To the best of my knowledge you'll need to have 5050 LEDs because the 3528 LEDs can't mix colours. Each colour is separate. The 5050 LEDs are probably only brighter when you mix multiple colours. I think I've seen them side by side but didn't take this much notice. There are ways around the brightness if it is too much; for example Vixen can have dimming curves set to limit the maximum brightness and PixLite controllers can limit it too. Not sure about other software options.
If you order the F16v2 then you'll need to use pixels because the F16v2 is a pixel controller. It is not able to run dumb RGB but it can send out DMX data to dumb controllers.
If you order the F16v2 then you'll need to use pixels because the F16v2 is a pixel controller. It is not able to run dumb RGB but it can send out DMX data to dumb controllers.