PWM Splitters or fan controllers?

[Faddish Coder]

Hi everyone,

 

Trying to understand if I should go with 2 PWM splitters or just get a PWM controller. 

 

The details....

 

My motherboard is the Aorus Elite WIFI which has the following fan headers:
1. CPU_FAN

2. CPU_OPT

3. SYS_FAN1

4. SYS_FAN2

 

and I think these headers all work for RGB...:

1. LED_CPU

2. D_LED1 

3. LED_C1

4. D_LED2

5. LED_2

 

I'm going to be running the Kraken X63 which will use headers for each fan and the pump.  I'm running the Fractal Meshify C case and bought 120mm and 140mm RGB fans to replace the stock fans.  Not sure if I'm going to run 3x120mm front and 1x120mm rear, or use 2x140mm in the front instead (open to suggestions). I might also go all out and replace Kraken fans with RGB. My wallet is saying I should return the extras, so maybe I should listen...

 

If I get splitters, I think I need two:

1. CPU_FAN -  2-way PWM Splitter for Kraken radiator fans

2. CPU_OPT - No splitter (pump)

3. SYS_FAN1 - No Splitter (exhaust case fan)

4. SYS_FAN2 - 3-way PWM splitter (intake fans)

 

Re: RGB - I already purchased a 3-way RGB splitter which I think should cover the fans given all the RGB headers (unless I'm not understanding what these are). 

 

These are the final details I didn't really think about when I put in my first parts order.  Thanks! 

 

[LogicalDrm]

I would go with splitters any time instead of hub. Better control options for one.

 

RGB on the board, it has 3x RGB and 2x ARGB. Be sure not to mix those.

[Faddish Coder]

On 9/6/2020 at 1:44 PM, LogicalDrm said:

I would go with splitters any time instead of hub. Better control options for one.

 

RGB on the board, it has 3x RGB and 2x ARGB. Be sure not to mix those.

Thanks for the recommendation on splitters > hub.

 

Also, I definitely was confusing RGB and ARGB. I bought ARGB fans so my splitter is the wrong one. I now understand the difference after watching a quick youtube video. Sorry for my ignorance.. this stuff has changed a lot.  I will probably need something like this https://www.newegg.com/p/1YF-014W-00035 for the ARGB fans right? 

 

Thinking I will order the ARGB 3-1 splitter above, this PWM 2-1 splitter and this PWM 3-1 splitter.

 

Edit: Seems the ones I bought (Fractal Design Prisma AL-12) can be daisy chained, so no need for the ARGB splitter. That's one more little splitter I can save.

 

Edit 2: Wow I really messed up. These fans come in 3-pin and PWM variants.  I got all 3-pin versions.  Time to plan a return and start

over on my ARGB/PWM fan setup quest I think.

 

Edit 3: Figuring this stuff out is actually the part I like most about a new build.  I may ditch PWM for the case fans and just go with 2x140 intake and 1x120 exhaust (+ top mounted 280mm radiator with PWM fans that come with the Kraken).

 

1. CPU_FAN - Y splitter for both radiator fans

2. CPU_OPT - pump

3. SYS_FAN1 - Y splitter for 2 front fans

4. SYS_FAN2 - rear exhaust