Are RGB Motherboards Worth It?

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Although aesthetics like RGB lighting look awesome, it doesn’t count for much if it’s going to affect performance in any way. As a CS:GO, Apex Legends, and Final Fantasy 14 player, I know that every bit helps all the time. What’s the verdict? Are RGB motherboards worth it?

RGB Motherboards are pricier than their counterparts and are more expensive to repair, but they do not have any performance advantages; they are purely for aesthetic reasons. The increased power usage is little to non-existent. The final decision is solely at the discretion of the gamer.

There is a lot of great information about RGB lighting and how it may impact the other components of the motherboard. The more you know about this topic, the easier you’ll be able to relax and game at the end of the day.

Contrary to belief, RGB does not improve performance! Trolls have managed to cause doubt in those more gullible and on forums. In fact, it doesn’t even decrease performance. RGB lighting consists of LED lights, and if there’s one thing about LED lights, it’s that they take little to no energy to keep running.

To claim it increases performance is like saying a gaming chair will increase your FPS. Let’s look at an example of power usage. A 5M strip of 5050 RGB lights (approximately 300 LEDs) uses no more than 70 watts at most, which is about the same as a single incandescent bulb. LEDs have ridiculously high efficiency.

As such, the CPU’s performance and motherboard are unaffected by RGB lights because it consumes next to no power to keep them running. It’s unlikely that developers would spend the money to create hardware that hinders their own hardware; otherwise, no one would buy them, right?

The RGB on RAM modules does not impact performance at all. RGB RAM has been designed to be much faster than normal RAM to avoid losing even one frame while gaming. Now, whether it increases your FPS depends on your system and the game that you’re playing.

If RAM is limiting your performance, then boosting RAM will help you get more FPS. However, if your machine has adequate RAM, the RAM will not affect your FPS unless you lower the RAM to the point where it is no longer sufficient to run the game.

How Long Do RGB Lights Last?

As a rough estimate, 50,000 hours equates to 2,038 days of illuminated output or about eight years of 24-hour run-time at full brightness. If the RGB LED lights are only utilized for 12 hours each day, they would last three to six times as long, between 24 and 48 years.

RGB LEDs have exceptionally long run durations that outperform other forms of lighting, making them a preferred choice. The lower operating temperature of RGB LED lights contributes to their extended life.

The overall output of lights is reduced at a quicker pace as the temperature rises. Other types of lights burn out because of this. Most RGB LED lights have a design that restricts their maximum temperature, allowing them to run for longer periods of time, extending their lifespan.

Does RGB Increase Heat?

Each LED is likely to require less than a quarter of a watt. It wouldn’t matter if there were hundreds of them within a chassis. RGB LEDs don’t generate a lot of heat. In some extreme cases, depending on how the RGB LEDs have been installed in your case, it may cause more heating than usual, and enough can slow down the system.

Nevertheless, there can be too much lighting, however.Check out this video, and you’ll see what I mean:

The truth is, that HyperX hard drive is the exception because it overheated due to a design fail. It’s a good example of what could potentially happen and what to avoid if you decide to install RGB.

Which Motherboard Is Best For RGB?

The Asus ROG Maximum XII Extreme was voted the best for a Comet Lake Core i9. Furthermore, TUF Z590 Plus has a simple design with a white font that stands out. There are a few little splashes of RGB along the right side as well. Six fan headers are included, as well as two addressable RGB headers.

ASRock B460 Steel Legend is the most affordable alternative to the Asus ROG Maximum XII Extreme. Gigabyte Z390 Zorus Ultra was voted the best motherboard for Intel’s Coffee Lake CPUs. It comes with a slick RGB package, a full RGB package throughout, and the option to turn off the RGB in the BIOS.

The Asus ROG Strix B550-E Gaming motherboard was voted the best in its B550 category. It comes with full-range LED lighting. Gigabyte A520 Aorus Elite is relatively inexpensive compared to the other motherboards but still great. It has two RGB headers and an additional two ARGB headers (Choose individual light colors).

Can RGB Lights Be Replaced?

NZXT’s Hue+ lighting package, which includes a control box that you put inside your PC and four RGB strips to go with it, is the go-to for smart RGB LED lighting. Extension kits may add more to the mix, and this kit allows for a lot of flexibility. It is the ultimate weapon for someone who wants to be creative with RGB.

You may build a wide range of unique lighting effects, and because the RGBs are individually programmable, you can make rainbow effects and other gimmicks. If you don’t mind paying a little more, you’ll have a lot more flexibility over how you light your case – or your entire desk, if you like!

Are RGB Motherboards Worth It?