The Corsair Gaming K95 RGB Platinum Mechanical Keyboard Review
by E. Fylladitakis on March 7, 2017 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Peripherals
- Corsair
- Cherry MX
- Mechanical Keyboards
- RGB
Corsair is one of the first and largest players in the mechanical keyboards market. Their exclusive deals with Cherry, the most reputable manufacturer of mechanical key switches, allowed Corsair to slightly outpace their competition. For example, Corsair held the exclusive for Cherry MX RGB switches for a year, which made the K70 RGB one of the most popular top-tier gaming keyboards in 2015, and also held the exclusive for Cherry MX Speed switches for a year, making the K70 RGB RAPIDFIRE the only keyboard that had them installed in 2016.
One could easily notice that Corsair has been using the same two core keyboard designs, the K70 and the K95, for several years, only changing the switches and/or adding features like on-board memory and programmability. The tenkeyless K65 is also based on the same design as the K70, missing only the keypad and the audio volume wheel, and is only available via Best Buy. Corsair did release new designs, such as the plastic STRAFE in 2015, but never ceased upgrading the K70 and the K95, which still are the main focus of the company.
This year Corsair has something a little different in store for us. The name of their new keyboard is the Corsair Gaming K95 RGB Platinum, and features the Cherry MX RGB Speed mechanical switches that the K70 RGB RAPIDFIRE did. When Corsair first mentioned the name of the keyboard to us, we wrongly assumed that it would be nothing more than the classic K95 with Cherry MX RGB Speed installed. Despite the name, the K95 RGB Platinum is not sharing the same core design as the previous K95 models, but instead seeks to bridge the gap between the classic K70 and the overextended K95.
Packaging and Bundle
Corsair supplies the K95 RGB Platinum in a very sturdy brown cardboard box covered by a thin, glossy exterior packaging. The artwork is dark with yellow accents and aesthetically focused on a picture of the keyboard itself, following the same theme as the rest of Corsair’s peripherals lineup.
Alongside with the keyboard, the company supplies a couple of basic quick-start and warranty leaflets, a set of extra keycaps and a plastic keycaps puller. The extra ten keycaps are grey and have contoured, textured top surfaces that are supposed to assist tactile feedback while gaming. The first set is for FPS gamers and the second for MOBA gamers. Both sets are correspondingly contoured and textured. Two keycaps, the W and the D, exist in both sets but have different contours as a result.
The K95 RGB Platinum comes with a full size wrist rest that is unlike any other wrist rest that we have seen before. The wrist rest is a plastic frame that attaches to the keyboard, with a removable contact surface. The surface of the wrist rest is made of a thin steel sheet that is fully covered with a soft rubber-like material. Magnets inside the plastic frame allow the steel surface to be easily attached and removed in seconds.
Why Corsair made the surface removable is simple, and easy cleaning is not the primary reason. The surface of the wrist rest is two-sided, with one side being plain and very soft, while the other is textured and with good friction. This allows each user to select between grip and comfort, or switch between the two in just a couple of seconds.
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Makaveli - Saturday, March 11, 2017 - link
I chose the G810 also because I didn't like the light bleed on the corsair models.goatfajitas - Tuesday, March 7, 2017 - link
Yes, but for the price, you dont get all that light bleed with the G910.Agent Smith - Friday, March 10, 2017 - link
Forget the lighting options these boards give, I'm referring to the excessive light bleed beneath the Corsair keys, which does not exist on the Logitech versions I mention.They are excellent for key profiles and much neater, like I said.
Sparkyman215 - Tuesday, March 7, 2017 - link
I have the old model k95, brown switches. I've had it for I think three or four years, and it's a great keyboard. The switch from 18 macros to 6 is probably for the better, because I only use three macro keys regularly. As for the quality of the keycaps, they have gotten shiny over time, but if I give them a good wash with isopropyl alcohol they look almost as good as new. I think only one of my keys has a bit of the black scraped off from wear.It's a fantastic keyboard that will last a very, very long time. The metal construction is beyond par. The only problem I have with it is not the keyboard, but the software. It's awful. Often, it will not recognize my keyboard and I'll have to unplug and plug it back in to get it recognized again. And it's infuriating to use, because clicking on any of your macros will switch it over to whatever key you have selected, or unbind it if nothing is selected. There's more I'm forgetting, but the software is definitely the worst part of the keyboard.
philehidiot - Tuesday, March 7, 2017 - link
I have a Cherry Blue based keyboard and I love it.... when it works. I have the same USB issues as you but to the point where I actually have to have two keyboards plugged in as it so rarely works and I can't be arsed faffing to get it to talk. I thought at first it was a failing motherboard as other USB devices were being dodgy as well but I upgraded and the problems persisted Of course it's now not only out of warranty but also had tea dripped in it (on one of the few occasions it worked) so they'd blame that for any issues.Must say I find the Red switch to be awful and the way they've moved with the Speed one is totally the opposite to what I like, but that's just me. I learnt to type on old fashioned "clicky" keyboards.
goatfajitas - Tuesday, March 7, 2017 - link
It is a good KB, but hte light bleed is excessive for its price range. Take a look.G910: https://bryanedge.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/orio...
K95: http://lghttp.52430.nexcesscdn.net/802D685/wootwar...
Manch - Wednesday, March 8, 2017 - link
Sometimes I feel like you're beatin' a dead horseAn I don't know why you'd wont just turn it down
You'd like to think that the G910's worth a tad more
It may sound funny but you'd think by now
I'd be lighted
I guess some things never change
Never change
I ain't quite what you'd call an old soul
Still wet behind the ears
I been around this post a couple o' times
But now the dust is startin' to clear....
goatfajitas - Wednesday, March 8, 2017 - link
Took me a minute to catch on :PManch - Wednesday, March 8, 2017 - link
LOL, Im in class for Vrealize. Bored.....Agent Smith - Friday, March 10, 2017 - link
Yup, the G910 gives a much sharper looking key ID than all that light bleed Corsair and other makers offer.I own the K95 and my brother has the G910 and I much prefer Logitech's and its software too!!