RGB vs. No RGB PC Builds: Choosing the Look for Your Custom Gaming PC

Too Many Options When Building Your Custom Gaming PC?

As you may see on our site, we have thousands of customization options available for your custom pc. It can be overwhelming to choose what PC would look best at your desk, but that’s also what makes it exciting. There’s a wealth of RGB options in modern PCs that can transform your setup into something spectacular. You can have RGB on your CPU block, your case, and extend it to your peripherals as well, creating synchronized RGB waves that flow from your PC to your matching mouse and keyboard.

On the other side of the spectrum, there’s plenty of designs that focus on simplicity with sleek black, white, and silver PCs that prioritize clean aesthetics. So what’s the right look for your space? What would you prefer? Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?

Let’s walk through the pros and preferences of each style to help you figure out your style.

RGB: Bright, Bold, and Fully Custom

RGB lighting can lead to an incredibly exciting custom gaming PC experience! I’ve seen setups where users install RGB strips throughout their room and under their desk, creating an immersive gaming environment that extends far beyond the PC itself. A PC decked out in RGB options makes the fun of using your system much more prevalent and engaging.

I know I’m a fan of seeing my PC boot up with rainbow waves cascading across components in a darkened room. It’s that kind of visual excitement that makes every gaming session feel special.

Brand Ecosystems Make It Easier

Depending on how much control you want over your lighting, you can match the brands of all parts relative to RGB control for the smoothest experience. Corsair, for example, offers excellent product lines that provide RGB on fans and CPU blocks for liquid cooling AIOs, all connecting to one controller with easy access through a single program.

You can also mix and match different brands, though you’ll likely need multiple programs to control all the RGB components. Some motherboards come with software like MSI Center that takes all the RGB connected directly to the motherboard and allows full control of each connected part. You might encounter some challenges with control among different types of parts and brands like RAM versus GPU versus fan RGB control, but for the most part, downloading the related programs from each manufacturer will solve these issues. Just expect more tweaking involved and needing multiple programs running in the background.

Extra Accessories and Glass Panels

You can get additional accessories like RGB strips to line the inside of your PC case and provide even more illumination. These strips can really tie the whole build together and create stunning visual effects.

One last important thing to mention: I almost always recommend a PC case with a tempered glass panel if you want RGB in your future purchase! There’s no point in lighting everything up if you’re going to hide it behind solid metal panels.

No RGB PC Build: Simple and Modern

When I mention clean design, I truly mean it. A “clean design” approach focuses on something beautifully simple and purposeful. What we imagine current PCs to look like is subjective, but the modern take on PC cases offers plenty of clean options in the usual grayscale format. This means sleek black, gray, or white PC cases that prioritize form and sophisticated aesthetics.

You can also find colored cases like those in the Thermaltake 300 series. These are less common this decade, but it’s always refreshing to see options for colors. I know it would personally match my taste in clothing and personal style. I usually see colored cases paired with RGB capable parts, creating an interesting blend of clean design with accent lighting.

Color Combinations and Themes

There’s definitely room for cases that feature color on the outside while containing a white interior. This pairs beautifully with builds based on all white components, and I would absolutely include this approach in the idea of a “clean design.” A pink gaming PC with matching white or silver components can look incredibly striking while maintaining that clean, intentional aesthetic.

There’s also the classic black chassis that never goes out of style. Picture a solid panel design with clean rectangular lines that has a timeless, professional flavor. These builds focus on the beauty of simplicity and quality components rather than flashy lighting effects.

It Comes Down to Your Space and Style

It really depends on what you’d prefer and where you’ll be using your custom gaming PC. Are you buying this PC for your work office, or for home? You might want a clean, professional look at work, or maybe you’d prefer a fun light show in your personal gaming space. A clean build often appears more appropriate on a work desk, while an RGB setup might be perfect for a dedicated gaming room.

It’s all up to you and your personal preference. Both approaches can look fantastic when executed thoughtfully.

Final Thoughts on RGB in a Custom Gaming PC

In the end, choosing between RGB and a clean design comes down to what makes you happy and excited about your setup. That’s the true beauty of building a custom gaming PC: you have complete creative control to make it yours.

Do you want an impressive light show every time you power up your rig, or would you prefer something simple, sophisticated, and minimalistic? There’s no wrong choice here. Just make sure that whatever direction you choose makes you genuinely excited to sit down and start gaming.

If you’re still undecided, spend time browsing different builds, explore what other people have created, and pay attention to what captures your imagination. Your perfect setup is out there, and you’ve got all the tools necessary to build it exactly how you envision it.