Motherboard RGB restrictions vary by model and manufacturer. Always check specifications for compatibility.
Motherboard RGB restrictions vary by model and manufacturer. Always check specifications for compatibility.
Hello, I'm struggling to understand this setup. I plan to purchase the Asus ROG Strix B450-I Gaming and need two Cooler Master MF140R ARGB units, one MF120R ARGB, plus some Addressable RGB CableMod strips. The Asus site mentions support for WS2812B LED strips with specific power and LED limits, but it doesn't clarify the number of LEDs on the fans or the dimensions of the strips. I'm also unsure about the 30cm and 60cm lengths and whether the fans count toward the 60-LED limit. I have the same questions for Cooler Master's ML120R RGB. If this makes sense, I'd appreciate your guidance.
The 60 LED limit applies to each RGB connector on the motherboard... it's a fixed value determined by the highest current (3A) and the overall length of the LED strip. Fans aren't considered, as these LEDs draw power directly from the 12V fan connector. Each color LED can use about 15-20 mA, so we'll use a standard 50mA per LED. With 60 LEDs, that equals 3000mA or 3A. The motherboard doesn't track how many LEDs are on a strip; it simply lists 60 to safeguard itself. This prevents damage if you connect a strip drawing more than 3A. If using a single-color strip or a more efficient design, the current per LED drops—say 5mA for red only or 15mA total. In theory, this allows up to 200 LEDs at 15mA each. Length matters because longer strips cause voltage drops... for example, the first LED might get 5V, the 15th around 4.9V, the 30th about 4.7V, and the 60th near 4.5V. These variations happen due to resistance in thin wires between LEDs. Some LEDs need at least 3V to work, while others require more. By setting a limit of 60, the manufacturer ensures users won't notice issues when the last 10-20 LEDs on a 100-LED strip fail or dim.
I previously tried connecting three Phanteks M1 Digital RGB strips. The board features two addressable and two non-addressable headers. I thought I could connect all three M1 strips together (each with about 70 LEDs) into one addressable header, but it didn’t work. One strip lit fully, another half-lit, and the last one completely failed. I ended up using one full strip connected to an addressable header and two daisy-chained to another addressable header, though the second strip only worked with half functionality. It’s costly—each strip is over $32 plus tax—and it seems running just one at half power is the best option. I’m looking for information on how many LEDs each header supports or other solutions.