Performance
The biggest thing when it comes to mechanical keyboard is the switches. For some this can be confusing and somewhat complicated because there are so many choices out there. This particular keyboard features the Cherry MX Red switches. Lets break down and compare the differences of the ones out there courtesy of PC Gamer and wasd for the force curve.
“Regardless of make, the behavior of any switch can be divided into three categories:
- Linear. The keystroke is consistent and smooth.
- Tactile. A bump in the middle of travel, usually around the actuation point.
- Clicky. A bump in the middle of travel accompanied by a sharp “click” sound.
Cherry MX Red
- Behavior: Linear
- Feel: Light
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Actuation Point: 2mm
- Total Travel Distance: 4mm
- Sound Level: Quiet
- Rated Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes per key
- Force Curve: Here
Recommended for: Gamers looking for fast action with minimal resistance. There isn’t a tactile bump in the middle to overcome. But for this exact reason, the Cherry MX Red may not be ideal for typists as it lacks that tactile feedback.
Cherry MX Black
- Behavior: Linear
- Feel: Heavy
- Actuation Force: 60g
- Actuation Point: 2mm
- Total Travel Distance: 4mm
- Sound Level: Quiet
- Rated Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes per key
- Force Curve: Here
Recommended for: Fast-paced gaming with more resistance than Cherry MX Red. The linear characteristics of Cherry MX Blacks make them ideal for spamming in fast-paced titles. Since the slider is a single piece, there’s no hysteresis.
Cherry MX Blue
- Behavior: Clicky
- Feel: Heavy
- Actuation Force: 60g to get over the tactile bump
- Actuation Point: 2mm
- Total Travel Distance: 4mm
- Sound Level: Loud
- Rated Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes per key
- Force Curve: Here
Recommended for: Primarily typing. The Cherry MX Blue has a distinct “click” sound when depressed beyond the tactile point, making it the loudest switch in the Cherry MX family. The Cherry MX Blue’s separated slider construction also provides the highest tactile feedback out of all Cherry MX switches. With that said, the two-piece slider construction also introduces a very pronounced hysteresis, making rapid firing a bit more challenging than linear switches.
Cherry MX Brown
- Behavior: Tactile
- Feel: Medium
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Actuation Point: 2mm
- Total Travel Distance: 4mm
- Sound Level: Quiet
- Rated Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes per key
- Force Curve: Here
Recommended for: A good blend of typing and gaming. Cherry MX Brown is widely considered to be the best “middle-ground” switch. Its tactile bump, silent travel, and medium actuation force makes it a versatile switch. Because the tactile bump is produced by a bump in the interruption fin, the hysteresis is less pronounced than the Cherry MX Blue.
Cherry MX Speed
- Behavior: Linear
- Feel: Light
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Actuation Point: 1.2mm
- Total Travel Distance: 4mm
- Sound Level: Quiet
- Rated Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes per key
- Force Curve: Here
Recommended for: Fast-paced gaming. The Cherry MX Speed is the only switch in the Cherry MX family that isn’t categorized by the color of its stem (It’s grey, in case you were wondering). Cherry most likely produced this switch to compete against the newer switch types with a higher actuation points.”
There are a few companies out there that have developed their own brand of switches but for now we will just overload you with the Cherry MX flavors.
Software
FULLY PROGRAMMABLE WITH CUE
Intuitive and powerful CORSAIR Utility Engine (CUE) enables sophisticated macro programming and dynamic lighting effects.
CUE will also allow to:
- Enable fluid and dynamic illumination with sophisticated lighting controls with supported CORSAIR devices
- Construct actions and complex macros for any programmable button on supported CORSAIR devices to allow nearly unlimited control
- Change the icons and background to match your desktop with our new custom user interface
- Unify all of your CORSAIR gaming peripherals together in one application
Well lets take a quick look at the Conclusion and Verdict on the final page!
