Question Help me understand what all those gaming keyboard specs mean..

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Math Geek

Math Geek

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Oct 15, 2014
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i think it is about time i buy my first big boy "gaming" keyboard. but as i look i see a large variety of specs and terms that go with them. i've researched the types of keys. such as mechanical vs membrane and the basics of the types of switches. seems i see cherry mx _____ a lot but not sure what they all mean. i get the whole clicky vs not clicky and i'm somewhere in the middle. i like the small click but hate the obnoxious mega click style.

i know i won't spend $100 or more on one so just grabbing the top rated and most expensive model is not for me. but i'd still like the basic features. don't really need rgb or macros but if they are there, i'm sure i would tinker some.

would some folks be so kind as to give the "gaming keyboards for dummies" rundown for an old dude looking to buy one? :)

i'd much appreciate a basic understanding of what i am looking at with all the specs.
 
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Keyboards are very subjective.

My suggestion is to go "hands on" with as many keyboards (gaming or otherwise) as possible.

You have already discoverd the "clickiness" factor. :)

Find a keyboard that is comfortable to use, not too tough on arthritic fingers (if that is an issue).

Good that RGB etc. is not a requirement. Lit keys can be nice for those who do not touch type or, as I do, tend to drift off keys as I tire and/ or my fingers stiffen up. Then I (also old dude) need to look....

Any preference for wired or wireless?

For gaming you probably want or need programable keys. What games do you play?

Do you need to configure keys for those games?

Just my thoughts on the matter.
 
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i'd like wireless but not a deal breaker. it's nice to easily move the keyboard in front of the tv the pc is also hooked up to. :)

don't really play any games that need key bindings. i'd likely use any macros for other non gaming things. like opening a handful of programs at once i use for editing and so on.

i think best buy still has a bunch of hands on things i can look at. i am obviously confused with all the cherry blue/black/red/brown/white....... no idea what i'll like there. but i see other stuff i am not sure about. saw something about ghosting and rollover.

i just am tired of the cheap $15 things i have always used and their quirks. they never really work well enough and i'm ready for something a bit better.

finally went with a gaming mouse last year and i hope the difference in keyboard will be just as dramatic. i'll never go back to a cheap ghetto mouse again. lol
 
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Math Geek said:
i'd like wireless but not a deal breaker. it's nice to easily move the keyboard in front of the tv the pc is also hooked up to. :)

don't really play any games that need key bindings. i'd likely use any macros for other non gaming things. like opening a handful of programs at once i use for editing and so on.

i think best buy still has a bunch of hands on things i can look at. i am obviously confused with all the cherry blue/black/red/brown/white....... no idea what i'll like there. but i see other stuff i am not sure about. saw something about ghosting and rollover.

i just am tired of the cheap $15 things i have always used and their quirks. they never really work well enough and i'm ready for something a bit better.

finally went with a gaming mouse last year and i hope the difference in keyboard will be just as dramatic. i'll never go back to a cheap ghetto mouse again. lol
Click to expand...
Get a wireless Logitech keyboard with built in touchpad. For when using the TV. Both keyboards may be connected simultaneously. Just a cheap one. I’ve done this for years now. Its great to have one you may use from a couch or bed.

There’s guides on key switches. I’d say the safest option is the CherryMX Blue. As it’s good enough for the majority of typists. Regular key resistance, nice and clacky, https://switchandclick.com/cherry-mx-guide/

Once you use that for a while. You have an idea of what the middle ground is. Then think about what you like or don’t like or if it is even worth it to you. Before going to more expensive brands or even custom keyboards.

Personally, my main keyboard is an Apple Extended Keyboard II with an ADB to USB adapter (USB Wombat). It’s a very old Keyboard. However, it is exceptional for typing.
 
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that's a nice link for cherrymx varieties. thanks for that. without touching one the brown or red sounds ideal for what i think is my typing style. the keyboard i have now takes a lot of force and i often mistype due to not hitting it hard enough. so a lighter switch seems ideal. just need to find one of each i can touch and compare with.

looking at some options it looks like red is the most popular and offers the most options.

some great info. keep it coming :)
 
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Math Geek said:
that's a nice link for cherrymx varieties. thanks for that. without touching one the brown or red sounds ideal for what i think is my typing style. the keyboard i have now takes a lot of force and i often mistype due to not hitting it hard enough. so a lighter switch seems ideal. just need to find one of each i can touch and compare with.

looking at some options it looks like red is the most popular and offers the most options.

some great info. keep it coming :)
Click to expand...
If you have a Microcenter nearby. They have a lot of models mounted for you to try.
 
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Math Geek said:
i know i won't spend $100 or more on one so just grabbing the top rated and most expensive model is not for me. but i'd still like the basic features. don't really need rgb or macros but if they are there, i'm sure i would tinker some.
Click to expand...

I use this... Razer Ornata V3 $69

I also use this... Razer Basilisk V3 $55

They both are on top of this.. Razer Goliathus Chroma XL $99

First off... let me say that I'm 48 years old and could care less about RGB. I don't like to Skittleize my machine... but what I do care about is comfortable typing... took it in high school and still type an accurate 100+ wpm. For whatever reason I've found the mechanical keyboards to be the easiest to type on without making a bunch of key related errors. Maybe it's the click?

I like the Razer ecosystem which is why I added the mouse... and I needed a desktop pad so I added that for the aesthetics.

uNX9Vz4.jpg


I keep it simple... black with white light. The keyboard, mouse and pad all go well together.

In short... it's a very good keyboard without breaking the bank... and you can even change the colors. A lot of games do it automatically too... it's pretty cool. Whenever I play Diablo 4 it all turns red.
 
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there are some really good ideas/options offered. i'm doing my homework with each of these to see how it looks.

i have a razer basilisk hyperspeed x (i think its called) wireless mouse already. so another razor product keeps it in the family. not locked into that at all, but it is at the bottom of the list :)

i'm loving all the info and ideas. keep em coming. and i am 49 years old myself so i fully understand the lack of need for rgb.

many thanks :hot:
 
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TravisPNW said:
I use this... Razer Ornata V3 $69
Click to expand...

i've seen a number of these "hybrid" mecha-membrane keyboards. not see one i could touch though. how does it compare to a full mechanical switch? this is about my last thing to investigate. i think i got a pretty good idea what i am looking for now but wonder if this might be a good middle ground to save some cash. i've seen these a lot cheaper than full on mechanical keyboards :)

i def like the brown switches but i could deal with red if i have to. they feel almost the same to me with brown having that little bit of a bump when fully pressed that red does not. i could live with either really. the rest seems like just price to me at this point. rgb, macros, media buttons and so on are just icing on the cake depending on how much the icing costs.
 
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Math Geek said:
i've seen a number of these "hybrid" mecha-membrane keyboards. not see one i could touch though. how does it compare to a full mechanical switch? this is about my last thing to investigate. i think i got a pretty good idea what i am looking for now but wonder if this might be a good middle ground to save some cash. i've seen these a lot cheaper than full on mechanical keyboards :)
Click to expand...

My previous keyboard was also a Razer... mechanical.

This one I actually like better... typing on it is still very good... I still get the clickity click as I type... I really don't have anything bad to say about it.

If you want to see typing in action I can shoot a quick GoPro video when I get home later... lemme know.
 
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I think small factors matter as much. For instance, I've been using a Logitech G213 membrane keyboard for a couple of years. I'm quite satisfied with it but one thing I don't like is the gap that exists between the Caps Lock key and the the letter "A" key. So, maybe even small things should be taken into account.

By the way, I'm going to buy the keyboard I mentioned earlier on this weekend. :) I can't even imagine using a keyboard without a proper wrist rest.
 
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that one looks nice but i'm not ready for a $200 keyboard.

i was looking about and ran across this keyboard


i can find reviews for it, but they are like 6 years old or more. at the time it was apparently $200 and the reviews gave it a thumbs up even though it is lacking all the pretty rgb and such. i don't need it anyway. a couple media keys would be nice but i'll get over it for now as i'm not used to having them anyway with my cheap logitech i am using now.

at $19 i'm going to give it a try. if nothing else it will let me better understand what a mechanical kb feels like and if the brown switches are the right ones for me. in the future if i feel the need i can go nuts and get a much better board with al the bells and whistles.

edit: was looking into the company selling it and it's only $13 on their site

outdoorpowerdirect.com

Garrity TBS-4820-01 IMPACT 700 GAMING KEYBOARD

From laser-engraved, back-lit Cherry Brown keys to steel-reinforce construction, the Turtle Beach IMPACT 700 gaming keyboard is designed to deliver precision control, durable quality and a stylish look to competitive gamers. Using a full-sized steel-reinforced chassis and gunmetal keycap plate...
outdoorpowerdirect.com outdoorpowerdirect.com

very odd though considering what they sell. oil/fuel stuff, engines, lawnmowers and the like. wonder why they got this keyboard to sell?? i see them listing it on ebay and amazon and a couple other places. hhhhmmmmm...
 
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hotaru.hino said:
There's plenty of mechanical keyboards that aren't gamer focused if all you want is to go mechanical.

For instance you could look at what Keychron has to offer.
Click to expand...

some interesting options here. i'm looking them over :)

i ordered that old turtle beach keyboard for a shipped price of $11.63 lol i figure that's a pretty good price for the moment. they gave me 15% off extra for some reason. couldn't pass it up. even if it don't work out, $11 is an easy price to pay.

i'm still looking for a more permanent option and looking through all the great links and ideas offered. i'll keep watching the sales coming up and maybe something awesome will come up on a great sale price. who knows what's coming up with the prime day and other sales.

thanks for all the info and help.
 
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so i got the Impact 700 in the mail 2 days ago and so far i've had no reason to type anything to try it out. lol

it weighs a ton and the cord is crazy fat. i did not realize there would be 2 usb, mic and speaker cables all to be plugged in. that caught me off guard. from a wireless keyboard to this massive cable is a big jump for my eyes. seeing it there makes me want a wireless one again.

but the little bit of time i have spent with the new KB has been nice. i like the feel of the keys but would like it a bit quieter. the brown switches are def quieter than the blue ones i tried out in stores, but perhaps in the future i can go with some silent switches :)
 
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a little more time with the keyboard and i have found that the keys are really sensitive. it is real easy to nick the key beside the one i am aiming for and then both register a press. i make way more errors now that i have ever before, but slowly i am learning to keep my fingers more straight up and down as i type to prevent hitting any extra keys. :)

i'm thinking i might need a key that is harder to press so my sloppy finger work can be ignored a bit more. lol

overall i like it and think i can now make a better decision as to what i might truly need in a future upgrade. for now, this one will do but by black friday time frame i'll likely look deeper into a more permanent and better option for me. so quieter and harder to press is on the table it seems. i'll have to look into what that means for the switch type to get. i've seen silent switches so i know that part, just need to see what label is used for a stranger key press.

again thanks for all the ideas and explanations, think i finally have a decent handle on the mechanical keyboard world.
 
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