If you are a fan of LED lights and other lighted accessories and want to finally upgrade your PC only to find out that there is no RGB header on the motherboard, what should you do?
Well, lucky for you, there are other ways to access the RGB lights on your device, like using a controller; after all, who doesn’t want their setup to look fabulous? You can buy an RGB controller that can control the lights with remote control.
Keep reading this article to find a proper way to solve this problem and everything you need to know about RGB.
The Difference Between RGB and ARGB Headers
Before getting started, you need to know the difference between RGB and ARGB to determine how to solve your problem. You see, these headers are different, so they require different RGB controllers.
Plugging an ARGB header into an RGB connector will destroy LEDs and the motherboard, so you must be careful. Here is some primary difference between the two:
Definitions
RGB is a simple setup in PC that stands for Red, Green, and Blue, the primary colors needed for various combinations. ARGB stands for addressable RGB as it offers more control over your essential RGB lights.
Prices
Considering ARGB is more advanced than RGB, a PC that comes with ARGB will naturally be much more expensive than RGB.
Function
RGB can only display colors; however, ARGB can allow you to control the lights and even change them to the beat of your music or aura sync.
Most shops will tell you what type of lights your keyboard, motherboard, mouse, graphics card, speakers, fan, RAM sticks, LED strips, and other computer accessories come with.
The most common is having lights inside the console as an RGB fan or ARGB fan. However, if you forgot, this section should help you understand what to do.
How To Deal With No RGB Header on Motherboard?
It is pretty simple to solve this problem; however, you will need to spend some more money. Here we will focus on RGB lighting devices, not ARGB devices, although the process should be similar.
Usually, a 3-pin or 4-pin header is required on your motherboard if you want the RGB light to work around PC fans. You should invest in an RGB controller once you know you don’t have one.
First, you need to buy an RGB controller with a remote control to control the lights. Remember, since it is an RGB controller, the remote will not control the individual fans in your console.
Some controllers allow direct connection to the motherboard’s RGB headers, which allows the color data to be controlled by the motherboard’s lighting software, but we will be discussing the easier method.
Installing the Controller and Led Lights
After you buy the controller controlled by SATA or Molex, you should be able to attach it directly to the PSU. It is better to have a SATA-controlled device than Molex as SATA is more reliable and will not melt your computer.
Here are the five steps to attaching this thing with the RGB LED strip lights to turn your PC into an RGB fan.
You can choose this HitLights RGB 5050 Color Changing LED Light Kit RGB strip light, which has a 3-year guarantee, so you know it will last a long time.
Step 1
Open the package, which should have the LED lights and a controller, and then get a screwdriver which is the only thing you need.
Step 2
Before getting started, wear clothes that don’t gather static and never rub your feet on the carpet before unscrewing the cover of the console. For extra security, have anti-static wristbands connected to the ground. This is because you are working on an electrostatic-sensitive device, and doing these things will keep you and your PC safe.
Step 3
Now, you should unscrew the PC and find the cable labeled SATA on the PSU. The SATA cable is where the cable from the controller goes. You might need some force connecting the two cables, but don’t be afraid and connect them correctly.
Step 4
Finally, connect the RGB light to the controller you just connected. While doing so, make sure that the arrows of each connector are pointed at each other. This is a significant step.
Step 5
The final step is to attach the LED lights all around the inside of the console. Make sure to clean the surface so that they stick properly. Before screwing the cover back on, test the lighting with the remote control.
Test different light combinations and make sure everything works properly. Use the screwdriver and screw the cover properly, and test the lights around the CPU fan again.
What To Do if the PC Already Has RGB Lights?
Now you know how to turn your basic computer setup into one with RGB lights. However, if you already have RGB lights on your computer, you need to buy a controller and install it. This means following the above steps until step 3, and you are good to go.
One simple product that works for many people is the EZDIY-FAB RGB Extension Control Card which is just a controller that works with your RGB lights.
This card is compatible with BIOSTAR RACING, ASUS AURO SYNC, MSI MYSTIC LIGHT SYN, ASROCK AURA RGB LEDand motherboards. Moreover, it has Built-in 7 modes or RGB signal input; if you can install it properly, you should have no problem working with the new setup.
This card sits in the expansion slot on your case; it doesn’t plug into the motherboard, so it is straightforward to install. It also supports SATA power which is used by most RGB lights.
FAQ
Here are some questions regarding the RGB setup that people like you might have.
Will RGB Fans Work Without an RGB Header?
Most RGB DC fans come with two wires, one controls the fans, and the other controls the lights. Plug the wire powering the fan header into the sys_fan port and it should start working with average fan speed.
Do All Motherboards Have RGB Headers?
Nope, if they did, this article would not exist! Old motherboards usually don’t support the RGB connector, but the new ones are the RGB motherboard, so they have an RGB header.
How Do I Determine if My Motherboard Has an RGB/RGB Header?
Look at your PC manual and see if there is a mention of an RGB header. You can also search what RGB headers look like. There are two RGB headers, 12V, 4 pins, and 5V, 3 pins header with a gap after two pins.
Are RGB Headers on Motherboards Replaceable?
They are not. Unless you are an excellent mechanic or know someone very good, they are not replaceable as the headers are hardwired into the motherboards.
Is It Possible to Ruin a Board by Plugging the RGB Header the Wrong Way?
If you plug the RGB header into an ARGB controller slot, it should not cause any problems; it will just not work. However, if you plug the ARGB header into an RGB controller slot, it can destroy the board.
Where do I plug RGB into the motherboard?
RGB connectors are typically found on the back of motherboards, near the expansion slots. Many RGB cables have three connectors: one for red, green, and blue; another for white; and a third for ground. The most common way to plug RGB cables into a motherboard is to use the white connector first, then connect the red and green connectors. Finally, connect the blue connector.
Can you plug a 4-pin RGB into a 3-pin?
RGB pinouts are designed to be plugged into each other, but there can be some confusion when trying to plug a 4-pin RGB into a 3-pin connector. The most common mistake is connecting the black wire to the ground wire on the 3-pin connector, instead of the white wire. Another common mistake is connecting the red wire to the green wire, instead of the blue wire.
Conclusion
RGB headers were initially designed for motherboards that didn’t have integrated LED control, but now that most motherboards do have integrated LED control, RGB headers are more likely to be found on a motherboard.
So, if there is no RGB header on the motherboard, it’s not difficult to solve the problem. You may need a 3-pin header or 4-pin header, or an RGB controller. Hopefully, this will not be a problem anymore, and your gaming experience can be much more fun!
