For anyone getting into this, getting true cross compatible RGB can be painful if you mix and match manufacturers such as Corsair keyboard, Logitech mouse, Asus headset etc. You definitely don't want to run multiple RGB software programs to control it all. Look at 3rd party programs like SignalRGB or OpenRGB and see if your hardware is supported. Neither of those are perfect, but they are doing their best to enable true cross brand unified RGB control.
SignalRGB is freemium, so you only have a selection of what SignalRGB can actually do, OpenRGB on the other hand is entirely free and open source, it's most of the reason why OpenRGB has as many supported devices as it does
@aftdawn Sure, many of the effects and fan control part of SignalRGB is paid content, but the core control of multiple devices and basic themes isn't. OpenRGB does maybe support more devices currently, but once SignalRGB gets AMD based graphics cards to run, that list should shrink a lot.
Super informative. Building my first pc, getting all excited about this lighting and realizing I didn’t know how it worked. Incredibly helpful to actually know what I’m looking at. Thanks.
I didn't realise this was such a rocky road. Buying an RGB fan and assuming it would simply work by plugging into my MB. How wrong I was. Appreciate your video, thanks!
Built a pc around 2002ish and the only color I had was blue on the case when it powered up. Already bought parts for a build now and I quickly realized I know nothing about rgb. Thank you for this video. I do have all different brand parts as I didn't realize any of this.
Excellent video, most don't go into the back story and being someone who is very technical it goes a long way to understanding the why. Most people just talk product and that changes yearly or even monthly sometimes so it isn't as helpful as the info you provide here. Never been a bling person but working at home for the last few years I have been looking into things like this and knowledge is good.
Thanks Wayne Dixon! I'm am extremely happy you found this video useful, it was fun to make it. I wasn't a bling person either until 4-5 years ago....and you can see where I ended up....haha. Have fun, thanks for watching!!!
This is definitely the most comprehensive beginner video I found yet. This is the first video I actually comprehended all the differences and it all actually registered. Thank you very much for this and to anybody just starting out who's reading these comments this video is a must-watch
ASUS Motherboard PRIME H310M-A R2.0 How do I connect the ARGB Fan light on this Motherboard,? Is it advisable I use the (SPDIF _OUT) to plug the lighting of the fan?? I have the NV-I120FWR3 fans from Raidmax
Hi KW Forex Education. SPDIF_OUT is an audio cable. You cannot use this for RGB connection, although it's similar. This motherboard does not have any RGB connectors, which means you cannot use the motherboard to control any RGB. You will need another type of controller. Your Raidmax fans I'm assuming came with a controller and it's remote. You can use that with no problems, but you won't be able to use the MB sync on this motherboard. There are other controller types out there you could add, such as the ones from corsair that we look at alot on this channel, there are others out there, the one from Razer comes to mind. If you want to gain some software control over those, take a look at the 'lighting node pro', that's a small controller with 2 corsair RGB ports, you could adapt that to send a signal to the raidmax controller, check out the video on getting non-corsair RGB working with icue. That little controller can be found relatively cheap and the adapter cable is 10 bucks or so. I hope that helps, check out these videos: ua-cam.com/video/JgLUDe1yzYw/v-deo.html - How to get all your RGB working with CORSAIR iCUE - Tutorial Lookup the lighting node PRO: www.amazon.com/Corsair-iCUE-Lighting-Controller-Multicolored/dp/B01MYDTC2C You could also use the Commander CORE XT and Commander PRO, they each have a 3 pin RGB port to sync the raidmax controller. if the fans are 4 pin PWM you could get speed control as well through those controllers. I hope that helps, Thanks for watching!!!
hey i have a question i understand the 5v and the 12 v rgb but some boards have a place to hook up a sata power as well does this need to be hooked up as well or just the power from the motherboard ?
Hi gossom875, most of the boards i've come across, the 5v and 12v rgb headers have power from the motherboard itself....of course, you can send the rgb signal to a hub that has it's own power. I can't recall seeing a motherboard that has a sata power input specifically for RGB, but that doesn't mean it doesnt exist. Do you have a motherboard model#, i'd like to take a look. Thanks for watching!!!
i bought the gigabyte case it cam with a rgb bord in the back if it and the motherboard i got is a z790 aorus elite ax v x.x the ddr5 one thanks for any help @@HardwareArtisan
I would argue that a lot motherboards currently in gaming rigs don't have an argb header. Almost all B450's and Intel 8/9th gen only have the 12 volt rgb header . And all the motherboards prior to that (which are very common still) only have regular pwm fan headers. Despite how common these motherboards are there is practically no information about getting led fans functioning in them. I don't even know if there is such thing as an analog 12 volt rgb case fan.
Hi carley northcoast, some great points your have. As you mentioned there are many boards out there that don't have the 5v ARGB ports, some have no RGB ports at all. You can still do RGB on those, you just need an RGB controller such as Corsair, Razer, etc.... LED color fans, which are kind of old school now, had only a single 3 pin or 4 pin, DC or PWM power cable and the LED"s took their power from the 12V signal on that cable. You of course, can't change the color on those. They still make these, although I don't see them often. 12v RGB fans that have 2 connections, a PWM power cable (or 3pin DC)...... and a 4 pin (12V RGB) connector are something I don't work with ever and don't see much, but here is one example: www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SickleFlow-Customizable-Computer/dp/B086HN1TFP/ref=sr_1_8?crid=4EEBGQKP0YT6&keywords=12v%2Brgb%2Bfan%2Bfor%2Bpc&qid=1681762267&s=industrial&sprefix=12v%2Brgb%2Bfan%2Bfor%2Bpc%2Cindustrial%2C89&sr=1-8&th=1 RGB awesomeness for sure! I do also see some RGB HUB's out there that will take the 12v 4 pin RGB signal and send it to 5v ARGB 3 pin fans, those work good as well. Thanks for watching!!!
I am having an issue with my MSI Z390 Gaming plus mobo, it had a 4 pin fan header that states JRGB, I don't know what fan setup I need for my new build, any suggestions?
MSI JRGB is the 12v single colour at a time LED standard. Basically good for strips or the rare fan which used it. Almost everything sold these days is Addressable RGB, which is 5v 3 pin. On MSI boards it should be labelled J RAINBOW.
I`m building a pc , and (long story short), I want to use ws8215 using a 12v power supply on the side and just using the data pin form the mother board. any comments on this?
Hi packrat2113, that's a great question. I do not know the answer to that. I've never looked into that. There are converter hubs out there for using 5v ARGB devices on a 12v header, but that's not what you're asking...and a quick search I don't see anything converting 5v to 12v RGB, even then in the PC space of course, those two things work completely differently, whereas the ws8215 is similar to the ws2812, just 12v.....I'm not going to be much help unfortunately, i'd have to research and maybe hack something together to test it....haha. If you find a solution to that or more information, please share it, that might a fun day at the workbench...good luck, thanks for watching!
Fan speed is controlled by the PWM (4 pin) or DC (3 pin) fan power cable, not the ARGB cable. You have to plug in the PWM or DC cable to make the fan work after all. That is controlled by your motherboard or dedicated fan control software.
After watching this I feel so stupid, I got a msi motherboard, nzxt case with controller strip LEDs, corsair RGB keyboard, Kingston FURY Beast RGB memory, logitech RGB mouse. so I am going to need different software for each of them. What a nightmare. I thought my motherboard would control them all. I feel so stupid. I’m such a newbie. Thanks
This was a great video! Thank you for making it. I have one piece of advice: reduce your usage of filler words. Some people say, "uhm", "uh", "right", etc. You say, "you know", a lot and it is distracting.
Thanks Pro Newb, I'm happy you found the video helpful!! I have driven myself crazy editing some videos with my use of 'you know'. I've tried to edit it out on occasion, but doesn't work out well sometimes. It's a steep curve to get rid of those words.....I appreciate your feedback on it, that will help more than you know getting it into my brain, or out of......haha. Thanks for your support, and for watching!!
This is Michael. Very well done although too technical and not practical enough. You could solve that with a concise summary that deals with application of R GB parts Without Getting into all the pins and circuitry. I've pretty much Decided on corsair for their fans, connection devices, And software. They solve a lot of problems for the user. I've had trouble with asus, And Razor, And none of them like to play nice with each other.
Hi Michael, thanks for the feedback, that is a video idea on my list, same idea, different approach, less techy, haha. Yea, I've used alot of the other RGB hardware and software, it's not that it's all terrible and I'm playing with more stuff, but everytime I use other software, I keep going back to Corsair, it's just more polished in my opinion. Thanks again for your feedback, it's noted, good luck with the Corsair RGB, it's awesome stuff! Have fun, thanks for watching!!!
Hate the corsair crap, spent a lot on the 4000x instead of the 4000d airflow like a moron just because it has the 3 integrated fans and when I finally got it the top fan doesn’t light up at all and the middle and bottom fans light up just a single green led on the middle fan on the right and a single red led on the bottom top of the fans 🤦♂️ I’ve been on support with corsair for almost 2 weeks now and they just closed my ticket with no resolution for me 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ so basically I paid 50 or more $ for the 4000x instead of the 4000d to not have to worry about the rgb and ended up with 3 broken fans on the 4000x 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ and no actual help or refund or replacements 🥹🥹🥹
haha! This is very true, I know that feeling of finding everything changed! Welcome to the new world....Have Fun, light it up, game on and thanks for watching!!!
More chances of problems with a higher power consumption and more heat. As long as it looks like a tacky Christmas tree, we are good. I only buy stuff to show it off to people who couldn't care less because I think the stuff I own is representative of my worth as a human. Also, sarcasm.
My bazooka v2 b450 only has a 4 pin rgb header I only have a 3 pin connector what do I do? I am a noob and new to rgb. All I need to hook up is 4 fans with rgb. For my montech air 100 case
Hi Aaron-hd8ql, As you stated, that motherboard only has a single 4 pin RGB connector. The 4 pin connectors are 12v rgb headers. You would need to use 12v RGB devices with it, which are not that common anymore. 3 PIN ARGB is what is generally in use right now and the two are not compatable. However, there are solutions for you. They do make RGB hubs that can take a 12v RGB signal and convert it to 5v 3 pin ARGB devices. For an example, check out this link, it's a non-affiliate amazon link. a.co/d/fK4L0Os This hub would connect to your 4 pin rgb connnector and you select the switch on the hub to use 12v, then connect your 5v 3 pin argb devices and you would get basic rgb control. This is a basic inexpensive solution. You could also add a 5v ARGB controller to you setup and just not use the header on your motherboard, there are many rgb controllers out there that are standalone, or you could look at ones from corsair and others, but this would be more of an investment, there are lots of options. If it's just really basic single color RGB you want, then the hub above is a good option, but that's just one of many, search around, but that should give you an idea of what your looking for. The hub above would also give you a PWM fan hub. Good Luck, have fun with it!! Thanks for watching!!!
This is hands down the more informative and practically useful video that I managed to find on you tube regarding RGB information. Thank you!
For anyone getting into this, getting true cross compatible RGB can be painful if you mix and match manufacturers such as Corsair keyboard, Logitech mouse, Asus headset etc. You definitely don't want to run multiple RGB software programs to control it all. Look at 3rd party programs like SignalRGB or OpenRGB and see if your hardware is supported. Neither of those are perfect, but they are doing their best to enable true cross brand unified RGB control.
SignalRGB is freemium, so you only have a selection of what SignalRGB can actually do, OpenRGB on the other hand is entirely free and open source, it's most of the reason why OpenRGB has as many supported devices as it does
@aftdawn Sure, many of the effects and fan control part of SignalRGB is paid content, but the core control of multiple devices and basic themes isn't. OpenRGB does maybe support more devices currently, but once SignalRGB gets AMD based graphics cards to run, that list should shrink a lot.
Super informative. Building my first pc, getting all excited about this lighting and realizing I didn’t know how it worked. Incredibly helpful to actually know what I’m looking at. Thanks.
Also so refreshing to have a video say what its going to talk about. And then talk about that. Wonderful.
Quality educational material with no flashy clickbait narrative. Thank you.
Thanks Neuro, i'm happy you enjoyed this video,!! Thanks for watching and providing your feedback!!
I didn't realise this was such a rocky road. Buying an RGB fan and assuming it would simply work by plugging into my MB. How wrong I was. Appreciate your video, thanks!
24:00 How can we know before buying if an ARGB is doing daisy chain in series or is just a splitter in parallel ?
Built a pc around 2002ish and the only color I had was blue on the case when it powered up. Already bought parts for a build now and I quickly realized I know nothing about rgb. Thank you for this video. I do have all different brand parts as I didn't realize any of this.
That's me now. Last build was in 2012 and ARGB wasn't really on the scene then. So this video was helpful to get an understanding.
Excellent video, most don't go into the back story and being someone who is very technical it goes a long way to understanding the why. Most people just talk product and that changes yearly or even monthly sometimes so it isn't as helpful as the info you provide here. Never been a bling person but working at home for the last few years I have been looking into things like this and knowledge is good.
Thanks Wayne Dixon! I'm am extremely happy you found this video useful, it was fun to make it. I wasn't a bling person either until 4-5 years ago....and you can see where I ended up....haha. Have fun, thanks for watching!!!
Outstanding beginners guide, I now know where to start and now, I understand the basics. Thank you
Thanks Hairy Onion!!! I'm happy you found this video helpful! Good Luck and have lots of fun!!! Thanks for watching!
This is definitely the most comprehensive beginner video I found yet. This is the first video I actually comprehended all the differences and it all actually registered. Thank you very much for this and to anybody just starting out who's reading these comments this video is a must-watch
This video is absolutely perfect, saved me lots of time googling around.
This video taught me all I needed to know to put together an RGB system in a computer. Thank you!
Excellent video, very informative and concise.
Thanks dreamerlotus, I'm happy you found the video useful. Thanks for watching!!
Great video. I especially appreciated the in-depth LED tech. Thank you.
Thanks Brad Kizer, i'm happy you found it useful! Thanks for the feedback and for watching! Have an amazing day!
Excellent introduction to the RGB Lighting subject. Thank you!!!
Thanks CFI_Randy, I'm happy you found it useful! Thanks for watching!
ASUS
Motherboard
PRIME
H310M-A R2.0
How do I connect the ARGB Fan light on this Motherboard,? Is it advisable I use the (SPDIF _OUT) to plug the lighting of the fan??
I have the NV-I120FWR3 fans from Raidmax
Hi KW Forex Education. SPDIF_OUT is an audio cable. You cannot use this for RGB connection, although it's similar. This motherboard does not have any RGB connectors, which means you cannot use the motherboard to control any RGB. You will need another type of controller.
Your Raidmax fans I'm assuming came with a controller and it's remote. You can use that with no problems, but you won't be able to use the MB sync on this motherboard.
There are other controller types out there you could add, such as the ones from corsair that we look at alot on this channel, there are others out there, the one from Razer comes to mind. If you want to gain some software control over those, take a look at the 'lighting node pro', that's a small controller with 2 corsair RGB ports, you could adapt that to send a signal to the raidmax controller, check out the video on getting non-corsair RGB working with icue.
That little controller can be found relatively cheap and the adapter cable is 10 bucks or so.
I hope that helps, check out these videos:
ua-cam.com/video/JgLUDe1yzYw/v-deo.html - How to get all your RGB working with CORSAIR iCUE - Tutorial
Lookup the lighting node PRO:
www.amazon.com/Corsair-iCUE-Lighting-Controller-Multicolored/dp/B01MYDTC2C
You could also use the Commander CORE XT and Commander PRO, they each have a 3 pin RGB port to sync the raidmax controller. if the fans are 4 pin PWM you could get speed control as well through those controllers.
I hope that helps,
Thanks for watching!!!
You are the best. Very good explanation and tutorial guide and I enjoyed watching that and you have my respect. Thank you very much for that.
Very informative breakdown. Thanks!
Thanks vvebvvaster, I'm happy you found it helpful!! Thanks for watching!!
thanks for the info!!! deep learning lesson. have great afternoon!!!!
Thanks Edward Castro, I'm happy you found this video useful! Thanks for watching!!!!
My caveman brain thanks you for the education. I'm new to the RGB world.
hey i have a question i understand the 5v and the 12 v rgb but some boards have a place to hook up a sata power as well does this need to be hooked up as well or just the power from the motherboard ?
Hi gossom875, most of the boards i've come across, the 5v and 12v rgb headers have power from the motherboard itself....of course, you can send the rgb signal to a hub that has it's own power. I can't recall seeing a motherboard that has a sata power input specifically for RGB, but that doesn't mean it doesnt exist. Do you have a motherboard model#, i'd like to take a look. Thanks for watching!!!
i bought the gigabyte case it cam with a rgb bord in the back if it and the motherboard i got is a z790 aorus elite ax v x.x the ddr5 one thanks for any help
@@HardwareArtisan
got a new fan here! no pun intended!
haha, that's awesome Setteegang.....Thanks for being a cool fan!!! ....and for watching!
I have a Fractal Focus 2 RGB black case and only one of the front fans is on and only green. Help plz!
I would argue that a lot motherboards currently in gaming rigs don't have an argb header. Almost all B450's and Intel 8/9th gen only have the 12 volt rgb header . And all the motherboards prior to that (which are very common still) only have regular pwm fan headers. Despite how common these motherboards are there is practically no information about getting led fans functioning in them. I don't even know if there is such thing as an analog 12 volt rgb case fan.
Hi carley northcoast, some great points your have. As you mentioned there are many boards out there that don't have the 5v ARGB ports, some have no RGB ports at all. You can still do RGB on those, you just need an RGB controller such as Corsair, Razer, etc....
LED color fans, which are kind of old school now, had only a single 3 pin or 4 pin, DC or PWM power cable and the LED"s took their power from the 12V signal on that cable. You of course, can't change the color on those. They still make these, although I don't see them often.
12v RGB fans that have 2 connections, a PWM power cable (or 3pin DC)...... and a 4 pin (12V RGB) connector are something I don't work with ever and don't see much, but here is one example:
www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-SickleFlow-Customizable-Computer/dp/B086HN1TFP/ref=sr_1_8?crid=4EEBGQKP0YT6&keywords=12v%2Brgb%2Bfan%2Bfor%2Bpc&qid=1681762267&s=industrial&sprefix=12v%2Brgb%2Bfan%2Bfor%2Bpc%2Cindustrial%2C89&sr=1-8&th=1
RGB awesomeness for sure! I do also see some RGB HUB's out there that will take the 12v 4 pin RGB signal and send it to 5v ARGB 3 pin fans, those work good as well.
Thanks for watching!!!
Super cool guide. Thank for the info master!)
Thank you Alexandr Solntsev! I'm happy you found the video useful!
I am having an issue with my MSI Z390 Gaming plus mobo, it had a 4 pin fan header that states JRGB, I don't know what fan setup I need for my new build, any suggestions?
MSI JRGB is the 12v single colour at a time LED standard. Basically good for strips or the rare fan which used it. Almost everything sold these days is Addressable RGB, which is 5v 3 pin. On MSI boards it should be labelled J RAINBOW.
My knowledge has now increase. I thanks.
I`m building a pc , and (long story short), I want to use ws8215 using a 12v power supply on the side and just using the data pin form the mother board.
any comments on this?
Hi packrat2113, that's a great question. I do not know the answer to that. I've never looked into that. There are converter hubs out there for using 5v ARGB devices on a 12v header, but that's not what you're asking...and a quick search I don't see anything converting 5v to 12v RGB, even then in the PC space of course, those two things work completely differently, whereas the ws8215 is similar to the ws2812, just 12v.....I'm not going to be much help unfortunately, i'd have to research and maybe hack something together to test it....haha. If you find a solution to that or more information, please share it, that might a fun day at the workbench...good luck, thanks for watching!
Could I put this in a regular gaming computer,came with no lights
Antec Prizm will do fine too, 59.99 x5 fans with controller
How do you control fan speed with aRGB 3 pin, 5V?
Fan speed is controlled by the PWM (4 pin) or DC (3 pin) fan power cable, not the ARGB cable. You have to plug in the PWM or DC cable to make the fan work after all. That is controlled by your motherboard or dedicated fan control software.
super informative!
Thanks Future Olympian, i'm happy you found this useful! Thanks for watching and giving me your support!!!
Gelid Lumen RGB ram memory cooling kit /Corsair LS 100 expansion kit - UA-cam
Why is it impossible to find a 90mm pc fan with rgb
Thank you sir.
Your Welcome Subzero786, thanks for watching!!!
Amazing video. I subbed🤝♥️
Thank you basicallynothappy, I'm happy you found this Video Helpful! Thanks for the SUB, I'm working on more videos like this.
After watching this I feel so stupid, I got a msi motherboard, nzxt case with controller strip LEDs, corsair RGB keyboard, Kingston FURY Beast RGB memory, logitech RGB mouse. so I am going to need different software for each of them. What a nightmare. I thought my motherboard would control them all. I feel so stupid. I’m such a newbie. Thanks
This was a great video! Thank you for making it. I have one piece of advice: reduce your usage of filler words. Some people say, "uhm", "uh", "right", etc. You say, "you know", a lot and it is distracting.
Thanks Pro Newb, I'm happy you found the video helpful!! I have driven myself crazy editing some videos with my use of 'you know'. I've tried to edit it out on occasion, but doesn't work out well sometimes. It's a steep curve to get rid of those words.....I appreciate your feedback on it, that will help more than you know getting it into my brain, or out of......haha.
Thanks for your support, and for watching!!
This is Michael. Very well done although too technical and not practical enough. You could solve that with a concise summary that deals with application of R GB parts Without Getting into all the pins and circuitry.
I've pretty much Decided on corsair for their fans, connection devices, And software. They solve a lot of problems for the user. I've had trouble with asus, And Razor, And none of them like to play nice with each other.
Hi Michael, thanks for the feedback, that is a video idea on my list, same idea, different approach, less techy, haha.
Yea, I've used alot of the other RGB hardware and software, it's not that it's all terrible and I'm playing with more stuff, but everytime I use other software, I keep going back to Corsair, it's just more polished in my opinion.
Thanks again for your feedback, it's noted, good luck with the Corsair RGB, it's awesome stuff! Have fun, thanks for watching!!!
Hate the corsair crap, spent a lot on the 4000x instead of the 4000d airflow like a moron just because it has the 3 integrated fans and when I finally got it the top fan doesn’t light up at all and the middle and bottom fans light up just a single green led on the middle fan on the right and a single red led on the bottom top of the fans 🤦♂️ I’ve been on support with corsair for almost 2 weeks now and they just closed my ticket with no resolution for me 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ so basically I paid 50 or more $ for the 4000x instead of the 4000d to not have to worry about the rgb and ended up with 3 broken fans on the 4000x 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ and no actual help or refund or replacements 🥹🥹🥹
we all know the more RGB's you have the faster your PC will go ! you had go faster strips on your car same thing :P
Rebuilding my 10 year old PC, and all of a sudden we ain't using 3&5 mm diodes anymore!
haha! This is very true, I know that feeling of finding everything changed! Welcome to the new world....Have Fun, light it up, game on and thanks for watching!!!
More chances of problems with a higher power consumption and more heat. As long as it looks like a tacky Christmas tree, we are good. I only buy stuff to show it off to people who couldn't care less because I think the stuff I own is representative of my worth as a human. Also, sarcasm.
My bazooka v2 b450 only has a 4 pin rgb header I only have a 3 pin connector what do I do? I am a noob and new to rgb. All I need to hook up is 4 fans with rgb. For my montech air 100 case
Hi Aaron-hd8ql,
As you stated, that motherboard only has a single 4 pin RGB connector. The 4 pin connectors are 12v rgb headers. You would need to use 12v RGB devices with it, which are not that common anymore. 3 PIN ARGB is what is generally in use right now and the two are not compatable. However, there are solutions for you. They do make RGB hubs that can take a 12v RGB signal and convert it to 5v 3 pin ARGB devices. For an example, check out this link, it's a non-affiliate amazon link.
a.co/d/fK4L0Os
This hub would connect to your 4 pin rgb connnector and you select the switch on the hub to use 12v, then connect your 5v 3 pin argb devices and you would get basic rgb control. This is a basic inexpensive solution.
You could also add a 5v ARGB controller to you setup and just not use the header on your motherboard, there are many rgb controllers out there that are standalone, or you could look at ones from corsair and others, but this would be more of an investment, there are lots of options. If it's just really basic single color RGB you want, then the hub above is a good option, but that's just one of many, search around, but that should give you an idea of what your looking for.
The hub above would also give you a PWM fan hub.
Good Luck, have fun with it!! Thanks for watching!!!