Question How many RGB fans can I add ?

[mossi]

How many RGB fans can I add if I combine the NZXT H9 Elite and the NZXT N7 B550 motherboard?
I will also have the Kraken Z73 RGB cooler.


I was thinking of adding a NZXT 3xRGB 120mm fan pack which comes with a hub which will go to the bottom.

And then buy another NZXT RGB fan to replace the non-RGB exhaust fan.

The Kraken goes to the top.

The Elite has 3 RGB 120mm fans already and the hub in theory can accommodate another 3 RGB fans.

So the case hub can have one more RGB fan connect to it(the exhaust one), the 3 RGB fan pack + hub are sorted with their own hub and the Kraken is RGB anyway.

Does that sound right or am I missing something?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

first you need to determine what type of LEDs they all use;
aRGB(3pin) or basic RGB(4pin)?

then check the motherboard user manual for how many of the specific headers it offers.

considering that they all share the same type of LEDs;
the separate fan hub would connect to 1 header,
the case hub will connect to another,
and the AIO will connect to another.
then all motherboard headers would be synced to share the same LED profile through NZXT software.

check both hubs to see how many headers they offer. usually ~6 or more each.
the case hub may have enough for all of the case fans, so you wouldn't even need the fan pack's separate hub in that case.

 

[mossi]

first you need to determine what type of LEDs they all use;
aRGB(3pin) or basic RGB(4pin)?

then check the motherboard user manual for how many of the specific headers it offers.

considering that they all share the same type of LEDs;
the separate fan hub would connect to 1 header,
the case hub will connect to another,
and the AIO will connect to another.
then all motherboard headers would be synced to share the same LED profile through NZXT software.

check both hubs to see how many headers they offer. usually ~6 or more each.
the case hub may have enough for all of the case fans, so you wouldn't even need the fan pack's separate hub in that case.

Thanks for that.
They're all going to be NZXT fans and hubs so keeping it all the same brand for maximum compatibility.
The case hub can run 6RGB + 3 non-RGB fans.

So 3 case RGB fans go to to case hub
3 additional RGB fans go to case hub
1 more RGB fan would need to go the pack hub

I just realised that the RGB hub needs a front panel USB header..?!
The NZXT N7 has 3 of those.
One for the case hub
One for the cooler
One for pack hub

So no front panel connector for the actual front panel?
Am I right in saying I need some sort of internal USB hub or something?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

1 more RGB fan would need to go the pack hub

you still need to determine how many headers the motherboard offers.

one fan can go directly to the motherboard if it offers 3 headers;
1x AIO,
1x case hub,
1x 7th case fan.

I just realised that the RGB hub needs a front panel USB header

USB header is not the same thing.
this is a motherboard USB header that the case connects to for front panel USB access.

So no front panel connector for the actual front panel?

only if you want to use their on-board button(s) for LED control.
i would recommend against it because it's usually pointless.

it only offers predetermined LED profiles to be changed via the button.
i would much rather have manual control over the LEDs by running them directly to the motherboard and using control software to set them up and sync them all together.

The NZXT N7 has 3 of those.
One for the case hub
One for the cooler
One for pack hub

1x for power,
1x for restart,
1x free if you don't run LEDs to the front panel, as recommended.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

first you need to determine what type of LEDs they all use;
aRGB(3pin) or basic RGB(4pin)?

you still haven't offered this information
or how many of that specific header your motherboard offers.

 

[mossi]

you still haven't offered this information
or how many of that specific header your motherboard offers.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0B3QWFM35/ref=ox_sc_act_image_3?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1
These are the fans

The motherboard is this:
https://www.datocms-assets.com/34299/1623873074-n7-b550-digital-manual-210406-en.pdf
Page 15

Number 17 says 3 USB headers

you still need to determine how many headers the motherboard offers.

one fan can go directly to the motherboard if it offers 3 headers;
1x AIO,
1x case hub,
1x 7th case fan.

USB header is not the same thing.
this is a motherboard USB header that the case connects to for front panel USB access.

only if you want to use their on-board button(s) for LED control.
i would recommend against it because it's usually pointless.

it only offers predetermined LED profiles to be changed via the button.
i would much rather have manual control over the LEDs by running them directly to the motherboard and using control software to set them up and sync them all together.

1x for power,
1x for restart,
1x free if you don't run LEDs to the front panel, as recommended.

I don't understand what you're saying here
There are 3 USB 9 pin headers and they're for the RGB hubs and the AIO cooler.
Why would I plug a fan into one of them?
This doesn't make any sense unless I'm missing something..?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

This doesn't make any sense unless I'm missing something..?

USB headers are not aRGB/RGB headers.
these are 2 completely different things.

 

[mossi]

USB headers are not aRGB/RGB headers.
these are 2 completely different things.

I'm aware of that but the NZXT RGB controller hub though doesn't have any ARGB or RGB headers to connect to.
It literally has a USB header and a SATA power header.
https://www.datocms-assets.com/3429...fan-controller_digital_manual_en_pdf_2204.pdf
You can see it in the manual.

So how do you control the fans then?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

how do you control the fans

NZXT bypasses regular device control using their CAM software.
it has it's own method of reading the proprietary NZXT devices connected via USB.

when using these NZXT devices it is not possible to sync with other standard types of LED devices.
just a way of them forcing users to purchase all NZXT products for their LED setup.

the NZXT RGB controller hub though doesn't have any ARGB or RGB headers to connect to

it does; 3x PWM fan headers and 6x proprietary NZXT RGB headers.
you just have to use NZXT proprietary fans with this product.


as long as you plan on sticking with only NZXT components and don't mind being stuck using their CAM software you should be okay.
i would recommend avoiding them though so into the future you have more options for expansion and basic upgrades outside of their proprietary devices.