[SOLVED] Confused about RGB Ecosystem

[BloodzAT]

Was not entirely sure where to put this.

Looking to build a new PC and want to take my first shot at RGB. Where I am getting very confused is if software exists to sync up the AIO, case fans, mobo and ram in most cases. I do see the indicators of aura and more corsair specific indicators, but unsure if that means they simply will not work together or if that is the favorable option.

Long/short of it be nice to not have to build a "Corsair only" rig if i can avoid it. Thnx

 

[CountMike]

Was not entirely sure where to put this.

Looking to build a new PC and want to take my first shot at RGB. Where I am getting very confused is if software exists to sync up the AIO, case fans, mobo and ram in most cases. I do see the indicators of aura and more corsair specific indicators, but unsure if that means they simply will not work together or if that is the favorable option.

Long/short of it be nice to not have to build a "Corsair only" rig if i can avoid it. Thnx

First,there are 2 types of RGB lighting (be it on fans or strips). Straight RGB that works at 12v and A(Addressable or digital)RGB. Your MB's connectors should match one or the other type but some MBs have both.
RGB is usually controlled thru software that is applicable to particular MB.
There are also separate controllers for each type that mostly come with own SW.
There are also coolers that come with own controller as aforementioned Corsair, using own SW.
Some cases also come with own SW.

 

[rubix_1011]

There are some aRGB/RGB connectors which are rather proprietary, although they should still follow the 5v/12v power standards.

This is where 'ecosystem' comes into play; many of these devices have connectors that only work with specific lighting and fan hubs (without modification).

 

[Paperdoc]

Here's where you need to pay careful attention. As stated above, there are two very common versions of RGB now that are INcompatible. The plain RGB system uses a 4-pin header and supplies the lighting devices with 12 VDC plus three ground lines for control of the colours. The Addressable RGB system uses a 3-pin header (looks like the 4-pin one with one pin missing) and supplies 5 VDC power to the lights, one common Ground, plus a digital Control Line that carries instruction packets with addresses in them. Thus both voltage and control method are quite different. Most of these now are using a virtually identical connector arrangement, but there are some that have their own unique connectors - Corsair is one of these because they entered the market earlier than most.

Now, all of this applies to any lighting device. That include light strips, lights in fan frames, lights in a pump body, lights on a mobo, etc. Well, most lights built into a mobo do not have their own connectors, but are already wired to the mobo. So, OP, IF you want to have your mobo's RGB or ARGB header(s) control ALL of your RGB devices, you really should ensure that all of them are of the SAME type - either plain (4-pin, 12 V) or Addressable (3-pin, 5V). THEN you MUST ensure that the mobo you choose has exactly that type of header on it.

Do NOT rely on "Aura Sync" or "Mystic Light" or other proprietary names for light controls on mobos. Each mobo maker has their own software tool to control their boards' headers. Moreover, many mobo makers sell some mobos with NO RGB headers, some with only plain RGB, some with only ADDR RGB, and some with both types. However, they engineer their software tool to handle BOTH types of headers on whatever mobo you buy from them. So, the SOFTWARE name does NOT tell you what type of HARDWARE header is on the mobo. And it is the header HARDWARE type you need to match to the type of RGB lighting devices you have.

Most commonly a mobo will have only one type of RGB header, and that will force you to ensure that all your RGB lighting devices are of that same type. However, some mobo have two plain RGB plus one ADD RGB header, so conceiveably you could use both types of lighting systems in a build with that mobo. However, the displays from the two types are different and you could not make them ALL do the same thing.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

...Where I am getting very confused is if software exists to sync up the AIO, case fans, mobo and ram in most cases. I do see the indicators of aura and more corsair specific indicators, but unsure if that means they simply will not work together or if that is the favorable option...

it is difficult to tell if a complete RGB setup will function correctly if including multiple devices from multiple manufacturers.

you may have a case, RAM, cooler, fans, etc that all claim they work with either ASUS's Aura Sync or Corsair's iCUE but it does not always mean what you would think.
some of the devices will only sync a certain static color, that may not even be the same exact color across the entire platform, while others may be able to sync color patterns like breathing etc.
then some devices may have aRGB options that will not function correctly or at all with other regular RGB devices.

if going for system-wide RGB with connected patterns across the devices it is best to use the same manufacturer.
if going for only a static color across the entire platform, you will have more options to choose from device-wise.

 

[DSzymborski]

I think that, for a first time RGB builder, there are a lot of reasons to recommend going with a single ecosystem. When you have more experience working with RGB components, you'll be better able to mix-and-match and you'll know the pros and cons of different setups. My main rig is full-on unicorn barf with a blend of Corsair, Gigabyte, Phanteks, Fractal Design, and a custom GPU backplate, and while it's all working, I'd be lying if I suggested it wasn't a gigantic nightmare of adapters and extensions and hubs and splitters. I think the cable management alone took five times as long as the original build itself did.

 

[rubix_1011]

This entire thread is part of the headache that new builders or those unfamiliar with aRGB/RGB might experience. In essence, it is almost a free-for-all as each vendor attempts to push their 'style' and preference through their own products in attempt to secure market share.

There is not a single standard like SATA, USB or PCI-e interfaces require; this is a wild west of push garbage to market and see what sticks. The largest issues are bloat-y software for management, proprietary connectors or hubs and gaudy attempts at lighted fans or other accent lighting....all of this on top of now really knowing what you can or cannot support with a single set of lighting controls.

We are barely now just starting to see where lighting is becoming more integrated with components, instead of just gluing lights onto already-existing parts.

Now, let's stop to ponder the additional cable management that is required to include aRGB/RGB lighting connections on top of the SATA/PWM/power cabling....