RGB Controller is a small device that is used to control the RGB lighting of your RGB devices (RGB Fans, RGB LED Strips, etc.) inside your PC case. It can do so either by using RGB software or by its hardware through buttons or remote control. They prove very useful in connecting multiple RGB devices, especially in cases where your motherboard does not have RGB headers or there are insufficient RGB headers to hook up your RGB components. The RGB Controller device is generally in the shape of a small rectangular box and is also known as RGB Control Box.
Unlike fan hubs, they do not power the case fans or control their speed, but only control the RGB lighting of the connected RGB devices and components. However, there are a couple of RGB Controllers that also power the fan, but most of these RGB Controllers work with their RGB products only, whether fans, LED strips, case lighting, etc. RGB Controller is a great device or component to have for older motherboards with no RGB support i.e. RGB headers. They can easily fit in any case, and then you can hook up your RGB fans, RGB LED Strips, or other RGB components to them. So, if you are looking for an RGB controller to spice up your PC case with fancy RGB lighting then stay connected, as here I am going to list down the top RGB LED controllers that you buy for your computer case.
Important Note: You must know that there are two types of RGB LED Devices, one with standard RGB LEDs that change one color at a time. They come with a 4-pin RGB connector and work on 12V. Another type is Addressable RGB LEDs or ARGB that can change to multiple colors independently of others and can create many more fancy lighting effects. They work with 5V and come with a 3-pin ADD-RGB connector.
Best RGB Controllers [RGB & ARGB]
Here are the top RGB LED controllers for RGB Fans, RGB LED Strips, and other supported RGB components and devices. These RGB controllers can be used with motherboards without RGB support or RGB headers.
Cooler Master RGB LED Controller
[Easy to use, CM Software RGB Control]
A very simple and easy-to-use RGB LED Controller from Cooler Master for RGB Fans, RGB LED Strips, etc. This is a low-profile and compact RGB controller that comes with built-in magnets and fits easily inside your computer case. The controller offers four RGB ports that support 12V RGB Fans or RGB LEDs with a 4-pin RGB connector. However, you can attach two or more RGB Fans / LED Strips to the single port to extend the lighting via splitter cable. For power, the RGB controller uses one SATA power connector, and the communication interface used here is USB (9-pin connector) for working with the RGB software.
The various RGB lighting effects and customization can be done using the Cooler Master RGB Software only. It must be noted that this RGB controller is not compatible with other RGB software other than its own. The RGB controller works with any RGB Fans and RGB LED Strips that have a 4-pin (+12V-G-R-B) connector. The package includes an RGB controller along with all the required adapter cables and connectors. So, if your motherboard lacks RGB support, but you want to use RGB Fans and RGB LED Strips in your PC case, then this RGB connector will serve your purpose very well. Highly Recommended by me.
| Cooler Master RGB LED Controller Specifications | |
| Controller Type | RGB LED Controller (Non-ADD) |
| RGB Ports | 4 Ports (4-pin) |
| Fan Ports | NA |
| Interface | USB 2.0 (9-pin) |
| Power Connector | SATA |
| Compatibility | 12V RGB Fans & RGB LED Strips (4-Pin) |
| RGB Control Method | Cooler Master RGB Software |
| Features | Built-in Magnet, Low Profile design, Static, Breathing, Color Cycle, Stars, Customize, Multilayer, Turn LED off, Mirage (Frequency Control) Lighting Modes |
Buy Cooler Master RGB LED Controller
SilverStone Addressable RGB Control Box LSB02
[Remote Control RGB Lighting & Fan Speed]
Here we have a multi-functional RGB controller from Silverstone that can be used to connect Addressable RGB devices and also Case Fans. It comes with six ports for 5V ARGB LED devices and four ports for 4-pin / 3-pin case fans. The power is fed into this device from a 4-pin Molex connector. It also includes a thermal sensor probe that connects to the device, and can automatically adjust the LED colors and Fan speed according to the temperature. The RGB Lighting / Effects and Fan speed can be controlled using a wireless remote, which can also be used to start or turn off your PC if you connect the included power header to the motherboard, and to the device itself.
The device is compact and can be installed using the included adhesive and Velcro pads. The RGB Controller works as expected and provides a wireless approach to control your RGB LEDs and Fan speed. All the cables, sensors, and adapters come included in the package with the device. It is compatible with Silverstone ARGB Fans (AP142-ARGB, AP124-ARGB) and ARGB LED Strips (LS03) only. The exact model number of this device is SST-LSB02.
| SilverStone Addressable RGB Control Box LSB02 Specifications | |
| Controller Type | ARGB and Fan Speed Controller |
| RGB Ports | 6 ports (3-pin) |
| Fan Ports | 4-Pin x 4 (compatible with 3-pin) |
| Interface | Wireless |
| Power Connector | Molex |
| Compatibility | 5V ARGB Fans / LED Strips, 4-pin / 3-pin Fans |
| RGB Control Method | Remote Control |
| Features | Remote start or turn off PC, Temperature Sensor, Included Adhesive and Velcro Pads, compact |
Buy SilverStone Addressable RGB Control Box LSB02
Cooler Master Addressable RGB LED Small Controller
A tiny ARGB Addressable RGB LED Controller from Cooler Master for motherboards that don’t have 5V ARGB headers. It is powered by the SATA power connector and supports up to three ARGB devices using 1 to 3 ARGB splitter cables. The ARGB controller has got three buttons/switches on it for various functions that include changing LED Lighting modes, LED Lighting speed, Thermal detection mode, and external addressable RGB through the supported motherboard.
The controller features 6 LED modes and 7 LED speed adjustments. If you connect it to the 5V ARGB header on the motherboard then you can control the lighting using the motherboard’s software by toggling a switch on the controller that bypasses the RGB connection. The controller is not compatible with any RGB software including the Cooler Master’s one. It has got integrated magnets that make it very to install in your PC case. All the necessary cables come included in the package with the RGB controller itself.
| Cooler Master Addressable RGB LED Small Controller Specifications | |
| Controller Type | Addressable RGB Controller |
| RGB Ports | 1 Port (5-pin) |
| Fan Ports | NA |
| Interface | Wired / Manual |
| Power Connector | SATA |
| Compatibility | ARGB Fans & Devices |
| RGB Control Method | Physical Buttons / Switch |
| Features | Compatible with Asus Aura Sync / MSI RGB Mystic Light Sync, 3-Button Remote control, Integrated Magnets |
Buy Cooler Master Addressable RGB LED Small Controller
Razer Chroma Addressable RGB Controller
[One of the Best ARGB Controllers, Universal Compatibility]
One of the best ARGB controllers out there in the market right now is the Razer Chroma Addressable RGB Controller. If you do not have a motherboard with ARGB headers but want the glory of ARGB lighting then you must have this ARGB controller. Razer Chroma Addressable RGB Controller is universally compatible with all ARGB devices having a 5V 3-pin ARGB connector. It comes with three 5V 3-pin ARGB ports and a USB port that connects to the motherboard USB 2.0 header using the supplied USB cable. The ARGB controller draws power from a single 4-pin Molex connector.
Razer Chroma Addressable RGB Controller supports Razer Chroma RGB and the ARGB lighting and customization can be controlled using the Razer Synapse 3 software. The software has good functionality, and an easy user interface and includes various ARGB customization and lighting modes. You can sync and control the ARGB lighting of various ARGB devices on your PC including LED strips, fans, CPU coolers, PC cases, and more. The ARGB controller includes 2.5-inch SSD mounting points that allow it to install it in an SSD bracket or bay. Highly Recommended!
| Razer Chroma Addressable RGB Controller Specifications | |
| Controller Type | Addressable RGB Controller |
| ARGB Ports | 3-pin 5V ARGB Ports x 6 |
| Fan Ports | NA |
| Interface | USB 2.0 |
| Power Connector | Molex 4-pin |
| Compatibility | Universal Compatibility with standard 5V 3-pin ARGB devices |
| RGB Control Method | Razer Synapse 3 Software |
| Features | Universal compatibility to work with any ARGB device, SSD Mounting Points, Truly customizable lighting |
Buy Razer Chroma Addressable RGB Controller
XSPC RGB Controller
[Compact, SATA powered, Cheap]
A compact RGB controller and is an easy solution for anyone who does not have RGB headers on their motherboard, but has an RGB device or wants to buy one. It supports 12V 4-pin RGB Fans and Devices and draws its power from a SATA connector. This RGB SATA Controller has got two 4-pin RGB ports (12V) to connect your RGB devices. The RGB lighting, speed, and effects can be controlled using the three buttons located in the middle of the cable. It supports 20 Static Color Modes, 19 Dynamic Modes, and 8 Brightness Settings. The cable for this RGB controller is sleeved and is pretty sturdy. It is one of the best ways to have a cost-effective solution to your RGB lighting needs.
| XSPC RGB Controller Specifications | |
| Controller Type | RGB Controller (12V) |
| RGB Ports | 2 Ports (4-pin 12V) |
| Fan Ports | NA |
| Interface | Wired / Manual |
| Power Connector | SATA |
| Compatibility | 4-pin RGB Fans & Strips [12V] |
| RGB Control Method | Physical Buttons |
| Features | Compact Size, supports 20 Static Color Modes, 19 Dynamic Modes, 8 Brightness Settings |
NZXT HUE 2 RGB Lighting Controller
An addressable RGB controller for NZXT Fans and LED Strips. It comes with four channels or ports that can support up to 40 LEDs or 6 accessories per channel (Up to four LED strips – 10 LEDs per strip / Up to five Aer RGB fans / Up to six HUE 2 accessories). The power to the device comes from a Molex connector, and the connectivity is established using a USB connector (9-pin to micro-USB).
The lighting and various effects are controlled by using the NZXT CAM software only. It is compatible with HUE+ LED strips and Aer RGB fans, but cannot be mixed with HUE 2 accessories in the same channel. The RGB Controller comes as a part of the NZXT HUE 2 RGB Lighting Kit that contains four 300mm NZXT ARGB LEDs along with the controller itself. You can check out the NZXT HUE 2 RGB Lighting Kit by going to the link given below.
| NZXT HUE 2 RGB Lighting Controller Specifications | |
| Controller Type | ARGB LED Controller |
| RGB Ports | 4 Ports (4-Pin) |
| Fan Ports | NA |
| Interface | USB 2.0 (9-pin) |
| Power Connector | Molex |
| Compatibility | NZXT HUE+ LED strips and Aer RGB fans |
| RGB Control Method | NZXT CAM Software |
| Features | Supports up to 40 LEDs or 6 accessories per channel |
Buy NZXT HUE 2 RGB Lighting Kit
Thermaltake TT Sync Controller TT Premium Edition
This is an Addressable RGB Controller and Fan Hub for Thermaltake Fans and other Thermaltake devices. It comes with nine ports (9-pin) for RGB devices and is powered by the SATA power connector. The controller is connected to the motherboard using a USB (9-pin) cable. The RGB lighting and customization are controlled using the Thermaltake Riing Plus RGB software. Also, it supports other popular RGB software that includes Asus Aura RGB Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome RGB through motherboard 5V ARGB header.
This Thermaltake TT Sync Controller is capable of handling up to 9 Thermaltake addressable LED products. The installation is easy and can be done using the included Velcro straps. Also, all the cables for power/devices and other connections come included in the package along with the RGB controller. You can refer to the Thermaltake official website for checking out the complete list of products supported by this slim and compact Thermaltake RGB Fan Hub & Controller.
| Thermaltake TT Sync Controller TT Premium Edition Specifications | |
| Controller Type | ARGB Hub Controller |
| RGB Ports | 9 Ports (9-Pin) |
| Fan Ports | 9 (shared with RGB port) |
| Interface | USB 2.0 (9-Pin) |
| Power Connector | SATA |
| Compatibility | Thermaltake RGB Fans, LED Strips & Devices |
| RGB Control Method | Motherboard RGB Software (Asus, Gigabyte, MSI), Thermaltake Riing Plus RGB software |
| Features | Support up to 9 Thermaltake Addressable LED Products, Sync with Motherboard RGB Software |
Buy Thermaltake TT Sync Controller TT Premium Edition
Phanteks Digital RGB Controller Hub
Here we have an Addressable RGB Controller from Phanteks that supports Phanteks D-RGB products, which include Halos (Lux) Digital and D-RGB LED Strips. The controller uses the SATA power connector for its working and comes with three ARGB ports (3-pin). The RGB Lighting Modes and effects on this controller can be controlled either by a 3-button remote control or through supported RGB software via a 5-pin motherboard header. You can daisy chain up to 7x (using remote) or 9x (connected to the motherboard) Phanteks’ D-RGB products.
It officially supports Asus, ASRock, and MSI 5-pin ARGB motherboard headers, but you can also use it Gigabyte Digital Pin Header using a Gigabyte D-LED adapter, which you have to buy separately. The controller is very small and lightweight, and can be attached easily inside the case using built-in magnets or by using the double-sided tape that comes along with it. The RGB Controller comes with all the required cables and wired remote that you need to make it work.
| Phanteks Digital RGB Controller Hub Specifications | |
| Controller Type | Addressable RGB Controller & Hub |
| RGB Ports | 3 Ports (3-Pin) |
| Fan Ports | NA |
| Interface | 3-pin ARGB / Manual |
| Power Connector | SATA |
| Compatibility | Phanteks D-RGB products |
| RGB Control Method | Motherboard Software / Wired Remote |
| Features | Compatible with Asus Aura Sync / MSI RGB Mystic Light Sync, 3-Button Remote control, Integrated Magnets |
Buy Phanteks Digital RGB Controller Hub
RGB Controller Hub
[Requires 5V /12V RGB Header on Motherboard]
RGB Controller Hubs are used to increase RGB connections with only one RGB header. This means if you have only one RGB header on your motherboard, but want to add multiple RGB Fans and RGB Strips then an RGB Controller Hub will allow you to do so. It turns one RGB header into multiple headers (4, 6, 8, etc.), depending on the device’s capability. The RGB lighting and effects on these RGB controller hubs are generally controlled using the motherboard’s RGB software. This also means that they only work with a motherboard with at least one supported RGB header, and if your motherboard does not have any RGB header then you cannot use them and have to use independent RGB Controllers only that I have mentioned above.
Deepcool RGB Convertor
[5V to 12V RGB Transfer Hub]
Deepcool RGB Converter is a one-stop solution for all those users who have only 12V 4-pin RGB headers on their motherboard but want to use 5V ARGB (3-pin) devices. It is a 5V to 12V RGB Transfer Hub that allows you to use both ARGB and RGB Fans and LED Strips simultaneously. It is powered by a 5V SATA power connector and connects to the motherboard using a 12V 4-pin RGB connector. For output, it has got three 5V ARGB ports (3-pin) and two 12V RGB ports (4-pin), where you can connect your ARG and RGB devices.
This 5V to 12V RGB Transfer Hub+Converter is compatible with all the major motherboard brands (MSI, Asus, Gigabyte), and its RGB software include MSI Mystic Light Sync, Asus Aura Sync, and Gigabyte RGB Fusion. This is a small lightweight device that has got a built-in magnet and comes with included Velcro strip for effortless installation. The length of the HUB Strip Cable is 600mm, which is long enough for most computer cases.
| Deepcool RGB Convertor Specifications | |
| Input Power | SATA 5V |
| Input Port | 4-pin(+12V-G-R-B) × 1 |
| Output Port | 4-pin(+12V-G-R-B) × 2, 3-pin(+5V-D-G) × 3 |
| Cable Length | 600mm |
XSPC 8 Way, 4Pin, 12V RGB Splitter Hub
[RGB Hub for 12V 4-pin RGB Connectors, SATA Powered]
This is a 12V RGB Hub or Splitter that takes one 12V 4-pin RGB connector as input and provides you eight 4-pin RGB headers for hooking up your RGB devices that include RGB fans, RGB LED Strips, or other 12V RGB devices. It is very handy in situations when your motherboard has only one or two 12V 4-pin RGB headers, but you have a lot more RGB components and devices to connect to. For power, this RGB Splitter Hub uses one SATA connector from the PSU and can deliver a maximum total power output of 66W@5.5A.
This RGB Hub is compact and is only 15mm thick. For installation, it comes with an adhesive hook/loop pad, making it easy to mount it anywhere in your case. A sleeved RGB cable (12v 4-pin) comes included with it, having a length of 60cm. It is available in two colors: black and white.
Note: This RGB hub is not compatible with 3pin 5V addressable RGB headers or controllers.
| XSPC 8 Way, 4Pin, 12V RGB Splitter Hub Specifications | |
| Input Power | SATA 12V |
| Input Port | 4-pin(+12V-G-R-B) × 1 |
| Output Port | 4-pin(+12V-G-R-B) × 8 |
| Cable Length | 60cm |
Buy XSPC 8 Way, 4Pin, 12V RGB Splitter Hub
XSPC 8 Way, 3Pin, 5V RGB Splitter Hub
[5V 3-pin ARGB Hub, SATA Powered]
This is a 5V ARGB Hub Splitter that takes one 5V 3-pin ARGB connector as input and provides you eight 3-pin ARGB connectors for hooking up your ARGB devices that include RGB fans, RGB LED Strips, etc. It is very handy in situations when your motherboard has only one or two 5V 3-pin RGB headers, but you have a lot more ARGB components or devices to connect to. For power, this ARGB Splitter Hub uses one SATA power connector from the PSU and can deliver a maximum total power output of 6.5A (32.5W).
The ARGB Hub is compact and is only 15mm thick. For installation, it comes with an adhesive hook/loop pad, making it easy to mount it anywhere in your case. A sleeved ARGB cable (5v 3-pin) comes included with it, having a length of 60cm. It is available in two colors: black and white.
| XSPC 8 Way, 3Pin, 5V RGB Splitter Hub Specifications | |
| Input Power | SATA 12V |
| Input Port | 3-pin 5V RGB × 1 |
| Output Port | 3-pin 5V RGB × 8 |
| Cable Length | 60 cm |
Buy XSPC 8 Way, 3Pin, 5V RGB Splitter Hub
Thermalright ARGB HUB Controller
[Ten 5V 3-pin ARGB Output Ports, Stylish Multicolor Scheme]
A 10-port ARGB Hub controller from Thermalright that makes high-quality PC cooling components like Case Fans, CPU Coolers, Thermal paste, etc. The ARGB Hub has got one 5V 3-pin input ARGB port for synchronizing the signals at ten 5V 3-pin ARGB output ports. A SATA connector powers the ARGB Hub and you can attach the Hub inside the PC case using the included 3M tape. The ARGB Hub looks very stylish because of its shiny multicolor scheme.
| Thermalright ARGB HUB Controller Specifications | |
| Input Power | SATA |
| Input Port | 5V 3-pin ARGB |
| Output Port | 10 x 5V 3-pin ARGB |
| Cable Length | 60cm |
Buy Thermalright ARGB HUB Controller
Thermalright RGB HUB Controller
[Ten 12V 4-pin RGB Output Ports]
A 10-port RGB Hub controller from Thermalright. The RGB Hub has got one 12V 4-pin input RGB port for synchronizing the signals at ten 12V 4-pin RGB output ports. A SATA connector powers the ARGB Hub and you can attach the Hub inside the PC case using the included 3M tape. The hub comes in metallic blue color.
| Thermalright RGB HUB Controller Specifications | |
| Input Power | SATA |
| Input Port | 12V 4-pin RGB |
| Output Port | 10 x 12V 4-pin RGB |
| Cable Length | 60cm |
Buy Thermalright RGB HUB Controller
RGB Splitter Cables
Below are some RGB and ARGB splitter cables that let you connect multiple RGB / A-RGB devices using a single RGB / ARGB header on the motherboard.
4 Way LED RGB Splitter Cable
A 4-way RGB splitter Y cable for RGB motherboards, controllers, and devices that supports a 4-pin 12V RGB connection.
Buy 4 Way LED RGB Splitter Cable
Cooler Master A-RGB 1-to-3 Splitter Cable
Addressable RGB 1-to-3 Splitter Cable that lets you connect three A-RGB devices (Fans, LED Strips, etc.) using a single 3-pin ARGB motherboard header (5V). It supports Gigabyte, Asus, ASRock, and MSI motherboards. The cable is flexible and is 58cm in length.
Buy Cooler Master A-RGB 1-to-3 Splitter Cable
Cooler Master RGB 1-to-3 Splitter Cable
RGB 1-to-3 Splitter Cable that lets you connect three A-RGB devices (Fans, LED Strips, etc.) using a single 4-pin RGB motherboard header (12V). It supports Gigabyte, Asus, ASRock, and MSI motherboards. This RGB cable is compatible with both 5-pin RGBW header and 4-pin RGB header without requiring any adapter. The cable is flexible and is 58cm in length.
Buy Cooler Master RGB 1-to-3 Splitter Cable
Other RGB Controllers
Here are some other RGB controllers that you can also check out.
See also:
- Best RGB PC Case for Gaming
- Best RGB Power Supplies for Gaming PC
- Best RGB CPU Coolers [Air & Liquid]
- Best RGB RAM for Gaming PC [DDR4]
Final Words
RGB Controller comes in very handy to add multiple RGB LED devices inside your PC Case. Some RGB LED controllers work with their RGB products only as they use proprietary connectors, while some of the RGB Controllers do support standard RGB devices (Fans / LED Strips) with standard RGB connectors. If you have any confusion regarding the compatibility of these RGB controllers with your RGB components or have any other doubts, then you can ask your queries here by leaving a comment below.
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Thanks for the lesson. 🙂
Hi, with Cooler Master RGB controller, can I use ARGB Fans with 3 pin!?
Thank you very much
No, it only supports 12V RGB fans with 4-pin. For ARGB fans, you have to use SilverStone Addressable RGB Control Box LSB02 or Cooler Master Addressable RGB LED Small Controller.
Ok thank you, so if I have Cooler Master argb fans with this Silverstone I can control the lights, right ? Because I have a Small controller but my motherboard doesn’t have 3 pin only 4 pin.
Thank you
For Cooler Master fans, go with the Cooler Master Addressable RGB LED Small Controller.
hello I have messed with the color setings and no only one lights up but 2 still spin and one has completely stop I don’t know how to fix it because I tried googling on how to fix but there was nothing there
With the Cooler Master Addressable RGB LED Small Controller what does the USB port do? I don’t have either a RGB or A-RGB header on the board (ASRock H110-DGS) but hooking it up didn’t seem to affect anything. Unfortunately Cooler Master’s documentation is trash.
I think it is for syncing through motherboard’s RGB software, if your motherboard already has RGB/ARGB headers. And yes, I do agree that Cooler Master’s documentation is horrible.
You seem to have some experience with the Cooler Master RGB LED Controller. Do you know if it requires the software to be running to “remember” its profile? This looks like about the only good option for 12V RGB control via USB, but if it it cant save settings to hardware, its no good in my opinion.
Thank you.
I don’t think it has onboard memory for saving the settings.
If I got serval ARGB devices (ARGB Fans, RGB Strips, GPU & CPU blocks… etc) and two of each 12V and 5V ports on the mobo. Which hub would be the best choice for aura sync. Can I control the RGB effect of each fan individually through the hub.
How many 12V (4-pin) and 5V (3-pin) RGB devices you have in total?
12 or more 5V devices
That is a lot of ARGB devices. Here, I suggest you to get XSPC 8 Way, 3Pin, 5V RGB Splitter Hub that will give you 8 3-pin ARGB ports. So, if you buy two of them then you can have 16 3-pin ARGB connections, which I think are enough. You can control the RGB lighting using Asus Aura Sync, but not individually. The RGB lighting & effects can be controlled per 3-pin ARGB header on your motherboard. Hope this helps!
i have 2 Corsair ML 120mm fans and a 140 ML from the same brand. will it work with the cooler master rgb led controller?
No they will not work because fans have addressable RGB LEDs (5V) and the Cooler Master RGB controller is for 12V RGB fans & strips.
Will any of these work with Corsair ll120/ll140?
No, you need a Corsair RGB controller for it.
hey dude im looking for a rgb + fan controller, but i have no rgb port in my motherboard so i need to find one that doesnt require this while also having fans. my case has 2 rgb fans in it (its a ps15-rgb case from silverstone) so im not sure if theyre argb or what.
https://i.imgur.com/U2P6AAh.jpg
these are the cables from my fans, would they work with the LSB02 controller you listed here, or any other one?
Hello
You have RGB Fans (12V, 4-pin), which means you have to get the LSB01 controller. Check this at https://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=729&bno=128&tb=53&area=en
so the LSB01 would both power the fans and control the lighting? because i only have one fan socket on my mobo as well and would need to get a seperate fan hub if the LSB01 didnt have extra sockets for fans alongside lighting
thanks so much
It will only power the RGB LEDs. For powering fan, you have to get a 4-pin Y cable or a 4-pin fan hub.
ah so theres none that have both functions, i must buy seperate products?
I don’t think there are any. The 4-pin Y cable will be cheaper than the hub if you want to run only two fans.
Hi, I have the Asus Maximus Gene XI board, which only has a 12V RGB header and no ARGB 5V header. What options do I have to connect Thermaltake Ring Trio ARGB fans with full functionality and syncing using Aura Sync? Would be handy to be able to plug in RBG devices into a controller as well, but I do have a RGB header that I can use. But ideally into the controller to sync them all up.
Hello, Thermaltake RGB fans work with Thermaltake RGB controller only and they do not support Asus Aura Sync. To use the RGB header on your motherboard, you can get Cooler Master RGB fans and can control the lighting using Asus Aura Sync e.g. Cooler Master MasterFan Pro 120 Air Balance RGB.
Hi there,
Thanks for coming back to me. What I really want to know is how I can use ARGB fans when my board only has a 12V RGB header. Is it possible to do this and have full control over the ARGB fans (preferably through the header or can it be done through USB?). My preference was Thermaltake ARGB fans.
You can use Deepcool RGB Convertor for connecting ARGB fans to RGB connection / header, but Thermaltake ARGB fans can only be used with the Thermaltake RGB controller because of its proprietary connection.
Thanks – could I plug the Thermaltake fans into the Thermaltake controller, and then the Thermaltake controller into the DeepCool converter (which would go to the MB?)
No you cannot.
If I attach Phanteks Digital/Addressable RGB LED Halos to DEEPCOOL RGB Converter will it still retain its Addressable/Rainbow Effect?
Can’t really say that it will work or not.
I have the exact setup (Halos Lux ARGB and the Deepcool converter with only 12V headers on my mobo) ; You will lose the ARGB effect, you have to get the Phanteks RGB hub in the article. I’m doing the same 😉
Thanks for the tip. However, I think if you attach the Phanteks Halos Lux ARGB to an addressable converter via the 3-pin 5v SATA connector & Power Supply, it will retain the ARGB effec;t. That’s the route I’m going since my MoBo only has the RGB 4-pin hub.
Ok thanks.
I’m planning on putting 8 or 9 argb 5v fans. do I need an rgb hub or will my motherboard power them all? I have two 5v argb headers.
You will need an ARGB Hub. Which ARGB Fans are you planning to buy?
Im getting the zf-12025 from id cooling any rgb hub u recommend that is not that expensive
You need XSPC 8 Way, 3Pin, 5V RGB Splitter Hub. It can provide 8-ARGB ports but you also need to have enough PWM connectors on motherboard for fan power & control.
I have 3 PWM Fan headers. I think I can daisy chain the fan speed. I’m concerned with the argb as I read, 5v might now be able to supply enough juice to a lot of fans. I live in the Philippines and I don’t think XSPC 8 way, 3 pin is available here.
The fan is 12V only but the RGB LEDs are 5V.
Yeah I know. I have 3 PWM headers and 2 other rgb header.
For ARGB you may also use A-RGB 1-to-3 Splitter Cable https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/rgb-accessories/argb-1-to-3-splitter-cable/
Thanks you so much! I learned most of what I know here!
I just bought an ASUS motherboard with a 12v RGB header. My first attempt into RGB! If i had spent a little more I could have had an ARGB header as well, but I didn’t understand at the time (and no refunds, doh).
I also have ARGB fans (Deepcool CF120) and an ARGV strip on the front of my case (Deepcool Matrexx 55). Reading your list, It seems like I should get the Deepcool RGB Convertor, but there’s one sad problem…
If I use RGB, I get all the lights doing the same color at the same time, correct? If could get ARGB I’d get to have flows of multi-colors running through everything. So I’d like to find a way.
The motherboard is lighting up my RAM in patterns (G.Skill Trident Z), which means it *can* do addressable right? (Otherwise, the memory would just be all red or all blue, not two sticks with multiple lights in each doing different things simultaneously.)
What I’m hoping to find is a box/converter that can read commands from the motherboard and act as the ARGB header I’m missing. That way, everything would be in sync (ASUS Aura Sync specifically)
You can get Deepcool RGB Convertor that lets you convert 12V RGB port into 5V ARGB one. However, you may not be able to sync them all.
Thanks. Not available on Amazon 🙁 I think this will have all lights the same color — that is, no spiraling multi-colored Add-rgb tricks, but I guess I can’t be more choosy than that.
Nice guide! Only you can help me!
I would like to buy a thermaltake commander c 36 case. You probably know that it comes with 2 200mm ARGB fans, one 120mm non-rgb standar fan on the back, and an integrated controller on the backside of the case. I love this case!
But before buying it, I have 3 question for you!
1) i would like to know if i can add more thermaltake argb fans to that existing controller (don’t know how many … at least 1 to replace it with the 120mm non-rgb fan already installed)
2) in order to add more thermaltake argb fans, should i need to combine the controller in the fans kit with that already installed in the case? (I’m a bit confused because of the “not so accurate” information on the web as well as the exact cables connections)
3) it will be possible to use the software for the lights and PWM function to control the fans speed?
Unfortunately I don’t have rgb header on my motherboard.
You can add one more Thermaltake 5V ARGB fan to the case ARG controller. Also, to control the RGB lighting through motherboard software, you need a motherboard with ARGB header.
Thanks for your reply! I did’nt find a single fan pack on the market, even if in thermaltake site there is this option i don’t know where i can pick one of these fan. And of course I’m not going to buy a kit of 3 fans to replace a single fan.
They say that fans already installed are PWM but I don’t understand how i can control the fans speed…
I think they are not PWM fans but rather fixed RPM ones.
I don’t have an rgb header on my mobo(pretty old board) so which would be my best option to get to attach rgb fans? I don’t have the fans yet but I will buy them depending on which controller I purchase. That way I get the correct fans to connect to the hub. I would also like to be able to connect my Phanteks p400 case lights to the controller, is that also possible?
Are you looking for ARGB or RGB fans?
Please help, I have the XSPC 5V 3-Pin RGB Fan Splitter. There are 7 argb fans connected to the splitter, the splitter is connected to a 5V argb header on my Gigabyte z390 Aorus Pro WiFi, and SATA power is plugged into the splitter. When the PC is shutdown (not in hibernate) “problem” LEDs on my MB and GPU are lit, GPU AiO radiator fans always spin and PSU never shuts off, its fan spins nonstop. All BIOS settings for LEDs are set to OFF when shutdown, as well as the duplicate RGB Fusion app setting. The XSPC splitter has a white LED that indicates it has power. The ONLY way to fix everything is disconnecting the SATA power from the splitter. Splitter power LED still lit with only the 3-pin cable plugged into the MB, RGB fans still working and controllable from RGB Fusion. Do you have any idea why connecting SATA power to the splitter would cause these problems or why disconnecting it fixes them?
Strange! No idea why it is doing so.
I made a big mistake. When I fried my Gigabyte B450M Aorus motherboard, I replaced it with an MSI B450M Bazooka V2 motherboard. The Gigabyte mobo’s ARGB header is a male 3 pin, two pins, one space, and one more pin. It fit perfectly with my FSP 3 pin ARGB case hub header. But then I fried the Gigabyte board and without knowing the MSI board had a 4 pin ARGB header I bought it and now I am stuck without being able to connect the FSP 3 pin case hub header with my 4 pin MSI header. I bought the DEEP COOL RGB Convertor, 5V ADD-RGB to 12V RGB Transfer Hub, Motherboard with 12V 4-pin Header, but either it won’t work with my motherboard or I have it hooked up incorrectly. Please keep me from buying another Gigabyte board and tell me what I need to do to fix my situation.
The convertor should work fine. Check your connections and cables at both ends i.e. at motherboard (input) and at case (output).
1. Case has 6x Dual Ring RGB High-Speed PWM Fans
2. Gamdias Chione M2-240R All-in-One CPU Liquid Cooler
Both can Sync with MSI Mystic lighting & ASUS aura sync, but each of the above items came with their own RGB remote control. Problem we have is that both components (PWM fans & Gamdias cooler), RGB remote controls seem to cross signals.
i.e. Pressing buttons to change color for the PWM Fans, changes colors on the Cooler. What’s more, we have 2 of these setups for my 2 boys. PC’s are in different rooms. But if we change settings for 1, it changes settings for the other PC.
What RGB controller would be suitable, because it’s obvious that the remote controllers are not ideal.
I am not getting it completely. Are these RGB or ARGB fans and what RGB connectors do they have?
Hi, will any of these controllers be able to control the ARGB LEDs on a set of Enermax TB RGB AD Fans? Ideally i’d like to control them via software, but a remote is also okay. I have an Asus Strix Z270i motherboard, which only has a standard 12v RGB header. Thanks.
Deepcool RGB Convertor should work fine.
Thanks for the help!
Hi there,
I have the Asus prime b450 m-a… The micro atx. It has a 4 pin rgb connector… It only allows me to set my fans to single colors.
I’ve got my hands on 3 deepcool argb fans. I’d like something that allows me to connect the 3 fans and have them display colors differently. Like 1 as blue, 1 as white etc… What would I need in order to do this?
Thank you
Asus Prime B450M-A has 12V RGB header and for ARGB fans, you will need 5V ARGB header or controller. Deepcool RGB Convertor should be able to solve your issue.
Hello there,
Do you have an idea what to buy when I want to hook up any ARGB-device like fans or strips to a controller that can be controlled with software? Thank you.
You need a motherboard with ARGB 5V 3-pin headers.
Hi, I have a msi x470 gaming pro. But want to use phanteks neon strip. Which controller would be best for this
You need a 5V 3-pin ARGB controller or header on motherboard. I think Deepcool RGB Convertor may work.
Hi, great article. What are your thoughts on using a hub powered by the PSU to enable you to hook up more than the max 5v limit to the 3 pin argb header? Is this possible?
SATA powered hubs are there but I did not understand the question completely. Do you want to connect 5V 3-pin ARGB fans?
Correct me if I am wrong , As I understand 3 pin add rgb headers have max limit of 5v (15w). If I want to connect the rgb wires from 6 fans I would use a splitter or hub to connect them all then back to the motherboard. Let’s say the LED power rating is 2.5w per fan multiplied by 6 gives 15w. If I also wanted to connect 2 RGB strips it would put this above max limit for the header. What if I were to use a hub powered by sata or molex from the PSU where I could connect 6 fan wires and 2 strips then back to the motherboard. Would this work and not overload the header if additional power is supplied from the PSU?
The power limit would be dependent on the external power supplied to the RGB hub. For motherboard, it would be dependent on the current supplied by the motherboard to the ARGB header.
Akshat, I have 4 Mettalic Gear DRGB FANs (Shakron), and 4 Gamemax ARGB fans plus a Gamemax Iceberg 240 AIO with ARGB , can I control these devices LEDs using Cooler Master MFP-ACBN-NNUNN-R1 Controller ? All devices are 5V+Data+GND. My concern is about the data line, because the Gamemax FANs has 12 LEDs each, and didn´t see any Cooler Master Products with these number at theirs control line, always is about 6 or 8.
If the fans connectors are compatible with ARGB controller (3-pin 5V) then I think there is no issue.
Thank you !
Hi, may I know which ARGB hub can control my lighting effect for ARGB Fan and ARGB AIO? Both devices in different brands.
What ARGB fan and AIO do you have?
ID cooling zoomflow 360 and 1st Player Firebase G3 RGB LED
If they have standard 3-pin ARGB connectors then Cooler Master Addressable RGB Led Controller should work. https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/coolers/rgb-accessories/argb-led-controller/
Alright thanks bro! Is this cooler master addressable rgb led controller come with the best lighting effects? I’m so sick of my fusion 2.0 🙁
purchased sp107e from ebay, bought 4 x 300led 5m strips
12 or 5v all ok
purchased a 10a transformer
plug in and control from phone
extreemly good light show from this
works with music or on own
no need to put sound to it, has mic built in
total about £100 for 4x5mm strips easily reduced to fit by 1/2 mtr lengths
adressable strips are far superior to rgb, each led works independanly
this set up has 200+ settings
i have on stairs , bedroom, living room
gave up trying to tie with pc, pc are more rgb based and argb much better effect out of the box
Can you please specify the exact model of the fans.
Just picked up 6 Thermaltake Pure 12 ARGB fans, planning to get 2 more. I was wondering if there is a way I can control them from my PC, as currently, I can only use the included physical controllers. my mobo is a ROG hero VIII, no RGB header but I do have a spare usb2 header.
Without ARGB header, I think it is not possible.
No USB2 –> ARGB controllers? Wierd, I would assume all the ARGB data can be sent via USB.
It can be done but there are no such universal controllers in the market.
Tom,
Basically, any controller that can be used outside the computer case can control devices through USB. Just be careful, some use proprietary connectors or will only work with their software (seems the case with the Thermaltake controller and the Zalman Z-Sync).
I’ve read you can use the CoolerMaster A-RGB LED Small controller (or the larger Addressable RGB LED Controller if you can find it, I’ve looked everywhere, but CoolerMaster assured me it was still in production) to control 5V ARGB devices using a micro USB to 4 or 5 pin USB 2.0 header (not supplied with the controller) and just use the switch on the controller to allow the motherboard to control. It is limited to 3 devices as per CoolerMaster specs. Of you can just control it through MasterPlus, CoolerMaster’s software.
You can also use Corsair ICUE Commander Pro which works the same. The USB header is even included in the box. You can control your devices through the CUE software and since you have a ROG motherboard, you can install Asus AURA or Armoury Crate. Corsair and Asus are working together on building up compatibility of their respective equipments. The CUE software gives access to more lighting patterns.
If you can find it and want to remain with ASUS, on the ROG side of the house they have the ASUS ROG terminal which lets you control ARGB devices through micro USB, but this one seems to be discontinued as well. Might be part of the Corsair/Asus teaming up and pushing development on the ICUE.
Hi Akshat,
Thank you for this. Are you familiar with the Coolmoon ARGB controller? It has a 4 pin port for 5V led strips. Do you know about these ports and how we can connect a 3pin RGB equipment to it? See
https://www.ebay.com/itm/COOLMOON-LED-RGB-Case-Computer-PC-Cooling-Fan-Case-Remote-Control-Cooler-120mm/313073366351?hash=item48e4a0754f:g:qzwAAOSw9PNesSke
Never heard of this controller and there is also not enough information on the page you have provided.
Hi,
Thanks so much for your last reply. Appreciate it.
Please help me here.
I have Z270F Gaming Strix Motherboard which has 2 RGB 12V Header.
I recently bought TT UX100 which made me realize that I need a 5V Header.
I need a 12V to 5V Converter.
I have the Updated Aura Sync from where I can control all lighting effects but I need that converter or adapter. Know any?
You need Deepcool RGB Convertor for this. Check at http://www.gamerstorm.com/product/ACCESSORY/2019-03/1291_10731.shtml
Hi,
Thermaltake UX100 not working with Deepcool RGB converter.
Only have this CPU cooler to test no other.
The cable seems flumsy of UX100. Only give 2 wires one for Ground other for Power. Should it work ? or did I just a got a broken wire product?
Thanks
Two wires only? A 5V RGB connector has three wires/pins.
Yes, only 2 which is hard getting both of them connected at the same time. One or the other always drops out. The description says that the cpu cooler is powered by 4 pin and LED is powered by 3 pin which is correct but the connection cable has only 2 pins, one for ground and other for D. You won’t see it any where in the internet.
There is no 2-pin RGB connector. Something is wrong.
https://www.tpstech.in/products/thermaltake-ux100-argb-lighting-cpu-cooler-with-16-8-million-colors-of-15-argb-leds-and-high-volume-airflow-design
See the specifications tab
I see. It is a very unique case, one cable is for ground and other one is for data. Connect them to the ground and data pins of the ARGB header and check.
Actually, it didn’t work at the beginning coz somehow I connected the pin to GDV connecter. I guess G wire was connected to V so somehow it got melted a little bit and got loose. Now it won’t stay connected to G connecter in 3 pin ARGB header.
I’m thinking of getting new water cooler. But i have tested the cooler and it runs upto 80 or more under heavy load mostly playing games. Is this normal? If it is not then I would be switching on to water cooler and if its ok then i will just be needing case fans for more cooling.
Thanks
I think it is normal for this cooler. No need to get a water cooler for Core i5 7600. I have the same processor in one of my systems with Cooler Master Hyper 212 LED cooler and the cooler is enough for it.
Ok thanks.
BTW I’m confused between Deepcool CF120 3 in 1 and Thermal take pure 12 ARGB sync case fans. I have recently bought Deepcool matrexx 55 case without fans as that will give me more power over customization.
So which would you suggest?
I would prefer Thermaltake pure 12 ARGB sync.
Great article.
I got an Asus GPU with aurasync, so i thought of upgrading my case fans into aurasync compatible fans. But i sadly found out that my mobo doesn’t have an RGB header. Which fans/controllers would you suggest if I want to have it controlled by aurasync even without an RGB header? Multiple suggestions would be highly appreciated.
Thank you!
If your motherboard does not have a RGB header then you can’t control them using Aurasync. The only way to control them is by the RGB controller buttons only having predefined settings.
I thought it can be controlled as long as the controller can be connected to a USB hub, and also compatible with Aurasync software?
You can buy one of the controllers that can be connected to a USB header or USB wire such as the Cooler Master ARGB small controller (1 channel), the Corsair iCUE Commander Pro (2 channels) and the ASUS ROG Aura Terminal (4 channels, if you can find it). But you cannot control the Cooler Master with AURA Sync, you have to use their software, at least I haven’t found how to do it from AURA or Armoury Crate. Corsair and ASUS are working on making their hardware cross compatible, so you can control everything from the ICUE software.
Hello, your post really helps me out. I have case that takes 12vGRB but my mother board does not have the header. I want to have a 5 fan setup as well but i have not been able to find a one -stop solution to provide power to 5 fan + 1 case led.
Any suggesting?
Thanks!
Well, for powering the fans, you have to use a fan hub and for controlling RGB, an RGB controller is required. I don’t think there is any one stop solution that can do both.
How would you rate the Razer chroma controller compared to this list?
It is good but the RGB Lighting can only be controlled using the Razer Synapse 3 software.