The full-size, wired Corsair K70 RGB PRO keyboard is made for gaming. It’s part of Corsair’s K70 line, and it’s different from other models in a few ways. With the iCUE companion software, you can set the polling rate to no more than 8000Hz. This feature lowers the latency of the keyboard, but it only works on high-end systems and has a small effect, so you might not notice it. It has doubleshot PBT keycaps, so even if you play a lot, the legends won’t wear off. It also has a “Tournament Switch” on the top. This switch turns off macros and sets the RGB backlighting to a single, static color, so there are no distractions while gaming. The Cherry MX Red linear switches on the unit we tested make typing quick and easy, but they don’t give you any tactile feedback. But you can buy this keyboard with different kinds of Cherry MX switches to get the feel you want. It’s too bad that it doesn’t have the USB-passthrough feature that some other K70 models have.
1. DESIGN
The full-sized Corsair K70 RGB PRO keyboard takes up a lot of space. If you need more room, you can take off the wrist rest. Check out the Corsair K70 PRO MINI WIRELESS if you want a smaller version that takes up much less space on a desk.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is very well put together. The chassis is made of hard plastic, and the top plate is made of brushed aluminum. This means that the board doesn’t bend and feels very solid. The doubleshot PBT keycaps have a slight texture that feels nice to the touch. They are a big improvement over the ABS keycaps that were used in earlier versions of this keyboard. Under the board, there are four big rubber feet that do a good job of holding it in place. Also, the incline feet open to the side, so if you move the board, you won’t accidentally push them in. It also comes with a soft wrist rest that can be attached with magnets to give you more support. The keys have a bit of wiggle to them, which is too bad, but it doesn’t get in the way too much.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is comfortable and easy to use. It has two angles, and it comes with a wrist rest that you can attach with magnets to make it easier on your wrists to bend up.
The keys on the Corsair K70 RGB PRO are each lit up by their own backlight. You can use the iCUE software to change the RGB backlighting, or you can use the hotkeys in the user manual to change it right on the board.
The USB-A to USB-C cable on the Corsair K70 RGB PRO can be taken off. Some older versions of the Corsair K70 have a USB passthrough, but not the Corsair K70 RGB PRO. Because of this, the cable on the Corsair K70 RGB PRO is much thinner than the cables on those models. It still has kinks from being packaged, which is a shame.
There are a lot of extra features on the Corsair K70 RGB PRO. All of its keys can be programmed to do macros. You can do this on the board itself by following the instructions in the user manual or with the help of the iCUE companion software. On the right side of the board, above the number pad, there are media keys and a volume wheel that can also be programmed. There is a Windows Lock button that keeps you from accidentally minimizing your game. There is also a profile switching button that lets you switch between your saved profiles in the onboard memory. This keyboard also has full N-key rollover and full anti-ghosting, which means that all of the keys you press are registered. You can also set your polling rate to a maximum of 8000Hz and save up to 20 layers of RGB lighting, which is pretty cool. Also, like the Corsair K70 RGB TKL and Corsair K70 RGB MK.2, this keyboard has a Tournament Switch next to the cable port. This switch turns off macros and sets the RGB backlighting to a single color so that you can play competitively without being distracted.
2. TYPING EXPERIENCE
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a great keyboard for typing. The keycaps are made of PBT and have a nice texture. Also, finger oils don’t tend to make them slippery over time. The keys are spaced out well and have a standard layout, so you don’t have to get used to a new size or layout. With the Cherry MX Red switches, typing feels light and quick. However, if you’re not used to linear switches, you may make more mistakes because there’s no feedback to let you know when a key has been pressed. You can also get this keyboard with Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Speed, or Silent switches if you prefer a different style. Also, the incline settings and wrist rest give you extra support, so you won’t get tired even if you play for a long time. All of the keys wobble a little, which is a shame, but it doesn’t get in the way when you’re using them.
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO has a latency that is very low. The maximum polling rate of 8000Hz was used to get these results, which gives the best latency if your computer can handle it. But lowering the polling rate probably won’t have a big effect on the latency, so it will still be very low and good for fast-paced games.
3. SOFTWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEM
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO can be changed with iCUE software. The software is easy to use, and it comes with tutorials to show you how. You can set up macros, change the RGB lighting, and save setting profiles in the board’s onboard memory. The polling rate can be changed up to 8000Hz. But if you don’t want to use the software, you can program macros and lighting effects directly on the board, as explained in the user guide.
All View
The Corsair K70 RGB PRO is a mechanical, wired, gaming keyboard. It’s part of Corsair’s K70 series, but it’s different from the other keyboards in this series in a few important ways. It has PBT keycaps instead of ABS ones, and unlike some older versions of the K70, it doesn’t come with extra keycaps because the legends won’t wear off. It’s important to note that it’s the first keyboard in this line to have a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. It has the same or better latency than previous versions, and it works well for competitive gaming.
