The Downsides of RGB Lighting in Gaming PCs: A Real-World Experience

The Pitfalls of RGB Lighting in Gaming PCs

In a refreshingly honest piece for PCWorld, Dominic Bayley opens up about his regrets after embracing the RGB lighting trend in his gaming PC. What started as a fun and flashy upgrade quickly turned into an ongoing source of frustration.

The Initial Attraction

Like many PC gamers, Bayley was initially captivated by the vibrant colours and endless customisation that RGB lighting offers. It made his setup look impressive—something to show off to friends and fellow gamers. The ambient glow added flair to his gaming space, and the ability to personalise lighting effects felt like a bonus feature.

Where It Went Wrong

However, the novelty wore off. Bayley ran into several practical issues that made him question whether RGB was worth the hassle.

• Syncing Problems: Different components from different brands didn’t play nicely together. The result? A mismatched, disjointed lighting display that looked more chaotic than cool.
• Software Frustrations: Settings on his RGB keyboard would reset after each reboot, forcing him to reconfigure them repeatedly.

These issues chipped away at the convenience and enjoyment that RGB lighting was supposed to bring.

Impact on Performance and Maintenance

Beyond the aesthetics, Bayley noticed real-world drawbacks that affected his system’s performance and upkeep.

• Airflow Obstruction: RGB strips inside the case disrupted airflow, leading to higher GPU temperatures during gaming sessions.
• Hardware Reliability: Some LED strips failed entirely, leaving behind uneven lighting and a messy look. Replacing them wasn’t cheap or straightforward.

Instead of enhancing his PC, the lighting became just another component to troubleshoot and maintain.

Rethinking the Setup

Frustrated by the ongoing issues, Bayley has decided to ditch RGB lighting in future builds. He’s planning a more minimalist, performance-focused setup that prioritises clean aesthetics and low maintenance.

The estimated cost to remove and replace his current RGB components? Around $700—a price he’s willing to pay for peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Bayley’s experience is a useful reminder: while RGB lighting can make a PC look impressive, it’s not always worth the trade-offs. From compatibility headaches to potential performance impacts, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before going all-in on the glow.

You can read Bayley’s full story here: I Regret Buying into the RGB Hype for My Gaming PC