- Aura Sync allows you to synchronize the RGB lighting of ASUS motherboards, graphics cards, monitors and peripherals, as well as compatible strips and devices from other manufacturers.
- Armoury Crate is the recommended software for centralizing control of effects, updates, and profiles, integrating functions previously separate in Aura Lighting Control and Armoury II.
- Aura Creator adds an advanced layer of customization with timeline editing and the ability to control zones or individual LEDs on compatible devices.
- The compatibility of effects and modes varies depending on the model; it is key to check official lists, update drivers, and use the RGB and A-RGB headers correctly.
If you enjoy building a flashy PC or have a gaming laptop and want to get the most out of the LEDs, the lighting control with Aura Sync It's one of those topics that's worth mastering, and you can consult a RGB LED tutorial with Aura Sync.
In the following lines you will find a very complete guide to understanding What is Aura Sync, how do you set it up with Armoury Crate, what devices are compatible, and what software do you need? To take advantage of basic, advanced, and even hand-created effects with Aura Creator. You'll also see how it works on ASUS monitors, the differences between RGB and A-RGB headers, and some common problems that may arise.
What is Aura Sync and how has it evolved?
Aura sync It is the RGB lighting technology developed by ASUS to coordinate lighting effects across its entire ecosystem of hardware and peripherals: motherboards, graphics cards, monitors, portableMice, keyboards, headphones, cases, fans, power supplies, and even routers. The idea is that each device shouldn't be operating independently, but rather that they all share the same colors, rhythms, and transitions.
The basis of everything is the Low-power RGB LEDs capable of displaying 16,7 million colors (24 bits) combining red, green, and blue. ASUS was one of the first brands to bet on relatively intelligent lighting in components, so that the user could control it from the operating system just as they manage any peripheral.
The system started out being called ASUS Aura RGBwhich allowed users to choose from a few predefined effects on the integrated LEDs of boards, peripherals, and other components. With There More features were added, addressing capabilities were improved, and synchronization between devices was introduced, leading to what we know today as Aura sync.
In addition to the LEDs that each product includes, Aura Sync can also manage external RGB strips and solutions from other manufacturersprovided they are compatible. This is achieved using specific headers installed on the motherboard or controllers integrated into the device itself, allowing you to expand the lighting system beyond what your computer comes with as standard.
An interesting point Aura Sync isn't limited to static effects or simple animations: many devices can react to system events, audio, hardware temperatures, and even compatible games, creating a much more immersive experience while you play or work.
Differences between Aura RGB, Aura Sync and RGB/A-RGB headers
Before you start connecting strips and fans, it's important to be clear about the Difference between Aura RGB and Aura Syncas well as the type of headers your motherboard uses. This will determine the level of customization you can achieve and which devices can be synchronized.
The initial version, Aura-RGBIt offers a limited set of preset effects (around nine) and does not allow synchronization of the lighting with other Aura devices. Each component is managed independently, with somewhat more limited animation options and no zone or LED-by-LED control.
Instead, Aura Sync greatly expands the possibilitiesYou can configure different lighting zones within the same device, create more complex effects, adjust the speed, brightness, and, most importantly, synchronize multiple ASUS products with each otherIn this way, the motherboard, graphics card, keyboard, mouse, monitor, and other components can share patterns and colors at the same time.
To bring these effects into the physical world, the motherboard headers come into play. The most basic are the classic 4-pin RGB headersThese supply 12V and a typical maximum current of about 3A. 5050 RGB LED strips or other non-addressable elements are connected to them; all LEDs display the same color simultaneously, so you can change the hue and brightness, but not assign different effects to each LED individually.
On the other hand, there are the A-RGB or addressable headersThese connectors, which typically have 4 positions but only 3 active pins, operate at 5V. They allow you to control smaller, more efficient addressable LEDs, enabling more advanced effects and, if supported by the controller, configure LED by LED with different patterns. This is the basis for achieving "wave" or "comet" effects, or complex animations that travel along a strip.
Which devices can use Aura Sync
One of the great strengths of the ASUS ecosystem is the enormous variety of products compatible with Aura SyncBoth our own and third-party options are available. If you're planning a fully synchronized build, you have plenty to choose from.
Within the ASUS catalog, virtually all the modern motherboardsMost graphics cards, especially those in the ROG, TUF, and Prime lines, feature RGB lighting or at least headers for external strips. On graphics cards, the lighting is usually located on the shroud or the side logo, designed to be visible through the chassis glass, although they typically don't include additional headers.
The ASUS ROG Strix monitors And other gaming models also incorporate compatible lighting. For example, the ROG Swift PG329Q integrates RGB effects into the ROG logo on the back, which can be coordinated with the rest of the system via Aura Sync through Armoury Crate.
In pre-built laptops and desktops, ASUS usually integrates Aura Sync into chassis, fans, side bars and keyboardsIn peripherals, the list is very long: mice like the ROG Chakram, mousepads like the ROG Balteus, keyboards like the ROG Claymore, Strix Scope or Strix Flare, ROG Strix Fusion headphones and many other devices integrate seamlessly into the ecosystem.
There is even Power supplies and PC cases with Aura Sync, such as the ROG Thor PSU or ROG Strix Helios and TUF GT501 chassis, as well as gaming routers with synchronizable RGB lighting, for example the ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 or GT-AC2900.
It's not just ASUS: brands like InWin, NZXT, DeepCool, CableMod, Phanteks, BitFenix or Cooler Master They offer products certified as compatible with Aura Sync. Many of them also come with their own software (Mystic Light, RGB Fusion, Polychrome, etc.), but include special modes so you can manage them from within the ASUS ecosystem.
It is important to distinguish between devices that only support Aura RGB and those that are fully compatible with Aura SyncThe former are more limited in their integration and do not always support advanced effects or full synchronization, so it is advisable to carefully review the product specifications before purchasing.
Aura Sync lighting control on ASUS monitors
Within the ecosystem, the monitors with Aura Sync They have some specific nuances that are worth knowing, especially when connecting them and understanding what functions they actually support compared to other devices such as keyboards or motherboards.
To begin with, not all models are compatible. ASUS publishes a Official list of monitors supported by Armoury Crate for Aura Sync, in which we find, among others, models such as PG329Q, PG259QN, PG279QM, PG27AQN, PG32UQ, PG32UQX, PG35VQ, PG43UQ, PG65UQ, as well as several variants of the XG family (XG279Q, XG27AQ, XG32VC, XG349C, XG43UQ) Xbox Edition, etc.). Ideally, you should always check the monitor's official website and verify that the specifications section mentions Aura Sync.
These monitors require Windows 10 or Windows 11 in 64-bit version and the use of Armoury Crate to manage the lighting. A simple video connection (HDMI or DisplayPort) isn't enough: you must also connect the port USB USB Type B from the back of the monitor to USB Type A on the PC via the included cable. Without that USB connection, Armoury Crate will not be able to detect it as an Aura device.
Once Armoury Crate is installed and the monitor is connected, you will be able to adjust the RGB LED color, intensity, and various effects available. In many cases, this is lighting located in the logo or on a rear ring, designed to create an ambient halo on the wall or a distinctive effect when viewing the monitor from behind.
It is important to emphasize that the ASUS monitors with Aura Sync do not support certain advanced effects not all game-related features or Aura Creator functions are available. ASUS explicitly states that some "game-based" or highly customized lighting modes do not apply to monitors, so it's advisable to check the Aura Creator compatibility list to avoid surprises.
If Armoury Crate doesn't show your monitor in the device list, it's worth checking three basic points: check the USB cable, make sure that the The PC's Type A port and the monitor's Type B port are properly connected. and finally, update the monitor driver from the Armoury Crate itself (Update Center section) or from the ASUS support website.
Armoury Crate: the recommended command center
Currently, the program that ASUS recommends for managing the entire ecosystem is Armory CrateThis software acts as a unified control center for your ROG and TUF products, allowing you to manage system performance, power profiles, Aura Sync lighting, and advanced settings for each peripheral from a single location.
The idea behind Armoury Crate is to replace old tools like Aura Lighting Control and Armory IIThese programs operated separately and could cause conflicts. ASUS recommends uninstalling these previous programs and using only Crate to avoid compatibility and device detection issues.
The usual process begins by downloading Armoury Crate from the ASUS official support pageOnce installed, you can open it by typing “Armory Crate” in the Windows search bar. From the initial screen, you'll see a summary of your detected ASUS products and can access the sections for devices, power, updates, and, of course, lighting.
In the Aura Sync section you will find an overview of all compatible RGB elements, where you can enable or disable global synchronizationSelect common effects for the entire team or apply specific configurations to particular groups or areas. Each device is visually represented, and you can link or unlink it from synchronization as needed.
In addition, the Armoury Crate includes a Update Center This tool allows you to keep drivers, firmware, and modules for different products up to date. It's a key tool for troubleshooting monitor, keyboard, and mouse detection issues, as well as enabling new lighting effects that ASUS adds in later versions.
Other ASUS programs for managing Aura
Although Armoury Crate is the primary and most modern tool, the ecosystem of ASUS lighting software It includes other programs designed for different uses or generations of devices. It's worth knowing about them because they are still found in many installations and because some functions are better managed through them.
The classic ASUS Aura Lighting Control For years, it was the primary application for managing Aura RGB and Aura Sync. It offered a simple interface divided into three basic areas: the top section for viewing and pairing compatible devices, a side panel with the predefined effects (static, breathing, color cycle, etc.) and a central area where colors, speed or brightness were adjusted.
It wasn't possible with Aura Lighting Control create fully customized effects from scratchHowever, it was possible to configure different areas within the same device, link or unlink components, and define the order in which the animation moved through the different elements (for example, monitor → keyboard → mouse → chassis). It also included options to recalibrate RGB headers, manage Hue-style ambient lighting, and enable synchronization with certain games, such as Call of Duty: BlackOps 4.
On the other hand, there was ASUS Armoury II, primarily conceived as a control panel for peripherals (keyboards, mice, headphones, mousepads). Its design was similar to that of Aura Lighting Control, but with a much greater focus on the device configuration itself: key and button reassignment, macro creation, settings DPI, power saving modes or battery monitoring.
In Armoury II you could create complete profiles These combined peripheral behavior and Aura lighting; for example, one profile for FPS games with specific DPI and lighting scheme, and another more discreet one for work. The downside was that integration with the motherboard or other Aura Sync devices was more limited, hence the need to unify everything in Armoury Crate.
Currently, the role of these programs has been relegated, but they remain useful in Older equipment or peripherals that don't yet integrate well with CrateEven so, to avoid conflicts, it is advisable to use only the strictly necessary software and opt for Armoury Crate whenever possible.
Aura Creator: advanced effects and extreme customization
If you're looking to go a step further and design each animation yourself, the key tool is aura creatorThis software, which ASUS still considers to be in beta in some aspects, is intended for users who want almost professional customization of the lighting system.
Aura Creator works like a small video editor: it has a layered timeline where you place effects, transitions, and patterns on the different compatible Aura devices. You can combine several layers so that, for example, a "wave" animation flows across the keyboard while a gentle pulse is applied to the RGB strip on the chassis, all synchronized in milliseconds.
The interface is reminiscent of Razer Chroma Studio, but with the added feature of a timeline that facilitates the creation of complex sequences. Each device displays different zones or addressable LEDs, and in the most modern models, it's possible to achieve a LED-to-LED control level, defining for each point color, brightness and behavior over time.
Not all Aura Sync products are fully compatible with Aura Creator. For example, some motherboards can be edited as a single unit without separating elements like EMI shields, M.2 heatsinks, or logos; other devices, such as some mice or monitors, may not yet appear in the interface. ASUS maintains an official compatibility list that should be consulted, as Compatibility and available features vary by model and generation.
An interesting detail is that the effects you create in Aura Creator can be integrate with Armoury Crateso that they appear as additional lighting modes within Crate itself. However, not all of these custom modes can be assigned to physical keyboard or laptop shortcuts; this limitation depends on the device's firmware and the number of effects it supports in its shortcut cycle.
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