Corsair has just launched Corsair Gaming, a new division with a new logo that seeks to dominate the world of high-end PC peripherals. Judging from their new line-up they're well on their way- after spending the last month with them we simply can't imagine going back to anything else.
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Today we take a look at their K70 RGB keyboard, which is amazing at first sight with its anodized, brushed aluminum chassis. This is a tough-looking piece of hardware.
I currently can't see its exterior because I’m writing this review in the dark, though. Illuminated keyboards are nothing new at this point, but there’s never been one like this before. Each individual key on the K70 RGB can be programmed with a different color, one that encompasses the entire palate of 16.8 million colors. My keyboard’s letters are a different color from the numbers, which are a different color than the arrow keys, and the rest.
Most high-end keyboards offer some sort of illumination at this point but none offers this level of customization. Aspiring designers will appreciate that you can save your keyboard's color profiles and share them online, and people are already coming up with incredibly intricate layouts. What’s more- the keyboards include build-in storage that allows you to take all your settings with you, whether to a LAN party or a tournament or while taking it home from work (ahem).
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To help you out with this Corsair offers their Corsair Utility Engine (CUE), which lets you easily design your own patterns. It's as simple as clicking on a key and then clicking a color for it, although if you really get into it you can program waves and ripples that allow for all sorts of animations and designs.
Is all this lightning necessary? Of course not- but damn if it doesn’t look cool, and who doesn't love customization?
It helps that everything feels very heavy duty. The keys are all contoured and your fingers really stick to them, which can unfortunately lead to all kinds of mistakes when writing. It works fairly well for it but this isn't made for typing- it’s a gaming keyboard, after all, and for that it excels.
Like most gaming keyboards this is a mechanical keyboard, meaning that you have to love that old clacky feeling. Chances are your current keyboard is a rubber dome keyboard, since they're a helluva lot cheaper to make and ubiquitous nowadays, but for responsiveness and feel nothing beats mechanical. Try it out and you'll immediately understand.
As with all of Corsair’s keyboards this features 100% anti-ghosting with full key rollover, clunky buzzwords that simply mean that you can hit as many keys simultaneously as you want. You may not think that that’s an issue but a lot of keyboards only allow you to hit a few keys at once, which leaves you in trouble when you’re trying to do some finger gymnastics in a tense moment. It’s most typically an issue in first person shooters when, say, you’re running diagonally while jumping, shooting, and scrambling to opening a door and heal yourself.
This particular K70 model doesn’t include the extra programmable buttons of the larger (and pricier) K90, which offers an extra 18 programmable macro keys for the hardest of the hardcore. That larger keyboard is more suited for MMO or RTS gamers, while the K70 is more suited for the FPS fans.
The K70 does offer a full number pad, however, as well as full media controls that let you control your music or video easily. The volume control in particular is a real highlight, as it’s chunky and has a good grip and feel on it, allowing you to adjust your volume without even looking.
The smaller (and cheaper) K65 doesn't have the number pad or media controls, as it's more for the gamer on the go who just wants to throw it in a backpack. Otherwise all three keyboards are identical in design- it all depends on what you need for your particular gaming.
This review model features Cherry MX Red RGB key switches, which offer a soft feel with no tactile response. It takes very little force to press and works wonderfully with all of the games we tried it out with. There are also Cherry MX Blue and Brown switches available, which both offer a more tactile “bump” feel that lets you know when a key has been pressed, with Blues offering an additional click sound to make sure you really know. Your choice is all dependant on what you personally like, although Reds seem to be the most popular for gaming.
The keyboard also comes with a detachable wristpad that feels remarkably soft and rubbery and will likely always stay attached to our unit. Sadly, unlike the standard K70, this doesn't come with a key removal tool or the extra replacement keys for WASD and the numbers. There are also no USB ports on the keyboard itself, which might be a downer for some.
The only thing that may stop you? The price. These are serious keyboards for serious gamers. Here's what they'll cost you for each-
K95 RGB: $189.99 MSRP
K70 RGB: $169.99 MSRP
K65 RGB: $149.99 MSRP (available exclusively from Best Buy in the US, and other retailers worldwide)
In our opinion they’re totally worth it. This are heavy duty keyboards that will last you your entire life if you treat them well, and they easily stand out among its competitors.
An incredibly strong opening salvo from Corsair Gaming.