Neon Light Kits and Computer Interference?

LightForce3 asks: "I've noticed that neon light kits are available for installation inside PC cases. Apparently, these lights are used in conjunction with window kits to create a viewable funky-looking effect inside one's computer. However, I am worried that these neon lights could be detrimental to PC performance because of the EMI and RFI (Electro-Magnetic Interference, and Radio Frequency Interference, respectively) that devices such as these often create. In other words, you could be sticking a device inside your PC case that could interfere with all the electrical signals and devices, much as how running a blender or other appliance can interfere with radio and television reception. Is this sort of situation possible? Could those of us who use these lights be degrading the performance of our computers? Or am I completely wrong?"

Re:No stability problems

[ivan256]

I have two 10" blacklight neon's inside my case

This sounds like an incredibly bad idea to me. Do you know what light in the UV specturm does to exposed ICs? Just hope that the little stickers over the glass windows that your BIOS ROM might have actually do block all the light!

No stability problems

[ShadowDragon]

I have two 10" blacklight neon's inside my case.. one on the bottom, and one just under the stability bar, which puts it quite close to the processor.

I've ran stability tests and benchmark utilities with the lights on and off.. and there is no change either way.

They do create a little bit of heat, but it does not radiate much from the ends of the lights like an incandescant would

As for 'made for pc' I just used the ones from the local autozone (which are the same the pcmod places sell for much more) so it is my belief it doesn't create any harmful disturbance to the machine itself.

Re:No stability problems

[ShadowDragon]

Apparently so since it's been running fine for 6 months now :)

Re:Faraday Cage

[Cylix]

Yeah,
I wouldn't consider a neon light to be a great source of rf. Even more so, I believe the ones he is refering to were designed to be inside cases. (ie, run from the 12v lead). (again, the power supply would be have to be designed badly)

Producing RF doesn't necessarily mean its going to interfere with your equipment in the first place. There are many many bands... aka frequencies in the spectrum.

In any event, this is a really idiotic topic and I am of an even greater idiocracy posting. Yes, I am a moron, please moderate me up (kidding, don't waste your points )

Faraday Cage

[ThesQuid]

Well, all computer cases are spec'ed to keep any RF inside the case, so unless the power supply for the light is extremely badly designed, I can't see it really overwhelming the already noisy RF environment in the case. The window might mean more interference for things outside the box, though. Just my 2

Irony

[KingAdrock]

The irony of it all is that I have gotten the "Make your PC Sweet" neon light ad from ThinkGeek!

Re:Irony

[agentZ]

A coincidence, or just good advertising? Get /. to post an article about a product, put up a few posts about how "nah, there's no risk from these things, they're really cool," put the ad at the top of the screen, and wait for the orders to roll in. That would be worth a few bucks... (Yet another conspiracy theory?)

Go-fast goodies

[Clubber Lang]

While I'm not sure about the effect the lights would have... I do know that adding a bunch of yellow stickers is good for a 50mhz boost, and adding a Folgers coffee can or similarily sized "exhaust tip" to the rear of your computer is easily good for another 100mhz+ with the added benefit of making your computer sound real deep and manly.

Re:Faraday Cage

[SagSaw]

Well, all computer cases are spec'ed to keep any RF inside the case
I'm not sure this is the case. My understanding is that a case manufacturer is only required to ensure that the case, as sold, meets the requirements. If they sell an empty case, they do not have to meet any EMI/RFI requirements. If they sell a case with power supply, they just have to ensure that the case keeps the power supply's EMI/RFI to an acceptable level. Compare the amount of trouble computer manufacturers go to with shielding with the amount of shielding present in most (especially inexpensive) cases sold.

RF

[GruffDavies]

Yes, neon lights are a source of RF. During my PhD we had to remove all of the neon lights in our lab because the electromagnetic contamination was so bad. BUT, we were using SQuID magnetometers which are incredibly sensitive detectors.

RF is only a problem for devices which are sensitive to it (tv's, monitors and radios being three examples)

The simple answer is, if you have anything in your PC which is sensitive to RF (for example a WinTV card for watching TV) then you may experience a degraded signal. Otherwise, no. You won't, it's fine.

Re:Irony

[jimmydigital]

Actually that's called coincidence... not irony.