ML Pro RGB kit, iCue, commander pro, and commander core

[Parmenedes]

Question 1: Didn’t the ML Pro RGB 120 3-pack used to come with a commander pro? I could have sworn I ordered a 3 pack a couple of years ago that came with one. On the product page https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Fans/RGB-%26-LED-Fans/ml-pro-rgb-config/p/CO-9050076-WW it says the airflow can be controlled with iCue, but unless I’m mistaken, you need a commander pro in order to control them via iCue.

 

Question 2:

Am I wrong about that?

 

If I’m not, the product page is arguably misleading because you would need to purchase something separately (the commander pro) to control airflow via iCue.

 

Question 3:

Is it still the case that a commander core (not pro) can only control one type of fan? In which case the commander core that is connected to the ML RGB fans that come with the elite capellix won’t be able to accurately control the regular ML RGB Pro fans since they’re not the same as the ML rgb fans that come with the elite capellix, right?

 

My commander pro is currently being used in one pc, but I have the elite capellix cooler/fans in a different pc with the commander core, and I’m swapping out my case (current one is a cooler master h500m) with one of the new 5000d airflow cases that were just released, which is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Since for some reason (one that makes no sense to me) we cannot purchase the ML RGB fans that come with the elite capellix separately, and since they appear to require a different junction box (the commander core) than the ML RGB fans that we can purchase separately (which use the commander pro), I’m trying to figure out what kind of fan configuration I’ll be able to put in there and if I’ll need a commander pro to run the older ML RGB fans.

 

If all this sounds confusing, it’s because it is! The number of junction boxes we have to use (lighting node pro, lighting node core, fan led hub, commander pro, and commander core) combined with the fact that fans that come with coolers aren’t available for separate purchase seems like kind of an insanely and unnecessarily complicated way mess, so much so that Zotty made a thread to address all this, which is really well-written and has a lot of really useful info in it, but it still leaves a lot of people confused about how it all works as there’s no way it could address all the questions people have for this overly complicated system.

 

In addition, there is limited info on exactly what fans will fit in the new 5000d cases. The product page for the 5000d cases says you can fit 3 120mm fans in the front or 2 140mm fans, but it doesn’t (so far as I’ve been able to find) say whether you could have some combination of fans, such as two 120’s and a 140, or 2 140’s and a 120.

 

So question 4:

Can you fit two 120’s and one 140 or one 120 and two 140’s in the front panel of the 5000d airflow?

[CdrRogue]

I have a Commander Core and a Lighting Node Pro (no Commander Pro), and I can use iCUE just fine.

 

My current setup is this:

 

2x 140mm ML AIO fans connected to Commander Core for Power and RGB

3x 120mm LL case fans connected to Commander Core for Power and RPM control, and Lighting Node for RGB

1x 120mm non-RGB case fan connected directly to motherboard.

 

To be honest I didn't really know what I was doing when I set it up, first time with RGB, so it might not be optimal. :) I'm not sure the LN Pro is needed but it came with the case and I didn't want to confuse things by removing it. It all works fine though.

 

The only thing I don't seem to be able to do is set zero-RPM mode for the LL case fans. I'm not sure if this is a fan limitation, or a Commander Core limitation, but they're not fans I'd ever really want to turn off. Just thought it might be worth mentioning.

Edited January 20, 2021 by CdrRogue

[c-attack]

1 & 2) The ML-RGB multi-packs have always come with a Lighting Node Pro and RGB Lighting Hub. That is the RGB controller and lighting power. The Commander Pro is a RGB controller and fan speed controller, but it has always been separate except for the 500D and 1000D cases.

 

3) Currently you cannot buy the 8 LED ML-Elite fans that comes with the Capellix Elite coolers. However, none of the Corsair RGB fans require a specific version of the controller/power set-up. They have come packaged different ways for different reasons over the years, but they all work on all of the controller. You do not need a Commander Core to run them and that product is not likely to show up at retail either as it is tied to the Elite series cooler's functionality. You will be able to use any existing Lighting Node Core, Commander Core, or Lighting Node Pro/Commander Pro + RGB Lighting hub to provide lighting for the ML-Elite, whenever they do come to market. Hopefully that is soon.

 

4) Generally speaking combining 120s and 140s on the front rail rarely works. You need a slot mount system (becoming more common), but also the extra space to fit them. That usually tends to be the limiting factor with front rails designed for exactly 3x120 max or 2x140. Looking at pictures, the 140 would probably need to be in the top slot. Either way, you likely have to wait until you or someone else physically has on in hand to assess something unusual like that.

[Parmenedes]

1 & 2) The ML-RGB multi-packs have always come with a Lighting Node Pro and RGB Lighting Hub. That is the RGB controller and lighting power. The Commander Pro is a RGB controller and fan speed controller, but it has always been separate except for the 500D and 1000D cases.

 

3) Currently you cannot buy the 8 LED ML-Elite fans that comes with the Capellix Elite coolers. However, none of the Corsair RGB fans require a specific version of the controller/power set-up. They have come packaged different ways for different reasons over the years, but they all work on all of the controller. You do not need a Commander Core to run them and that product is not likely to show up at retail either as it is tied to the Elite series cooler's functionality. You will be able to use any existing Lighting Node Core, Commander Core, or Lighting Node Pro/Commander Pro + RGB Lighting hub to provide lighting for the ML-Elite, whenever they do come to market. Hopefully that is soon.

 

4) Generally speaking combining 120s and 140s on the front rail rarely works. You need a slot mount system (becoming more common), but also the extra space to fit them. That usually tends to be the limiting factor with front rails designed for exactly 3x120 max or 2x140. Looking at pictures, the 140 would probably need to be in the top slot. Either way, you likely have to wait until you or someone else physically has on in hand to assess something unusual like that.

 

Hmm ok, my commander pro must have come with an older aio loop that I bought a while back.

 

I must have misunderstood the limitations of the commander pro - apparently it will work with any fans but not with the capellix coolers themselves... I think.

 

My guess is that Corsair is trying to phase out all the various junction boxes (or at least some of them) and replace them with the Commander Core, which would be a welcome move. It would be nice if Corsair just came out and said this if it is indeed the case, though. You are actually able to purchase that separately on the Corsair store - I think that was a recent change. Here is the link to the product page for that:

 

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Accessories-%7C-Parts/Commander-CORE-RGB-%26-PWM-Fan-Controller/p/CW-8960071

[c-attack]

The Elite cooler's must have a Commander Core. The special wide cable on the end is the power and data for the pump. No connection and the pump won't run. I am surprised they put it up as separate item. I would have expected it to remain a custom service part, but no matter. It is a PWM fan and lighting controller for up to 6 fans.

 

The differences between the "Pro" and "Core" products could be looked as simplification, but that will not be to the advantage of all. A Lighting Node Core appears better because the two pieces become one and it is easier to mount/place in your system. However, all Core products are RGB fans only and 1 channel only. A Lighting Node Pro can take 2 RGB lighting hubs (6 fans each) or RGB strips, or Hydro X, or 3rd party lighting accessories with the necessary adapters. So that Core is perfect for 6 QL fans, but not enough if you want to run 4 ML + 2 strips. The Commanders are similar, with the Pro being both a PWM/DC fan controller x 6, plus 2 fully capable lighting channels and 4 temp probes. The Commander Core is PWM only, RGB fans x 6, 1 temp probe, and no lighting channels for other devices. It really comes down to what you need. Simple set-ups will get by with a single core device and that is all they need. The more complex your set-up, the more likely you want/need Pro controllers.

 

There very well could be a new Lighting Node Pro or Commander Pro and we move into the next generation of RGB (whatever that is). The LNP is already at its current limit with 6 QL fans.