Hi, need help choosing the right LED strips for my case, I am very sorry if I am in the incorrect part of the forum.

[Arbiter051]

I have been looking to put LED lights in my case for a little bit, but I am unsure as to what I should buy.

I am not really looking for 1 color cause I am not sure what would go with my case. I have a black colored case with everything using red LEDs for a cool crimson color.

Also can you tell me what the process is for hooking them up? And his might be dumb but are the magnetic LEDs safe? I assume they don't have enough force to screw anything up

Thank you.

 

[Ralston18]

Generally a molex connector is used to power the LED strips.

Google "Computer case LED strip installation" for more information and examples. Narrow down to "images".

As for installation the "safe" depends as much on the quality of the installation as it does the nature of the installation. Probably be okay if you limit the number of lights and where they are located.

The color choice is up to you as a subjective matter - not a technical matter. Just be sure that you do the installation in a way that will be easy to uninstall if something fails or you change your mind.

Think ahead: E.g., do not superglue in the LED lights.

 

[Arbiter051]

Generally a molex connector is used to power the LED strips.

Google "Computer case LED strip installation" for more information and examples. Narrow down to "images".

As for installation the "safe" depends as much on the quality of the installation as it does the nature of the installation. Probably be okay if you limit the number of lights and where they are located.

The color choice is up to you as a subjective matter - not a technical matter. Just be sure that you do the installation in a way that will be easy to uninstall if something fails or you change your mind.

Think ahead: E.g., do not superglue in the LED lights.

Who in the heck would ever use superglue?

Anyway, alright, any suggestions on the brand I should get if I may ask?

 

[Ralston18]

Superglue

The good news is that you probably will not do that.

The bad news is that someone, somewhere will.......

The difference between ingenuity and stupidity is often defined by the results.

As for brand, no problem with you asking - fair question.

The answer is that any choice or product is viable. If you research, look at product reviews and otherwise match product choices to your requirements all is likely to work out.

Statistically, there is always a chance that the choice you make or the product you choose could fail.

Look at the choices you have, decide what best meets or fits your needs. Go for it.

 

[Arbiter051]

Superglue

The good news is that you probably will not do that.

The bad news is that someone, somewhere will.......

The difference between ingenuity and stupidity is often defined by the results.

As for brand, no problem with you asking - fair question.

The answer is that any choice or product is viable. If you research, look at product reviews and otherwise match product choices to your requirements all is likely to work out.

Statistically, there is always a chance that the choice you make or the product you choose could fail.

Look at the choices you have, decide what best meets or fits your needs. Go for it.

All right then. Now if I am putting it in my case, I have to mod the wires to a new splitter so I can attach it to my psu correct?

Otherwise my wires would hang outside the case and I am not doing that stuff.

 

[Ralston18]

What type plug is on the LED strip? Molex, male?

If all of the molex connectors inside your case are in use then just unplug one (computer power off of course) and install a molex "Y" splitter.

E.g.

http://www.cnaweb.com/5-25-inch-power-supply-y-adapter.aspx?gclid=CKOE5PP-vtACFRBWDQodcCMNhA

If the LED light strips use some other type of plug then you will either need a "Y" adapter with that plug type on one side of the split and a molex on the other.

Or if the "Y" is molex on both sides then you would need to connect in a molex to LED plug type adapter.

Hopefully no need to cut off and replace/splice in a new plug somewhere.

 

[Arbiter051]

What type plug is on the LED strip? Molex, male?

If all of the molex connectors inside your case are in use then just unplug one (computer power off of course) and install a molex "Y" splitter.

E.g.

http://www.cnaweb.com/5-25-inch-power-supply-y-adapter.aspx?gclid=CKOE5PP-vtACFRBWDQodcCMNhA

If the LED light strips use some other type of plug then you will either need a "Y" adapter with that plug type on one side of the split and a molex on the other.

Or if the "Y" is molex on both sides then you would need to connect in a molex to LED plug type adapter.

Hopefully no need to cut off and replace/splice in a new plug somewhere.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01F3C6VSO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479925259&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=deepcool+led&dpPl=1&dpID=41TTa3ezH8L&ref=plSrch

What about that?

 

[Ralston18]

Looks pretty good:

Found this in one of the reviews:

"Installation is pretty easy, plugs in via molex and the little box housing that comes with it has the IR receiver wire. You can typically fit that in the PC to pick up the beams off the remote in whichever place you find handiest. Great little product that seems to offer a cheap solution to illuminate a case. Comparable to the NZXT Hue+."

--------------------

I usually recommend checking the User Guide/Manual. However one of reviews mentioned that the LED strips did not come with any documentation. Might have just been left out of the box.... But from what I could see in the photographs connecting up the LED strips should not be a problem.

 

[Arbiter051]

Will I need this as well? I am unsure if I have the correct cable so just to be safe, figured I'd ask

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001PI9AAC/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1479929100&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=molex&dpPl=1&dpID=31FcajQn-nL&ref=plSrch

 

[Ralston18]

Yes.

You might need the Y splitter if there are no available/unconnected molex connectors inside your case. Which means you would unplug some component (e.g., DVD player), plug the Y splitter in and connect the DVD back in on one branch and use the second branch to power the LED strips.

Look around in your computer or other computers that you have access to. You might find a "Y" splitter just hanging unused somewhere. If you have purchased other internal components some of them may have come with a Y splitter. Look in the boxes or "junk drawer". Ask "techie" friends and family members. Pretty good chance you might find a Y splitter around.

No harm in buying one either. Does not cost much and adapters (of all sorts) always seem to come in handy one way or another. Not so much these days as in years past but spare odds and ends have saved the day for me many times.

 

[Arbiter051]

Yes.

You might need the Y splitter if there are no available/unconnected molex connectors inside your case. Which means you would unplug some component (e.g., DVD player), plug the Y splitter in and connect the DVD back in on one branch and use the second branch to power the LED strips.

Look around in your computer or other computers that you have access to. You might find a "Y" splitter just hanging unused somewhere. If you have purchased other internal components some of them may have come with a Y splitter. Look in the boxes or "junk drawer". Ask "techie" friends and family members. Pretty good chance you might find a Y splitter around.

No harm in buying one either. Does not cost much and adapters (of all sorts) always seem to come in handy one way or another. Not so much these days as in years past but spare odds and ends have saved the day for me many times.

Yea that's very true, I'll probably just buy them simply to have them. They are so cheap anyway.

Alright I'm gonna order them this weekend (holidays...) and hopefully I'll put them in next week (time where does it go?)

Thanks for your help man! Love this forum!