RGB and Fan Wiring Help

[Nolarond]

I'm building two PCs, many of the components are similar. I need help with the RGB / fan wiring. I'm not thinking this is tech support- I can move it there if needed, but I have seen other wiring help posts here (this is how I got here).  

**Build 1:**  
2 Corsair QL 120 Fan (3-pack- 6 Fans total). (Each one comes with 1 RGB only 6 port hub.)  
1 Corsair iCue H150i Elite Capellix Cooler. (Comes with Commander Core)  
1 Corsair CX-F RGB Series CX-750F PS  
1 Asus Rog Strix B550-F Mobo (2 USB 2.0 Headers)  
    \- 2 USB 2.0 Headers  
    \- 6 Fan /pump headers:  
        \- CPU\_FAN  
        \- CPU\_OPT  
        \- CHA\_FAN1  
        \- AIO\_PUMP   
        \- CHA\_FAN2  
        \- CHA\_FAN3  
        \- (AIO\_PUMP is full speed, all other fans are ASUS Q-Fan controlled.)  
1 Corsair Airflow 5000 Case:  
    1 Stock non-RGB Fan (Rear)  
    1 Stock 6 port fan hub.  

Here is what I am thinking I will do:  
The installation guide for the Capellix says to plug the 1 fan, and 1 RGB connector from the cooler to the Commander core. If I do that, that leaves only 5 ports for 6 more RGB fans. So I could use one of the RGB 6 port hubs from the QL 120 3 pack for the RGB from the 6 fans, and then use the stock fan hub on the case for the 6 fan connectors. However this leaves me needing 3 USB 2.0 ports, but I only have 2. I've already purchased an NZXT Internal Hub for expansion so that works.  

As far as connections to the mobo:  
\- Stock Fan Hub PWM cable to CPU\_FAN  
\- Rear Stock Fan to CPU\_OPT  
\- NZXT Internal Hub to USB Port 1  
\- 6 Port RGB hub plugs into NZXT  
\- Commander Core Plugs into NZXT  
\- Stock Fan Hub plugs into NZXT  
\- PS plugs into Aura Addressable Gen 2 header  

Questions:  
1. Can anyone recommend a better solution for this? I could Use the Core for just the cooler, but that seems like a waste of the connector core. It feels like since I went with all Corsair products- this would be easier to figure out.  
2. Will I be able to use iCue to controll all fans and lighting?  
3. Where do I plug the stock fan? Just one of the other fan headers?  
4. The Commander Core has a Temp port but it did not came with a cable. Should I get one and connect it?  

**Build 2:**  
2 Corsair QL 120 Fan (3-pack- 6 Fans total). (Each one comes with 1 RGB only 6 port hub.)  
1 Corsair iCue H150i RGB Pro XT Cooler.  
1 Corsair CX-F RGB Series CX-750F PS  
1 Asus Rog Strix B550-F Mobo (2 USB 2.0 Headers)  
    \- 2 USB 2.0 Headers  
    \- 6 Fan /pump headers:  
        \- CPU\_FAN  
        \- CPU\_OPT  
        \- CHA\_FAN1  
        \- AIO\_PUMP  
        \- CHA\_FAN2  
        \- CHA\_FAN3  
        \- (AIO\_PUMP is full speed, all other fans are ASUS Q-Fan controlled.)  
1 Corsair Airflow 5000 Case:  
    1 Stock non-RGB Fan (Rear)  
    1 Stock 6 port fan hub.  

I purchased a Commander Core XT - so I think this one is straight forward. I use the Commander Core XT for all 6 QL 120 fans- both RGB and Fan connectors. The install for this Cooler says to connect the fan connector to the CPU\_FAN header, but the mobo says to connect it to AIO\_PUMP so I would do that.

 
Connections   
\- Rear Stock Fan to CPU\_FAN?  
\- NZXT Internal Hub to USB Port 1  
\- Cooler connects a USB cord to NZXT USB  
\- Commander Core XT Plugs into NZXT  
\- PS plugs into Aura Addressable Gen 2 header  
I know the Commander Core XT comes with a daisy-chain for USB, but I already bought the NZXT and may need it for expansion.  

Questions:   
Basically same as questions for first build, minus the temp port question because the XT comes with cables.  
Also:  
1. Will the Mobo give me errors if nothing is plugged into CPU\_FAN? Can I plug the rear fan there?  

My goal is to be able to use iCue for everything. (PS, 6 QL 120s and Coolers). If I can't- I'd prefer that iCue works on the second build, because I wouldn't mind running Linux on the first one.  

Hope this makes sense and thanks for any advice or direction you can provide. I DID do quite a bit of googling before posting here.

[Nolarond]

I don't know how to edit this post. Help me I feel stupid.

[Citizen Crazed]

Hi Nolarond, some general points that might help you:

The last one first. To edit a post, clicking the three dots at the upper right of it should give you the edit button. If it isn't there, there's obviously a forum timeout on editing - forget if that's the case.

Second, you won't be able to use iCue to control the *speeds* of fans connected to headers on the motherboard. You'll need Armoury Crate/FanXpert for that. However, if you've got the fans' RGB systems connected to the CommanderCore/RGB Fan Hub etc you'll be able to integrate and control those through iCue. If you've connected the fan rotation cables to an iCue compatible controller, you'll be able to control their speeds in iCue too.

Next, if you don't have anything connected to the CPU fan header, most motherboards, by default, will at least give you a warning. However this is almost always defeatable in the UEFI - and definitely will be in the case of Asus boards.

One thing to bear in mind is that if you connect the rear case fan to the CPU header, you will only be able to regulate its speed via CPU temp - which may not be optimal.

Oh - and edited to add - a peak at Zotty's FAQs up the top of the forum will fill in some more of the blanks here 🙂

 

 

Edited April 5, 2022 by Citizen Crazed

[Technobeard]

2 hours ago, Nolarond said:

I don't know how to edit this post. Help me I feel stupid.

 

1 hour ago, Citizen Crazed said:

To edit a post, clicking the three dots at the upper right of it should give you the edit button. If it isn't there, there's obviously a forum timeout on editing - forget if that's the case.

Correct, there's a short edit window to combat spammers.