Prefer air cooling? There are RGB air coolers, too. We recently tried out Phononic’s Hex 2.0 cooler, which has a side-mounted RGB logo controllable via software. Most other CPU air coolers we’ve seen don’t have lighting built-in, or are paired with a single-color LED fan, like this one from Deepcool. Important Note: RGB and ARGB LED strips are not compatible with each other headers or connectors. This means you cannot use a 12V RGB LED strip on a 3-pin RGB header (5V), and an ARGB LED Strip on a 4-pin 12V header, and if you do so, then you might end up damaging your motherboard RGB header/connector or the RGB LED Strip itself. So, always use the proper header or connector that a particular type of RGB LED Strip supports. If you don’t have RGB headers on your motherboard then you can buy an RGB LED Controller that you can attach inside the case using double-sided tape, velcro, or using a glue gun. Most LED RGB strips are designed for indoor use and are not waterproof; thus, keeping them safe from spills and liquid damage will prolong their useful life. You can find IPX-rated water-resistant LED strip lights, but they are less flexible and harder to mount due to the stiffness of their water-resistant coatings. If your gaming workstation happens to be in a steam room or poolside cabana, however, then water-resistant LED strip lights might be a good idea. How to Choose the Best RGB Strips for a PC Here we have RGB LED Strips from Phanteks, which is a popular hardware brand known for its high-quality PC cases and case fans. It also manufactures CPU coolers, power supplies, and other PC accessories. This Phanteks RGB LED strip comes in 400mm, 1 meter, and 2-meter sizes and is very flexible. The RGB LEDs and magnets in this strip are enclosed in a sealed transparent silicone housing, which also makes it waterproof. The built-in magnets are decent enough to hold on, but they could have been stronger for better grip. You can also use the included 3M double-sided tape to keep the LED strip firm and intact in its place. For connectivity, it comes with a 4-pin (+12V,G,R,B) connector that goes on to the 4-pin RGB header of the motherboard or in an external RGB Controller. Supports Asus Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion software, Flexible, RGB LED Controller, supports Daisy Chaining

While connecting the strips to the controller is very simple, now’s the time to figure out the ideal location for your LEDs and how you’ll route the wiring. The HUE+ includes 100mm, 300mm, and two 500mm extension cables, which are used to connect the individual LED strips. In addition to easy installation and wide compatibility, the ATTAV RGB LED strip offers the 360-degree Omni RF Remote Control for wireless control of the LED strip. The remote allows users to turn the lights on or off, and the expanded options offer full control over the LED brightness and static color adjustment. Lastly, the remote features a dynamic mode adjustment button that allows users to cycle through lighting patterns like strobing, fading, random lighting, and more. Beginners Guide to RGB Strips What Are RGB Strips for a PC? Remember, while RGB strips can produce white, only RGBW strips can produce a clean white like standard light bulbs. Once you know what you need, make sure you measure your space to ensure you get proper coverage. If the length of your light strip doesn’t exactly match the space, see if the strip can be cut or trimmed, and how that could impact the colors it can display.A 12V RGB LED Strip from SilverStone that is 300mm long. The length of the strip may feel short to some users, but you can daisy chain two of them and extend the length. The strip is coated with some kind of white translucent coating on it to diffuse light so that the lighting looks uniform all through the strip. It comes with a Built-in magnetic strip and adhesive tape for effortless installation. The RGB LED Strip contains 18 RGB LEDs which are pretty bright and the colors also look vibrant. The best smart bulbs, in most cases, can save you money too. Whether you pair your lighting with a sensor in your home, or you schedule on/off times using an app, you can enjoy a more convenient way of living and lighting up your home. Similarly, using light strips, you can jazz up any corner of your home at an affordable cost, whether it be your kitchen or gaming PC. Programming DIY Project: If you like to tinker with wires, PCBs, and connectors as a hobby, RGB lights are an easy, fun project. They are simple to install, and some LED strip light kits offer custom DIY programming options. You can play around with color combinations and control the lights with a wireless base station, Raspberry Pi unit, or your PC.

Ultraviolet light strips can add a glow to cables andcomponents. Take ultimate control of your lighting The second thing to look for is the type of lighting the strip actually produces. If you’re looking for white lighting, examine the color temperature, and whether it’s adjustable. If you’re shopping for RGB, you’ll want to find out how the strip’s RGB lighting works. Can you set different colors for different sections (or even individual lights), or does changing the color impact the entire strip at once? Is the lighting static, or can it be dynamic? Are there presets and, if there are, can you customize them and create your own? Lumens: 1,600 | Color: Adjustable White and RGB | Wattage: 19 watts | Length: 6.7-feet | Extendable: Yes | Smart Home: Yes | Warranty: 2-year

PSU shroud: Smart lighting means hiding the components you don’t want people to see. Cases with a shroud for the power supply help keep cables and the boxy power supply out of sight. Do you need RGB strips? While they don’t add any functionality to your gaming PC, they’re a great way to add some color or accent lighting to a custom PC you’re building. They also provide a simple and enjoyable way to put some programming skills to use. So if you enjoy hardware and easy wiring tasks, you can experiment with a virtually unlimited array of custom color combinations. You can also add unique design touches to an otherwise drab PC gaming setup. Finally, on a practical level, RGB strips can make it easier to troubleshoot loose cables and make adjustments to your gaming monitor in an otherwise dark room. LEDs are known for their very long service lifetimes compared to other forms of lighting. This is true for RGB strip lights too. The individual LEDs have an average lifespan of 50,000 hours. Other factors that affect LED lifespan include the power level and the temperature. A PC RGB LED strip will thus last longer if it (and the PC itself) is kept cool. Over time, typically after five to six years of normal operation, LEDs may begin to shift colors or noticeably lose brightness.

Match Your Other Gaming Peripherals: If you’re looking for more design freedom than you get with standard RGB gaming keyboards and other accessories, then configurable RGB products might be excellent gaming peripherals. You can use these to add matching lights to a gaming keyboard, mouse, monitor, and headset. Many kits come with an additional controller that gives you even more freedom to arrange the LED strips however you like. Why RGB Strips Might Not Be For You

Choose a color or randomize the selection by pressing the - button. Press the + button to change the frequency and speed of theeffect. Regardless, stepping into the LED lighting space is a great way to personalize your PC, home, and more, so have fun with it! Enjoy! LED Strip Lights FAQ What is RGB? Wary of a Too-Gaudy Aesthetic: While RGB LEDs can be “loud” and garish, with neon RGB strips especially known for generating a “raver” look, you can also use programmable RGB strip lights to create very subtle accent lighting. Some gamers and creators prefer to go with a minimal look, using a single strip of lights behind a PC tower or at the base of a keyboard.

While this discusses RGB strips, do you know the difference between sRGB vs Adobe RGB on a monitor? They have some interesting differences. The EZDIY-FAB EZDPI129-2 ARGB strip kit is an excellent option for users that value choice in how they customize their PC or gaming setup. With a soft silicone exterior and brilliant 66 ARGB LEDs, this kit delivers a diffused light that results in smooth and long-lasting color effects. Additionally, this kit works with 5V ARGB-compatible motherboards to offer full control over the patterns and colors to set the mood. While the connection cord and mounts only come in one color, the strips and mounts are small enough to conceal behind PC hardware.A light strip does a lot to increase the ambiance of your space, but sometimes those LEDs can be a little overwhelming, and that’s why we love the Philips Hue Gradient Ambiance Smart Lightstrip. You still get 16 million colors to choose from, though multiple colors can blend together to create a seamless, ombre look. To make for a more enjoyable experience, those tiny LEDs live in a sturdy silicone wrap that features a milky finish. This extra diffusion creates a gentle glow and may even reduce eye strain.