How to install (A)RGB fans?

[tmz]

Hi everyone!

 

My beloved desktop will move from under the desk to the top of my desk wich has made me think about the look of it a bit more since it will be in sight now. Because of this I'd like to install 3 120mm argb or rgb fans in the front how ever I still have a few questions about this since this will be my first time doing this.

 

1. What is the difference between ARGB and RGB? (I haven't been able to find a clear answer by browsing the web)

2. How do I connect it in order to be able to control things like the colours? (My motherboard does have RGB headers. But I also read stuff about controllers and I'm really lost on this topic.)

 

I hope you can help me along and am looking forward to your insights!

 

Edit:

 

My system specs are: 

Processor: Ryzen 5 5600X
Mobo: Gigabyte B550 Gaming X V2
GPU: RX 6600 8GB Gigabyte eagle
Ram: 4x8 Corsair vengeance DDR4 3200MHZ
Storage: Kingston NV2 1TB m.2, Crucial P3 1 TB SSD
PSU: Thermaltak Smart BM2 650W Semi Modular 80 Plus Bronze
Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow
OS: Windows 11 pro

[NorKris]

30 minutes ago, tmz said:

1. What is the difference between ARGB and RGB? (I haven't been able to find a clear answer by browsing the web)

 

ARGB =  5v,  u can have different colors on the same led strip (aka control it)

RGB = 12v, same color the ledstrip. 4pins

30 minutes ago, tmz said:

 

2. How do I connect it in order to be able to control things like the colours? (My motherboard does have RGB headers. But I also read stuff about controllers and I'm really lost on this topic.)

 

you need an controller for ARGB, its 3 pins 

 

if ur motherboard does not have ARGB u will need a controller like:

USB (with software)
IR (with remote)
buttons (on the unit or via the reset button on ur case)

[RevGAM]

To add to what Kris explained,  RGB and ARGB both have their own values for power and control separate from the fan cable, but you only get limited control of the LEDs with RGB, whereas you get full control with ARGB. 

 

Both use a 4- 'position' header but, while RGB has 4 pins,  ARGB is missing one middle pin and the corresponding hole is blocks. This means it's easy to incorrectly plug in an RGB cable and fry the lights (which use 12V), whereas you can only fry ARGB (which uses 5V) if you plug it into an RGB header. 

 

Note: for RGB, make sure the hole with the embedded or extruding arrow pointing at it is oriented to the pin that is 12V.