Connect 3 pin aRGB of EK waterblock to Lighting Node Core

[Michaelle]

Hi,

I would like to know if I can connect EKWB GPU waterblock LEDs (3 pin aRGB) to Corsair lighting core node that I have with my Corsair iCUE 5000x ? With a third party cable like in the attached picture. 

The goal is control all my lighting with iCUE (that actually control 3 RGB front fans) instead of having Armoury Crate for EKWB aRGB (pump + GPU WB).

Best regards

 

[c-attack]

Yes, you need to make or buy an adapter to make it compatible with the Lighting Node Core “fan” port. Then in CUE you tell the software it is another device based on the number of LEDs you need (8 series LED, HD=12 LEDs etc). If you use the Lighting Node Core you are limited to using fan models as the building blocks in 4, 8, 12, or 16 led units. LED ports like on the Commander Pro or Lighting Node Pro have more options. EK often use odd numbers but you can deactivate any extra LEDs in the lighting effect. 

[Michaelle]

Thanks for the response. 

According to EK, there is 8 addressable LED for the GPU waterblock. 

For the EK-Quantum Kinetic TBE 200 D5 PWM D-RGB EK does not specify the number of LED. I will ask to them. 

 

[c-attack]

8 on the GPU.  10 on the pump/res.  This is where it gets a bit more complicated.  I have the same but use two channels from a Lighting Node Pro to allow me to set each one individually.  If you use the Lighting Node Core you will be limited to 1 fan type as the base unit and it is serial.  So if you tell it "8 LED type x 2" for the fan, the last two on the reservoir will be out.  So you likely need to tell it "HD series" x 2.  This will generate 12 + 12 on two fan UI images in the app.  Then you only apply LEDs to the first fan and one half the second.  

[Michaelle]

Driving EK RGB device from iCUE is working with custom cable adaptor. 

I saw  the 1 fan type limitation of Lighting Node Core yesterday. However I've just ordered Lighting Node Pro to add LED strips to my build because for now the inside of 5000x case is quite dark and I don't see my custom hardline water-cooling loop well. 

I also faced to another issue : it seems that I can't use port 5 and 6 of Lighting node. I have double check that I enable it in iCUE. I've also check the voltage of these ports and it's okay. (5V). Has anyone had this problem before ?

For now I put a splitter for pump and GPU WB RGB. It works but with some limitation (not individually controllable and not all led of pump are used). 

When I will receive Node Pro, I will do this : 

• Node core port 1 to 3 -> Front fans
• Node core port 4 -> EK GPU WB
• Node Pro port 1 -> EK D5 pump
• Node Pro port 2 -> Corsair Led strips (in series)

I hope this will work. 

[c-attack]

1 hour ago, Michaelle said:

When I will receive Node Pro, I will do this : 

• Node core port 1 to 3 -> Front fans
• Node core port 4 -> EK GPU WB
• Node Pro port 1 -> EK D5 pump
• Node Pro port 2 -> Corsair Led strips (in series)

This seems to me like it will work fine. Gpu block is just another 8 led fan and you can apply a different pattern to “fan 4” vs 1-3. That gives you full lighting control. 
 

There is also one additional option, although it likely would require an additional adaptor. Corsair led strips are 10 LEDs, so in theory you could put the gpu block on LN Pro channel 1 and the pump/res ring as a 5th led strip at the end of that chain. I don’t see any inherent functional advantage to this, but you are likely in the best position to assess that based on the layout. The strips are individually addressable as well so 1-4 can do pattern A and “5” can do pattern B. 

Edited January 31 by c-attack

[Michaelle]

Many thanks for the support. 

P.S. This is the build I'm talking about

[c-attack]

I think the two key parts to examine are: 1) your ability to get a 3rd party adapter for one piece or the other.  2) If you want sequential type lighting effects to follow a certain direction in relation to the reservoir and/or GPU and this only matters if you want a specific sequence through your gear.  With either the GPU as "fan 4" or the res as "strip 5", they will be slotted in a very specific order.  Strips and fans can still do sequential effects through their numbers only while the block or res does something else.  

Edited February 1 by c-attack