How to connect Leds inside mid-tower

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

Hey everyone,

I would like to know how can I add some leds into my mid tower. It is a cooler master master box 5 lite and as you see it has a window to see the components. I would like to know what type of leds should I buy, what connector should I search to it etc. I want to order a strip from ebay, so if anyone could leave a link I appreciate.

I've done some research, and I found MOLEX Led Strip, however isn't this type of connector too old? Does this still exists on the present pc gaming?

BTW : My pc will arrive tomorrow, so I don't know what I have xD

Thanks

photonboy · Oct 24, 2017

You should find out what motherboard you have first as it may have some special connector for LED's.

Otherwise it's a bit of a HASSLE:
http://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-rgb-led-lighting-kit/

Some need a special controller. Some have one light only which may or may not change at all.

I thought I'd find a simple USB connector model that plugged into the motherboard that was inexpensive and had software to control them but I did not see any (so again you seem to need a motherboard that supports it OR need to buy a controller with the strip as a kit or both separate).

photonboy · Oct 24, 2017

MOLEX is only for power so there's no way to alter what the LED's do in software.

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

My motherboard is : MSI B350 GAMING PLUS
I just want to put RED STRIP ONLY or RGB. But my big doubt is where I connect the strip. As I said I found a molex strip. I want those cheap led strips that are on ebay made in China that are controlled by a remote (if RGB). Send me a link if I know what I have to buy please. Thx

photonboy · Oct 24, 2017

"By simply connecting any 12V RGB LED strip to the 4-pin Mystic Light Extension RGB-strip header gamers can sync colors to any style they choose."

Expand to read about the "Mystic Light Sync" info including products that work: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B350-GAMING-PLUS/Overview

I believe THIS one is compatible:
https://www.amazon.com/BitFenix-Magnetic-Strip-30cm-BFA-RGB-30MK15N-RP/dp/B01M1DO8S7/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508855543&sr=8-2&keywords=bitfenix+rgb+strip

No included remote though there's a smart phone app, and to do it in WINDOWS you install the Gaming App (see manual page 63/64).

photonboy · Oct 24, 2017

https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Technology-Mystic-BIOSTAR-LS02/dp/B01MV46VAF/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1508856268&sr=1-6&keywords=RGB+LED+Strip

same as above but TWO strips so 60cm total, however I just noticed that the LED's do not go the entire way. The BITFENIX one linked above is almost fully lit.

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

What's the name of the connector?

I appreciate all your help thanks!!

madmatt30 · Oct 24, 2017

The connector is called a 5050 & is a rgb led standard

ALL b350 boards have at least one 5050 rgb header on the boards which are controllable via software.

You can generally run about 1.2 metre of strip lighting from a single header

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

And what if I want to connect two 30 cm led strip each one with a connector? Is there any adapter to connect both to the same port on the motherboard? Thx

madmatt30 · Oct 24, 2017

Yea splitters are readily available , I run 3 x 12 inch strips from a single header.

Where would you be buying from ?? Country??

I
On your board the rgb header is in bit of a crappy location (bottom left corner)

If you want uniform lighting (front/back) (top/bottom) you may need longer ones.

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

Does this work?
https://goo.gl/images/2L7s1W

Very cheap these...

madmatt30 · Oct 24, 2017

^ yes correct connection.

You could buy a single length 1m or 1.2m strip , run it up the back of the case , across the top & down the front.

That would give you a nice uniform light with no need for extra connectors or splitters

photonboy · Oct 24, 2017

madmatt30 :

Make sure to find out the max power draw from the header. Those strips are 6W/m (six watts per meter).

If it's listed in Amps, then it's:

A=W/V
= 6W/12V
= 0.5Amps

If the max was 1Amp (1000mA) then you'd support up to 2m of these strips. (other manufacturers may have different wattage).

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

So, u re saying I can connect up to 2m in the same port!?

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

Hey, I've seen a good seller on ebay ( https://goo.gl/Fjs2GH ). Should I buy 2M? And what about led quantity per meter? 30leds/m or 60leds/m? Thanks!

madmatt30 · Oct 24, 2017

The board header is 3amp , it'll manage a 2m strip but I'd argue you should get your case first & measure what you think you need .

You may get away with a 1m stretch.
2m maybe too long to keep tidy (you can quite simply snip the strips length wise to suit (they have cutting points every 10cm or so) with a pair of scissors or craft knife..

No point paying double if 1m will do the job IMO.

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

My mid-tower dimensions are (LxH) 468.8 x 454.5mm (=92.2cm). So 1 meter won't cover all inside of the box because I need (468.8mm X 2) x (454.5mm X 2) (=184.4cm). I'll cut the 2m strip if needed. Right?

madmatt30 · Oct 24, 2017

Yeah mate you'll be fine

That eBay link , if you look at the second picture , the bottom left with the yellow/gold led cable all messy.

Enlarge it & you'll see point where there are 4 dots , a solid line ,& 4 more dots.

That solid line is a cutting point.

marquinho.osorio · Oct 24, 2017

Yeah, I knew it already. Many thanks to all of you! I was about to buying molex led and I wouldn't know that my mobo has a software for leds. Lol thanks for that.

How to connect Leds inside mid-tower

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