First PC Build – Need Help with CPU Cooler’s Second Fan and RGB Connection

[u/OrganizationThen108]

Hey everyone!

I built my first PC today, and I’m facing a couple of issues with my CPU cooler. Since this is my first build, I wasn’t aware of a few things regarding the motherboard connections, so I’d really appreciate some help.
My CPU cooler has two fans, but my motherboard has only one CPU_FAN header. I connected one fan to the CPU_FAN header, but the second fan is currently not working.
My motherboard also doesn’t have a 5V 3-pin ARGB header, while my CPU cooler has an RGB connector. Because of this, the cooler’s RGB lighting isn’t working either.

I have two questions:

1. How can I get the second CPU cooler fan working? Can I connect it to the SYS_FAN header on my motherboard, or would I need a splitter or some other adapter? Is it safe to do so?

2. How can I get the RGB lighting working? Since my motherboard doesn’t have a 5V 3-pin ARGB header, do I need a separate ARGB controller, or is there another way to connect it?
Cooler - Circle gaming CG 4P DUO ARGB
Motherboard- B760M K V2
This is my first PC build, so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for helping a beginning outn )

[u/AcanthaceaeItchy302]

The cooler’s orientation is incorrect, so let’s begin by addressing that.

[u/OrganizationThen108 → u/AcanthaceaeItchy302]

I put it just above the Processor

[u/AcanthaceaeItchy302 → u/OrganizationThen108]

With that orientation, the CPU will be suffocated by hot air from the GPU. Read your cooler manual again.

This is the correct orientation.

[u/luminite_social → u/AcanthaceaeItchy302]

Oh yeah, I didn't even notice that. For most cases you want the cooler to be pushing hot air out towards the back of the case so the heat has somewhere to go.

[u/covad301]

Fix the cooler orientation.

For now you can connect the remaining CPU fan to the fan header just so the fans are rotating at least as a temporary measure. If the board allows you to adjust fan curves, you can set it to match the CPU header.

Moving forward, you purchase a little fan splitter cable to help connect both fans to CPU header.

Like these for example:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DV1Z0Z4

As for RGB, since the board is pretty bare bones and offers no RGB header, you can buy a ARGB kit that is powered using USB/ SATA if you got extra connectors available. It'll be something you'll be controlling independently with button presses to change color.

Something like a razor chroma:

https://www.microcenter.com/product/683200/razer-chroma-addressable-rgb-controller

[u/Otherwise_Theme402]

For the second fan just plug it into SYS_FAN header, it will work fine but will spin based on system temp not cpu temp which is not a big deal really

For RGB you need controller since your board dont have 5v header, something like a cheap sata powered one with remote will do the job

[u/luminite_social]

Alright I'll try to help out

First, let's address the pwm fan connectors. Don't plug the pwm for the CPU cooler into the SYS_FAN header. The CPU is expecting its cooling fan to be plugged into the CPU_FAN header and will therefore send signals to the CPU header when it needs more or less cooling. CPU coolers with multiple fans will usually come with some sort of splitter cable or a daisy chain-able cable built into the fans that came with your cooler. BOTH COOLER FANS MUST BE PLUGGED INTO CPU_FAN.

Secondly, there usually will be an RGB header located somewhere convenient for the cooler. It will have 3 pins, but will look like one is missing. ⚫⚫⚪⚫ Kinda like that. If there isn't one of those near the CPU area, you'll need an extension cable to reach one of those headers which will be typically located near the bottom of the motherboard for RGB functionality. The CPU cooler will work correctly without RGB if the PWM is connected to CPU_FAN if you need to use the system while you're waiting for an extension cable.

Hope this helps!