Gauging from the reviews on newegg and amazon, the XT is way more popular than QFR in the gaming community, I'm guessing that's because of the back lighting.
Maybe CM reps can comment if that's true and how much (in terms of percentage, not numbers if it's confidential) XT outsell QFR. When the new QFR with back lighting coming out soon, maybe that'll change.
However, in this community most of the enthusiasts weight comfort of typing and aesthetics more than utility in gaming.
If you don't plan to mod, XT will be fine as is but finding a set of keycaps to fit the XT will be a challenge.
Also, just take advice on key switches as they are, i.e. advice.
Unless you have tried it on your own, you'll never know if you like red, brown, black, blue or topre.
Switch tester can give you an idea
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/mechanical-key-switch-demo-board/but it still cannot replace typing on a real keyboard.
Just go to the store again and try out the rest of the switches (red, black, brown, blue)
Unfortunately, you can't find topre or clear, green in most of the BM stores.
But the common four mx switches will be a great start.
And you can't go wrong with QFR as your first mech
