Hello, looking to buy some rgb strips for my pc and just wondering if anyone has any advice on the setup I should go for? I've been looking at the phanteks neon strips but I'm open to suggestions, thanks.
Hello, looking to buy some rgb strips for my pc and just wondering if anyone has any advice on the setup I should go for? I've been looking at the phanteks neon strips but I'm open to suggestions, thanks.
this will depend on your case, and the wider lighting from mobo, fans, gpu, cpu cooler, etc. Start with the mobo as you will need to ensure everything is compatible with that since it will control everything via its headers. You can create a case-controlled system too if your motherboard doesn't offer it (though pretty much everything these days does tbh)
If your Phanteks case is like mine, the LED connector will be proprietary.
In itself, it's not a problem and Phanteks do offer a few RGB strips and things which work with their connectors.
However, you may encounter issues if you later decide to add other RGB things, as many manufacturers like to tie you into using their system, which usually isn't compatible with kit from someone else.
RAM, for example, can only be controlled by the motherboard, but the RGB software for that board may not work with your RAM. Similarly, the manufacturer of your RAM may supply RGB software that will not work with your motherboard (Crucial, I'm looking at you, with my X99).
You also want an idea of what peripherals you'll be using, especially if you want your case lighting tied in with your keyboard and the mouse, etc.
A Roccat mouse may not play well with a Corsair keyboard and Asus motherboard lights. Each one of those requires a separate app to control it, even if you're using the motherboard headers.
About the best solution is a standalone controller.
Corsair do a pretty good one which covers a lot of options on both sides of the case (inside and outside), and they have a wide range of effects as well as very in-depth customisation if you have the time. Some users have reported issues with the software, from program conflicts to more fundamental borkedness, but to be fair to Corsair their software is still far better than most others, like MSI or Asus.
My personal favourite is the AquaComputer range, which all runs through their own Aquasuite app. It's more of a system monitoring software so doesn't encounter a lot of the issues others have, but also includes a pretty comprehensive range of RGB controlling.
They do various components in RGB as well as very small control modules, and have accessories like strips to expand these. Most of their controllers offer 90 individually addressable LEDs per channel and have at least two channels, so you can daisy-chain six strips and run them all off one controller that's the size of a pound coin and keep your cabling nice and simple!
They also have socket adapters, so you can use any other kit that comes with a standard 3-pin ARGB connector. So if you use EKWB cooling blocks and reservoirs, or have RGB fans, these can be integrated.
The big advantage of AquaComputer is that they run everything off an internal USB header, so you can use the kit even if your motherboard doesn't have RGB headers.
The disadvantage is that they still can't control RAM and don't really cater for peripherals.
So, to start with - What have you got inside your case and what are you looking to achieve?
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Originally Posted by Mark Tyson
Random idea, but what's to stop me buying some USB powered LEDs and putting them inside my case?. Obviously you'd be better shopping around as there's tons of dodgy cheap ones online, but it would work wouldn't it?. PC designed ones would likely be far better and better quality
you want ones you can power by molex/sata header ideally, and manipulate by a controller. You can get standlone controllers if you can't / don't want to use the mobo headers.
As has already been said, it depends on your current setup.
Questions you need to ask.
RGB or ARGB? (rgb is the older type and only does basic static colour ie on/off + 1 colour, if you want any effects you want argb)
Do you have any rgb currently? (until you answer this you're walking straight into compatibility nightmares)
What are you looking to do with it? (by this I mean if you're planning to add just a single static colour then non-rgb lights become an option)
do you want to control it with software? or hardware? (ie a little remote control or case button)
if you currently have rgb that works off a controller box then it would be best to get something that's compatible with it.
if you don't currently have any rgb then I'd suggest getting something uses standard ARGB headers, controller box + led strip that way if you want to add additional argb later you can, also it can be controlled via motherboard software or remote control.
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Nothing stopping you. USB, Molex or SATA powered kits are available.
I would suggest you at least find something that can alter the static colours, if not one with fully addressable RGB that does patterns and stuff... depending on what you're wanting from it, of course.
If you just want something very basic, I've always found the CableMod range to be very good.
But as mentioned above, the AquaComputer range is also exceptionally good and can do a LOT more for you than just run pretty lights!
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Originally Posted by Mark Tyson
Nothing, you could absolutely do that. Some people buy the cheap RF controlled RGB lights, stick them inside the case and then just control them with the remote - it's a great "budget" option that looks great. I recently spotted some ones that are powered by SATA/USB.
Better ones are controlled via USB but with Windows software too (i.e. not just USB power but USB data for LED control), those are more expensive but would provide better software control.
"PC designed ones" are probably great if you want integration with big brand software like Corsair iCUE, but I wouldn't call them better. Just better integrated with popular software.
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