How to add RGB lighting to your gaming PC

RGB lighting is a great way to transform your standard PC build into a colourful and unique masterpiece, tailored just for you. In this article, we will address 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, where to find the best RGB software or just 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 colour combinations using these three colours. RGB lighting is used on components like PC cases, motherboards, GPUs, gaming memory, fans, and peripherals, giving you free reign over customising your entire gaming setup.

Types of RGB lighting effects

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

• Static: A single colour that remains constant.
• Breathing: A slow fade in and out of a colour.
• Wave: Colours travel in a wave-like motion.
• Colour cycle: The RGB colours 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 colour at one time, whereas ARGB (Addressable RGB) is much more advanced and allows you to customise and control each individual LED. As a result, lots of cool things can be done with ARGB. You can display a variety of colours 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 colours 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 customise and manage the lighting on your RGB components, like fans, memory and LED strips. With it, you can adjust colours, 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 standardised 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 customise 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 personalise the colours and speeds of the lighting to create your own unique setup. Also, with Kingston FURY Infrared Sync Technology^™, you can perfectly synchronise 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, prioritise 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, customise and synchronise 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!