Gaming Hardware Needs to Grow Up

I'm not one for LEDs and don't understand the obsession of manufacturers with them lately. However, I think one assumption all non RGB LED lovers have is that it's to be used in a tasteless, pointless way just for the sake of it. Having looked through this thread, I kind of changed opinion a l bit. RGB LEDs can be used tastefully by the right people.

So for one I do agree there is a spike with RGB H/W, I am very happy thought, that there is ample choice for more restrained looking products also. My MG279Q for example and the beautiful "thankful-it-exists" Zowie FK1.
 
Lighting can be nice when done right. That being said, the PC I have now I bought off of a friend and he had used Avexir RAM (good RAM, never had an issue) but it has blue pulsing LED's on all the sticks. It's never in sync and there is no way to manually control it. Sometimes it's nice, sometimes it drives me nuts (especially if I'm trying to watch something in the dark). That being said, both my keyboard and mouse are backlit, but I can turn those off if I choose. The keyboard being back lit is one of the best purchases I've ever made, the mouse was more on a whim. It's kinda nice because I have the color synced to my keyboard (and RAM) and it's dimmed a bit which makes it nice to find in the dark and it doesn't distract. My motherboard (Asus ROG Rampage IV) came out as the LED craze was kicking off so it's not bad at all, just some slight red low-key accents around certain things and a lit-up logo so it's actually kinda nice (imho).
 
I used a lighted keyboard at work a couple times when working on screens and I needed to control what colors I was seeing on the screen. I watch movies on computer and keyboards that you can illuminate the keys on you can see to hit pause on to pause a movie when your phone rings or you want to grab another soda from the fridge. Then again I play with dim lighting in the room to see the widest range of colors on the screen. ninety percent of the time it is like watching blown off colors because most stuff is targeted at the least amount of rods and cones in a person's eye that exceeds the baseline color blind test. Some games don't even exceed that by using palets that all have different hsv numbers for each tone or tint they use. So I look around me in a room I see color I look at the screen it is like looking at a greyscale image, and I am running 10 bit color on a 14 bit look up table. Pretty sure have of that is from watching for the idel animation of hand moving out from behind a corner in first person shooters. The person playing the character thinks they are behind the corner and the idle animation would play and you snipe them. 100 hertz analog meant that at 60 frames per second that that idle aninamation playing the smallest they could recover was the idle animation was 1/60th but it someone else was running 100 hertz they saw that 1/60th over more frames... so player one sees a hand break the cover at 100fps that player two sees the idle animation start at 60 fps so that person playing at 100 saw it for two frames per second that the person playing at sixty frames per second did and since it was analog the frames blend to curve not one and off like digital. So that hand that takes the sixty frames per second to notice and move to the side takes player two ten frames and thinks no big deal, the player seeing it at a hundred sees in esseance a bell curve of thirty to forty frames. So over time playing those games you tend to start ignoring the bright red colors in favor of noticing the subtle subduded colors then as games change to counter that or simply like bright colors your brain simply builds more rods and cones as you grow up so instead of the color of blood being a trigger every shade and hue of color is. Motion is still higher thus the rods build in number as your brain tries to comprehend what it is seeing at one hundred hertz... but when everything is millions of color bit color growing up except a few lower budget games the number of cones has to account to more stress realted things. so sorta a tangent but the illuminated keyboards really do help if you lower the rooms light and the screen brightness if you have more rods and cones.

100/6000 converted to 100ths' divide 100 by 60 or about two frames per second.
 
Same here. I actually quite liked the aesthetics of my old G500:

g500.jpg


When it came time to replace it though, I couldn't find anything I quite liked. The Steelseries Rival looked nice and subtle (you can always turn off the LED) but had some significant tracking issues for me. I eventually wound up with an evil starship in the G502 Proteus Core, and I'm not a huge fan.


I still have this generation 1 model G500 using it right now and its great. I use an MX master at work but if my G500 dies I'm not sure whats next I don't want a star ship for a mouse.

You can still find them now just have to use Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...ogitech+G500.TRS0&_nkw=Logitech+G500&_sacat=0
 
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Enough people enjoy the RGB lighting.
It's easy enough to turn it off. If you want it, then you activate it, if not, then turn it off.
However, by including it in everything, they fulfill two markets with one SKU.

Unless you're talking about Asus motherboards. In that case, you buy a Maximus or SABERTOOTH instead of a STRIX
 
Enough people enjoy the RGB lighting.
It's easy enough to turn it off. If you want it, then you activate it, if not, then turn it off.
However, by including it in everything, they fulfill two markets with one SKU.

Unless you're talking about Asus motherboards. In that case, you buy a Maximus or SABERTOOTH instead of a STRIX

True but the lighting is only half the problem.

its also the appearance and ergonomics!
 
How about y'all let people do their own thing and stop trying to make them feel bad for it?
 
How about y'all let people do their own thing and stop trying to make them feel bad for it?

I don't think anyone is shaming gamers for the LED bling. Most of us on this sites are gamers and some of us for a long time, just want more options available in the market for mature gamers!
 
I would highly recommend the Zowie EC series mice to people who preferred older mice like the MX518 and MS intellimouse that had simple, curved ergonomic designs.

I built a gaming computer for kids (well, their parents also use it) and bought a Zowie FK2. Pretty much no frills, small enough for kids, but during the time I spent getting the computer running, I came to like it.
 
How about y'all let people do their own thing and stop trying to make them feel bad for it?
I don't care what someone else wants their computer to look like.

However, other than cases it's pretty difficult to get well... "grown up" looking hardware sometimes without either paying out the ass or being extremely limited in options to have a mouse with a decent sensor in it that also doesn't have an angry looking logo, the profile of an F-117, and enough lights to setup a disco dance floor in a hamster cage. And then if you do want a case with a window so you can see your components... it looks like someone vomited legos and christmas lights into the thing unless you turn them all off(which brings up a possible cost concern, because why pay for something you don't want?), and then a bunch of modding(yes, I know this is hardocp, but hear me out) that not everyone is interested in doing(painting, replacing heatsinks, etc.) just so the thing doesn't look garish but still be buying top end components(since "go" matters more than "show" to some).
 
I don't care what someone else wants their computer to look like.

However, other than cases it's pretty difficult to get well... "grown up" looking hardware sometimes without either paying out the ass or being extremely limited in options to have a mouse with a decent sensor in it that also doesn't have an angry looking logo, the profile of an F-117, and enough lights to setup a disco dance floor in a hamster cage. And then if you do want a case with a window so you can see your components... it looks like someone vomited legos and christmas lights into the thing unless you turn them all off(which brings up a possible cost concern, because why pay for something you don't want?), and then a bunch of modding(yes, I know this is hardocp, but hear me out) that not everyone is interested in doing(painting, replacing heatsinks, etc.) just so the thing doesn't look garish but still be buying top end components(since "go" matters more than "show" to some).

"modders' will soon be people that turn those kinds of cases in to beige unlit towers.
 
"modders' will soon be people that turn those kinds of cases in to beige unlit towers.
lol, I don't think many will be going back to beige towers other than some hipsters wanting to make use of an old packard bell corner PC case they found at the local thrift store. But there's definitely a lot of reasons for something that doesn't look like the rice rocket equivalent of the PC world. Everything from not wanting the PC to be the center of attention in a room, to having a significant other who wants it to at least attempt to blend in with the decor(aka: WAF)..
 
Modern keyboards also suck balls. Even expensive mechanical keyboards. I haven't found anything that has both good build quality and good ergonomics. Which is why I'm still rocking an MS Natural Keyboard Pro from 1999 (and I have two spares in my closet). Best keyboard ever made.

MS should really go back to the design of the old pro and elite keyboards from the 90s. Maybe go with black or silver for a more modern look and use topre keyswitches (closest modern thing to the slider in dome switches in the old naturals) and a 2 port USB3 hub. They would have the perfect keyboard.

I have mine that looks like that (though much more yellow... How did you keep it so clean?!?!) as a backup, but use the Natural 4000 from MS now. It's not as good (I've wiped the WASD keys clean of any markings, and the E is wearing out now) but it has an updated look and is still the same feel. It's worth looking in to.

a461dad3-3d63-4d93-9b2a-e4f334fcedf5.jpg
 
I don't care how many lights are on it, or what color it is. It could be a pink Hello Kitty mouse with rainbow lighting forever spamming away.

If that mouse gets me a 5:1 K/D ratio in a game I am lucky to break even on, I'd get the matching keyboard.
 
I needs my controllable RGB LED's. In fact, I recently turned down a sweet deal on a 1080 because it doesn't have controllable RGB LED so I can match my system.

I really enjoy being able to color match and have always liked a lighted case to show off my wire management and clean builds.

AND

I am not 13.
 
I agree but even then, Logitech has let themselves slide that way as well. I would go out on a limb here and say the Logitech MX-518 was the most successful gaming mouse Logitech ever produced and I'd say it could be the best ever for it's time.

So how did Logitech get from this;

s-l300.jpg


To this ?

g502-proteus-core.png

I've enjoyed almost all of the major Logitech gaming mice through the years & I really don't mind the newer designs. I consider it progression of a company that really hasn't bothered me. My biggest gripe with Logitech is their slow and/or lack of driver releases.
 
I hate the excessive LED lighting in EVERYTHING PC related these past 5-10 years.... I swear I am back in the 90's at a rave.

For my last build (almost 2 years now) I did everything I could to NOT have any extra LED's, yet everything from my motherboard (MSI Gaming 7), Graphics Card (TitanX), Fans, mouse, keyboard, usb hub, etc. have led's.

I found I could disable the titan x led's through software, yet every time I upgrade the drivers the LED turn back on and I have to disable them again.
The motherboard has no options at all to disable the LED's, the fans... I had to cut off the LED's, the mouse I found I could dim the LED's but not disable, the keyboard I am fine with as it actually has a button to chance from no LED's to Full LED's (4 modes.. off/low/med/high) and can admittedly be useful while gaming at night.

SO, unless I was willing to go for cheaper/lower quality components I would have to accept the excessive LED requirements that manufactures think we want nowadays.

I just want a nice strong computer that I don't have to worry about lighting up the computer room so I can enjoy looking at the monitor instead of LED reflections/pulsing/flashing/strobing, etc..
 
lol, I don't think many will be going back to beige towers other than some hipsters wanting to make use of an old packard bell corner PC case they found at the local thrift store. But there's definitely a lot of reasons for something that doesn't look like the rice rocket equivalent of the PC world. Everything from not wanting the PC to be the center of attention in a room, to having a significant other who wants it to at least attempt to blend in with the decor(aka: WAF)..

I'd go beige anyday over "LED-horror-ligth-show"...
 
After all the belly-ache I've decided that we should all reverse and unevolve and go back to beige tower cases that weigh 30lbs with the hidden flashing inside that's as sharp as a razor.
 
Fully agree with this, years ago I was trying to buy a laptop for work and that could do gaming. Considering I do a lot of VM testing I needed a powerful machine with lots of Ram. The video card would be icing but the only types of machines that had all of this was gaming machines that looked like they were created for 12 year olds. Namely alienware stupidity. I loved the older XPS laptops that did this, but since then everyone has moved away the the only candatate for me looks like a Razerblade or something similar, but it's very hard to get your employer to purchase something like this. Why can't Dell/HP/Lenovo make something that isn't created for children? I'm a road warrior for work and sometimes I need to get my game on while in the hotel!
 
The only RGB lighting I need comes from the screen. Maybe I'm weird, but that's the way I like it.
 
I've enjoyed almost all of the major Logitech gaming mice through the years & I really don't mind the newer designs. I consider it progression of a company that really hasn't bothered me. My biggest gripe with Logitech is their slow and/or lack of driver releases.

I have a 502 Proteus and a Razer Taipan sitting in a drawer both almost un-used. Instead I use a G400S because people told me it was the closest they had found to the MX518.
Most of the gaming mice have gotten too narrow and light, for me. I think this is because they are focusing their designs on people who use a "claw grip".

Now I will admit, back in the day I used a Razer Boomslang and that was an awesome mouse. I loved it, but that was back when mice had balls. I did buy some sort of Razer Anniversary edition Boomslang that was optical and USB but it just wasn't the same thing and didn't feel right to me. Or it sure didn't feel like I remembered it, so it's in the fancy can and gathering dust like the other high end mice I have bought and don't like.

But that's me and I'm old so give an old man his quirks, they all have them :D
 
How about other stuff, like modems or routers that have leds you would put in a flashlight? I am so thankful my asus router has very dim leds and has a switch to turn them off completely. My modem, will light up the entire living room at night. I wish all consumer devices of this nature would have that option. No reason for them to be that bright, or in my case, covered with electrical tape.

Well, this stuff isn't really gaming gear and generally not designed to be in the living room. I know some cable boxes and TV's have very bright LED's, Comcast for example but it does have settings to dim/turn off.

I just find it hilarious that some people drop an extra $50 on the keyboard to upgrade from red, white, or blue lighting to the "RGB" package. I mean seriously, who even looks at their keyboard anymore?

To each their own. It's better to have these options than not, otherwise we'd all be using the old beige keyboards. Regarding the RGB, I personally enjoy my backlit keyboards especially in the evening. Sure I don't look at it but it's still nice being able to see the keys. RGB lets you change to whatever color you want and you can always turn it off. I don't think cost is a problem because keyboards last to damn long. So you get a good one and keep using it for years to come. I still use my 1st gen Logitech G15 kb and G5 mouse and never regretted spending money on them (and they were not cheap when at release).
 
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Well, this stuff isn't really gaming gear and generally not designed to be in the living room. I know some cable boxes and TV's have very bright LED's, Comcast for example but it does have settings to dim/turn off.



To each their own. It's better to have these options than not, otherwise we'd all be using the old beige keyboards. Regarding the RGB, I personally enjoy my backlit keyboards especially in the evening. Sure I don't look at it but it's still nice being able to see the keys. RGB lets you change to whatever color you want and you can always turn it off. I don't think cost is a problem because keyboards last to damn long. So you get a good one and keep using it for years to come. I still use my 1st gen Logitech G15 kb and G5 mouse and never regretted spending money on them (and they were not cheap when at release).

If you use the router for gaming then it does become gaming gear.
 
Well, this stuff isn't really gaming gear and generally not designed to be in the living room. I know some cable boxes and TV's have very bright LED's, Comcast for example but it does have settings to dim/turn off.

I see what you are saying, but since you took the stance to argue allow me to retort. There are 'gaming' routers that exist and many have aesthetic features that are in fact designed to be displayed and some with touch screen interfaces on the router case. Also since none of them specify what room they are supposed to be in, they can go anywhere.
 
If you use the router for gaming then it does become gaming gear.

What's that supposed to mean? It is a router. Since I use my FIOS router does it make it a gaming router? I only attribute items to my gaming gear which are specifically gaming oriented, perhaps a router or NIC which has lower latency or some feature which is specifically intended for gaming would be gaming gear in my book. Otherwise it's just a router.

I see what you are saying, but since you took the stance to argue allow me to retort. There are 'gaming' routers that exist and many have aesthetic features that are in fact designed to be displayed and some with touch screen interfaces on the router case. Also since none of them specify what room they are supposed to be in, they can go anywhere.

It sort of becomes gaming gear in a sense if it has gamer-centric style or features I suppose. Though who has a router in their living room, not many even have it in the office on their desk either. Some devices do have variable LED light levels, I'd think gaming ones will more likely have this feature than not. Check all the settings on yours.
 
IMHO, I don't mind the lights as long as they can be turned off and that hasn't been an issue for a long time. Regarding the design, it's a different thing. I still use my 1st gen G5 mouse and love it. Couldn't get into any other mouse for gaming. Overall my opinion is more choice is always a good thing. Don't like it, don't buy there are other options. Granted with some manufacturers all higher end boards have questionable design, it would have been nice to have something neutral. I guess it may come down to folks who just have to get one brand but overall there's plenty of choice in all tiers of gear.
 
i lost all faith in humanity when i saw they were putting rgb leds in ram
 
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That ship sailed YEARS ago. I first saw that back in the DDR2 days if not earlier.
Agreed. One reason I am installing some lighting in my early 2000s era gaming rig. All will have off switches of course.
 
i lost all faith in humanity when i saw they were putting rgb leds in ram

But it's got LEDtrolytes and they indicate plebformance. I always look inside the case to determine the performance
 
The funniest part of it to me is the fact that peeps spend so much time and money trying to cool the insides of their cases only to cram little heaters(LED's) into the same cases.
 
I love this generation of RGB, it's a very subtle rainbow effect. Very calming and nicer than looking at just black or white all day. I even got philips hue lightbulbs in my room that do the same thing. I love making my room look like something of a 90s arcade.
 
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