Pimp Your Gaming PC: Lights, Colors & Mods Guide

Elevating Your Gaming PC's Aesthetics

You’ve successfully assembled a high-performance gaming PC, and even selected a case featuring a side panel window to showcase your components. However, the visual presentation may be lacking—perhaps the color scheme is uncoordinated, the interior appears too dim, or the overall build lacks polish.

This guide offers advice on transforming your custom PC from unremarkable to impressive, all without significant expense.

The Art of PC Modding

For many enthusiasts, constructing a gaming PC transcends mere technical assembly; it’s a creative endeavor. Personal preference heavily influences PC modding, and stylistic choices vary widely.

Some builders favor vibrant LED lighting and cases resembling futuristic spacecraft, while others prioritize a minimalist aesthetic with subdued colors. The following suggestions are adaptable to diverse styles, focusing on achieving a clean and visually appealing result worthy of display.

Modding Accessibility: No Extreme Measures

It’s important to note that the extent of PC modding is virtually limitless. While we will touch upon more complex modifications, the primary focus will be on simple, affordable enhancements accessible to all.

This guide aims to provide practical tips applicable to your existing PC, rather than necessitating a complete rebuild. No specialized tools, advanced DIY skills, or considerable physical effort are required.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cable Management: Tidy cables significantly improve the visual appeal of a build.
• Lighting Coordination: Ensure all LED components complement each other.
• Dust Control: Regularly cleaning your PC prevents a messy appearance.

A clean and well-organized interior will always enhance the overall look of your gaming rig.

Enhance Your PC's Aesthetics with Strategic Lighting

Effective lighting doesn't necessarily equate to a dazzling display of rapidly changing, vibrant LEDs, though that is certainly an option. However, if the goal is to showcase your meticulous construction, incorporating supplemental illumination within the case can significantly improve the visual impact.

As demonstrated in the examples below, two primary approaches exist. One involves utilizing colored lighting, similar to the build on the left, which immerses the entire system in a single hue. The alternative is employing neutral white lights, as seen in the build on the right, which accentuates the inherent colors of the individual components.

Colored lighting can generally complement any build, effectively masking the colors of the individual parts. If a system features a discordant combination of colors – for instance, a blue motherboard, red RAM, and a yellow graphics card – enveloping the entire assembly in a uniform blue light can mitigate the visual clash. However, it's important to note that colored light tends to be less intense than white light, potentially reducing the level of detail visible within the build.

Conversely, white lights faithfully represent the build's true appearance. Greater detail is discernible on the motherboard and other components, and some users prefer this aesthetic. However, if the build lacks visual harmony without illumination, white lights will only serve to highlight those imperfections. Fortunately, the build on the right possesses a cohesive color scheme and well-managed cabling, making white lighting a suitable choice. (Further discussion on these aspects will follow.)

Several options are available for achieving this illumination. LED fans do provide some light, but the effect is often localized to the fan itself. To achieve comprehensive lighting throughout the case, an LED lighting strip, such as those in BitFenix's Alchemy line (illustrated above), is the most effective solution.

For those willing to invest further, the NZXT hue offers another option, providing multiple color choices within a single strip, alongside the ability to adjust brightness or disable the lights entirely when desired.

These strips are affixed to the case's interior using magnets or 3M adhesive, distributing light throughout the system. Caution should be exercised to avoid direct visibility of the LED strip itself, as this can create a harsh glare. The light emitted should be the primary focus. I suggest mounting the strips to the top or bottom of the case, behind the areas where the side panel connects, as shown:

This placement ensures that when viewing the case from a typical angle, the interior is illuminated without revealing the light source itself:

Alternatively, they can be attached to the inside of the side panel, as demonstrated in this video.

Begin with a subtle approach and avoid overdoing it. A modest amount of lighting can yield substantial improvements.

Enhancing Aesthetics with Plasti-Dip Application

A thoughtfully constructed PC build doesn't necessarily require vibrant colors. Builds employing a single color scheme can be exceptionally appealing. Consider, for example, the system showcased by Reddit user Anotic.

Conversely, if incorporating color is a priority, ensuring harmonious combinations is crucial. The build presented by Reddit user Scott Quentin Stedman demonstrates careful color planning. He exclusively selected components in black and red, including Corsair fans featuring colored rings, to achieve a cohesive appearance, all without utilizing colored LEDs. (Details regarding his custom power supply cables will be discussed in a subsequent section.)

However, many builders don't have such flexibility. Component availability in specific colors is often limited. Consequently, prioritizing functionality during purchase—a sensible approach—can result in a collection of parts with varying hues. If a more unified look is desired, a complete component overhaul isn't always necessary. A simple application of color can be achieved through painting.

WARNING: This modification carries a degree of risk. We will be utilizing Plasti Dip, a non-conductive material capable of withstanding elevated temperatures, rather than standard spray paint. As with any system modification, there's a potential, albeit small, risk of damage. Never undertake a modification if you aren't prepared to replace the affected component!

A significant advantage of Plasti Dip is its removability. The coating can be peeled off if the color is undesirable or if a component requires return merchandise authorization (RMA) service.

Before commencing, establish a color scheme for your build. Generally, it's advisable to select a single primary color paired with a neutral base. For instance, a black base with red accents, similar to the previously shown build, or a white base complemented by blue accents. Adding numerous colors can compromise the overall aesthetic, so limiting the palette is recommended.

My own build initially featured predominantly black and grey components, and I aimed to introduce a touch of blue. This slightly deviates from the guidelines, but given that black and grey are neutral tones, the outcome was satisfactory. The following images depict my motherboard, CPU, and RAM prior to painting:

...and these images show the components after the painting process:

The process proved remarkably straightforward, although results may vary depending on the specific components. I focused on painting the motherboard heatsink shrouds and RAM heat spreaders, as these are easily accessible and have minimal impact on heat dissipation. Painting a video card shroud is also possible, provided the underlying metal heatsink remains unpainted. Applying this technique to a CPU cooler is not recommended.

Begin by detaching the components intended for painting. Motherboard heatsinks are typically secured with screws, as illustrated below. Video card shrouds may require more extensive disassembly, so proceed cautiously and document the disassembly process.

Utilize masking tape to protect any areas you wish to remain unpainted. When painting RAM heat spreaders, you can either mask the chips themselves or remove the heat spreaders entirely. The latter approach is safer but more labor-intensive. If removing the heat spreaders, ensure replacement thermal pads are of equal thickness. (I chose to mask the PCB, and it proved effective.)

Some motherboard heatsinks may incorporate thermal pads or thermal paste between them and the board. If thermal paste is present, remove it with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth or cotton swab. If thermal pads are used, preserve them or cover them with masking tape to prevent loss.

Select a well-ventilated workspace and arrange your components. Ensure they are clean and free of debris—a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth and/or isopropyl alcohol is advisable.

Shake the Plasti Dip can thoroughly for approximately one minute, as you would with any spray paint, and begin applying the coating. Plasti Dip is easily cleaned up, unlike traditional spray paint, so accidental overspray is less of a concern.

I applied four relatively thick coats to my parts—sufficient to provide coverage without causing excessive dripping. Allow each coat to dry for approximately 30 minutes, with a minimum of four hours after the final coat. If any parts require flipping—such as RAM—allow them to dry for at least four hours to prevent smudging or running.

Once fully dried, carefully remove the masking tape. Exercise caution, as the Plasti Dip may peel off along with the tape. Consider using an Xacto knife to carefully cut along the tape's edge as you peel. A plastic razor blade can be used as an alternative to avoid scratching the components. (I did experience some minor scratches—be careful!)

If logos or other details need to be exposed, carefully cut away the Plasti Dip from those areas using your knife or plastic blade.

With patience and care, you should achieve a result that appears factory-made.

Reinstall all components—remembering thermal paste or pads—and test the system. With everything reassembled, my build exhibits a significantly improved aesthetic:

Enhancing Your PC Build with Effective Cable Management and Sleeving

Achieving a visually appealing and refined PC build hinges significantly on meticulous cable management. Prioritizing the concealment of cables is paramount to a clean aesthetic. Modern PC cases are often equipped with rubber grommets specifically for this purpose; routing cables through these openings at the rear of the case dramatically improves the overall appearance.

While comprehensive cable management deserves its own dedicated discussion, resources like those provided by Logical Increments offer detailed guidance. This discussion will focus on the benefits of cable sleeving as a complementary enhancement.

Even with careful routing, standard power supply cables can detract from a build’s visual appeal. Many power supplies include sleeved cables, often featuring a black exterior with rainbow-colored wires, but the quality can be subpar.

Individually sleeved cables represent a popular upgrade, available for purchase from vendors like CableMod, or created through a DIY approach. However, this can be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, requiring cables specifically compatible with your power supply unit (PSU). A cost-effective alternative involves utilizing universal extension cables.

Manufacturers such as Silverstone and Thermaltake offer extension cables designed to conceal the original PSU cables, showcasing only the visually appealing sleeved extensions. Focusing on the 24-pin motherboard cable and the 6- or 8-pin PCI-e cable for the graphics card is particularly impactful.

An 8-pin CPU cable extension can also be considered, though its visibility may be limited depending on the case design and side panel window.

Consider the transformation in cabling demonstrated in my own build – the previously unsightly rainbow cables now present a sleek and polished appearance.

An alternative method, demonstrated by Paul's Hardware, involves applying Plasti Dip to the cables. However, sleeved extensions generally offer a superior aesthetic and may only incur a slightly higher cost than a can of Plasti Dip.

When combined with effective cable management techniques, unsightly cables can be transformed into a visually striking element of your PC build.

Optimizing Your PC's Environment

Significant effort is often dedicated to the internal components of a computer case, however, the overall presentation shouldn't be overlooked. All modifications and enhancements will be diminished if the case isn't prominently displayed within a well-organized setup.

It may seem obvious, but ensure your computer is positioned where the side panel window is visible. Avoid placing it against a wall or in an obscured location. Elevating the computer off the floor and onto your desk will also bring it to a more appropriate viewing height.

If desk space is limited, consider utilizing a riser, such as an IKEA desk leg, to elevate the case. This can also provide additional storage space.

Workspace Cable Management

Effective cable management should extend beyond the interior of the computer. Organizing and concealing cables behind your desk significantly contributes to a cleaner, more polished aesthetic.

Solutions like the IKEA Signum rack or even a repurposed rain gutter can be employed to manage and hide cables effectively.

Elevating Your PC: Beyond the Basics

While seemingly minor adjustments can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of a standard PC, transforming it into a visually pleasing build, this represents only a preliminary exploration of the possibilities within PC modding.

The scope of PC modification extends far beyond simple refinements, encompassing a vast spectrum of creative endeavors.

Examples of Advanced PC Modding

Numerous enthusiasts have undertaken ambitious projects, demonstrating the remarkable potential for customization. These include:

• Comprehensive case painting and artistic finishes.
• Completely bespoke case modifications, altering the physical structure.
• The creation of open-air PC systems, designed for wall mounting.
• Innovative desk-integrated PC setups.
• Implementation of intricate hardline water cooling systems.
• Utilization of submerged oil cooling for extreme thermal management.

The boundaries of PC modding are limited only by imagination and technical skill.

For those seeking further inspiration, a wealth of resources is readily available. Exploring YouTube channels dedicated to PC building, engaging with communities on Reddit such as /r/buildapc, /r/gamingpc, and /r/DIY, or conducting targeted online searches will undoubtedly reveal a multitude of innovative ideas.

Discovering unique concepts and approaches is virtually guaranteed through these avenues.