It is true that PCs can all look the same, which is why many gamers want to give them a personal touch. RGB lighting is an excellent option to transform a custom-built PC into a colorful and unique masterpiece. Designing an RGB setup can be easier than you might imagine. Kingston Technology Company, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, offers a guide to learn how to change your PC’s RGB appearance or where to find the best RGB software.
What is RGB lighting?
We have all seen images or videos of custom PCs with lots of colorful lights. Well, that is RGB lighting. RGB stands for red, green, and blue, and RGB lighting allows you to create more than 16 million different color combinations using these three primary colors. RGB lighting is used in PC components and accessories to illuminate them.
RGB vs ARGB
There are two main types of RGB lighting: RGB and ARGB. RGB lighting can only be set to display one color at a time, while ARGB (Addressable RGB) is much more advanced and allows you to customize and control each individual LED. As a result, you can do many cool things with ARGB. It allows you to display a variety of colors at the same time and use impressive lighting effects such as bounce, breathing, and rainbow.
RGB components use a 12V 4-pin header, and because each LED is on the same circuit, you cannot change the colors of individual LEDs. ARGB components require a 5V 3-pin header that allows you to control each LED individually.
Before installing RGB components on the motherboard, you must first check which RGB header your motherboard and components have to ensure they are compatible. If you do not check the different RGB headers and the different voltages they use, you could cause a short circuit on the motherboard. Most modern motherboards include 5V ARGB and 12V RGB headers to control RGB lights, but it is best to check in advance!
RGB control software
Nowadays, it is much easier to make all RGB components work together, as motherboard manufacturers have started to integrate standardized RGB connectors.
RGB lighting is generally controlled and customized through software connected to the motherboard or by using a separate RGB controller. The user manual and the motherboard’s website should detail which software is compatible.
You can also use separate RGB controllers to connect multiple RGB components in one place. These usually require a USB header and a SATA connector.
How to get started
Building a PC has its challenges, but it can also be a lot of fun since you can choose all the components and customize the system according to your personal preferences. RGB lighting plays an important role in this, as today almost every PC component features some kind of RGB lighting that can be customized in many interesting ways.
Case – RGB components require a significant investment, so it is best to be able to see them in all their glory. For this, it is best to choose a glass/transparent case so that the RGB lighting stands out and has maximum visibility.
Motherboard – Most new and high-end motherboards come with built-in RGB lighting. The important thing is to check the motherboard’s RGB headers before you start buying other components.
CPU cooler – The CPU is one of the few components where RGB lighting is not an option. But when it comes to the CPU cooler, both air and liquid cooling are available with RGB lights. The best RGB fans can stand out in a build and can easily be the most notable RGB component in the setup.
RAM – There are many RAM options available and many kits include RGB lighting. The best RGB RAM options can take center stage in a build, especially once effects are added. However, it is important to note that there is no standard for RGB effects on memory modules. Kingston FURY memory can be purchased with or without RGB lighting, and the colors and lighting effects can be customized with Kingston FURY CTRL software.
Kingston FURY CTRL allows you to customize the lighting effects of Kingston FURY RGB products. By using the software, you can access a library of preset patterns and effects and customize the colors and lighting speeds to create your own setup. With the addition of Kingston FURY Infrared Sync Technology™, you can perfectly synchronize those lighting effects to keep them perfectly aligned.
Once the PC is assembled, it is easy to add other RGB accessories to the setup, such as light strips and RGB peripherals. Although RGB lighting is cool, remember that sometimes less is more—you can always start with one or two RGB components and add more later!
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About Kingston Technology Company, Inc.
From big data to laptops and PCs, including IoT-based devices like smart technology and wearables, Kingston helps manufacturers integrate solutions that are used to live, work, and play. The world’s largest PC manufacturers and cloud storage companies rely on Kingston to meet their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We go beyond our products to have a broader vision, meet our customers’ needs, and deliver solutions that make a difference. For more information about how Kingston is with you, visit Kingston.com.
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