Are you wondering what the difference is between RGB and ARGB? Well, the answer lies in their names, which I’ll help you decipher shortly.
In today’s modern PC world, it’s quite rare that you find a PC without any blazing lights. The two most famous lighting technologies are RGB and ARGB.
I know that you have so many questions about these two light options, like which one is better? Which one should you go for? What’s the price difference? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Here, I’m going to clear all of your doubts about RGB and ARGB to help you find the right option that best suits your build and budget. So let’s begin!
A little about RGB
RGB stands for “Red” “Green” and “Blue”. This lighting technology uses these three primary colors to create up to 16 million light shades. RGB is used in every other electronic device, from the TV in the living room to the smartphone you’re reading this on.
If you’re a gamer, you might’ve noticed the growing trend of RGB lighting in transparent gaming PCs. It all started in the early 2010s and till then we’ve seen more and more people going for it. It adds to the aesthetics of your gaming setup by enhancing the looks of your PC tower.
If you want to change the color on an RGB light strip to yellow, then all of the LED lights on that strip would need to turn yellow. You can also enjoy some exciting lighting modes like strobing, but they aren’t as cool as the ARGB effects.
What’s so hyped about ARGB? Let’s find out!
A little about ARGB
What’s the difference in these? The answer lies in the “A” at the start. It stands for “Addressable” which means you have control over all the LED lights on the whole strip individually. Suppose a light strip has 60 LED lights, you can turn each of them into different colors at the same time.
Here are all the things that you can do with an ARGB light;
- Create funky light patterns like spirals, ripples, flashes, glitches effect, breathing, and much more
- Change all the LED lights to individual colors
- Make the light cycle in color spectrums
- You can synchronize the light with music rhythms
All of these effects breathe new life into your room’s ambiance. You need dedicated software to run these lights because of the numerous features. These lights are now also being used in TV monitors, and other household electronics for
home decor.
RGB connectivity
To prevent your RGB lights from getting damaged, you need to ensure you have the right connectivity. For RGB light strips, most motherboards have a 4-pin 12V connector located near the ARGB connector. If your motherboard doesn’t have this connector, there’s no need to freak out. There are other ways to these lights; you can use RGB controllers or even a remote control.
ARGB connectivity
To connect ARGB lights, most motherboards feature a similar 3-pin 5V header. It’s crucial to pay attention to the voltage. If you accidentally connect your new ARGB product to a 12V RGB header, it may light up, but it could be the last time it does.
You’ll find the labeling on the motherboard itself, so it’s hard to mess it up.
Do RGB and ARGB have any effect on performance?
Not at all! These lights don’t put any stress on your CPU nor do they enhance its performance in any way. You might’ve heard this on the internet that these lights can boost your PC’s performance while gaming. But it’s just a false notion devised by the people who want more recognition for their investment than it actually has.
It probably started due to the fact that these lights have their own fans and the idea that blue light can cool off your PC faster. But there’s not a sliver of truth in this! Besides the killer looks, RGB and ARGB have no effect on your PC.
Is ARGB better than RGB?
I hope you already know the answer, don’t you? ARGB is the clear winner here. Being the latest technology with loads better customizability options, ARGB rules over the RGB. Everyone is now shifting to the ARGB while RGB is destined to become a tech legacy of the past.
Aside from the cool looks, ARGB can also improve your overall gaming experience by providing special light effects for game sound and music. You won’t get all this if you opt for an RGB.
The experience is just out of this world when the light flickers in synchronization with what’s happening on screen. So if you plan to spruce up your PC or buy a new one with amazing lighting, ARGB is the way to go.
What’s the price difference?
The price difference between an RGB and a non-RGB product depends on the type of the device. For instance, an RGB keyboard isn’t that much more expensive than a non-RGB keyboard. However, an RGB RAM costs a lot more than the standard one.
But how much do RGB and ARGB products differ in price? Well, ARGB products are slightly more expensive than RGB ones. But I think it’s worth the deal!
My final thoughts
There’s no doubt that RGB started the era of aesthetically pleasing PCs, but ARGB has taken it to the next level. The latter one has plenty of funky features that make it way more appealing to gamers.
On top of that, there’s not a big price difference between the two options. So why not spend the extra few bucks and go for the complete package? But the only problem is that you need to check the compatibility of your system first.
Most of the motherboards are designed to support either RGB or ARGB or both. So it’s important that you find which one will work for your system before you spend any money.
Joe, a computer science graduate and PC hardware expert, boasts a decade of experience in the field. His lifelong passion for gaming drives him to excel as a prominent figure in the gaming community, consistently pushing boundaries with cutting-edge technology.
