Adding RGB

[dawg68]

Hi

We’re upgrading our home PC, and my 10-year old boy wants something to handle his games (Stormworks, Brick rigs etc). So I want some gaming capability, but he’d also love it if we added some RGB bling! That’s a whole new subject to me.

So far the planned spec is:
- Ryzen 5 2600, on ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING Motherboard
- 16GB Corsair Vengeance 32Mhz DDR4 memory
- Sapphire Radeon NITRO+ RX580, 8GB graphics card
- Corsair Carbide Spec 06 Case - with RGB
- Corsair RM650 power supply
- Storage to be defined but likely 500GB SSD, and 1TB HDD

My question is how best to add RGB?

I’m looking at the Corsair products. One option is just to add the H100i Platinum RGB Cooler, as that will give 2 RGB Fans, plus a nice RGB pump header on the motherboard.

But then we look at adding LED strips, which I think would involve the Light Node Pro. That would make 3 separate loops: the case RGB, the cooling system and the LED strips. Would the iCue software made them all work together, or should I bring them all into one circuit with the Command Pro/LNP and a Fan Hub? Suddenly the costs start to ramp up.

So then I look at staying with the stock CPU cooler, and adding 3 120LL fans (which come with LNP and fan hub) and adding an LED extension kit. I loose the lit pump header, but overall it’s cheaper.

I’ve never spec’ed any RGB in a system, so would like to hear any suggestions on how to add some nice bling, without going wild on costs. Ideas welcome!

Thanks

[Zotty]

Hi buddy... if you haven't read it already it's worth reading the RGB Faq which covers the devices and how they all connect.. the thread also contains setup diagrams

https://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthr...73880&t=173880

[dawg68]

Thanks Zotty, yes I read it. It’s a great description. I’m also watching the other thread a little below about RGB setup. I can see people go big on this stuff, with 6+ fans, coolers and LED strips. Just trying to work out what’s a good start. Many thanks for your reply.

[Zotty]

i think my advice is to start with a AIO cooler, its self contained unit that would show you instant results in both performance and aesthetics. you can then upgrade the rest of the system over time should you feel you want more RGB

[dawg68]

Thanks Zotty, makes sense. So I think I’ll start with the H100i RGB for the nice pump header and 2 fans. Then later if we want LED strips add a Light Node Pro. And if we want to more ML fans at some stage, put all the fans onto a fan hub and into the LNP. Is that a good strategy?

[Zotty]

that would work buddy.. only thing you would be missing is control of the fans RPM's.. which is where a Commander Pro would come into play... you can of course control fan speeds via motherboard headers. but that then means you control AIO speeds in iCUE and all other fans in other software..

[dawg68]

Thanks Zotty. So after the H100i, maybe I’ll go for the Commander Pro and the Lightning Pro Expansion Kit and avoid the LNP itself. That way I can add fans and fan hub later with full control like you say. Thanks for your help.

[andymw]

Just go with the commander pro which comes with the lighting pro .... I bought it and it controls all my six RGB fans, all their leds and four led light strips.

[Zotty]

Originally Posted by dawg68

Thanks Zotty. So after the H100i, maybe I’ll go for the Commander Pro and the Lightning Pro Expansion Kit and avoid the LNP itself. That way I can add fans and fan hub later with full control like you say. Thanks for your help.

Thats a good plan and no worries man.. happy to help. good luck on your quest and reach out if you need more info ;).

if you use discord then my Corsair Case Owners Club server might be worth the join..

https://discord.gg/b6x8HpM

[dawg68]

Originally Posted by andymw

Just go with the commander pro which comes with the lighting pro .... I bought it and it controls all my six RGB fans, all their leds and four led light strips.

Thanks andymw, it looks like a unanimous vote for the Commander Pro. Will be getting that after the H100i. Thanks for your help.

[EJ_DRIFT]

Ya it sounds like andymw has a rgb filled system and it would fit you and your son well.