The Corsair AF120 is a high-performance cooling fan designed to deliver exceptional airflow and static pressure. It is engineered with a unique blade design, PWM control, and low-noise operation, making it an ideal choice for demanding cooling applications. Additionally, the AF120 is compatible with Corsair’s iCUE software, which provides advanced control and monitoring capabilities. In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps on how to connect the AF120 to iCUE, unlocking its full potential for customizable cooling and performance.
To begin the connection process, you will need the AF120 cooling fan, an iCUE-compatible motherboard or fan controller, and the iCUE software installed on your system. Ensure that your motherboard or fan controller has a 4-pin PWM header for fan control. Locate the 4-pin PWM cable on the AF120 and connect it to the corresponding header on your motherboard or fan controller. Next, download and install the iCUE software from the Corsair website. Once installed, launch the software and navigate to the “Devices” tab. Click on the “Add Device” button and select the AF120 fan from the list of available devices.
Once the AF120 is added to iCUE, you will gain access to a range of customization options. You can adjust the fan speed, create custom fan curves, and monitor fan performance in real-time. The iCUE software also allows you to synchronize lighting effects with other compatible Corsair peripherals, creating a cohesive and visually stunning system. By connecting the AF120 to iCUE, you can harness the full potential of this high-performance cooling fan, ensuring optimal cooling and system performance for your demanding applications.
Establishing the Physical Connection
Connecting the AF120 fans to iCUE requires a physical connection between the fan and the Lighting Node Core. Follow these detailed steps to establish the connection:
- Identify the Ports: Locate the 4-pin RGB port on each AF120 fan. These ports are typically labeled with an “RGB” symbol. Additionally, identify the corresponding 4-pin RGB ports on the Lighting Node Core.
- Prepare the Cables: Gather the included RGB cables. Each cable has a female end that connects to the fan’s RGB port and a male end that connects to the Lighting Node Core.
- Secure the Cables: Plug the female end of the RGB cable into the RGB port on the AF120 fan. Ensure that the cable is firmly secured and does not come loose.
- Connect to Lighting Node Core: Take the male end of the RGB cable and connect it to the corresponding RGB port on the Lighting Node Core. This port should be labeled with the same number as the fan you are connecting.
- Repeat for Other Fans: If you have multiple AF120 fans, repeat steps 3 and 4 for each fan. Ensure that each fan is connected to its designated RGB port on the Lighting Node Core.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the RGB ports on the fans and Lighting Node Core. |
| 2 | Prepare the included RGB cables. |
| 3 | Connect the female end of the RGB cable to the fan’s RGB port. |
| 4 | Connect the male end of the RGB cable to the corresponding RGB port on the Lighting Node Core. |
| 5 | Repeat for other fans if necessary. |
Once all the physical connections are established, you can proceed to the software configuration to integrate the fans with iCUE.
Downloading and Installing the iCUE Software
To get started with connecting your AF120 fans to iCUE, you’ll need to download and install the software on your computer. The iCUE software is available for both Windows and macOS. Here’s how to download and install it:
- Visit the Corsair website and navigate to the iCUE download page.
- Select your operating system (Windows or macOS) and click on the “Download” button.
- Run the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions.
Once the iCUE software is installed, you can launch it and start configuring your AF120 fans.
Connecting Your AF120 Fans to iCUE
Now that you have the iCUE software installed, you can connect your AF120 fans. Here’s how:
Step 1: Connect the Fans to Your Motherboard
Using the included fan screws, mount the AF120 fans to your PC case. Then, connect the fans to your motherboard using the 4-pin PWM fan headers. The fans can be daisy-chained together, so you can connect multiple fans to a single header.
Step 2: Connect the Lighting Node to Your Motherboard
The AF120 fans come with a Lighting Node Pro that allows you to control the RGB lighting. Connect the Lighting Node to your motherboard using the included USB 2.0 header. The Lighting Node can also be daisy-chained, so you can connect multiple Lighting Nodes to a single header.
Step 3: Open the iCUE Software
Once the fans and Lighting Node are connected, open the iCUE software. The software should automatically detect your devices and display them in the main window. If your devices are not detected, click on the “Devices” tab and click on the “Refresh” button.
Step 4: Configure Your Fans
Once your devices are detected, you can start configuring them. In the iCUE software, you can control the fan speed, RGB lighting, and other settings. Click on the “Fans” tab to configure your fans. You can adjust the fan speed using the slider or by creating custom fan curves. You can also click on the “Lighting” tab to configure the RGB lighting. You can choose from a variety of lighting effects, colors, and brightness levels.
Creating a New Lighting Profile
1. Open the iCUE software and click on the “Lighting Setup” tab.
2. Click on the “+” button in the bottom left corner of the window.
3. In the “New Lighting Profile” window, enter a name for your new profile.
4. Select the device(s) that you want to apply the profile to.
5. Click on the “Effects” tab and select the effect that you want to use.
6. Customize the effect settings to your liking.
7. Click on the “Save” button to save your new profile.
Additional Details for Customizing Effects:
- Color: Click on the color picker to select a custom color.
- Brightness: Use the slider to adjust the brightness of the effect.
- Speed: Use the slider to adjust the speed of the effect.
- Direction: Select the direction of the effect (e.g., left to right, top to bottom).
- Shape: Select the shape of the effect (e.g., square, circle, triangle).
| Effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Static | Sets the device(s) to a single color. |
| Fade | Gradually fades between two colors. |
| Pulse | Flashes the device(s) on and off at a regular interval. |
| Wave | Creates a wave-like effect that moves across the device(s). |
| Rainbow | Cycles through all of the colors in the rainbow. |
Assigning the AF120 Fans to the Profile
After creating a new profile, you can assign the AF120 fans to it. This will allow you to control the fans’ speed, color, and lighting effects based on the settings you’ve configured in the profile.
- In iCUE, click on the “Devices” tab.
- Select the “Lighting Node CORE” device that you’ve connected the fans to.
- Click on the “Assign Fans” button.
- A list of available fan ports will appear. Drag and drop the AF120 fans to the desired ports on the list. You can assign multiple fans to a single port if they’re connected using a splitter.
- Click on the “Apply” button to save your changes.
Fan Control Options
Once the fans are assigned to a profile, you can control their speed and lighting effects using the iCUE software.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Speed | Allows you to set the fan speed in RPM or as a percentage of the maximum speed. |
| Color | Allows you to select a static color for the fans or enable dynamic lighting effects. |
| Lighting Effects | Provides a variety of lighting effects such as Rainbow, Wave, and Color Shift. |
Configuring the Lighting Effects
The iCUE software provides extensive options for customizing the lighting effects on your AF120 fans. You can choose from various presets or create your custom effects.
To configure your fan’s lighting:
- Launch the iCUE software.
- Select your AF120 fans from the list of devices.
- Click on the “Lighting” tab.
- Select a lighting effect from the left-hand panel.
- Customize your lighting effects by adjusting the following settings:
- Effect: Choose from various lighting effects, including Static, Rainbow, Wave, and Pulse.
- Color: Select the color of your lighting effects from a color picker.
- Speed: Adjust the speed of the lighting effects.
- Intensity: Control the brightness of the lighting effects.
- Direction: For certain effects like Wave or Rainbow, specify the direction in which the lighting effects will flow.
- Install the latest version of iCUE on your computer.
- Connect the fan hub to the RGB header on your motherboard.
- Connect the 4-pin PWM cable from the hub to a fan header on your motherboard.
- Connect the fans to the hub’s designated ports.
- Launch iCUE and click on the “Devices” tab.
- Select your AF120 fans from the list of detected devices.
- In the “Lighting” section, choose the desired lighting effects and colors.
- To synchronize lighting with other iCUE-compatible devices, click on the “Link” button and select the devices you want to connect to.
- Install iCUE: Download and install the latest version of iCUE from the Corsair website.
- Connect the fans to the Lighting Node Pro: Connect the AF120 fans to the Lighting Node Pro using the included fan cables.
- Connect the Lighting Node Pro to the motherboard: Connect the Lighting Node Pro to a USB 2.0 header on your motherboard.
- Launch iCUE: Open iCUE and click on the "Devices" tab.
- Select your fans: Your AF120 fans should be listed under the "Fans" section. Select them to open the fan control panel.
- Adjust settings: In the fan control panel, you can adjust the fan speed, color, and other settings to your liking.
Customizing the Fan Speed
The AF120 fans offer extensive customization options for their fan speed, allowing you to tailor their performance to your specific needs. Here are the steps for adjusting the fan speed:
1. Open iCUE Software
Launch the Corsair iCUE software on your computer.
2. Select the “Commander Pro” tab
From the iCUE dashboard, click on the “Commander Pro” tab.
3. Choose the “Fan Control” section
On the Commander Pro tab, navigate to the “Fan Control” section.
4. Select the AF120 fans
In the Fan Control section, choose the AF120 fans that you want to customize.
5. Adjust the fan speed profile
Use the sliders or input fields to adjust the fan speed profile. You can create custom profiles or select from preset profiles to meet your temperature and noise requirements.
6. Fan Speed Customization Options
The AF120 fans provide a range of customization options for fan speed:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Speed Range | Set the minimum and maximum fan speeds for temperature-based automatic adjustments. |
| Zero RPM Mode | Enable or disable the fans stopping completely when temperatures are low. |
| Custom RPM Curves | Create custom fan speed curves to adjust the fan speed based on specific temperature thresholds. |
| Preset Profiles | Choose from preset fan speed profiles, including Silent, Balanced, Performance, and Extreme. |
7. Save the changes
Once you have adjusted the fan speed settings, click the “Save” button to apply the changes.
Managing Device Profiles
iCUE makes it easy to manage and customize lighting effects, fan speeds, and other device settings for your AF120 fans. You can create multiple profiles with different settings for different scenarios or games.
Creating a New Profile
To create a new profile, click the “+” button at the bottom left of the iCUE window and select “Hardware Profiles.” Give your profile a name and click “Create.”
Editing a Profile
To edit a profile, select it from the “Hardware Profiles” list and click the “Edit” button. You can then make changes to any of the settings for that profile.
Deleting a Profile
To delete a profile, select it from the “Hardware Profiles” list and click the “Delete” button. You will be prompted to confirm the deletion.
Setting Default Profile
You can specify which profile is loaded when your computer starts. To do this, select the profile you want to set as default and click the “Set as Default” button.
Exporting and Importing Profiles
You can export and import profiles to share with others or back up your settings. To export a profile, click the “Export” button and select a file location. To import a profile, click the “Import” button and select the profile file you want to import.
Managing Profile Library
iCUE provides a library to store and organize your profiles. You can create folders and add profiles to them. This makes it easier to find and manage your profiles.
| Profile Management Options | Description |
|---|---|
| Create New Profile | Create a new profile with custom settings |
| Edit Profile | Change the settings of an existing profile |
| Delete Profile | Remove a profile from your system |
| Set Default Profile | Specify which profile is loaded at system startup |
| Export Profile | Save a profile to a file for sharing or backup |
| Import Profile | Load a profile from a file that was previously exported |
| Profile Library | Organize and manage your profiles in folders |
Synchronizing Lighting Across Multiple Devices
The iCUE software from Corsair allows you to synchronize lighting between multiple devices to create a cohesive and immersive experience. Here’s how you can connect your AF120 fans to iCUE:
ICUE 4 Software Installation and Interface
Download the ICUE 4 software from the Corsair website and install it on your computer. Once installed, launch the software and create an account if you don’t already have one. The ICUE 4 interface is user-friendly and intuitive, with a dashboard that provides an overview of your connected devices and their settings.
Connecting AF120 Fans to ICUE
Connect the AF120 fans to your computer’s motherboard using the included fan headers. Then, connect the included RGB Lighting Node Pro to the motherboard’s RGB header. Finally, connect the Lighting Node Pro to the AF120 fans using the provided RGB cables.
Configuring AF120 Settings in ICUE
Once the AF120 fans are connected, they will appear in the ICUE 4 software dashboard. Click on the fans to access their settings. Here, you can adjust the fan speed, create custom RGB lighting profiles, and sync the fans with other ICUE-compatible devices.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues
Fan Not Detected in ICUE
Ensure that the fan is properly connected to the motherboard and the Lighting Node Pro. Check the connections and make sure they are secure.
RGB Lighting Not Working
Check if the RGB cables are properly connected to the fan and the Lighting Node Pro. Also, ensure that the RGB header on the motherboard is enabled.
Software Not Recognizing Lighting Node Pro
Make sure that the Lighting Node Pro is connected to the motherboard using a USB 2.0 header. If the issue persists, try reinstalling the ICUE 4 software.
ICUE Not Detecting Any Devices
Ensure that the ICUE 4 software is running and that your devices are connected to the computer. Check the USB connections and make sure they are secure.
Fan Speed Not Adjustable
Check if the fan is connected to a motherboard header that supports PWM control. If the header does not support PWM, the fan speed will be fixed.
RGB Color Not Changing
Ensure that the RGB lighting effects are enabled in the ICUE 4 software. Also, check if the RGB cables are properly connected to the fan and the Lighting Node Pro.
Lighting Node Pro Not Working
Try resetting the Lighting Node Pro by pressing and holding the button on the device for 5 seconds. If the issue persists, contact Corsair customer support.
ICUE Freezing or Crashing
Close all other programs and applications running in the background. Make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the ICUE 4 software.
Unable to Connect Fans to Lighting Node Pro
Check if the RGB cables are properly connected to the fan and the Lighting Node Pro. Make sure that the arrows on the cables match the corresponding markings on the devices.
| Symptom | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| Fans not detected | Check connections, enable header |
| RGB lighting not working | Check cables, enable header |
| Software not detecting Lighting Node Pro | Check USB connection, reinstall software |
1. Selecting the AF120 Fans in iCUE
Open the iCUE software and navigate to the “Devices” tab. Locate the AF120 fans in the device list and click on them to select them.
2. Accessing the Lighting Customization Options
Once the fans are selected, click on the “Lighting” tab in the iCUE interface. This will open up the lighting customization options for the fans.
3. Choosing a Lighting Mode
In the lighting customization options, you can choose from a variety of lighting modes, such as static color, rainbow wave, and color shift. Select the mode that best suits your preferences.
4. Customizing the Lighting Color
For static color mode, you can customize the color of the lights by clicking on the color picker and selecting the desired shade. For other lighting modes, you can customize the color scheme by selecting different colors for the start and end points of the effect.
5. Adjusting Lighting Brightness and Speed
You can adjust the brightness of the lights by dragging the brightness slider. For some lighting modes, you can also adjust the speed of the effect by dragging the speed slider.
6. Creating and Saving Lighting Profiles
You can create and save custom lighting profiles by clicking on the “Create Profile” button. This allows you to easily switch between different lighting setups.
7. Synchronizing Lighting with Other Corsair Devices
If you have other Corsair devices connected to iCUE, you can synchronize the lighting across all devices by enabling the “Link Devices” option.
8. Using Advanced Lighting Effects
iCUE offers advanced lighting effects such as ripple, pulse, and marquee. These effects can be customized to create unique and dynamic lighting displays.
9. Applying Lighting Effects to Multiple Zones
The AF120 fans feature multiple lighting zones. You can apply different lighting effects to each zone, allowing for more complex and intricate lighting setups.
10. Troubleshooting Lighting Issues
If you encounter any issues with the lighting on your AF120 fans, check the following:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Lights not working | Ensure that the fans are properly connected to the fan hub and the fan hub is connected to a powered USB port. |
| Lights not responding to iCUE | Make sure that the latest version of iCUE is installed. If the issue persists, try restarting the iCUE software. |
| Lights not synchronizing with other Corsair devices | Enable the “Link Devices” option in the iCUE lighting settings. |
How to Connect AF120 to iCUE
Connecting your AF120 fans to iCUE allows you to control their speed, color, and other settings using Corsair’s powerful software. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
People Also Ask About How to Connect AF120 to iCUE
Q: Do I need a Lighting Node Pro to connect AF120 fans to iCUE?
Yes, a Lighting Node Pro is required to connect AF120 fans to iCUE.
Q: Can I connect AF120 fans to iCUE using a Commander Pro?
Yes, you can also connect AF120 fans to iCUE using a Commander Pro.
Q: How do I control the RGB lighting on my AF120 fans using iCUE?
To control the RGB lighting on your AF120 fans using iCUE, open the fan control panel and select the “Lighting” tab. You can then choose from a variety of colors and effects.
