# Computer case lighting aesthetic question. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 11, 2012, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508 "2012-02-11T07:44:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/1 "2012-02-11T07:44:48Z")
This is my new computer case > **[RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower...](https://www.newegg.com/raidmax-smilodon-extreme-black-atx-mid-tower/p/N82E16811156078)** > > Buy RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX-612WEB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Foldout MB Computer Case with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg! The front has green LEDs. (The side as shown has a green LED fan, but I’m not using it.) The motherboard will be black with light blue accents. Given that, what color cold cathodes should I use. I was thinking originally thinking the obvious: green, but it occured to me the color would be different and clash with that of the green LEDs. So what color do you think would look good? blue? purple? white? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/2 "2012-02-11T13:08:55Z")
Just how old are you, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Accident](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Mr.Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Accident)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/3 "2012-02-11T14:27:48Z")
Personally I’d go with a blue. Looking at examples online, the blue cold cathode goes really well with the shade of green that that case has. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/4 "2012-02-11T19:02:50Z")
That’s an odd question, but I’m 39… ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/5 "2012-02-11T19:24:13Z")
depends what color “green” the LEDs actually are. “Green” LEDs come in a few colors. For the longest time, there was only the yellowish light green, then after blue LEDs were invented out came “emerald” or “true” green LEDs, and teal/aqua ones. Might want to wait until you have the case and can see the light color for yourself before you decide. > [@](#): > > That’s an odd question, but I’m 39… some assume the only people who would buy a case like that one are 14-year-olds. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/6 "2012-02-11T20:02:10Z")
You should go with Red, so that you have all the different lightsaber colors represented. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/7 "2012-02-11T22:45:28Z")
My present build is a UV reactive theme but they don’t make those boards anymore so I need to go with something different. I plugged the LEDs in and they’re the standard “lime green” we’ve always had, not the newer teal or true green. One thing that attracted me to this case was green is a somewhat unusual color for computer case LEDs compared to cool white or blue, and cheap green LEDs are probably more reliable than cheap blue or white… I had to replace a blue LED on my present case after a year and it was tedious. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/8 "2012-02-11T22:52:04Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > some assume the only people who would buy a case like that one are 14-year-olds. Not even close. I’m over 40 and like to have a colourful case. Gaming is best done at night and a coloured case just adds some ambiance. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-case-lighting-aesthetic-question/612508/9 "2012-02-13T04:33:51Z")
I think green and blue would be nicely offset by orange or red. Think of opposites on a color-wheel–orange is opposite blue, and red is opposite green. I’d probably go with orange, because RBG is a bit too… elementary. They’re primary light colors and would look kinda hokey together–like you did it on purpose for that reason. Orange is great, though. Although I think purple would look neat in that scheme, purple light tends to suck my eyes in, rather than illuminating the surroundings. FWIW, I’m 27 and love the bright blue LEDs on [my tower](http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144026) (which is no longer in production, I bought it over 6 years ago). Because of my case on the floor, I don’t need a nightlight to see my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.