Lighting and cable suggestions for a non-riced out case with a window

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MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Hi all,

I purchased a LianLi PC-65B case. I got the windowed version of it b/c I had visions of a "really cool upper crust case." Plus I've always wanted to have a removeable motherboard tray. Other little things really sold me on this case as well. Anyway, on to the thread.

Concerning certain aesthetics, I knew what I wanted. I.E. all black drives, DVD/CDRW/Floppy. OK, check, got that "smooth front panel" action going on.

Then I said "I got the window so I could put some lights in there...but what to do?"

I'm thinking two 12" CCFL tubes; one blue at the bottom, one green at the top. No LED fans though...too much rice. Plus, I plan on getting a rheobus/temp monitor (ala Digidoc 5) so I wouldn't want the LEDs on the fans dimming...anyway.

I know that a big part of the "window deal" is in the cabling. I am a "neat case freak." Everything gets wire tied up. But what about cable colors? I want them all to be uniform, but what color cables do I get with the lighting scheme I described above?

Is two 12" cold cathode tubes too much light? I dunno...I've never done this before. :p

I know that this is all very subjective. What I like, you may find hideous and vice versa.

I'm just looking for ideas and suggestions. :)

What do you have to say about this? Thanks much, AT!
 
M

Mr N8

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
8,793
0
76
2 lights will be fine. In fact, 2 lights is usually just enough to fill a mid tower.

Personally, I would go with 1 color light, but that just my opinion. I have 2 UV lights in one of my cases, which I really like. I'm thinking of changing to two blue lights, though.
 
M

Mr N8

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
8,793
0
76
I don't mind the fade effect, but I prefer the consistant color. I would say that that Lian-Li has 1-2 cathodes. Most likely 1 on the back as close to the side panel as possible, and maybe one on the top as close to the panel as possible.
 
beatle

beatle

Diamond Member
Apr 2, 2001
5,661
5
81
Suggestion: Different colored cables. Using different colored cables helps me when plugging things in and keeping track of which devices are on which channel. Alternatively, just use one color for ide, one for floppy, and one for scsi (if this applies.) I don't care much for lights since they're too bright. One of the only cool light mods is the Thermaltake fan w/coolmod, since it actually serves a purpose.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: beatle
Suggestion: Different colored cables. Using different colored cables helps me when plugging things in and keeping track of which devices are on which channel. Alternatively, just use one color for ide, one for floppy, and one for scsi (if this applies.) I don't care much for lights since they're too bright. One of the only cool light mods is the Thermaltake fan w/coolmod, since it actually serves a purpose.
Click to expand...

:camera:s? What is this you speak of?

Yeah, I go back and forth on the light issue myself. But I figured that I've never owned a window case before...and half the reason for buying a high-zoot case is to show it off anyway. :p ;) So, I figured "what the heck." The lights will probably be off most of the time anyway...just there for mood/effect/display/show off. :D

Besides, I get awfully proud of my neat case interiors, and what better way to show that off? :D
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
uv for one. uv cables, uv fans etc etc. you can even use uv reactive pens to draw in circuits on your boards:p
 
H

huesmann

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 1999
8,618
0
76
You have a window and you wanna put lights in it, but you say you don't wanna rice it up? I say: too late. :p
 
erikistired

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
9,739
0
0
i've got one blue 12" cc (along bottom) in my enlight tower now, and i think i'm going to go with 2 in the new case (chieftech matrix) because the light tends to get caught under the cards and the top area is all shadows. of course, this case isn't as wide as the chieftech so maybe that'll fix my problem. or maybe get a wire extension kit and put it along the back. i find mine stays off all of the time, sometimes when i'm gaming at night i'll turn it on, but that's about it. i've got the black button switch mounted on a 5.25 bay cover atm, i think i'm going to go to radio shack and get something i can mount in the back somewhere, maybe on a roach door (pci slot cover).
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Originally posted by: fisher
i've got one blue 12" cc (along bottom) in my enlight tower now, and i think i'm going to go with 2 in the new case (chieftech matrix) because the light tends to get caught under the cards and the top area is all shadows. of course, this case isn't as wide as the chieftech so maybe that'll fix my problem. or maybe get a wire extension kit and put it along the back. i find mine stays off all of the time, sometimes when i'm gaming at night i'll turn it on, but that's about it. i've got the black button switch mounted on a 5.25 bay cover atm, i think i'm going to go to radio shack and get something i can mount in the back somewhere, maybe on a roach door (pci slot cover).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed reply. The problem you describe above with the "shadows" is the reason I"m going to get two lights. Havent' decided on two 12" or two 6". In another thread in Cases & Cooling, I asked why there are different sizes when the 6 and 12" give off the exact same amount of light. :confused: I'll probably go w/the 6" just to save some space.

Still not sure why I got the windowed case. :eek: It was a spur of the moment deal...I guess I just wanted a little flash. :D ;)

I plan on mounting the on/off switch on an empty PCI cover. I will only be using one PCI slot (gotta love onboard sound and LAN :)) I have a soldering iron and shrink wrap and I know how to use it, so extending the wires wont' be a biggie. Hiding the wires is what will be the challenge. :)
 
RalfHutter

RalfHutter

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2000
3,202
0
76
Originally posted by: huesmann
You have a window and you wanna put lights in it, but you say you don't wanna rice it up? I say: too late. :p
Click to expand...

I tend to agree, but something like this is a subjective judgement so whatever you think is what's really important.


 
nycdude

nycdude

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
7,809
0
76
Trying this modding for the first time also,

What is a good length for the ide cables for a mid tower case????

LMK

Thx
 
F

Finnkc

Senior member
Jul 9, 2003
422
0
0
ya I am using 2 different inverters and it came with nice long wires .... so I just placed the inverters near the front side of the box using 2 sided tape. Then I ran the wires up the back of the mobo frame and out accross the top/bottom of the box. Vola ... then it was a matter of placing the cathodes and double checking the power connections.
 
nycdude

nycdude

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
7,809
0
76
Originally posted by: Finnkc
ya I am using 2 different inverters and it came with nice long wires .... so I just placed the inverters near the front side of the box using 2 sided tape. Then I ran the wires up the back of the mobo frame and out accross the top/bottom of the box. Vola ... then it was a matter of placing the cathodes and double checking the power connections.
Click to expand...

Will that work the same with a dual capable box inverter????

also what length are the ide cables???
 
F

Finnkc

Senior member
Jul 9, 2003
422
0
0
I am sure you can use the dual bax ... but ask a tech guy at the shop before you do.

The IDEs are the 18" cables (got 2 of them) and I got a 10" Floppy cable as well.
 
B

bjc112

Lifer
Dec 23, 2000
11,460
0
76
Definitely go with 2 cathodes, possibly 3.. Placing the 3rd ( may-b a 6inch) vertically by your exhaust fans...

I would do 2 of the same color, bottom and vertical and your top color whatever you choose...

I have 1 blue and 1 yellow, but i need a digi cam to show you how it looks..

:D

I should be able to get pics soon...
 
nycdude

nycdude

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
7,809
0
76
Originally posted by: bjc112
Definitely go with 2 cathodes, possibly 3.. Placing the 3rd ( may-b a 6inch) vertically by your exhaust fans...

I would do 2 of the same color, bottom and vertical and your top color whatever you choose...

I have 1 blue and 1 yellow, but i need a digi cam to show you how it looks..

:D

I should be able to get pics soon...
Click to expand...

Will you still need the third cathode if you got the 3 Led fans going??? ;)

 
F

Finnkc

Senior member
Jul 9, 2003
422
0
0
try 2 and see ... I really didn't need a 3rd because 2 plus 2 led fans looked fine.
 
MichaelD

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
3
76
Hey guys. I actually bought two separate kits. Both dual; a Blue and a Red.

I had every intention of installing BOTH. One red, one blue bottom, one red one blue top. This way I could have either/both on . neato. But space wont' allow that, unfortunately...I guess I could use both inverters for just the blue tubes if the wires dont ' reach...they probably wont' as they are only 8" long. SVC has been out of the extensions for weeks now.
 
nycdude

nycdude

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
7,809
0
76
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Hey guys. I actually bought two separate kits. Both dual; a Blue and a Red.

I had every intention of installing BOTH. One red, one blue bottom, one red one blue top. This way I could have either/both on . neato. But space wont' allow that, unfortunately...I guess I could use both inverters for just the blue tubes if the wires dont ' reach...they probably wont' as they are only 8" long. SVC has been out of the extensions for weeks now.
Click to expand...

So, are the dual kits long enough to place one cathode at the top and the other at the bottom???
 
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