RGB GPU support brackets are where I draw the line

1 month ago 3

After decades of tutorials and guides, PC building might have become pretty standardized, but it remains a deeply personal exercise. People have a certain idea in mind when they embark on a PC build, and RGB lighting is just one of many elements that make PC building what it is today. While we can't escape RGB in PC components, there should be a line that manufacturers shouldn't cross. As if RGB power supplies weren't enough, we have to deal with RGB GPU sag brackets now.

A close up of the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro with RGB

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RGB enhances PC esthetics, but only to a point

It needs to be used consciously

I'll not pretend that RGB lighting doesn't look good, but it needs to be used in moderation. Going overboard by stuffing the entire build with random rainbow puke isn't the way to go about it. Whether you're building an all-white, all-black, or dual-tone build, RGB should fit the theme of your PC instead of being tacked on top without any thought.

RGB lighting has already spilled outside the tower, with peripherals, monitors, deskmats, and even desks and chairs coming with RGB options. This obsession with RGB should have been arrested long ago, but we went ahead and gave rise to RGB GPU brackets, taking things to the next level. Does every single square inch of the PC need to be lit up for it to look good?

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GPU sag is real, but the solution need not be flashy

Minimalist GPU sag brackets look much better

Let's get one thing straight — GPU sag can be a genuine concern with today's beefy graphics cards. One side of your GPU bending downward due to the sheer weight of the card isn't an ideal scenario; over time, this can damage the card's PCB or the PCIe slot on the motherboard. Extreme GPU sag should, of course, be fixed, but RGB GPU brackets should not be the default.

We don't need to stuff RGB into something whose only utility is keeping a GPU propped up. Many understated, elegant GPU sag brackets do the job without being flashy. They blend in the background and allow the graphics card and the PC to do the talking. If you really want to infuse more RGB lighting into your PC, why not buy an ARGB cable extension, RGB strip, or an extra RGB fan instead?

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The PC should remain classy

Respect the craft

A PC build is often a labor of love. It often takes weeks of research and deal hunting for specific components, and hours of assembling to craft a machine that stays with you for years. It's as much about building a performant machine as it is about creating a work of art. RGB lighting does have a place in PC hardware, but there needs to be restraint on the part of both manufacturers and PC builders.

When we reach a point where RGB GPU brackets are a thing, we need to take a pause and introspect. What are we doing? Simply because you can put RGB into anything doesn't mean you should. The PC needs to be respected, not treated as a wall of graffiti. Accessories like GPU sag brackets and M.2 heatsinks should use RGB sparingly, being subtle instead of loud.

A PC built inside an NZXT H5 Flow RGB case that's all black

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Say no to RGB GPU sag brackets

RGB lighting doesn't have to be plastered on every single PC component, peripheral, and accessory. If you're going for a colorful build, you can make it happen without making it an obnoxious lightshow. GPU sag brackets do fulfill a purpose, but that can be done without making them annoying RGB stands. It's already enough that RGB has invaded every other part of the PC setup; can we at least spare some things?

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