the INSIDE of your case, towards the back. Is that right? And those are the fans that blow air from the INSIDE (where the rings are visible) through the front panel to the outside?

If that is the situation, then this is much simpler. Those fans simply are installed backwards! Each should be un-installed from the front panel where they are held in place by screws, turned around, and the screws re-installed. When you do this, turning the same screws into the holes of the fan frame may well feel harder to do - those holes have never had screws in them to cut new threads. But they DO screw in. This would place the LIGHTED rings of each fan facing toward the FRONT of your case so they can be seen clearly from outside, AND change the direction of air flow to intakes.

Now, there will be issues involved here. Please check these details because the construction of these fans is not standard. "Standard" ARGB lighted fans have TWO separate cables coming out of each fan. One of these ends in a standard 4-hole female connector about 3/8" wide that plugs into a mobo fan header. The other ends in a wider connector also female with three holes, but it looks like it had 4 with hole #3 filled in. This plugs into a mobo lighting header. YOUR fans, however, each have two sockets on their frames on opposite sides, and come with little connector blocks with 7 pins on each side. It apears the intent is that you use those blocks to connect from the "Power In" socket on one fan to the "Connect" socket of the next so that all three fans are connected together in one chain. The web page I found for these fans says the sockets and connectors distribute power and control of BOTH the fan motors and the lights. Then, I assume, there is a single cable that goes from the first fan in this chain to the "Hub" as you call it. You indicate that this cable has TWO arms, and the second goes to somewhere on the mobo. And lastly you say there is a connection from the PSU to the "Hub". Is that all correct?

If that is correct, there is one thing missing. The fans need both power and control signals for the motors AND the lights. Power for both items probably comes from the PSU through the Hub. Control signals for both the motors (for speed)and the lights (for display control) are needed from different mobo headers, but you indicate that there is only ONE cable going to the mobo. So to where? Does it have a connector about 3/8" wide with 4 holes, and two ridges running down the side of it? That would plug into a mobo header called SYS_FAN or CHA_FAN. OR, does it have a wider connector with 3 holes spaced for 4 holes, but with one blocked off? That would plug into a different mobo header for lights. But as a matter of fact, you have not told us what mobo you have. Tell us which maker and exact model mobo so we can look up its manual and advise. For example, if your mobo has a lighting header of the correct type, you may need to connect to that header to get control of the displays; if no such header, you may need a different control signal source.

Anyway, to return to the fan re-mounting idea above, the little connectors between fans makes it slightly trickier. You may need to remove the mounting screws for all three front fans, temporarily disconnect the cable from the first fan to the Hub, turn around the entire block of fans and re-mount them, then re-connect the cable. That would address your first issue. The info on how and what connections there are to your mobo will help with the lighting control issue.

Hello, thank you VERY much for your detailed answer. I really appreciate you trying to help me fix the issue.
There is a small misunderstanding that i take full blame for. The case in hand is the Armaggedon Nimitz TR8000 and it actually doesnt have a fron panel... rather just a back and side .. it is glass on the front and the other side. (Please scroll through all pictures in this imgur post to see my case

https://imgur.com/a/E7bcptj

View: https://imgur.com/a/E7bcptj
). So because my case is like this i will not be able to just turn then around and re-screw them. I did NOT although connect each fan with the other through the little blocks you mentioned... instead i pluged everything into the hub.. i will try to use the little blocks instead that might fix the lighting issue. Also sine you asked my motherboard is an ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F Wi-Fi. And i am sure there is an argb header just for that purpose. I think we can find a way to fix the lighting issue. Now as for the fans i think i will be forced to buy some other fan type that has rgb from both sides and have the current ones to blow air out while the new ones suck it in. Although i am a little bummed out as i wanted same fans for the rig.. but alas.. i messed up with that purchase.. clearly they were made to be fit in a front panel which i do not have.

Again, thank you so much for replying and please let me know if you have any other suggestion!

 

[Nine Layer Nige]

Now I get it, the images of the case from a distance make things understandable now. The case is a negative air pressure case, in that the 3 fans are supposed to be blowing outwards. That's the way it is and its a good thing...leave it as is.

 

[HuskyPsycho]

Now I get it, the images of the case from a distance make things understandable now. The case is a negative air pressure case, in that the 3 fans are supposed to be blowing outwards. That's the way it is and its a good thing...leave it as is.

Hello thank you for the reply. Can you elaborate on what you mean by negative pressure? Also I wanted to mount 3 more on the bottom .. but shouldn't I push air into the case and pull out the same air creating a nice airflow to cool the components? I'm fairly new to this so I am not sure what to do.

Thank you!

 

[Soul_keeper]

Personally i'd reverse those fans to make it positive pressure. Just flip them around.
This would make the configuration more optimal imo.

Positive pressure = more intake overall than exhaust.
Negative pressure = more exhaust overall

The benefits of a positive pressure setup tend to make it the best choice imo, dust mitigation being one (if you have a filter you can put over those 3 intakes).

The 3 side fans are essentially identically located in your case as the lian li dynamic case, which is highly reviewed and defaults to having them as intake.

 

[Nine Layer Nige]

Negative pressure basically is when the exhaust fans work to expel air from the case which creates a tiny drop in pressure inside the case and thus to balance out the air pressure, air is automatically drawn in from any other holes in and around the case. If you only have the three exhaust fans then thats whats happening in your case, which is ok but you could do better. If you add fans to draw air in perhaps from the bottom or where the rear IO is, then it will help to balance out the pressure and create a more optimal setup. So, if you want to add fans, make sure they suck air in.
I think you should leave the exhaust fans where they are as you get to see the RGB which is the purpose of RGB fans. Any other fans you buy would not need to be RGB as you wont see them if they become intake fans face on.
Alternatively, you could add more exhaust fans to the top but remove any dust filter as it will restrict the air exhaust. This would further increase negative pressure and create better cooling "up" and "out".
The theory of case air flow is hugely complex and books have been written about it, so this is my very simplisitc take on it. Its one of those hotly debated topics.
There are plenty of YT videos on this subject, enough to make your eyes glaze over.

 

[Paperdoc]

That's an unusual case design in several ways. Its clear front and side make easy viewing of the system "innards" and all its lights. Having the front fans on the SIDE at the front enhances this. It also makes it clear why the fans you have were installed as exhaust units - because the lights need to face INwards, and that is the INtake side of those fans. However, some features of the fan mounting are not what many consider ideal. The three side-front fans you have mounted are all on a slotted plate, and that is inside another cover that also has slots. So those slots may present some interference with air flow, but they provide no apparent way to mount dust filters on the outside of the fans IF they were intakes. The top panel has an array of holes which might do a little for dust IF the fans there were intakes, but that is not the common way to place top fans. Although the case has locations for 3 fans at the bottom, there is no indication how dust filters might be installed there.

As you suggest, buying three more fans to mount as intakes at the bottom is an option. Bottom intakes are not common because they may be more likely to draw in dust, but proper dust filters there can help. You could buy non-lighted fans for there. Since they can be seen, you also could choose ARGB type lighted fans, although they would be a different model because you need the lights visible from the DIScharge side of these bottom fans for intake use. Just be aware that fans from a different maker may not show exactly the same colour shades as the ones you have already. Doing it this way would give you three intakes (bottom) and four exhausts (side and rear), which is not exactly the best balance but not too bad either.

Another option is to buy three new fans with lights that show well from both directions and install those in place of the three you have now on the side front. Then take TWO of your current fans and mount them as exhausts in the top rear and middle locations. Do not put one in the top front. A fan in that spot causes an air flow "short circuit" in the top front corner, with most of the air from the top intake routed immediately out of the front exhaust. This would re-use two of your current fans, still installed as exhausts so their lights were displayed well. The "balance", then, would be three new intakes and three older exhausts.

Regarding removing and replacing fans, I can see two possibilities. In the imgur link you provided, look at the second-last photo showing the fans from the outside with the side cover removed. At top left you can see a Phillips silver screw head; there's also one at top right almost hidden. The items on the right that do the "hiding" are two HDD's. Those silver-head screws are the ones that fasten each fan to the common slotted mounting panel. IF you can reach all of those, you can remove and replace those to change fans. If you can't get at them, you MAY be able to identify other screws (Black, I think) that fasten the slotted panel into the case. That way you could remove the panel with all fans attached as one unit then work that way. If necessary, you might need to move the HDD's out of the way temporarily.

Now, lighting display control. You have the fans connected to the Hub supplied for lighting, but their display does not change. I expect fully that you need to use a cable (should have been supplied with the Hub) from a Hub port to your mobo's 3-pin ARGB header. It DOES have one of those - see the mobo manual, p. 1-16. Do NOT try to use the 4-pin plain RGB Header next to that! Then you need to install and run the utility called Aura Sync on the disc that comes with your mobo. That is how you generate an ARGB control signal that can be fed from the mobo header to the Hub, and thence to your fan lights.

 

[DRagor]

Again, thank you so much for replying and please let me know if you have any other suggestion!

Since you asked my two cents: change the case. Sure it looks awesome but it is not worth all the headache with setting the proper airflow to cool your system. To me this is clearly case for very experienced builder.

 

[HuskyPsycho]

That's an unusual case design in several ways. Its clear front and side make easy viewing of the system "innards" and all its lights. Having the front fans on the SIDE at the front enhances this. It also makes it clear why the fans you have were installed as exhaust units - because the lights need to face INwards, and that is the INtake side of those fans. However, some features of the fan mounting are not what many consider ideal. The three side-front fans you have mounted are all on a slotted plate, and that is inside another cover that also has slots. So those slots may present some interference with air flow, but they provide no apparent way to mount dust filters on the outside of the fans IF they were intakes. The top panel has an array of holes which might do a little for dust IF the fans there were intakes, but that is not the common way to place top fans. Although the case has locations for 3 fans at the bottom, there is no indication how dust filters might be installed there.

As you suggest, buying three more fans to mount as intakes at the bottom is an option. Bottom intakes are not common because they may be more likely to draw in dust, but proper dust filters there can help. You could buy non-lighted fans for there. Since they can be seen, you also could choose ARGB type lighted fans, although they would be a different model because you need the lights visible from the DIScharge side of these bottom fans for intake use. Just be aware that fans from a different maker may not show exactly the same colour shades as the ones you have already. Doing it this way would give you three intakes (bottom) and four exhausts (side and rear), which is not exactly the best balance but not too bad either.

Another option is to buy three new fans with lights that show well from both directions and install those in place of the three you have now on the side front. Then take TWO of your current fans and mount them as exhausts in the top rear and middle locations. Do not put one in the top front. A fan in that spot causes an air flow "short circuit" in the top front corner, with most of the air from the top intake routed immediately out of the front exhaust. This would re-use two of your current fans, still installed as exhausts so their lights were displayed well. The "balance", then, would be three new intakes and three older exhausts.

Regarding removing and replacing fans, I can see two possibilities. In the imgur link you provided, look at the second-last photo showing the fans from the outside with the side cover removed. At top left you can see a Phillips silver screw head; there's also one at top right almost hidden. The items on the right that do the "hiding" are two HDD's. Those silver-head screws are the ones that fasten each fan to the common slotted mounting panel. IF you can reach all of those, you can remove and replace those to change fans. If you can't get at them, you MAY be able to identify other screws (Black, I think) that fasten the slotted panel into the case. That way you could remove the panel with all fans attached as one unit then work that way. If necessary, you might need to move the HDD's out of the way temporarily.

Now, lighting display control. You have the fans connected to the Hub supplied for lighting, but their display does not change. I expect fully that you need to use a cable (should have been supplied with the Hub) from a Hub port to your mobo's 3-pin ARGB header. It DOES have one of those - see the mobo manual, p. 1-16. Do NOT try to use the 4-pin plain RGB Header next to that! Then you need to install and run the utility called Aura Sync on the disc that comes with your mobo. That is how you generate an ARGB control signal that can be fed from the mobo header to the Hub, and thence to your fan lights.

Thank you very much for your reply. I will place the new fans as you suggested. As for the lighting effects i think i got it figured out.. i connected them with the little blocks that came with the box and they worked with Aura! I am although a bit anxious as for the new fans lighting colours.. i dont want them to be too far off the ones i currently have but alas. I might even go for non-rgb fans after i do some research.

Thanks again!

 

[Paperdoc]

You're welcome, and thanks for Best Solution. Enjoy your revisions!