cathode or light strip

[mirrorman96]

are cathodes better than light strips. how do you install them and what are a good make (purple colour)

 

[DaleTheWhale]

LED are normally better, cathodes are more bulky & need a converter taking up more room and don't seem to be that true to colour.

I'd grab some of the NZXT lights or Bitfenix Alchemy (albeit expensive).

 

[ttaskmaster]

Cathodes seem to die a lot quicker and are pretty delicate, too...

 

[Thekwango]

I'd echo both of the above sentiments. the cathodes, due to the inverters, can bit a bit more of a challenge to fit and it doesn't take much to kill them - that being said I've had a couple kicking round my junk drawer for a couple of years now and they are still working even though they've chucked, shifted and had stuff dropped on them!! but they don't like being flexed, not one little bit.

in fairness never had any issues with colours, but I had heard that reds can be very hit and miss - ranging from pink to almost purple can be quite common I believe

 

[sjpt4x]

I used to use cathodes but had the same problems as mentioned plus even had a few inverters burn out on me. For my next build I will be using LEDs for sure.

 

[skaif]

Light strips every time! Cheap ones off the bay are easy to retrofit to a molex connector.
My effort (carpy potato pic)

 

[MrMD]

I was using an Nzxt led strip.It was fine,didnt really have the clean look i was looking for tho.Switched out to Ravoltech cathodes,far better imo.Gives more of an ambient lighting effect aswell as looking far cleaner overall.

What is the case your lookin to add lighting too?

Pic:

 

[kaku]

My only downside for LED strips is that with the cheap ones I got from the bay the clear rubber coating over the actual diodes discoloured with heat/time, leaving them a muddy yellow rather than the original clean white.

Granted this is likely a case of you get what you pay for, but something to bear in mind.

 

[dacads]

Cathodes seem to die a lot quicker and are pretty delicate, too...

I can agree with the last bit, I stepped on mine accidentally :/

 

[mirrorman96]

I've ordered a purple led strip and putting them in my nzxt h440

 

[Blackjack Davy]

Cathode tubes don't last all mine burned out after a couple of years and by burn I mean they have some suspicious black scorch marks on them. Not sure if they generate enough heat or energy to actually ignite something but it's enough to make me not want to use them again.

 

[flame696]

LEDs are the way to go they can be concealed easily

 

[Evian]

I was using an Nzxt led strip.It was fine,didnt really have the clean look i was looking for tho.Switched out to Ravoltech cathodes,far better imo.Gives more of an ambient lighting effect aswell as looking far cleaner overall.

What is the case your lookin to add lighting too?

Pic:

Had the NZXT RGB also, Had it in my Corsair Air 540 can see the strips from the side, Would like something to be more hidden with the light shining down.