[SOLVED] Help trying to get ARGB lights/fan with non RGB header MOBO

[bearman74]

Hey everyone! I was recently able to upgrade my pc and wanted to get get RGB! Unfortunately I don't have the money to get a new mobo rn, would have to wait until next year before I could .

I currently have
https://www.newegg.com/msi-b450-a-p...XFJ64VA2cyopCwNnOZEaAhk_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

With this case
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08412JPCH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_mR5FFb1D8EVB8

And this fan
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082TRVM81/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_gS5FFb0CCPAV1


I know I will need a controller or some different cables to able to connect this. Does anyone have any suggestions of how I can set up the ARGB??? Best controllers, etc.

 

[Paperdoc]

Check out this controller from Cooler Master

https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/rgb-accessories/argb-led-controller/#specifications

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Maste...ressable+rgb+controller&qid=1602216097&sr=8-7

It has four output ports for ARGB lighting units (including the lighting cable from your new fan) and buttons on it for manual changes to lighting effects. But it also includes cables to connect to mobo headers so that you can tell it to let the mobo (and its software tools) do the lighting changes for you. Now, MOST such systems can use mobo header inputs from only the SAME type of lights - that is, ARGB header to ARGB Controller, OR plain RGB header to plain RGB Controller. But this one is different - you CAN feed it the signals from a mobo plain RGB header on the correct Controller input connector socket, and it will "translate" those into ARGB signal output on its 3-pin ports. Since a plain RGB system cannot generate all the fanciest paterns an ARGB system can do, the displays you get are limited to what a plain RGB system can do, but that's still a lot, and much handier than manual buttons.

 

[bearman74]

Check out this controller from Cooler Master

https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/rgb-accessories/argb-led-controller/#specifications

https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-COOLERMASTER-MFP-ACBN-NNUNN-R1-MFP-ACBN-NNNUNN-R1/dp/B07Z7WLWD5/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=cooler+master+addressable+rgb+controller&qid=1602216097&sr=8-7

It has four output ports for ARGB lighting units (including the lighting cable from your new fan) and buttons on it for manual changes to lighting effects. But it also includes cables to connect to mobo headers so that you can tell it to let the mobo (and its software tools) do the lighting changes for you. Now, MOST such systems can use mobo header inputs from only the SAME type of lights - that is, ARGB header to ARGB Controller, OR plain RGB header to plain RGB Controller. But this one is different - you CAN feed it the signals from a mobo plain RGB header on the correct Controller input connector socket, and it will "translate" those into ARGB signal output on its 3-pin ports. Since a plain RGB system cannot generate all the fanciest paterns an ARGB system can do, the displays you get are limited to what a plain RGB system can do, but that's still a lot, and much handier than manual buttons.

I was definitely looking at that controller and liked it, but don't think I'd need it in the long run. That might be what I get if what I am about to share does not work lol

I am thinking about getting
This connecor to PSU
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JZCNPNV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_6veGFbM7BBT2P

With some added connectors here
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z122WPT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_ZseGFbK9GGCZ2

The case fans are daisy chained already. I figured I could plug the 4 fans I have and another coolernaster Halo fan, then connecting it to the psu and using his remote.

Then next year when I get a new mobo make sure to get one with argh headers. I would not have any issues with trying to do this and SHOULD work, right?

(New to PC building/gaming, so thank you btw!)

 

[Paperdoc]

That Controller system you linked will work well with your ARGB fan. It has the advantage that the control you use is a wireless hand-held unit, rather than a box connected by cable to your light strings. And it IS for the ARGB light system with a common "standard" output connector. You are correct to realize it can supply only one device as it arrives, and an ARGB Splitter would be needed to connect more such fans.

However, your post prompted me to check further for details. That caused my confusion you may be able to clear up. The Amazon page for the case you posted does say that the fans it includes are of the ARGB type, and some of the supporting photos show a rainbow display pattern. But the CoolerMaster web page for that case says simply "RGB fans" with no model specified, and uses only photos showing single-colour displays. That leaves me wondering exactly which type of fans the case includes. IF they are ARGB type, then you can power and control them along with the additional MasterFan MF120 unit from that new Contoller, using the Splitter you linked to. BUT if they are plain RGB, then they can be powered and controlled from your mobo's plain RGB header, and only the new MF12 unit will need to be connected to the new Controller box, and so you may NOT need the Splitter. You'll need to find out whether the lighitng connector cables on the supplied case fans have 3 holes (5 V ARGB type) or 4 holes (12 V plain RGB type).

 

[bearman74]

That Controller system you linked will work well with your ARGB fan. It has the advantage that the control you use is a wireless hand-held unit, rather than a box connected by cable to your light strings. And it IS for the ARGB light system with a common "standard" output connector. You are correct to realize it can supply only one device as it arrives, and an ARGB Splitter would be needed to connect more such fans.

However, your post prompted me to check further for details. That caused my confusion you may be able to clear up. The Amazon page for the case you posted does say that the fans it includes are of the ARGB type, and some of the supporting photos show a rainbow display pattern. But the CoolerMaster web page for that case says simply "RGB fans" with no model specified, and uses only photos showing single-colour displays. That leaves me wondering exactly which type of fans the case includes. IF they are ARGB type, then you can power and control them along with the additional MasterFan MF120 unit from that new Contoller, using the Splitter you linked to. BUT if they are plain RGB, then they can be powered and controlled from your mobo's plain RGB header, and only the new MF12 unit will need to be connected to the new Controller box, and so you may NOT need the Splitter. You'll need to find out whether the lighitng connector cables on the supplied case fans have 3 holes (5 V ARGB type) or 4 holes (12 V plain RGB type).

I absolutely appreciate the reply and may pick this as the answer. I just put together my pc yesterday and it does in fact have 3 pin, for ARGB. Which would definitely mean the controller and pins would work. I see when I have the case fan and other fans hooked on they all blink the same color. So I think I am gonna go ahead and get these!