Question Rgb LED without 3/4 pins mobo header + Mystic Light?

[Loki_TSO]

This question is probably asked often, but can I plug RGB led strips without a 3 or 4 pin connector on my motherboard? I searched a bit and I found a Cooler Master RGB controller (https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA7RD7869876 ) the thing is, I don't know if it's compatible with every LED strips (Phanteks for example) and I'd really like to be able to use MSI Mystic Light, so I can sync it with my GPU. Cooler Master is one of the brand listed in the compatibility list on MSI's website, but i'd like to know if it would work and if not, what would?

Relevant Specs:
Motherboard: MSI z270 A-PRO
Case: BitFenix Shadow
GPU: MSI 1060 Gaming X 6Gb

 

[Aeacus]

While CM RGB hub is compatible with MSI Mystic Light, it also has proprietary ports which are compatible only with CM's products. Also, all RGB hubs, be it CM, Silverstone, Thermaltake etc need to have connection to MoBo RGB header for RGB sync and control method via the same software as your GPU RGB is.

Without any RGB headers on MoBo, you can't sync the RGB (e.g GPU and LED strips/fans). Though, to still get RGB, you're looking towards standalone setup. E.g NZXT HUE 2 RGB is one of the best ones,
specs: https://www.nzxt.com/products/hue-2-rgb-lighting-kit

In my Skylake and Haswell builds, i have NZXT HUE+ in use which is predecessor of HUE 2 RGB. Full specs with pics in my sig.
Note: NZXT HUE+/HUE 2 RGB also has proprietary ports and is compatible only with NZXT products. But what it does offer is software control via NZXT CAM.

But if you want to have RGB controller with universal 4-pin RGB headers, without proprietary ports, then there are only 2x such devices that i know of:
1) Akasa Vegas control panel, which would sit in your ODD bay and you'd also need 5.25" to 3.5" frame,
specs: http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Gaming&type_sub=RGB LED Lighting&model=AK-RLD-01

2) Akasa Vegas control card in the form of PCI-E x1 card,
specs: http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Gaming&type_sub=RGB LED Lighting&model=AK-RLD-02

 

[Loki_TSO]

Thanks for the answer, I'll check what suits me the best. I don't know if I will simply buy a better mobo, but i'm really thinking about it. Even tho I bought the one I have less than a month ago I got it for like 60$ (CAD) so it's not that big of a deal.

 

[Aeacus]

You're welcome.

Though, next time keep an eye out of which series the MoBo belongs. Your MSI Z270 A-PRO is Business series MoBo from MSI and for business use, RGB is the last thing needed. Hence why it doesn't have any RGB headers. Gaming series MoBos from MSI (mid-range and up) have RGB headers on them.

 

[Loki_TSO]

Yeah I honestly bought this one in a hurry, that's why i'm now looking to buy an MSI H270M Mortar Arctic.

 

[Aeacus]

MSI H270M Mortar Arctic is a nice white micro-ATX MoBo,
specs: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/H270M-MORTAR-ARCTIC/Overview

Though, 2x notes regarding H270 chipset:

1. If you have K-series CPU (i5-6600K, i7-6700K, i5-7600K or i7-7700K), you can't OC your CPU with H270 chipset MoBo. Only Z270 chipsets allow you to do that.
2. If you have faster than 2400 Mhz RAM (e.g 2666/3000/3200 Mhz) then your RAM will run at 2400 Mhz max. Only Z270 chipsets allow you to run your RAM faster than 2400 Mhz.

There is a white MSI Z270 chipset MoBo but it is ATX in size: MSI Z270 Tomahawk Arctic,
specs: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z270-TOMAHAWK-ARCTIC

 

[Loki_TSO]

My CPU is a i5 6400 2.7 ghz, and my RAM is complete shit so I should be good, anyway the reason why i'm going for a Mortar Arctic is because there's a shop near where I live that has one to sell (163 CAD$). I might buy another one I saw on the shop's website but I don't know if it's worth it, it's a B250 Gaming Pro Carbon and it's 183 CAD$. The other ones are basically out of budget or not compatible.

 

[Aeacus]

With i5-6400 Skylake CPU, you don't have to look at 200-series MoBos (B250, H270, Z270 chipsets). 100-series MoBos work fine as well (B150, H170, Z170 chipsets). E.g my main build, Skylake, has i5-6600K with MSI Z170A Gaming M5 MoBo. Though, my MoBo doesn't have any RGB headers.

You can compare B250 and H270 chipset MoBos on MSI webpage to see the difference between the two MoBos,
link: https://www.msi.com/comparison/motherboard/?unique=id1556889639398&compare_list=["QjI1MC1HQU1JTkctUFJPLUNBUkJPTg==","SDI3ME0tTU9SVEFSLUFSQ1RJQw=="]

 

[FleshCoffin]

While CM RGB hub is compatible with MSI Mystic Light, it also has proprietary ports which are compatible only with CM's products. Also, all RGB hubs, be it CM, Silverstone, Thermaltake etc need to have connection to MoBo RGB header for RGB sync and control method via the same software as your GPU RGB is.

Without any RGB headers on MoBo, you can't sync the RGB (e.g GPU and LED strips/fans). Though, to still get RGB, you're looking towards standalone setup. E.g NZXT HUE 2 RGB is one of the best ones,
specs: https://www.nzxt.com/products/hue-2-rgb-lighting-kit

In my Skylake and Haswell builds, i have NZXT HUE+ in use which is predecessor of HUE 2 RGB. Full specs with pics in my sig.
Note: NZXT HUE+/HUE 2 RGB also has proprietary ports and is compatible only with NZXT products. But what it does offer is software control via NZXT CAM.

But if you want to have RGB controller with universal 4-pin RGB headers, without proprietary ports, then there are only 2x such devices that i know of:
1) Akasa Vegas control panel, which would sit in your ODD bay and you'd also need 5.25" to 3.5" frame,
specs: http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Gaming&type_sub=RGB LED Lighting&model=AK-RLD-01

2) Akasa Vegas control card in the form of PCI-E x1 card,
specs: http://www.akasa.com.tw/update.php?tpl=product/product.detail.tpl&no=181&type=Gaming&type_sub=RGB LED Lighting&model=AK-RLD-02

Hi, I know this is an old thread, though I have a problem.
I have an Asus B250A-M MoBo, and my parents bought me a SilentiumPC Spartan 4 Max Evo ARGB CPU-Cooler.
I do not have an rgb header on my MoBo, and I don't know what external hub shall I buy in order to have the ARGB enabled.
Could you help me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Aeacus]

Hi, I know this is an old thread, though I have a problem.

Besides you necroing the topic, you also hijack the topic with your issue that has 0 to do with initial issue.

However, to answer your question:

Only device, that i know of, that can give you ARGB control when your MoBo doesn't have ARGB header, is Asus ROG Aura Terminal,
specs: https://rog.asus.com/apparel-bags-gear/gears/rog-aura-terminal-model/

And since your CPU cooler also supports Asus Aura Sync, the ROG Aura Terminal should work fine with it.
CPU cooler specs: https://www.silentiumpc.com/en/product/spartan-4-max-evo-argb/

Finding Asus ROG Aura Terminal on sale somewhere and having the money for it's premium price, is up to you to find.