Skip to main content

Colorize your next PC build with NZXT's HUE+ LED lighting

NZXT HUE+
In the world of PC gaming battlestations, it’s go big or go home, and one of the ways that system builders go big is by lighting up their gaming computers like Christmas trees — but this takes work. Case and cooling manufacturer NZXT is ready for an all-in-one solution to the problem of bland lighting with the HUE+, an LED management and enhancement system that actually adds a good deal of functionality to tired, old systems.

In the past, that meant wiring up LED bands to the motherboard and soldering connections, and the result of all of that work would be a single band of blue lights behind the windows. The HUE+ instead uses two LED strip connections with support for up to eight strips total. It mounts easily into a 2.5-inch drive slot, and connects via internal USB.

The lighting is managed through NZXT’s CAM software suite, a comprehensive application that will help keep everything in order. It boasts a wide array of customizable effects too, and that doesn’t just mean a color-changing wave and a blinking pattern.

The HUE+ can be configured to reflect any of a number of diagnostic details and runtime info from your system, and will express those details in the LED colors and patterns. No more using GPU-Z to tell if your graphics card is overheating — your system will just turn red and yellow like a fire to let you know to tone down the settings or take a break. It can even listen to the system audio output and match its pulses and rhythms.

The HUE+ includes four LED strips that are attachable magnetically or with included 3M tape strips. At just $59.99 for the whole setup, it’s cheaper than a lot of aesthetics-enhancing peripherals on the market, and the fact that it’s easy to connect and control is a plus.

Editors' Recommendations

Brad Bourque
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad Bourque is a native Portlander, devout nerd, and craft beer enthusiast. He studied creative writing at Willamette…
What to do if your Intel CPU keeps crashing
Pins on Core i9-12900K.

Despite being among the best processors you can buy, some high-end Intel CPUs have faced a wave of instability over the past few months. Intel is investigating the problem, but the company and its motherboard partners have already worked toward some temporary fixes to improve stability on high-end Intel CPUs -- even if it comes at a performance cost.

Before getting into the fixes, keep in mind that they are temporary. Intel will release a statement on the instability soon, likely with more direct guidance on what affected users should do. In addition, the scope of the problem isn't clear -- if you're not experiencing issues, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Who's affected

Read more
HP Envy deals: HP’s most popular laptop starts at $630
An HP Envy 17-inch laptop sits on an office desk.

HP is one of the best laptop brands in the laptop space, with a huge selection of laptops to pick from, including some of the best laptops on the market. More specifically, though, the HP lineup is probably at the top when it comes to versatile and relatively well-valued laptops. While there are quite a few variations and configurations of the HP Envy, we've gone ahead and put together the ones that we think will give you the most bang for your buck. That said, if you haven't found something you're specifically looking for, be sure to check out some of these other great laptop deals as well.
HP Envy x360 2-in-1 laptop 15Z-FH000 — $650, was $900

The HP Envy x360 convertible laptop is a great option for just about anyone, particularly anyone who enjoys the touchscreen functionality of a tablet. It’s well designed and super slim, making it a truly go-anywhere device. Despite its portability, it still has an immersive 15.6-inch touchscreen that’s great for creators, note-takers, and binge watchers. Top notch build quality and durability, fast charging technology, a fingerprint reader, and great battery life round out the top features of the HP Envy x360 convertible touchscreen laptop. It competes well with the best 2-in-1 laptops. Its versatility and all-around capability make it a worthy companion on any desk, and on any lap.

Read more
I use these simple printer tips to save money on ink and toner
Printing is fast and economical with the HP Smart Tank 7602.

The cost of a printer can range from under $100 for some good, low-cost inkjet printers to several hundred for the best color laser printers. However, the price you pay upfront doesn’t include paper, and the included ink and toner only lasts so long.

A bargain printer can end up costing you more overall if the cartridges are small and replacements are expensive. Follow these tips to minimize ink, toner, and paper waste, reducing the ongoing expense of using your printer in the long run.
Print in monochrome
Adobe Acrobat's print settings includes a grayscale option. Digital Trends

Read more