How to Add RGB Lighting to your Gaming PC

RGB lighting is a great way to transform your standard PC build into a colorful and unique masterpiece, tailored just for you. In this article, we will go through everything you need to know about RGB lighting, how to get started, and some RGB FAQs. If you want to learn how to change RGB appearance, or where to find the best RGB software, or just to get your questions answered, then you are in the right place.

What is RGB lighting?

‘RGB’ stands for red, green and blue, and RGB lighting allows you to create over 16 million different color combinations using these three colors. RGB lighting is used on components like PC cases, motherboards, GPUs, gaming memory, fans, and peripherals, giving you free reign over customizing your whole gaming setup.

Types of RGB lighting effects

RGB lighting isn’t just a one-size-fits-all. Some of the most popular RGB lighting effects include:

• Static: A single color that remains constant.
• Breathing: A slow fade in and out of a color.
• Wave: Colors travel in a wave-like motion.
• Color Cycle: The RGB colors cycle through all the hues.
• Music Sync: The RGB lighting reacts to music or sounds, creating a dynamic lighting display based on the audio input.

What’s the difference between RGB and ARGB?

There are two main types of RGB lighting: RGB and ARGB. RGB lighting can only be set to display a single color at one time, whereas ARGB (Addressable RGB) is much more advanced and allows you to customize and control each individual LED. As a result, lots of cool things can be done with ARGB. You can display a variety of colors at the same time, and use impressive lighting effects such as bounce, breathing and rainbow.

A 12V 4-pin header is used for RGB components, and because every LED is on the same circuit you cannot change the colors of the individual LEDs. For ARGB components a 5V 3-pin header is required to allow you to individually control each LED.

Before you install RGB components into your motherboard, check which RGB headers are on your motherboard and the other components to ensure they are compatible. Failing to consider the different RGB headers and the different voltages they use could result in a short circuit and damage your components. While most modern motherboards include both 5V ARGB and 12V RGB headers for controlling your RGB lights, it is always best to check first!

What is RGB control software?

RGB control software lets you customize and manage the lighting on your RGB components, like fans, memory, and LED strips. With it, you can adjust colors, lighting effects (like breathing or flashing), and sync lighting across your system.

Nowadays, it is a lot easier to make all your RGB components work together as motherboard manufacturers integrate standardized RGB connectors into their motherboards. Your motherboard’s user manual and manufacturer’s website should detail which control software is compatible.

Some RGB components will also have their own RGB control software, like Kingston FURY CTRL that allows you to customize the lighting effects of Kingston FURY RGB memory and legacy HyperX RGB-enabled memory products. By using the software, you can access a library of pre-set patterns and effects and personalize the colors and speeds of the lighting to create your own unique setup. Also, with Kingston FURY Infrared Sync Technology^™, you can perfectly synchronize those lighting effects, and they won’t lose sync over time.

Separate RGB controllers can also be used to connect multiple RGB components into one place. These will usually require a USB header and a SATA connector.

Although RGB lighting is available for most PC components, it is important to consider which ones are worth spending on. While adding RGB to every part of your system can create a visually stunning setup, not all components will have the same impact on your overall aesthetic.

For example, RGB lighting on your motherboard, memory, and case fans can be highly noticeable, but adding RGB to components like your power supply or storage drives may not have the same visual effect. It's also worth considering the cost; RGB components tend to be pricier than their non-RGB counterparts. If you're on a budget, prioritize the components that will be most visible and impactful, and save the RGB for the pieces that truly enhance the look of your build.

RGB FAQs

Now that we know how to get started, let’s dig deeper and answer some of the most frequently asked RGB questions! We have already gone over the key areas of what RGB lighting means for you and your PC, now we are going to get into some frequently asked RGB questions that can help you before you start your latest upgrade:

RGB lighting is a fun way to add some style and individuality to your gaming setup. You will want all your components to work in synergy so take advantage of any software that helps you control, customize and synchronize the lighting in your system.

Once your PC is built, it is easy to add other RGB accessories such as light strips and RGB peripherals to your setup. Although RGB lighting is cool, remember that sometimes less is more, you can always start with one or two RGB components and upgrade later down the line!

Go ahead and start building your dream RGB setup and create a system that’s uniquely yours!