RGB - The Final Frontier
It doesn't matter if you like it or hate it, unicorn vomit lighting is here and kind of everywhere. For those looking to add something shiny to their build, there are a variety of items that can help add that little accent.
Everyone seems to offer a version of hardware that's illuminated, but there are accessories that can go with each to add a little more.
Case - there are a variety of cases out there that have built-in lighting. Case example. Additional lighting can be added through strips, or bars. There's now also tiny lighting triangles plus all the hardware you're sticking in there anyways.
Strips are an easy way to add RGB to the inside of any case. Pictured: Lian Li Q58 ARGB LEDs
Motherboard - most motherboards have a lighting accent these days. A new one to me was a motherboard frame/back plate which goes between the motherboard and the case to offer side/back lighting.
X870E AORUS MASTER
CPU - The most common lighting addition is via the cooling, be it fans/accents on an air cooler or AIO with built-in screens for full meme potential.
Is this enough RGB? AIO Pictured: Lian Li HydroShift LCD 360R
PSU - even the lowly power supply, often locked away in the basement to never been seen or thought of, has been given the lighted treatment. PSU example. Most people are probably aware of the Strimer lighted cable extensions, but there are a few others out there.
Prefer the look of a nice braided cable? No worries, there are lighted cable combs! You can even get illuminated right-angle 24-pin adapters.
RAM - lights on RAM is fairly ubiquitous at this point, but for those without blinky RAM there are a few options such as add-on heatsinks, add-on coolers, or add-on covers. There are even RAM dummies out there to fill in slots.
GPU - more and more GPUs are hitting the market with lighting accents and even tiny screens. An easy way to add more lighting would be through a GPU support or bracket. Additionally you can add a back plate with lighting.
Storage - Surprisingly the trusty old hard drive has been spared a blinky fate, though you could probably get a cover. SSDs weren't as lucky as you can find a variety of shiny SSDs. The even smaller M.2 drives have even more options in the form of illuminated heat sinks.
Fans - aRGB fans are probably the most common thing these days. Instead of replacing fans that don't have lights, you can add a lighting frame.
Is it even legal to own a PC with no RGB fans? Yes. Yes, it is, although nowadays not many manufacturers avoid the RGB hype. Noctua is probably the only mainstream fan manufacturer that doesn’t seem to have a single RGB product. Pictured: Lian Li O11 Vision case (PCMR Collab) with Lian Li Infinity fans
AIO - While a number of CPU blocks have lighting or even displays, you can add lighting to your AIO tubes. For those with open/custom loops there are lights for fittings, tubing, blocks, and reservoirs.
Peripherals - Most of these are common now and easy to find. How about a rarely added option, though? A sound card for those that need improved audio and ambiance.
Plenty of keyboards have lighting, but that can be augmented with the addition of 'pudding' style keycaps that have translucent lower portions. Mice are everywhere and there is no shortage of mouse or desk mats mats with edge lighting.
Headsets are getting lights, some microphones have built-in back or base lighting, headphone stands or hubs are a spot to add some lights, speakers seem like an obvious place, and gaming chairs and even the desks themselves need to earn their gaming cred.
There are kits to add ambient lighting to the back of your display, as well as a variety of wall panels, strips, bars, lamps, etc.
Curious about adding some accents, but not sure what is involved? Check out the PCMR RGB Guide!
Have any other lighting add-ons or accessories you think are cool, amusing, odd, or curious enough you think others should be aware of?
