Question Connecting RGB Fans to Motherboard

paddybliss

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Feb 19, 2008
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Just build my first PC with ASRock B450M Pro mobo and this RGB Fan case:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08BJ4SG48/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The instructions that came with the case say to connect ARGB to the case reset button, which, does work to switch between different modes, but I’d like to manage this via the Polychrome sync software if possible. I’m presuming this can be achieved by connecting the fan directly to the mobo, but the plug that goes into the reset button (labeled REST SW QS, and another cable labeled LED/RGB SW, are both two pin, and the only relevent sockets I can see are:

RGB LED Header(4-pin RGB_LED1)
Addressable LED Header(3-pin ADDR_LED1 - a four pin socket with one pin missing)

Should they both go in one of the 4 pin slots or one each in two pins in each slot, or none these options?

Here are some pics of the plugs:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w6qk4qauwg7vpbw/20200731_174233.jpg?dl=0


Here’s the mobo manual:
https://download.asrock.com/Manual/B450M%20Pro4.pdf

Thanks!
 

paddybliss

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Feb 19, 2008
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Thanks for your reply.

I just checked the listing for the case, and it they are fixed RGB:

"FRGB ring halo fans included (not installed). FRGB (Fixed RGB) Fixed rainbow colour effect. Uses Standard 4 Pin and 3 pin connectors"
(but the only two pin plugs, apart from the molex power connectors.)

They sell them separately:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ionz-120mm-PERFORMANCE-RAINBOW-PACKED/dp/B08BWV4WC1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2G5A14U37TC3X&dchild=1&keywords=ionz+rgb+ring+halo+fans&qid=1596222673&s=computers&sprefix=ionz++rgb+,computers,160&sr=1-1

These are the only unused connectors on the case, the others were:
USB headers,
System Pannel header
Power LED & Speaker header
Front Panel Audio

So if they are non addressable, they can't be controlled via the software?
 
Thanks for your reply.

I just checked the listing for the case, and it they are fixed RGB:

"FRGB ring halo fans included (not installed). FRGB (Fixed RGB) Fixed rainbow colour effect. Uses Standard 4 Pin and 3 pin connectors"
(but the only two pin plugs, apart from the molex power connectors.)

They sell them separately:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ionz-120mm-PERFORMANCE-RAINBOW-PACKED/dp/B08BWV4WC1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2G5A14U37TC3X&dchild=1&keywords=ionz+rgb+ring+halo+fans&qid=1596222673&s=computers&sprefix=ionz++rgb+,computers,160&sr=1-1

These are the only unused connectors on the case, the others were:
USB headers,
System Pannel header
Power LED & Speaker header
Front Panel Audio

So if they are non addressable, they can't be controlled via the software?

Those cables are absolutely non standard so I'm not sure where you'd plug them in.

You have 3 rgb fans in that case? And those are the only 2 cables that are useable?

Is so there must be some form of hub in the case surely? Or are all three fans connected by those 2 cables for the rgb ?
 

paddybliss

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Feb 19, 2008
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The fans connect to each other, with the first fan connected to power via molex and a cable connected to the cases reset switch to control fan modes.

Here are the instructions:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i3khosip9nnilyc/20200731_180847.jpg?dl=0

They say connect to the computers reset button in the instructions, but with this case the button is actually named RGB, so I guess that when they refer to the reset switch, they are talking using them in third party cases.

That still leaves the two pin plug labeled LED/RGB SW without a home?
 
Yeah the instruction aren't clear enough.
I'm dubious about recommending anything plugged into the board because I don't know what the pinouts on those 2 x 2 pin cables are exactly.

There's some kind of controller built into the fans rgb themselves imo.

Standard 5050 rgb pinout is 12v ground/12v live red/12v live green/12v live blue.

Rgb works by simply opening the live to either or any combo of the rgb colours, the fan and rgb is powered by molex, I'm not going to suggest plugging anything into board headers because the 12v supplied by the molex could easily short something.

I somy think that these fans are not made to be plugged into any board header
 

paddybliss

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Feb 19, 2008
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Ok, thanks. the mobo manual does give warnings about plugging things into those sockets the wrong way around, so I'm not going to experiment with it!

I've emailed the company and also left a question for customers on Amazon. Will see if anything comes of that, but if not will just keep using them as they are.

Thanks again for your help with this.