Combined AIO/case-fan control on Commander Core XT

[Hiro Protagonist]

So I'm looking at doing a long overdue mobo/CPU upgrade (moving from an i5 6600 to either an i7 11xxx or i5 12xxx), which means new case time.  Whilst I'm not looking at moving away from a Corsair case (cue pitchforks and torches) I do plan on maintaining my use of Corsair AIO and case-fan products (new, not re-used).  This will be my first time trying to control everything together using a PWM fan hub/controller (previous builds have just used the mobo headers), but I'm unsure as to whether the AIO pump USB and fans connect to the Core XT (I know the Capellix AIOs come with the Core and the 24-pin plug but I'm mainly looking at the mid-range AIOs) or if the AIO has to connect straight to the mobo (and the Core XT only controls the case fans).  I've never been an RGBophile (haven't seen the point on cases without glass side-panels etc) so the lighting connections aren't that critical, but nice to have the option if I do ever decide to upgrade the fans.

 

Every video I find online is either on how to connect just fans (with no mention of AIOs) to the Core XT, or how to connect the AIO just to the mobo, or how to install the Capellix/Core combo (not the XT with non-Capellix AIOs).  Nothing seems to mention if the AIO USB connection can run off the Core XT USB expansion/daisy-chain, or if the AIO fans can be removed from the pump and plugged in to the Core XT

 

Component plans

H100i or H115i AIO (NOT Capellix, so just the basic LED stuff on the pump head)

2x ML AIO fans (either 120 or 140, depending on AIO obviously)

4x additional ML140 PWM case fans, _maybe_ a 5th 120mm fan on the rear exhaust (but I'll probably run out of inputs this way without splitters)

 

Note that mobo isn't locked down yet as I'm still comparing options (size, price range, features, CPU etc) so capacity of USB/fan headers etc 

 

OR should I just bite the bullet, get the Capellix (and turn the RGBs off as I prefer a mostly stealth build) which then negates the need for the Core XT (and the total price ends up about the same) and plug the case fans in to the Capellix-included Commander Core?  Will iCUE see everything correctly and will I get full PWM control over the case fans?

[c-attack]

Nearly all AIOs from all brands will be SATA powered, have an internal fan controller for its radiator fans, and need a usb 2 connector so you can control the lot. The Elite AIOs have taken this a step further and made the fan controller external and capable of handling 6 PWM fans. The motherboard’s advertised control features do not come into play.
 

It’s hard to recommend the prior generation XT over the Elite that replaced it. While prices vary by location, the XT typically sells for the same or near equal cost compared to an Elite of the same size, plus you get your Commander Core included. There isn’t going to be any place where AIO XT + Com Core XT is less than the Elite model that has the same gear. There would need to be a very specific reason for going the XT + XT route. 
 

Both Commanders can handle the 7th fan on a PWM splitter if needed. You will have individual control over all 6 ports. The Commander Core will be able to use the coolant temp as the native control variable even when the software is not running. The Com XT will need to use one of its temp probes to do the same. The XT AIO will use its own coolant temp.
 

You would not move the radiator specific fans from the XT AIO to the Com XT. They are better left on the AIO’s controller for both safety (automatic blast if pump fails to start) and control. This in turn frees up 2-3 headers on the Com XT, so there is one advantage for that package. The downside is 2 devices means 2 internal USB ports. In theory the AIO XT could use the pass through on the Com XT, but it’s possible to run into length issues on the AIO side (depending on case and controller location) and some motherboards (mostly AMD chipset) don’t like devices stacking on the usb 2 line. 

[Hiro Protagonist]

Thanks, I've pretty much come to the same conclusion after a bit more reading/pricing, I'm still up in the air as to whether I'll run the RGB fans on the Capellix (and match them in the case) or replace the lot with plain fans to save some money (chances are I'd just run the RGBs as a solid white anyway).  The 7th fan on the rear 120mm I'll probably just leave or run off one of the CPU headers just as a general case exhaust fan rather than tying it back to a controller, otherwise all exhaust will be going through the top-mounted AIO.  This way I can do without a CoCoXT and just run everything through the AIO CoCo without splitters etc.

 

Mobo/CPU choice is pretty much nailed down now too, i7-11700F and B560M Aorus Pro

[c-attack]

Just a couple other notes:

There is another possible combination of H1100i/115i XT AIO + Commander Pro fan controller.  The Commander Core and XT controllers are PWM only.  The original Commander Pro has 6 ports capable of DC or PWM.  The Commander Pro does not have direct RGB ports and uses a small matchbook sized support device (RGB Lighting Hub) to boost 5v power for fan arrays.  You won't have (or need) those if you are not going RGB fans.  You still get 2 RGB ports that allow strips, custom water cooling blocks, or other accessories to connect.  The Commander XT will have only 1 RGB port for that and the Commander Core will have NO RGB ports.  The Commander Pro also has two USB passthrough ports vs the Com XT's one, and the Com Core's zero.  However, since these ports are effectively a USB 2 splitter, functionality varies a lot by motherboard and chipset series. AMD owners know they can't use these.  Seems to be mixed results on the Intel B560 series as different board makers do different things with their USB 2 pathways.  

 

Not sure where you are, but the Commander Pro has been selling for $20 more than the Commander Core XT in the US market.  For most people that will not make sense, except for those doing custom water cooling who want those multi-purpose RGB ports or for those that need DC fan control.  It looks like you are headed toward the Elite + Commander Core anyway, but note the differences in USB passthrough and RGB accessories ports above.  

[Hiro Protagonist]

1 hour ago, c-attack said:

Not sure where you are, but the Commander Pro has been selling for $20 more than the Commander Core XT in the US market.  For most people that will not make sense, except for those doing custom water cooling who want those multi-purpose RGB ports or for those that need DC fan control.  It looks like you are headed toward the Elite + Commander Core anyway, but note the differences in USB passthrough and RGB accessories ports above.  

Australia, Core XTs are around the same price as the Pro (give or take $5-10) so really the only benefit of the Pro for me would be to run some old DC fans that I still have from the current case.  I'm not seeing any real need for USB passthrough either (apart from if I was going to daisy-chain the AIO control off the CoPro/CoCoXT) and there's no way in hell I'm considering LED strips etc (even RGB fans is a bit of a stretch for me).  If I got to the point where I was needing significantly more fan control (due to a bigger case, I'm pretty much going to be maxing out the O11 Mini Air as it is) at which point I'd be upsizing to a full ATX mobo (which removes some of the USB header restrictions) and have a standalone fan controller for everything other than the AIO.