Help with the Cooler Master H500 RGB fans

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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Hi, I plan to get the Cooler Master H500 case. It comes with 2x 200mm RGB front fans. I watched whatever videos I could about this case and know that the cables from the fans and RGB cables plug into an included controller, which then plugs into the RGB header on your motherboard. However, I can't seem to find out if this cable needs a 3pin 5v header, or 4pin 12v header. Could someone please tell me which it is?

If it is indeed a 3pin 5v header, then could I plug the cable into a 3pin 5v 8-way splitter, then the splitter into my header and control the RGB of the fans AND still have multiple 3pin 5v headers to use for other fans or fan controllers?

EDIT: The motherboard I plan to use is the Gigabyte B450 AORUS pro wifi.
 
Solution
Lutfij
You'll be good to go! The power needed for all the other components will be fed by the SATA power connector on the side of the controller.
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Lutfij

Lutfij

Titan
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Oct 7, 2009
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It's a 5050RGB based controller, not an ARGB based controller. Meaning you will need the 505RGB 4pin connector on your board if you don't intend to use the bundled controller.

Mind also sharing a link tot he splitter you're looking at?
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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https://www.amazon.com/XSPC-8-Way-3-pin-Splitter-White/dp/B07BWSXPQ8?th=1 That's the link to the 8-way splitter. As for the controller, if I do intend to use it, then I can't use the 4pin rgb header on my motherboard can I? From what I've gathered, it's the only way to use the RGB for the fans. But I could be wrong.
 
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S

searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Also, the motherboard I plan to use is the Gigabyte B450 AORUS pro wifi.
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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I'm confused, if I want to use the included controller, do I need to plug it into my 3pin 5v rgb header, or the 4pin 12v? Sorry, I've been searching for answers literally all day, so I'm stressed out and frazzled.
 
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Lutfij

Lutfij

Titan
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Oct 7, 2009
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Yeah, it's obvious. Take a break and re read through the posts made here. You'll be overthinking things when you've got anxiety(from lack of rest/sleep).
You will need a 4 pin header. You're looking square at the Gigabyte board(I can tell), where the only 4 pin RGB header is located near the CPU
2018070416314758_src.png

and cross checking your intended purchase's manual(page 15), you can use that header with a splitter but it can only handle 2A off that one header.

If you have other parts in the case, might want to look into that Coolermaster RGB controller I linked earlier.
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Page 16 says there's a 4/5 RGBW led header at the bottom of the board though, couldn't I use that header for the RGB controller included with the case? Apologies for all the questions and being annoying.
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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I mean, this isn't my first build (just first with rgb). Would it cause troubles just to plug with 4 pin into the 5 pin header? Or is there some 5 to 4 pin adapter? The manual to the motherboard shows that you can use a 4 pin connector, so I just want to be sure.

You see, I plan to go with the H500, plug the RGB controller (the included one) into the 12v RGB header at the bottom since I'm using the one near the CPU for the RGB fan included with my air cooler. As for the 3pin 5v header, I want to use that with the Aigo Darkflash MR12 3pack, which needs the 3pin 5v header for RGB control https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAE868EY2001&Description=aigo&cm_re=aigo-_-9SIAE868EY2001-_-Product

I wanna use my motherboard to run the RGB colors and all that. Once more, I apologize for all the stress and questions, didn't think getting into RGB would cause me so much annoyance. I'd go with all CM products for RGB, but not fond of the price.
 
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Lutfij

Lutfij

Titan
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Oct 7, 2009
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The manual states to align the 4 pin connection for your RGB component corresponding with the numbering on the motherboard header if you go with choose to use the 5pin header. The W pin will be left uninhabited. With all things considered, the lack of price fondness will be a thing of the past once you realize that each units ecosystem is a hassle to work with. You're also unnecessarily compounding the issue where you can simply have everything off one hub.

All this RGB madness, yes it's an annoyance in itself, which is why I'm asking you to simplify it. It's your money regardless and if you have to assemble the system, it'll be by your hands. We're only here to offer suggestions.

FYI, I've worked with the RGB software on Gigabyte boards, they are abysmal. Only one true unified app that does what it's advertising is the Asus Aura Sync app.
 
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S

searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Fair enough. So let's say I decide to go with this CM RGB 3 pack that comes with the controller you've shown me https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835103244

Could I then plug the RGB cable from the 2x 200mm fans into the box along with the other 3 CM fans and have it work that way? Or would that be too much for the 4 pin header?
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Sorry, this is for the reply I just made, realized that the box plugs into a USB header on the motherboard. Still, would that work?
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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And the USB connection will allow me to control the RGB of the fans right?
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Great. Thanks for the help man, finally nice to get someone to help me clear up this issue. I appreciate it.
 
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searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Also, sorry but just one more question. That controller box the 3 pack comes with, that's only to plug the RGB cables into correct? Not the fans themselves? I'll need a fan splitter or pwm hub for that right?
 
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Lutfij

Lutfij

Titan
Moderator
Oct 7, 2009
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You already have a splitter bundled with the case, you can have the three RGB 120mm RGB fans connected to that splitter and then connect to the control box. You can then use the other three ports to connect the 200mm fans to or grab another splitter. Yeah PWM hub will help with PWM/fan rotation(not to be confused with RGB light frequency) functionality.

A build log is a thread where you document the build process with images.
 
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S

searingshot

Jan 5, 2019
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Ergo yeah I'll need a PWM splitter or hub to connect the fans to the motherboard to power them. The controller box will control the RGB for all 5 fans. As for the build log, nah. I was planning to stream it for my followers.
 
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