Cathode, LED or Other?

MouthBoy

MouthBoy

MouthBoy

Soldato
Joined
6 Apr 2010
Posts
2,919
Location
Cambridgeshire
Hi Guys

I am in the middle of some mods right now and I want to show off my system after they are done. I have used cheap blue cathodes before but that was when I had no idea about cable management and basic "good design".

I have been looking at LED strips and cathodes and wanted to know what would be best for lighting a CM-690 II Adv? I am looking for a balanced light level rather then "spotlighting" as such. I have looked at images on the internet with LED lights but they all show with the side panel off, so you see where the LEDs are etc. They do seem to "spotlight" more then cathodes but cathodes are chunky and hard to place well I find.

Anyone got any advice for me about this? Pictures that show the difference in the same case would be great if anyone has any to hand. I am looking for white lighting so the light shows off my hardware instead of the light being the attraction itself.

Thanks
 
There are some great examples of white LED strips being used in cases that provide an even light effect but I don't have any to hand. What I do have is mine lit with two Orange LED strips taken with my old camera.

lit1.jpg


I used the cheapest of the cheap strips I could find on the well known auction site and switched the LEDs as they didn't have Orange at the time.

They provide a good even glow to all components as each LED has a 100 degree field of light, rather than the 20 degrees you get from standard spotlighting LEDs.

I've never used cathodes so don't know what that would look like in my case, or where I'd put them.
 
It depends what lighting effect you are after.

LED Strips - Give that showroom finish as each LED is reflected off surfaces so it makes things look 'shiny' and new. They will light up a large area but are perhaps a little more subtle than cathodes.These strips are flexible so are easily placed.

Cathodes - Will give off the most light but this light will light up a whole case without focusing on one particular area. Glass tubes are not flexible so position is limited.

LED Fans - These are a little more subtle in that they will light up an area around the fan but not the whole case.
 
I bought 2 cathodes (antec 1200) love it, plus it has on/off switch It perfectly sits on one of the WC holes which is very handy as can turn on/off any time!
 
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