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Lizard1977

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#323310 17-Nov-2025 14:34
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Looking for some help picking out the right combination of case fans for my new build (using a Lian Li O11D Evo chassis).

 

I'm going with RGB case fans to complete the look.  From what I can tell, I need reverse blade fans for intake on the side and bottom of the case, and a regular fan on the rear for exhaust.  I'll be going with an AIO mounted at the top which will also be functioning as an exhaust.  The case also has RGB strip lighting around the top and bottom of the case.

 

I was originally going to use a Phanteks EVOLV X2 case and was going to get Phanteks M25 G2 fans reverse blade, as this seemed to make sense for the bottom of that case.  But now that I've shifted to Lian Li, I'm not sure if they're still the right choice.  Lian Li Uni fans look very nice, but I still squeal at the idea of paying $40-50 per fan.  Even with PB Tech's sale on, the prices are a bit steep.  

 

Then there's the question of managing the ARGB signals, daisy-chaining, controller/hubs, and motherboard headers.  The motherboard I'll be using has four ARGB headers.  If I used 1 set of 3 fans on the side, 1 set of 3 fans on the bottom, a single fan at the rear, the AIO RGB and the case RGB lights add up to five RGB plugs.  To make matters worse, it gets pretty confusing with some brands using proprietary connectors, some coming with a hub (or not).  Can anyone offer some advice on fans that have RGB and offer decent air flow in the case, and how best to manage the connections so that the lights can be easily synced together?


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richms
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  #3436153 20-Nov-2025 12:18
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I got a nollie controller off aliexpress from the deals for about $17 or so for the 8 output one to manage things. All the fans and stuff that have an in and an out connector just seem to parallel them so you do not get separate control of things on the out.

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008045034857.html

 

Works with signalrgb and openrgb - animations get choppy under high CPU load tho, as it does with all of these where the animation is done on the host PC and the controllers just pass what they get on the USB feed on.

 

Also got all my fans off aliexpress since its more for show than performance.

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005829498710.html - make sure whatever you do check that its an ARGB option, there are plenty like that which list colour and its just fixed LEDs that are always on in the fan - no separate wire for controlling them.





Richard rich.ms

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