Fan Setup - QL Fans

Hey guys,

As I dive further into the Corsair ecosystem I want to ensure I get the right parts. Currently I have a Lian Li Dynamic XL with plans to add 6 or 10 White QL fans into it. (currently have 3 QL fans purchased that came with 1 Lighting Node CORE. I have 1 Commander Pro on the way as well but can cancel this order if it isn't needed.

Plan is to have; 3 QL fans on the bottom [intake], 3 QL fans on the side as [exhaust], 2 QL fans on the rad at the top [intake] (to be expanded to 3 when I move to 360mm, Corsair please release a white 360mm and take my money!!), 1 QL fan on the rear for the 1080ti Hybrid [intake].

Before I purchase more items I want to fully understand what I need in order to control both the RGB and Fan speeds for all the QL fans.

Side question, for consistency can I use the QL fans on the Rad or are the ML fans needed? As well, if I did go with QL fans on the H105 and the 1080ti Hybrid will I be able to sync the RGB through iCUE?

If I am missing any info let me know and I can add!

Parts

• Lian Li Dynamic XL
  
• 10 QL Fans
  
• EVGA 1080ti FTW3 Hybrid
  
• Corsair Hydro H105 240mm (will be replaced soon, may go with 360mm)
  
• Commander Pro
  
• 1 x Lighting Node CORE (Have only purchased the first 3 pack of QL fans, more Lighting Node CORE's to come)
  
• Z390 AORUS MASTER
  
• G.SKILL TridentZ 32GB DDR4 @ 3200 MHz
  

You will need the Commander if you want control fan speed. You are going to want a PWM fan repeater to offload some of the fan power to another source while still utilizing the Commander’s control signal. 10 fans is too much for 1 Commander, although if that number was 6-7 because 3 are on an AIO controller, that would work.

You will need another Lighting Node Core or a RGB Lighting Hub that connects to the Commander. Each is capped at 6 fans and there isn’t much wiggle room with QL current totals.

You will need the Commander if you want control fan speed. You are going to want a PWM fan repeater to offload some of the fan power to another source while still utilizing the Commander’s control signal. 10 fans is too much for 1 Commander, although if that number was 6-7 because 3 are on an AIO controller, that would work.

 

You will need another Lighting Node Core or a RGB Lighting Hub that connects to the Commander. Each is capped at 6 fans and there isn’t much wiggle room with QL current totals.

Do you have an example of a PWM Fan Repeater?

It should be 6 fans that are not on AIO's (just case fans), but i'm not sure how fans on the AIO work in regards to iCue. Is there a way to use the AIO controller for fan speed but allow the RGB to be controlled by iCue?

I should be able to get more Lighting Node Core's when I buy more 3 packs of the QL. So for every 3 QLs I should have 1 Lighting Node Core.

Each Core can take 6 fans. If the price for the multi-pack isn't much different than singles x 3, then you might as well keep the extra Core. It can make for a backup. Getting one fo those when you are short can be a pain.

Most AIO coolers will have an onboard fan controller these days. Each QL has two wires. One for fan speed/power and a separate one for lighting. The lighting wires all go to the Core. You can connect the normal fan speed wire anywhere. Those connected to the Commander will be speed controllable in iCUE.

There are lots of PWM hubs out there. You want to avoid those that look like a 4 way wire splitter. Those with a dedicated circuit board are better. This is just one example.

Do you have an example of a PWM Fan Repeater?

 

It should be 6 fans that are not on AIO's (just case fans), but i'm not sure how fans on the AIO work in regards to iCue. Is there a way to use the AIO controller for fan speed but allow the RGB to be controlled by iCue?

 

I should be able to get more Lighting Node Core's when I buy more 3 packs of the QL. So for every 3 QLs I should have 1 Lighting Node Core.

RGB fans connected to Corsair's AIOs will be controllable under iCUE if the AIO is an RGB one, like for example the H100i RGB PLATINUM SE. My H150i PRO RGB does not come with RGB fans, so it's unable to control RGB for fans (only for the led on the waterblock).

You are planning a configuration very close to mine, here is my diagram... hope it may help:

Baio

RGB fans connected to Corsair's AIOs will be controllable under iCUE if the AIO is an RGB one, like for example the H100i RGB PLATINUM SE. My H150i PRO RGB does not come with RGB fans, so it's unable to control RGB for fans (only for the led on the waterblock).

You are planning a configuration very close to mine, here is my diagram... hope it may help:

 

 

Baio

Thank you for this!! Couple questions though;

- What are the white boxes on the top and bottom right side.

- For your rad, it looks like you have 2 sets of fans, am i seeing that right? One

- What does the NZXT Hub allow you to do?

- Can you let me know what the colour line legend is?

set is RGB and the other isnt?

Thank you for this!! Couple questions though;

 

- What are the white boxes on the top and bottom right side.

They are fan hubs:

http://www.xs-pc.com/discontinued-2/8-way-pwm-splitter-hub-sata-powered-white

I've used 2 to group side and bottom fans into 2 groups, so I can control each group as it was 1 fan.

- For your rad, it looks like you have 2 sets of fans, am i seeing that right? One

Yes, I decided to go for a push/pull configuration.

The 3 non RGB fans are the ones tha came with the AIO, I used 3 Y splitters to connect all 6 RPM cables to the AIO headers, so I can control them as they were 3 fans.

- What does the NZXT Hub allow you to do?

It simply allows me to use all the USB stuff I have in the case... my mobo has only 2 USB 2.0 headers and all the stuff needs 4 ports.

- Can you let me know what the colour line legend is?

set is RGB and the other isnt?

RED => RGB

PURPLE => USB

GREEN => RPM

BLACK => SATA

Baio

@Baio.. nice Diagram.. but will be a bit clearer for new people to follow if you name the devices and indeed added a legend ;)

like so

Example

http://i.imgur.com/6ips7BZl.png

and i previously added a Legend to your Diagram for you but i don't think you saw the post.

http://i.imgur.com/htFXISSl.jpg

Save the people you are trying to help from getting confused ;) .

Just trying to help bud. been doing online diagrams for decades lol

to add.. if you change those 2 LNC's for RGB Fan LED Hubs you will gain back 2 USB headers and indeed use those 2 unused RGB Headers on the Commander Pro ;). hubs are about $10 each.....

@ the OP.. always worth the read buddy.. explains the devices and how they all connect and then some more ;)

https://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=173880

@Baio.. nice Diagram.. but will be a bit clearer for new people to follow if you name the devices and indeed added a legend ;)

 

like so

 

Example

 

http://i.imgur.com/6ips7BZl.png

 

and i previously added a Legend to your Diagram for you but i don't think you saw the post.

 

http://i.imgur.com/htFXISSl.jpg

 

Save the people you are trying to help from getting confused ;) .

 

Just trying to help bud. been doing online diagrams for decades lol

 

to add.. if you change those 2 LNC's for RGB Fan LED Hubs you will gain back 2 USB headers and indeed use those 2 unused RGB Headers on the Commander Pro ;). hubs are about $10 each.....

 

 

@ the OP.. always worth the read buddy.. explains the devices and how they all connect and then some more ;)

 

https://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=173880

Thanks sir, I have read your page but still wanted to be 100% before I buy something I don't need. The eco system is kind of confusing to get acquainted with.

It seems that all I need is 1x Commander Pro, 2x Lighting Core Nodes and I should be good to go?

@Baio.. nice Diagram.. but will be a bit clearer for new people to follow if you name the devices and indeed added a legend ;)

 

like so

 

Example

 

http://i.imgur.com/6ips7BZl.png

 

and i previously added a Legend to your Diagram for you but i don't think you saw the post.

 

http://i.imgur.com/htFXISSl.jpg

 

Save the people you are trying to help from getting confused ;) .

 

Just trying to help bud. been doing online diagrams for decades lol

 

to add.. if you change those 2 LNC's for RGB Fan LED Hubs you will gain back 2 USB headers and indeed use those 2 unused RGB Headers on the Commander Pro ;). hubs are about $10 each.....

 

 

@ the OP.. always worth the read buddy.. explains the devices and how they all connect and then some more ;)

 

https://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=173880

Thanks mate for upgrading my diagram... I've saved it!

Replacing the 2 LNC with 2 LNP should be a good idea... the problem is where I live (Italy) I can't get them for less than 27€ each + shipping...

I don't think it's worth the money, as I already have the USB hub and managed to cram everything in my 011XL.

Baio