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Help! RGB lighting in computer devices

LeatherGryphonLeatherGryphon Posts: 11,668
edited June 2021 in The Commons

The situation:  I'm tweaking out my DAZing computers and some of them are getting more/better fans and RGB lighting in the cases.  I thought I understood the RGB lighting fad but now I'm confused.

All of the motherboards I'm working with are made by ASUS.  All, I believe, support Asus Aura software/hardware.  The best board has two "Addressable RGB" (ARGB) 3-pin headers  and two "RGB" 4-pin headers.  The other two boards are older(cheaper) and only have one  4-pin RGB header.  

I'm looking to replace some of the existing simple unlighted fans in my system with lighted ones.  I want the fan's speed to be controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM) through the power connector (4-pins).  I also want to get the correct type of RGB lighting (ARGB or RGB).  I do not want to have to buy a separate RGB controller, I just want to use the motherboard's RGB headers.

The problem: I'm having difficulty identifying fans that have both 4-pin power connector(PWM), and 4-pin lighting connector(RGB).  Catalog descriptions are often incomplete and often describe their color technology in terms of their branded software system.  I'm confused by potential complexities and compatabilities.sad

1st Question:  Are the acronyms RGB and ARGB the only types of LED lighting used on most motherboards?  Are various manufacturers confusing the issue by using their own pet names for their particular variation of technology or software control?

2nd Question: I believe I've gleaned that "RGB" LED systems (4-pins) use 12 volts that control entire strings of same color lights at a time by the voltage on one of three hot lines (plus ground).  And that "ARGB" LED systems (3-pins) are 5 volts and control each LED independently in the string by digital signals.  So the two systems are completely incompatable.  Right?

3rd Question:  Since I am (at the moment) dealing with only ASUS motherboards, I have at my disposal Asus's AURA software to control the sequencing of the lights.  Any advice or warnings about AURA software?

The Cigar Question: I'm able to find lots of 4-pin PWM fans using 3-pin ARGB lighting but having trouble finding PWM fans using the simpler 4-pin RGB lighting.   I'm currently looking at a set of three fans by NZXT.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GVHSSWR/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 I think that model is 4-pin power(PWM) and 4-pin lighting (RGB).  Am I correct?  But the catalog description says it uses NZXT's "Hue-2" lighting controller (*sigh*) is that RGB or ARGB or something completely different?  Can it be controlled with Asus motherboard headers and AURA software?

Oops, nevermind.  Scratch NZXT, I found the "Disclaimer" on the page that says I do need their controller. (*boogers*).​frown  OK, so I'm again unable to find a 4-pin PWM fan using 4-pin RGB lighting.  Any suggestions?  Cigar still available.smiley

Bonus Question: The term "RGB" is so very overused that it becomes nearly useless when searching for computer electronic devices.  Is there another, more unique, term that is (or could be) used to identify the simpler RGB 4-pin, LED lighting systems in computers?

Post edited by LeatherGryphon on

Comments

  • Gator_2236745Gator_2236745 Posts: 1,312

    These here say they have a 4-pin power connector, and also 4-pin RGB.  Further down the page they list variants 4 pin power, 3 pin power and same with RGB.

    https://www.amazon.com/Antec-120mm-RGB-Performance-F12/dp/B07V31D5PF

    Yeah, from what I read the voltage and signaling is different (4 pin has a separate R G and B) and incompatible.

  • LeatherGryphonLeatherGryphon Posts: 11,668
    edited June 2021

    Kudos and a cigar to scott762_948aec318a (say that three times rapidly​)indecisionyes   The cigar can be picked up on Shrove Tuesday.

    But I also found these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HN199YJ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A1TG24VCRPTZ06&psc=1 by searching specifically for Asus supported fans.  

    Post edited by LeatherGryphon on
  • Gator_2236745Gator_2236745 Posts: 1,312

    I'm not sure but I think if it's just the 4-pin RGB they're all compatible.  I don't even remember now, lol - but I think I searched for RGB.  I definitely didn't search Asus or Aura Sync.  FYI I have an Asus board that I just hooked up and I used the generic 4-pin splitter for the fans on my AIO, works fine.

     

    Yeah my name, just what I was given when I signed up I guess I just accepted it.  Doesn't seem like I can change it.indecision

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 24,839

    scott762_948aec318a said:

    I'm not sure but I think if it's just the 4-pin RGB they're all compatible.  I don't even remember now, lol - but I think I searched for RGB.  I definitely didn't search Asus or Aura Sync.  FYI I have an Asus board that I just hooked up and I used the generic 4-pin splitter for the fans on my AIO, works fine.

     

    Yeah my name, just what I was given when I signed up I guess I just accepted it.  Doesn't seem like I can change it.indecision

    You can change your username here. 

  • TaozTaoz Posts: 9,979

    scott762_948aec318a said:

    Yeah my name, just what I was given when I signed up I guess I just accepted it.  Doesn't seem like I can change it.
    indecision

    On your account page, in the box with your name and email, click the "Edit" link at the right end of the box.  There you can change your username.

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