Fans are an integral part of the heat transfer system in PCs. It helps to remove the heat generated by the hardware components and keeps the system within the working temperatures. If you look at gaming PCs, the fans are lit with RGB to enhance the ambiance and gaming experience.
It looks great and lets you spend more time in your games without fatigue. All types of RGB fans aren’t compatible with your motherboard. The pins will not be suitable and you have to choose the correct fan for your motherboard.
Therefore, we will help you to know whether to control and connect RGB fans with the motherboard. Also, we shall discuss how to connect the fans to the board and control RGB fans with motherboard in this article.
Can you control RGB fans with motherboard?
Yes, it is possible to control RGB fans with your motherboard. If the board has an RGB header, it can be directly connected to it and controlled through software. If your board doesn’t have an RGB header, then you need to buy a separate controller, power source, and splitter for a static RGB fan. As for Addressable RGB Fans (ARGB fans), you don’t have to buy a separate controller.
Let us discuss the different options to connect the fans with the board.
Connecting Static RGB Fans to the Motherboard
Static fans only display one color. So, if you have a motherboard without RGB header pins, then follow this procedure to connect the fans.
- First, you will need an RGB controller for your fan along with a SATA or Molex cable for the power source. You will need a USB micro splitter which helps in connecting to the motherboard.
- Mostly you will have these components with the RGB out of the box. But if you don’t have them buy them separately.
- Once you have everything ready, connect the Static fan to the controller. The controller will have numbered slots.
- Connect the cables from each fan to the numbered slot on the controller. It is better to follow an order while connecting the fans to the controller.
- Now you have to plug the controller into the power source. Take the SATA or Molex cable and connect one end to the PSU and the other end to the controller. This cable will power both the fans and the light simultaneously.
- The final step involves connecting this setup to the motherboard using the USB splitter. Take one end of the USB micro splitter and connect it to the USB header in the motherboard.
- Now connect the other end to the controller’s USB port. Be careful when you are inserting the splitter pins into the header in the motherboard. Properly align the pins.
- Start the PC and check whether the fans are running properly. Place the controller outside the PC case to control the working of fans.
Connecting ARGB to Motherboard
ARGB fans can emit different lights and gives a wide range of color combination. You also don’t need a controller. Let us now learn how to connect this fan to the motherboard.
- ARGB fans come in three different models:
- 3-pin
- 4-pin
- Header less type
- If you have a 3-pin fan, then you can easily connect it to the motherboard header directly. To do that, remove the PC case and find the fan header in the board.Â
- Insert the fan connector into the header pin and mount the fan appropriately.
- If you have a 4-pin fan, you will have 4 cables and insert the connectors to the fan header in the motherboard.
- If you have a headerless motherboard, then you need to buy a 4-pin dual connector separately.
- Insert one end of the connector into the fan and the other end into the fan’s controller unit.
- The controller unit will have a slot for power input. Now using a SATA power cable, insert one end into the controller unit and the other end into the PSU.Â
- After setting up the fans, turn the PC on and enjoy the RGB-lit fans.
So, using this guide, you will be able to connect the fans to the motherboard and operate it. As for control, you will have to depend on the controller unit if the board doesn’t have a header. Placing the controller unit outside the PC case will help you to change the operation of the fans easily.
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Can all motherboards support RGB?
All motherboards don’t support RGB. Only the boards that are equipped with an RGB or fan header can support this RGB fan.
If you are more into the ambiance and lighting, then you must choose a motherboard that can support multiple fans with the header pin availability.
Even if the motherboard directly doesn’t support the fans, you can always use a separate controller setup and power the fans, and lights, and control it.
While choosing an RGB fan, you must check the number of pins available and the mode of connectivity. If your fan is header compatible, then you must have a motherboard with a header pin.
If your fan has a controller and pin setup, then you can either use it directly on the header pin or observe the above-mentioned guide to connect the fans.
Most modern motherboards have header pins and support RGB fan setups. But anyway, it is better to look for this provision when you are building your PC and install as many fans as you like.
To find out the compatibility of RGB, you can go through the motherboard manual and find the pins present in it. If you find a fan header or RGB header or simply header, then it is compatible. You can also find the manual on the manufacturer’s website.
Read: How do I know if my GPU is compatible with my case?
Conclusion
Having an RGB fan in your gaming PC or any PC for that matter gives a unique look to your setup. It will help boost your interest in working or gaming with the PC. The whole setup will be ambient and helps you to work well for a long time. Hope this article guides you through the setting up of RGB fans to your motherboard in a simple way.
