How to securely connect an ARGB cable?

AusWolf · Nov 30, 2021

The title says it all.

If you've dealt with ARGB connectors, you know what I mean. Basically, it's such a bad construction that just looking at the thing disconnects your cable from the motherboard. Whoever invented this in the age of SATA clips, secure fan headers, reinforced PCI-e slots, etc. deserves a slap in the face. :slap:

What solutions do you guys use to keep your cable(s) connected? I know, duct tape exists, but I'm thinking of something a little less ghetto. :ohwell:

cvaldes · Dec 3, 2021

I give up. Electrical tape? That's slightly less ghetto than duct tape.

But I don't. I just avoid touching the damned cable if it's working fine.

newtekie1 · Dec 3, 2021

You could just put a little dab of hot glue on it to hold it, and then use Isopropyl Alcohol to take the hot glue off if you ever need to remove the cable. But then I've never had a problem with the cable coming off.

Toothless · Dec 3, 2021

Sounds like a personal issue tbh. Can't say I've ever seen an issue where a cable is loose.

Caring1 · Dec 3, 2021

Cooler Master RGB cables were awful for just disconnecting by themselves, the thin wire pins were a loose fit in their receptacles and needed tape to keep the two joined.
I had two different sets and both were the same.

AusWolf · Dec 3, 2021

Toothless said:
Sounds like a personal issue tbh. Can't say I've ever seen an issue where a cable is loose.

It's OK as long as I don't touch the computer. I'd just prefer it to be a little more secure even if I do.

The cable is literally hanging down from the motherboard pins, as there is nothing mechanical to hold it in place.

newtekie1 said:
You could just put a little dab of hot glue on it to hold it, and then use Isopropyl Alcohol to take the hot glue off if you ever need to remove the cable. But then I've never had a problem with the cable coming off.

Does hot glue come off with isopropyl alcohol? I didn't know.

newtekie1 · Dec 3, 2021

AusWolf said:
Does hot glue come off with isopropyl alcohol? I didn't know.

Yep, the isopropyl alcohol dissolves the glue. It doesn't dissolve the whole glob of glue, just enough to get the glob to come off easily and leave no residue.

Tigger · Dec 3, 2021

The connection on my new EK block is really snug. Don't think that will jump off

skizzo · Dec 3, 2021

Toothless said:
Sounds like a personal issue tbh. Can't say I've ever seen an issue where a cable is loose.

they are not alone with this complaint

AusWolf said:
The title says it all.

If you've dealt with ARGB connectors, you know what I mean. Basically, it's such a bad construction that just looking at the thing disconnects your cable from the motherboard. Whoever invented this in the age of SATA clips, secure fan headers, reinforced PCI-e slots, etc. deserves a slap in the face.

What solutions do you guys use to keep your cable(s) connected? I know, duct tape exists, but I'm thinking of something a little less ghetto.

just do something easy, even if it is "ghetto" or "janky" or whatever. as long as stays snug.

I had one of these cables at the bottom of my motherboard and it just does not keep a snug fit. and neither did the one at the top, but that one is easily reachable so not really a problem if you need to adjust it if it comes undone. on the bottom one I tried a few different cables, not just different ones from the same packs, but different packs/manufacturers too. so could be the male part of the plug, ie the motherboard header. but this an especially painful experience with it being down at bottom rear corner (rear as in rear of case like where the IO is) and I have my GPU in a vertical mount and hard line tubes so it is literally unreachable by hand. I somehow just barely poked that cable when the case was open from the main access in the back and therefore made it disconnect just enough to not work. then as I fiddled more I couldn't slide it back on and it fell off completely. I tried using a long tool to push it back in and that is why it was awkward, it's such a tight space. So a 5 second mistake turns into a hour long process of draining a loop and removing a GPU just to plug in an ARGB cable. What I did was routed the cable as such so it was actually putting force on the cable into the header. Imagine it does a 180* turn as it goes into the header and cable is tied down to hold it there. as long as I don't mess with that cable again it shouldn't come undone

sneekypeet · Dec 3, 2021

To the motherboard header or to connect lights after that fact?

Hot glue would be the easiest fix for the motherboard, but if it's latter down the line, you can use zip ties to keep connections together as the plastic bits have "shoulders" next to the wires to allow it to hold.

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How to securely connect an ARGB cable?

AusWolf

cvaldes

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

Toothless

Tech, Games, and TPU!

Caring1

AusWolf

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

Tigger

I'm the only one

skizzo

sneekypeet

Retired Super Moderator

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