Splitters vs hubs for fan/argb

[Bond007]

Obviously using a motherboard is a no cost option, but when you build with quite a few fans (say 5+), and potentially with argb, what do you use to make the connections?

A few splitters for various sets? A combined hub? A dedicated hub for fan and a separate for argb? Something else?

 

[sswilson]

The commander Pro works well for both hub and RGB, but it leaves you stuck in Corsair's ecosystem for RGB.

If you're talking about the TR fans, the ARGB can be daisy chained and run off of your motherboard's header(s). The only downside to that is that the fans' argb is then in parallel so that each fan mimics whatever the first one is set to do. This differs from a dedicated hub which has individual inputs and thus can cascade effects from one fan (or strip) to the next.

edit: Pretty sure the TR fan connections can be daisy chained as well.

 

[Sagath]

I try to get fans that have built in daisy-chains to keep it simple.

If thats not an option, I'd probably look at a hub, like SSW mentions

 

[Lysrin]

You can see this in my latest build log to the 5900X, but I used to use Corsair's product for RGB, mine wasn't the full commander Pro, combined with my ol'faithful Swiftech hub for power and PWM control.

Now I've ditched the Corsair stuff mostly because I actually had a hardware issue with mine, fans wouldn't light, etc. but also because I was repeatedly frustrated with iCue and the inconsistent setting of RGB profiles. So the new build gets rid of RGB lighting completely in the fans, and my new ram has no RGB anyway. So now just RGB on the motherboard and GPU. It also reduces the programs running on start up and in the background, which is never a bad thing.

I like the hub because it simplifies the wiring and cable management, bringing everything back behind the the motherboard and just a single connector out to a motherboard fan header. I don't find I need individual fan curves for my five case fans, so this works fine for me and keeps things tidy.

 

[Izerous]

I'm not a huge fan of the corsair commander. They already have a history of bailing on the first gen model and not updating the drivers for windows 10 properly. Hours of endlessly looping the USB connect/disconnect sounds until installing 3rd party drivers that actually fix the issue for them to never even patch the official firmware... yeah that whole process was a pain considering it was only like 4 months old at that point.

I feel like they will repeat that with the current models the moment they announce a new generation.

 

[Bond007]

Based on comments I think I will likely avoid the Corsair ecosystem. I have done a build or 2 with a handful of RGB fans, but I just used a splitter. I suspect if I can make it work easily I will just daisy chain or use a splitter. That said, I just stumbled on the below hub. Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BP2F9288/ref=twister_B0BQGKWV6Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Lysrin]

Looks decent, albeit with a grand total of one review but it's a 5 star one! And the price is good. Nice and simple with one cable out to power and one to motherboard ARGB header.

If I'm understanding what I see there correctly, that would mean you'd control the RGB with the motherboard software, and those settings would be passed on to all the connected fans? I like that option if that's true because it reduces the software required, and you are likely to have your motherboard software installed anyway.

 

[ZZLEE]

Look up " Fan Control " it is a utility that allows a great bit of control over fan curves and and matching up off different fans.

 

[clshades]

I always try and get fans with a built in daisy chain like Sagath mentioned.

 

[Bond007]

I received the Thermalright fans I ordered, and they are wired to daisy chain both power and rgb. That will likely be the easiest way, but we will eventually see when they go in a case if I need to go a different route.