Adding an LED strip to your computer can make it more visually appealing and be a great way to show off your personality. In this blog post, we will be discussing how to connect led strip to motherboards.
We will also be going over the different types of connectors commonly used to make this connection.
Finally, we will provide some tips on how to get the most out of your LED strip. So if you want to add some extra flair to your computer, read on!
Summary: Connecting LED light strips to a motherboard allows you to synchronize lighting effects with your computer’s hardware for a customized and immersive experience. Before starting the process, make sure you have a compatible LED strip and motherboard, as well as any necessary connectors or adapters.
Most modern motherboards come with a built-in RGB or ARGB header, which is used for connecting LED strips. Check your motherboard’s manual for details on the specific type of header and compatibility with different LED strips.
First, identify the appropriate header on your motherboard, which is typically labeled as “RGB” or “ARGB.” RGB headers have 4 pins and work with 12V LED strips, while ARGB headers have 3 pins and are compatible with 5V addressable LED strips.
Make sure to power off your computer and unplug it from the wall outlet before proceeding. Connect the LED strip’s connector to the corresponding header on your motherboard, ensuring that the pins are properly aligned. Some LED strips may require an adapter or a splitter, so make sure you have the necessary components for your specific setup.
Once connected, carefully route the LED strip around your computer case, ensuring that the strip is secure and not obstructing any components or airflow.
How to Connect Led Strip to Motherboard: Seven Methods to Apply
Method 1: Connect With 2-Pin Connectors
In this method, you’ll need to use two different wire colors. First, cut your LED strip so that there is plenty of room at the end of each piece but no slack.
Next, strip about ½” inch from both ends of both parts so you have a clean connection space for the crimp connectors.
It’s important to note that positive must connect to positive and negative must connect to negative. This is a very important note because you can damage your components if you don’t pay attention to polarity.
Method 2: Connect With 4-Pin Connectors
In this method, you’ll need different wire colors instead of two, like in the last method. Cut your LED strip so that there is plenty of room at the end of each piece but no slack.
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Strip about ½” inch from all ends of all pieces, so you have a clean connection space for the crimp connectors. Each wire from your LED strip must connect to a wire from the extension cord.
Make sure that positive connects to positive and negative connects to negative. The same note about polarity applies here as it did in the first method.
Method 3: Connect With Dupont Wires
To connect with dupont wires, you’ll need to purchase some connectors that snap into one another. You can find these connectors at any hardware store like Home Depot or Lowes.
But, first, check for small pieces of metal inside the connectors that snap into one another. These are called male crimp connector pins, and they need to touch female crimp connector sockets to connect correctly.
Once you’ve got your LEDs connected with dupont wires, ensure all connections are solid by tugging on each wire before connecting it to your motherboard.
This is because the pins and sockets can come loose if they’re not properly inserted into one another.
Method 4: Connect With Data Cable
You’ll need a data cable with a USB connector on its end for this method. Data cables usually have three wires inside them, but you only need to use two of them.
Use wire cutters or a wire stripping tool to remove the black plastic wrapper from the cable. Separate about an inch of wire from each side, and strip about a half-inch from one end.
Now you’ve got raw cable with two bare wires inside, ready for use! This method connects positive (+) to a red wire in the data cable and negative (-) to a black wire.
Then, connect the red wire to the positive connection on your motherboard and the black wire to the negative (it doesn’t matter which connection you use).
Method 5: Connect With Power Switch
Once again, this method requires two different colors of wire. First, cut your LED strip so that there is plenty of room at both ends but no slack. Next, strip about ½” inch from both ends.
This method uses a single wire to connect the LED strip and extension cord, but you’ll need to use different colored wires for continuity purposes.
Take one red wire and one black wire, and add to each end of your cut LED strip. Next, take your single wire (it doesn’t matter which color it is), and strip about a half-inch from each end.
Next, take the black wire, and connect one end to the negative connection on your motherboard. Then take the red wire, and connect one end to the positive connection on your motherboard.
Method 6: Plug with Male DC Connector
To connect to a male DC connector, you’ll need to purchase your own. These can be found at any computer hardware store, and they’re also called “barrel connectors.”
Line up the pins inside each connector so that they fit together perfectly. The female part will have a small hole for pin insertion.
Line up the male pins with it and push them in slowly, and they should snap into position inside the female connector.
Once you’ve got these connected and secure, take your LED strip and plug it right into your male DC connector!
Method 7: Use External Power Supply for LED Strip
This method will give you an external power supply for your LED strip, which is better than powering the whole thing from the motherboard.
First, cut your female connector off your extension cord’s end and separate three wires. One black wire, one red wire, and one white wire should come out in this order when you peel back the plastic.
Strip about half an inch from each wire individually, and line up your red and black power supply wires with the positive and negative connections on your LED strip, respectively.
Powering the LED strip with only one wire will not work, so make sure to connect both positive and negative connections. Now plug your power supply into an AC outlet.
If everything was done correctly, your LED strip should light up without any problems!
What Tools and Supplies You’ll Need?
- LED Strip (of course)
- 15′ extension cord
- Motherboard mounted with power supply installed and wire running from PSU
- Wire/Crimp connectors
- Wirecutter/Stripper tool
Step by Step Process: How to Connect Led Strip to Motherboard
Step 1: Connect Strip to Power Supply
Find an end on the LED strip that will allow you to connect to the power supply.
This is identified by the connection points, which are two raised bumps on either end of the cable running down the center of the strip.
The ends need to be trimmed for this step trim them flush with no excess wire.
Step 2: Strip Wire Adapters for Connection
Strip the adapters so they can slide onto the two raised bumps on either end of the LED strip, and make sure to get each wire in the right place. The strips are usually labeled (+) and (-).
Step 3: Wire it Up
Wire one end of the extension cord into the power supply, then strip both wires on the other end to expose 2-3 inches of copper wiring.
Connect this end to one of your adapters, and make sure each wire is plugged in securely.
Strip the other end of the LED strip to expose the wiring, attach it to the matching adapter, then connect both wires to pins on your motherboard.
It can be tricky lining up all three connections to make sure that there’s no metal touching or shorting out between any of them.
Step 4: Plug Extension Cord to Power Supply
Plug the other end of the extension cord into the power supply. Please turn it on and press the LED strip’s power button to test that you have a connection.
If it doesn’t work, check that all connections are secure and that the LEDs on the LED strip are turned on.
Step 5: Secure with Velcro Ties
Cut a length of velcro strap to use as an anchor for your LED strip’s power cord. Then, run the strip along with the desk, wrap it around your wire, and tie a knot to secure the cord.
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Step 6: Test Your Led Strip
Plugin your connectors and power supply, plug the LED strip into the extension cord. Next, turn on the power supply and press the strip’s power button to test that you have a connection.
If it doesn’t work, check that all connections are secure and that the LEDs on the LED strip are turned on.
Safety Precautions and Warnings
1. Don’t run the strips off of the same power supply; you’ll need a separate controller and adapter for each one, or they won’t work properly.
2. Always use new and high-quality power adapters.
3. Always test the voltage of new power supplies with a multimeter before plugging them in or using them.
4. All strips, controllers, and power sources should be covered by insulation to prevent short circuits from occurring if they come into contact with each other.
Use heat-shrink tubing, electrical tape, or something similar for this purpose.
5. The wire and solder joints that connect the strips and to the power supply can get extremely hot.
So handle everything carefully and keep them away from flammable materials while they’re powered on.
6. Be sure all connections are solid and secure before plugging in the power supply.
7. If you see any smoke, hear a loud noise, or notice anything strange such as an unpleasant smell immediately turn off and unplug all components and let them cool down before powering them again to prevent damage from short circuits or other malfunctions.
Final Thoughts
To connect the LED strip to the motherboard, you will need to find a 4-pin connector on the motherboard. This is where you will plug in the connector from the LED strip.
If your motherboard does not have this connector, you can use an adapter that splits one of these connectors into two 3-pin connectors.
Be sure to plug the black wire into the ground connection and match up each colored wire with its corresponding pin number on the connector.
Finally, secure everything in place with some screws and close up your computer case. Now it’s time to test out your new lighting system!
If you have reached this point in the article, you should now know how to connect led strip to motherboard. Be sure to check the connections before powering on your PC and enjoy your new lighting system!