Goodbye RGB

[Avaviel]

I really hope I don’t F this up. But I’m just absolutely tired of RGB, and all of the messed up software. 

 

[OU812]

wow...

[Bagzie]

Jesus that's some way to stop the rgb....

 

Are you really going to do that with every rgb light on your ram sticks? 

[TempestCatto]

You're better off buying a kit that doesn't have RGB then selling your old kit that does to recoup the costs. But if you want a fun project, well, there ya go.

[Avaviel]

Doing this now.

 

Adding solder with flux, then hot air and soldering iron. Fairly sure it’ll still work after. Hopefully. 

[Avaviel]

Just now, TempestCatto said:

You're better off buying a kit that doesn't have RGB then selling your old kit that does to recoup the costs. But if you want a fun project, well, there ya go.

Oh the next upgrade will be that. This is from a prebuilt computer. 

[Alex Atkin UK]

19 minutes ago, Avaviel said:

Oh the next upgrade will be that. This is from a prebuilt computer. 

You couldn't just install OpenRGB and tell it to turn off the LEDs?

On Windows this works with all my devices and some memory kits will even remember the last state so on my Linux rig I booted into Windows once to turn them off using the official software, then never had to do it again.

[Avaviel]

I have used it, and I was able to control the memory RGB. But I’m just tired of having extra software. This is a thing that I’ve been doing for around 10 years now. For example, RGB fans where I could just snip the RGB.

[Bagzie]

Why not just buy stuff that doesn't have rgb?

[Avaviel]

17 minutes ago, Bagzie said:

Why not just buy stuff that doesn't have rgb?

 

2 hours ago, Avaviel said:

Oh the next upgrade will be that. This is from a prebuilt computer. 

See previous reply.

 

I was in a program where they “give computers that match the vocational needs of the Veteran*.” I do CAD work, and the system was a prebuilt gaming machine. Funny how a gaming computer and a CAD workstation that is affordable are nearly the same thing. 

 

*Voc Rehab, a program by the US government and the VA. If you’re over 20% service connected disabled, they’ll pay for training in a new field with the goal of you getting a job. College too, if your chosen field involves that. 
 

 

More progress! In between dinner and some YouTube, have the ram sticks desoldered and cleaned up with alcohol.

 

I’ll install them and update y’all on if they work or not.

 

[Avaviel]

And up and running! No lights! 

[Lunar River]

well good job, i guess, but it would have been easier to just cover up the window if you're so adverse to additional software

[Avaviel]

18 minutes ago, Lunar River said:

well good job, i guess, but it would have been easier to just cover up the window if you're so adverse to additional software

I've done that before. Easy is... not a positive or good reason to do things. Much better to push yourself.

This is a better way, for me, as I already have the tools in the same room where the PC is... and because I'm sleeping here tonight, the lights won't keep me up!

And this silly love for extra software to control RGB... when it's simple I'll come back to RGB. (Ten years?)

Edit: There was another thread with similar info here, so me doing this could maybe instruct others in the future.

[Avaviel]

 

  @Levent

On 8/20/2021 at 1:01 AM, Levent said:

• Remove the shroud/heatspreader of your ram very carefully.
• Desolder each LED module with a hot air gun/SMD rework gun.
• Those "batteries" are the LED modules.

You gonna need:

• SMD reworkstation
• Flux (there are different variants of it)
• Solder (if you ever want to solder those back)
• Kapton tape
• Willingness to risk breaking those rams due to lack of experience.

 

Thanks for the instructions in this thread! The last tip was especially helpful

[Alex Atkin UK]

5 hours ago, Avaviel said:

I have used it, and I was able to control the memory RGB. But I’m just tired of having extra software. This is a thing that I’ve been doing for around 10 years now. For example, RGB fans where I could just snip the RGB.

Yeah but RAM often has lifetime warranties, I wouldn't want to invalidate it personally.

 

I agree on the software though.  I mean they could simply default all RGB to off then anyone not wanting it has no BS to deal with in the first place.  Its easy enough to turn off motherboard RGB from the UEFI, its silly that RAM is so complicated.

[Avaviel]

10 hours ago, Alex Atkin UK said:

Yeah but RAM often has lifetime warranties, I wouldn't want to invalidate it personally.

 

I agree on the software though.  I mean they could simply default all RGB to off then anyone not wanting it has no BS to deal with in the first place.  Its easy enough to turn off motherboard RGB from the UEFI, its silly that RAM is so complicated.

Good point!

[Avaviel]

I uploaded a video with the process I used to remove them. Might be useful for someone in the future. I stopped using hot air, and just added a ton of solder+angled tip.

Also, take a look at how the LED bleached the board. It is easier to see IRL. But of course I replaced the cover, so it isn't as easy to see now.