Hey everyone! I'm getting back into building PCs after a while and could use some guidance. I have a Phanteks NV7 case, and my AIO cooler broke, but I found an NZXT Plus 360 (non-RGB) to use. While unpacking the components, I discovered some loose cables. I'm not sure if they were like that before.
I'm looking to buy new fans and was considering the Thermalright TL-M12Q. My main concern is how to connect multiple fans without a commander or hub, and if I do need one, which one should I go for? Also, can I replace the current fans on the NZXT radiator with three of those fans?
I was surprised that my NZXT AIO didn't come with a Corsair Commander or anything similar. Even though I've built PCs before, dealing with all of these wires is making me a bit anxious. I'd really appreciate your help—thanks!
2 Answers
The 4-pin connector with one pin blocked is for ARGB. You can mount any 120mm fans onto a 360mm radiator without issues. Just consider using splitters or a hub to connect multiple fans to a single header for easier management.
Those 4 pins are likely ARGB headers, while the other ones look like loose wiring. Many fans now have standard designs, either daisy chain or snap-together. The Thermalright TL fans use snap-together wiring, which allows them to connect to each other and only need one power/RGB cable. If you're planning to install a lot of fans, you might indeed want a commander or hub to manage the connections efficiently.
So if I buy 3 fans for the bottom, 2 for the back, and 4 for the sides, I won't be able to connect the three bottom ones to the four side ones without some sort of hub, right? I'm just trying to understand how to manage all the connections without losing track of anything.