Hi everyone- - you got a noob here I am getting into this modding idea and was looking at lighting my case first off. I would like to do a blue theme but am confused over what to use. Should I use blue tubes, UV tubes, or a blue and a UV tube ? Do I use blue LED fans or UV fans ? There is so many products available and I haven't got a clue as to what works best. Thanks.
well at the moment im using a blue theme.... its got blue lighted fans... and blue leds.... and they are extreamly bright.... i dont know if uv is bright or not so i cant really comment.... RM
blue case fans are a good start, but they won't light the case completely. What you would be looking for is a blue cold cathode. look at a mod site.
Thanks for the welcome monkey. The reason I asked about UV was that it seems a cheap way to illuminate stuff inside the case becasue UV paints, makeup etc are easily obtainable. I checked on ebuyer and they sell UV lights but offer them with coloured tubes aswell. Thats what confused me most. Do people use UV and coloured tubes in the same case ? Doesn't the colour overpower the UV ? Looking round ebuyer some more though I see blue tubes and led fans are extremely cheap also. Me ponders some more
You can use a blue CCFL, they give off tons of light. Blue LED fans with clear blades give off even light, and blue LED fans with blue colourd blades give just a spiral of light in the fan (akasa do these). If you want to use UV paints etc. then go ahead, blue CCFLs (and White for that matter) give off UV, so the paint etc. will "glow" anyway. -cLoWn
Yes they will, the UV isn't so bright as a blue ccfl, althoug u wil still see some uv colours their not gonna be as bright if u have the blue one on. I suggest u pick 1 color theme, and get componants in that catachory, like blue ccfl's blue ccfl fan's, leds and so on, and if u do get some of that stuff get SunBeam, i think (and know by experiance) that those tubes are the brightest, and are of the best quality.
I have dual uv cathods, lighting up blue uv cables and fans(4 blue also). As to brightness, definitly not as bright as blue led fans. I have my case right on my desk so I am looking at it alll the time. I prefer the uv "glow" of the fans and cables, vs. the blinding light of the leds right in my face. I will try and get some pics for you if I can steal my sisters digital camera and figure out how to post them. I think the uv looks much better in the dark, doesn't blind your nightvision and has kinda that Tron glow where it is just coming from somewhere within, vs you can tell where it is coming from with the LED fans and blue cathode. Hope this helps, of and I haven't tried it but supposedly if you paint the inside of you case a dull black it make the uv seem brighter (I think it is because of the contrast and maby white light which combats uv is blocked from reflecting within your case better). *Goes after the camera*
UV looks pimp just because a lot of things react to the light (since we really can't see it). Blue lights are just bright. They both look awsome though. I've noticed UV is more of a purplish color (or the ones I have). Not a bright girly purple either, its a tough manly modders purple! Just go which ever one you like best. You can usually go into car shops and they have displays of blue CCs. I've never seen a UV CC on display but I'm sure they have them (unless they're illegal). Welcome to the forums. Live long and modsper... ( I'm a )
Ahah I have learned the digital camera and posting on the net in 30mins not bad. Here are the pics as promised. Some here In room with lights on side off of course Messed up picture showing that reflected uv light and cameras don't mix well, it isn't really as bright as the picture shows One looking though my window(anyone know why it makes it look funny I swear they are bright blue. Maby I am going color blind) One with the rear fan showing*yes it really is blue* *EDIT*I don't know why the last two don't work I used a differnt server though here is the link http://msnusers.com/computercasepictures There you go hope it helps. *EDIT* *EDIT* These pictures really don't do it any justice, I would say just go with the uv.
Thanks for the pics Captain. I think UV is the way to go for me as I would like to put the case on my desk when its done to show it off and I dont want to be blinded. Now to start hunting for UV stuff eg nail varnish, pens/markers etc. Just need to buy the lights then. Oh and some of thsoe nice IDE cables you have.
What about power. What wattage power supply should I have to be able to power the lights and fans alongside 2 hard drives, a cd writer and a dvd writer.
A normal fan will drain more than a cclf so go figure U should be doing fine with a 300 or 350 watts PSU
I think Captain_Tal put it well. Having your case on your desk with lots of LED fans and blue ccfls in direct view is very bright and distracting. (my case lit up an entire LAN party, they made me turn off my CCFLs at night ). But the UV gives a more "glow" effect compared to a blue CCFL, the UV reactive fans are ment to be really good too, being brighter than you would have thought, without drawing more power (like LED fans :/). Going with UV seems to be the best bet in your case. just me 2cents, ish! -cLoWn
As for your power suppy It will be whatever power your computer uses plusabout 20W(I think that is what the cathodes run off of check to make sure) Also if you are gonna be overclocking your rig will prolly suck more power anyway, and if you under power it you will loose performance. Generally a 350W will work for most people. I have a vantec 520W,...just because it looks cool, and I didn't want to short anything it's proper amount of power. When you go uv though your fans will not suck any extra power, so you only have to consider powering your cathodes. Non-uv, you have to power the cathode + the LEDs(but I wouldn't worry about them since they are relatively insignificant) LEDs generally draw about .02Amps. I would probbaly go with a 400W in your situation just to be safe, but a psu is the one thing you can pass one pretty consistantly so I just went all out. As computers get faster they draw more and more power.
Thanks for thats guys. Sounds like my existing 350W will be plenty for me to add 2 lamps and 1 extra fan. Not gonna start this mod for about another 4 weeks but when I do you folks will see the results of your invaluable info What I am hoping to do is as follows - Grab my dremel type tool and cut a window in the case side. (Maybe the top too, I'll see how it goes with the side 1st) Install a front fan that I will be able to see through the mesh on the front of my case. Paint my existing rear fan with some sort of UV reactive gunk. Install 2 UV lamps. If I can find any sort of pen/marker then a lot of stuff will get the UV treatment. I also want UV IDE cables. Oh, and gonna get some UV plastic tubing for put round power cables. (as in the DIY spiral wrap article I read here). I am hoping it turns out as good as the mods I have seen on these forums but if not I'll have had a great time trying. PS - Any more input greatly accepted.
where are you getting the wrap for you psu cables? been looking for that forever in the states where shipping isn't gonna kill me.
