RGB vs ARGB Case Fans Explained
Both RGB and ARGB fans light up, but they work differently. RGB fans show one colour at a time across the whole fan. ARGB, or addressable RGB, fans can show different colours on different LEDs, which is what makes rainbow and wave effects possible.
RGB fans
A standard RGB fan uses a 4-pin, 12 V connector and shows a single colour or a slow fade across the whole fan. It is simple and works with older controllers and motherboards.
ARGB fans
An ARGB fan uses a 3-pin, 5 V connector. Each LED can be set separately, so the fan can show rainbow, wave and chase effects. Check that your motherboard has an ARGB header, or use the controller that comes with the fan kit.
Which should you buy
For a modern gaming PC, ARGB gives the best effects and is the common choice. Choose RGB only if your motherboard has the older header and you want simple lighting.
SONIC fan kit
The SONIC PRO 120 PWM CYCLONE V2 is a magnetic fan kit with RGB lighting. The fans snap together and sync, and it costs PKR 7,150. See how many fans your case needs in the fan guide.
Fans supported and included in each SONIC case
| Case | Fans supported and included |
|---|---|
| SONIC V200R | Bottom 12 cm × 3 · Rear 12 cm × 1 · M/B side 12 cm × 3 |
| SONIC V100R | Bottom 12 cm × 3 · Rear 12 cm × 1 / 14 cm × 1 · Top 12 cm × 3 / 14 cm × 2 · M/B side 12 cm × 3 |
| SONIC V208R | Bottom 12 cm × 3 · Rear 12 cm × 1 · Top 12 cm × 3 / 14 cm × 2 · M/B side 12 cm × 3 |
| SONIC 217R | Bottom 12 cm × 3 · Rear 12 cm × 1 · Top 12 cm × 3 / 14 cm × 2 · M/B side 12 cm × 2 |
| SONIC V500R | Top 12 cm × 2 (optional) · Rear 12 cm × 1 (included) · PSU bay 12 cm × 3 (optional) · M/B side 12 cm × 2 (optional) |
| SONIC H7 | Front 12 cm × 3 / 14 cm × 3 · Rear 12 cm × 1 / 14 cm × 1 · Top 12 cm × 3 / 14 cm × 2 |
| SONIC C05 | M/B side 12 cm × 3 (included) · Top 12 cm × 2 (optional) · Rear 12 cm × 1 (included) |
| SONIC C19 | M/B side 12 cm × 3 (included) · Top 12 cm × 3 (optional) · Rear 12 cm × 1 (included) |
| SONIC EL2 | M/B side 12 cm × 3 (included) · Top 12 cm × 3 (optional) · Rear 12 cm × 1 (included) |
| SONIC F301 | M/B side 12 cm × 2 (included) · Top 12 cm × 3 (optional) · Rear 12 cm × 1 (included) |
| SONIC F317 | M/B side 12 cm × 2 (included) · Top 12 cm × 3 (optional) · Rear 12 cm × 1 (included) |
| SONIC K10 | M/B side 12 cm × 2 (included) · Top 12 cm × 3 or 14 cm × 2 (optional) · Rear 12 cm × 1 (included) |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between RGB and ARGB?
RGB fans show one colour at a time. ARGB fans can light each LED separately, so they can show rainbow and wave effects.
Are RGB and ARGB connectors the same?
No. RGB uses a 4-pin 12 V connector and ARGB uses a 3-pin 5 V connector, so do not plug one into the other's header.
Do I need a controller for ARGB fans?
Not if your motherboard has an ARGB header. Otherwise a controller, such as the one in a fan kit, runs the lighting.
Updated 14 October 2026. Prices and specifications are taken from the SONIC product pages.