Can RGB fans plug into the motherboard

[bigtallanddopey]

Hi everyone

I cannot seem to find an answer to this question online, or at least definite one anyway.

I have an x370 gaming 5 motherboard from gigabyte. It has a couple of rgb headers on the motherboard for extra lighting strips etc.

I was wanting to purchase some of the Corsair hp120 fans but it keeps saying I need to purchase the additional controller for the rgb.

For one I cannot see how this then ends up working in sync with the lights on the motherboard but that’s one issue.

But my question is, do I need to have this controller or can they just be plugged into the fan and rgb headers on the motherboard. Or do I need to get the controller?

Basically I want the lights in there to match up and if the same software controller everything then that would be better.

 

[Blaylock]

The short answer is no. The Corsair SP120 & HD120 RGB fans use a 5v LED while your motherboard uses a 12v RGB header.

 

[Daleon]

Yeah there are only a few higher end MBs currently that have an Addressable RGB Header that supports 3A (5V) and even those only have 1 or 2. Hopefully most of the next gen MB's will plenty of them.

For now get the combo kit with HD120s and controller. I run Corsair and NZXT controllers and fans. The HD's do more and put on more of a show, but I tend to leave the NZXTs on more often as they are more low key.