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burtonator

I LOVE that the gaming market has created a serious desire for quality desktop hardware.

I now build my workstations by hand and install Ubuntu. It's really nice to work on quality hardware!

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As long as you want unnecessary lighting and gaping, EMI releasing, windowed cases.

All easily avoidable.

I just build a mid-range gaming PC. CPUs don't have RGB, memory modules don't have RGB, some overpriced motherboards have RGB, HDD/SSD don't have RGB, some overpriced GPUs had them but I was looking for value for money.

on the GPU side, it seems RGB is the common thread. There are ways to disable it, but they aren't particularly great as they really only come into play post-OS loading (I have my GPU in an external enclosure so I see it more than I would in a desktop).

Memory modules do have RGB, but you specifically have to buy them (they're the exception, currently). CPUs don't have RGB, but the fans that are going to be mounted on them may be (Ryzen's CPU fans that come with the CPUs have them iirc). I don't see HDD/SDD going the RGB route considering they tend to be somewhat obfuscated, but the faster storage sticks that are all the rage in gaming PCs now may be a candidate (I say that mostly because of the RGB memory modules mentioned earlier).

It is a trend I wish didn't happen, honestly, but I know it is a case of trying to consolidate and appease two audiences (performance hungry users and enthusiasts) so it is what it is.

> CPUs don't have RGB

The AMD Wraith Spire is a stock heatsink and comes with lighting except on the APU models.

Only if you really try and know about it. The best case I liked had a 'window'. But at least it's black otherwise.

Turns out my graphics card has a led blinking logo too. I would have never assumed while buying it it's a thing.

To your point, it is getting much more difficult to find heavy duty cases that are 100% shielded. I prefer heavy duty cases both for shielding, durability and the benefits of being an additional heat sink.

Case manufacturers could just add their LED lighting outside the case in a clear plastic lining, since it is just for effect. Or if they want to get fancy, put a slim LED screen on each side so you can display the inside of any PC, or make it look like you have a RasPi in the case. Or make it look like you have vacuum tubes, or perhaps a fish tank, or an animated hamster wheel with tiny humans running fast. And don't link it to the OS. Just put a USB port that reads a directory of animated things or pictures, much like modern LED picture frames. Come to think of it, just buy two LED picture frames and stick them to the side of the case.

LEDs on RAM: for when you absolutely positively must have the most fabulous rig at the LAN party. I guess.

It's so your VTEC will kick in, yo.

I don't find it fabulous at all. MacBook aluminium, SGI cases, old Mac Pro case though...

For a gaming rig, I would take pride in it being silent and cold without spending too much (I know, those Noctua fans are still pricey but that is my upper limit).

I decided to update my Intel 4770k to an AMD 3900X. I had to upgrade to DDR4 as well. One of the things I specifically did not have to upgrade is the case. Just a couple of new fans really.

We built a Ryzen machine in an old rack-mount workstation chassis at work before EPYC was released. The motherboard has a bunch of RGB contour lights on it, which you can see through the grille at the back of the chassis. Looks really daft in a rack.

you got a couple of options there. you can turn them off or black electrical tape them if there isn't a way (there usually is a way)

or, own it, make them as bright and blinky as possible and then just love it.

> you can turn them off

Often only through the Vendor's software that of course is only available for Windows.

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