LED/Cold Cathode User Club
This thread is dedicated to all of you who use any form of custom lighting in your system
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuVG42hCugphdEhDZWVjUEFGNVlya2l2RjZGV2NxOUE&output=html&widget=true
LEDs and cold cathodes are a great way to display your system no matter where you are.
As everyone knows, they are the main contributor to speed, they are MUCH more important than any other components in your system
(not really)
How to choose between the two
1) What form factor are you putting lights in?
A - If you are putting it in a very small or very large system you are most likely better off with LED strips due to the availability in lengths otherwise, you would be fine with either
2) Do you want cheap, or 'best'?
A - If you just want the cheapest, go with a couple cold cathodes, otherwise if possible you would want to go with LEDs due to better 'performance' especially over time
If you have any questions ask and they will be added to the list
Cold Cathodes
Cold cathodes are basically fluorescent tubes, they are charged and a color is emitted in all directions.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Does the job
- Lights whole tube evenly
- Little heat output
Cons:
- Requires bulky inverter
- Not all tubes light up exactly the same
- Die over time
- Rigid
LEDs
LEDs come in a variety of styles from strips to to lasers to even waterproof ones!
Pro:
- Flexable (good for corners)
- Can buy indavidually for specific components such as waterblocks with LED holes
- Last forever
- No inverter
Cons:
- Bit more expensive
- LED strips arent good put right next to visible area due to seeing light spread of each serperate LED
When you take all of these things into consideration, then you can choose which way you go
Requirements To Join
To join you must take a picture of your system with a slip of paper stating your OCN name. Then you must say how many cathodes/LED's you have. After that you must say what your main color(s) is.
Example:
2 LED Strips
1 Cold Cathode
Blue/Red
Hope I see you soon
This thread is dedicated to all of you who use any form of custom lighting in your system
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuVG42hCugphdEhDZWVjUEFGNVlya2l2RjZGV2NxOUE&output=html&widget=true
LEDs and cold cathodes are a great way to display your system no matter where you are.
As everyone knows, they are the main contributor to speed, they are MUCH more important than any other components in your system
How to choose between the two
1) What form factor are you putting lights in?
A - If you are putting it in a very small or very large system you are most likely better off with LED strips due to the availability in lengths otherwise, you would be fine with either
2) Do you want cheap, or 'best'?
A - If you just want the cheapest, go with a couple cold cathodes, otherwise if possible you would want to go with LEDs due to better 'performance' especially over time
If you have any questions ask and they will be added to the list
Cold Cathodes
Cold cathodes are basically fluorescent tubes, they are charged and a color is emitted in all directions.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Does the job
- Lights whole tube evenly
- Little heat output
Cons:
- Requires bulky inverter
- Not all tubes light up exactly the same
- Die over time
- Rigid
LEDs
LEDs come in a variety of styles from strips to to lasers to even waterproof ones!
Pro:
- Flexable (good for corners)
- Can buy indavidually for specific components such as waterblocks with LED holes
- Last forever
- No inverter
Cons:
- Bit more expensive
- LED strips arent good put right next to visible area due to seeing light spread of each serperate LED
When you take all of these things into consideration, then you can choose which way you go
Requirements To Join
To join you must take a picture of your system with a slip of paper stating your OCN name. Then you must say how many cathodes/LED's you have. After that you must say what your main color(s) is.
Example:
2 LED Strips
1 Cold Cathode
Blue/Red
Hope I see you soon