The NZXT Hue+ is an advanced LED controller for those who want to trick out their PC's lighting. The system is simple to install and manage, and NZXT has done its best to make this totally optional add-on into a must-have for PC enthusiasts. At $80, the Hue+ costs as much as some computer cases, but those looking to customize their computer's look should look no further.
The exterior of the Hue+, with its angular plastic shroud, makes it a nice addition to your case. The previous Hue featured large buttons and sat in an external bay, but the Hue+ is meant to be slotted in to a 2.5-inch slot inside your case. The glossy top of the Hue+ easily picks up fingerprints, so you'll want to wipe it clean after installing for maximum aesthetics. There is a small white LED on the top, only visible in certain orientations, that provides a visual indicator that the device is receiving power. Otherwise, the Hue+ is an unobtrusive addition to your system.
Because of its angular top, the Hue+ can only be installed using the four mounting screws found on the bottom. Although it's the same length and width as a 2.5-inch SSD, be aware that the Hue+ doesn't have the side-mounting screws of many small drives. It's also much taller than a 2.5-inch SSD, which could be an issue for some cases that hide those mounts behind the motherboard tray. NZXT likes to make its products work together, and the Hue+ fits perfectly above the power supply shroud of our S340 case. And because of its small size, you should be able to find a way to fit the Hue+ into just about any system.
The Hue+ has a DC 5V power connector, a micro-USB slot, and two ports for connecting LEDs. It comes with four 30cm 10-LED strips, as well as the necessary tie-offs and cables for connecting it to power and your motherboard's USB. The LED strips terminate in a four-pin male connector on one end and a four-pin female connector on the other, and they include four magnets and an optional adhesive strip for mounting. The pins make a strong connection but can be bent and broken if you're not careful.
One thing to keep in mind with the Hue+ is the added cable management, with the LED strips, power, and USB cables all adding to the nest of wire inside your case. If you're considering an LED controller, you probably have your cables under control, but it's definitely something to consider beforehand when it comes to LED placement and routing. NZXT has done a good job with making the included cables in the box long enough to give you flexibility in layout but short enough not to add to much extra work when integrating them into a system. Unfortunately the included extension cables aren't magnetic, which would help with keeping things clean.
While the hardware works well, it's the software that can make or break the Hue+. Thankfully, NZXT hasn't skimped on that end. You control the Hue+ through NZXT's CAM software, which also gives you real-time information on your CPU and GPU and can control other attached devices such as our Kraken X61. CAM currently gives you two channels to control the LEDs, and give you a visual representation of what you've selected. You can control colours and patterns with the included presets, but the customizable colour box is actually not that accurate when it comes to setting your own variables. It's better to use the palette stripe on the right, as seen in the video above.
Check the video review for a breakdown of the different colour patterns, such as marquee, breathing, and a cool fade effect. CAM also lets you select smart responses for the LED, meaning special colour changes based on CPU or GPU temperatures or frames per second. You can even set it up as a visualizer for an audio file if you so choose.
The NZXT Hue+ is a fantastic way to add an awesome light show to the interior of your PC. Sure, it's entirely optional, but NZXT has made adding a custom lighting setup easy and straightforward for those who want to take the plunge. With an array of preset configurations and customizable options, the Hue+ is a niche product that will satisfy anyone looking to take full advantage of their case window.
The exterior of the Hue+, with its angular plastic shroud, makes it a nice addition to your case. The previous Hue featured large buttons and sat in an external bay, but the Hue+ is meant to be slotted in to a 2.5-inch slot inside your case. The glossy top of the Hue+ easily picks up fingerprints, so you'll want to wipe it clean after installing for maximum aesthetics. There is a small white LED on the top, only visible in certain orientations, that provides a visual indicator that the device is receiving power. Otherwise, the Hue+ is an unobtrusive addition to your system.
Because of its angular top, the Hue+ can only be installed using the four mounting screws found on the bottom. Although it's the same length and width as a 2.5-inch SSD, be aware that the Hue+ doesn't have the side-mounting screws of many small drives. It's also much taller than a 2.5-inch SSD, which could be an issue for some cases that hide those mounts behind the motherboard tray. NZXT likes to make its products work together, and the Hue+ fits perfectly above the power supply shroud of our S340 case. And because of its small size, you should be able to find a way to fit the Hue+ into just about any system.
The Hue+ has a DC 5V power connector, a micro-USB slot, and two ports for connecting LEDs. It comes with four 30cm 10-LED strips, as well as the necessary tie-offs and cables for connecting it to power and your motherboard's USB. The LED strips terminate in a four-pin male connector on one end and a four-pin female connector on the other, and they include four magnets and an optional adhesive strip for mounting. The pins make a strong connection but can be bent and broken if you're not careful.
One thing to keep in mind with the Hue+ is the added cable management, with the LED strips, power, and USB cables all adding to the nest of wire inside your case. If you're considering an LED controller, you probably have your cables under control, but it's definitely something to consider beforehand when it comes to LED placement and routing. NZXT has done a good job with making the included cables in the box long enough to give you flexibility in layout but short enough not to add to much extra work when integrating them into a system. Unfortunately the included extension cables aren't magnetic, which would help with keeping things clean.
While the hardware works well, it's the software that can make or break the Hue+. Thankfully, NZXT hasn't skimped on that end. You control the Hue+ through NZXT's CAM software, which also gives you real-time information on your CPU and GPU and can control other attached devices such as our Kraken X61. CAM currently gives you two channels to control the LEDs, and give you a visual representation of what you've selected. You can control colours and patterns with the included presets, but the customizable colour box is actually not that accurate when it comes to setting your own variables. It's better to use the palette stripe on the right, as seen in the video above.
Check the video review for a breakdown of the different colour patterns, such as marquee, breathing, and a cool fade effect. CAM also lets you select smart responses for the LED, meaning special colour changes based on CPU or GPU temperatures or frames per second. You can even set it up as a visualizer for an audio file if you so choose.
The NZXT Hue+ is a fantastic way to add an awesome light show to the interior of your PC. Sure, it's entirely optional, but NZXT has made adding a custom lighting setup easy and straightforward for those who want to take the plunge. With an array of preset configurations and customizable options, the Hue+ is a niche product that will satisfy anyone looking to take full advantage of their case window.
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