ARGB recommendations?

[johnt]

Looking for recommendations for some ARGB LEDs. I have a 3pin 5v "ARGB" header on my mobo so I would prefer not to purchase an "ecosystem," like NZXT or Corsair. I have a mini ITX case so space is at a serious premium. I just want the LED strips. Reputable companies would be appreciated.

 

 

 

Short rant...

Honestly this should be easier, but I've had zero luck with the cheapo brands from Amazon. Previously I've had brands that over heat, flicker, die prematurely. I just got a cheapo set and only one LED turned on at first, restarted, half the strip came on and crazy flickering. Not recognized by mobo software. Both strips in the set did the same thing... forget daisy chaining. The super strong advertised magnets were a joke. It curled under its own weight and fell off my case. The adhesive backing was as sticky as soda... totally worthless. Why do they even make these things? The set cost $20 so it's not like I totally cheaped out here, and it had 1,000+ positive reviews. Fake news!

 

Some of the bigger brands used to make strips but they've since stopped, like ASUS. I'm sure it would have been more expensive, but at least it would have worked!

[thrasher_565]

55 minutes ago, johnt said:

Looking for recommendations for some ARGB LEDs. I have a 3pin 5v "ARGB" header on my mobo so I would prefer not to purchase an "ecosystem," like NZXT or Corsair. I have a mini ITX case so space is at a serious premium. I just want the LED strips. Reputable companies would be appreciated.

 

 

 

Short rant...

Honestly this should be easier, but I've had zero luck with the cheapo brands from Amazon. Previously I've had brands that over heat, flicker, die prematurely. I just got a cheapo set and only one LED turned on at first, restarted, half the strip came on and crazy flickering. Not recognized by mobo software. Both strips in the set did the same thing... forget daisy chaining. The super strong advertised magnets were a joke. It curled under its own weight and fell off my case. The adhesive backing was as sticky as soda... totally worthless. Why do they even make these things? The set cost $20 so it's not like I totally cheaped out here, and it had 1,000+ positive reviews. Fake news!

 

Some of the bigger brands used to make strips but they've since stopped, like ASUS. I'm sure it would have been more expensive, but at least it would have worked!

just by cheap strips to your liking they work just fine. thow you might need to solder a connector on or get a strip with an jst-sm connector and get and adapter. keep in mind how long the strip is the header can only do so much thow you can add more power from the psu in need be

 

 

Edited July 14, 2022 by thrasher_565

[johnt]

@thrasher_565 thanks for the reply. After the same behavior with two "different brands" and some tinkering, I found out that my z690 board comes with argb gen2 headers, which are not fully compatible with gen1. I am not sure if lights on the market are gen2 yet, but I guess I'm ready for it? Supposedly the benefit is I can address up to 500 LEDs with gen2 and only 120 LEDs with gen1 on my board. Tricky little bastard setting tucked away under the motherboard information tab. It's not even in the UEFI.

[thrasher_565]

3 hours ago, johnt said:

@thrasher_565 thanks for the reply. After the same behavior with two "different brands" and some tinkering, I found out that my z690 board comes with argb gen2 headers, which are not fully compatible with gen1. I am not sure if lights on the market are gen2 yet, but I guess I'm ready for it? Supposedly the benefit is I can address up to 500 LEDs with gen2 and only 120 LEDs with gen1 on my board. Tricky little bastard setting tucked away under the motherboard information tab. It's not even in the UEFI.

ya i heard there are adjustable headers as well... not that there wasn't any confusion before now there definitely is...