Mech keyboard advice for gaming.

[lunatics]

Hey guys, I am looking for some advice on a mechanical keyboard for gaming. I apologize beforehand because you guys probably get a lot of these posts and I don't want to waste your time.

The main games I play are SC2 and Counter Strike and some other random ones here and there. From what I have read and looked up online, I think I want to try and get red or brown switches, preferably red and preferably a keyboard with a backlight and usb port/s on it. So far what I have come up with is a Cooler Master Storm Trigger with red switches.

I wanted to ask your guys opinions on this if you guys have ever used it, or if you have any other recommendations on a different one to look into.

[jabar]

The best way to get a feel for what you want (or don't want) is to drive to your nearest computer components store (Fry's, Micro Center, etc) and give a feel to the various mechanical keyboards available. Most likely you'll get to play with a Razer Black Widow which is a MX Blue (light clicky) board and some other MX Black (medium stiff linear) boards. At that point you can either eliminate both or have a better idea of where you want to go.

MX Reds have a very light activation which could make typing difficult if you're heavy-handed. MX Blues are noisy but light. MX Blacks can be too stiff to keep keys held down. MX Browns feel muddy to some.

Ultimately it's 100% personal preference.

[lunatics]

Yeah I forgot to mention that unfortunately I don't have any real computer stores near me where I can test things out, my only real options are online retailers and hoping I can make the right decision based on what I read.

I don't think I want blacks because I don't want too stiff of a key, blues are appealing to me although I don't want the loudest keyboard out there either and I know some people "don't like" them for gaming. I figured brown might be a good spot between red and blue that has the tactile feel if I want that but ease of pressing down somewhat like red. Overall I'm leaning towards reds because I'm interested in something easy to press down but I think once I spent a couple days with it I would be fine with typing, I don't feel like I'm too heavy handed.

It just really sucks being in a situation where I don't really have anywhere to test it because I understand that's the only real way to know for sure, I'm merely basing my decisions on what I think I would want and what people say. I figured this would be the best place to come to talk to people who really know what they're talking about and have the most experience with them.

[esoomenona]

It's been my personal opinion that all of the major MX switches (Brown, Blue, Red, Black [and to a slight extent, Green]) are all leagues better than rubber domes and are all reasonable to accept and get used to for use. So if you must choose one, perhaps you might take my anecdotal evidence into account in saying that you won't be bad off with whichever you decide to choose. That being said, if you want the best for you personally, you must try them all to find it...

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Opinions will vary widely about this.

Usually blue or brown switches are best for mainly typing.

Blacks or reds for gaming (due to their linear nature).

If you don't like the feel of blacks (personally I love them for gaming, but I have fairly strong fingers), then go for reds.

Worst case if you don't like reds, you can (once you have 60 posts) sell your keyboard here.  A fairly new keyboard (of a reputable brand and with minimal use) would sell for just under what it cost you, so you wouldn't lose much money but you would gain direct experience of MX red switches.

[KangarooZombies]

I personally enjoy my blue/brown keyboards for gaming, i usually play online games, resulting in a lot of typing. Cant really beat these keys for typing.

[lunatics]

I'm starting to lean towards browns knowing I can get the CM Storm Trigger with browns for sure where as reds seem a little harder to find right now and a little more expensive. Part of me thinks I would like the reds more gaming, but I also play mainly online games and do a lot of typing plus going on various forums etc. Are blues vs browns fairly close? From what places online say it seems they're pretty similar only the browns are supposed to be quieter? I know no matter which I get will be louder than a normal keyboard, it's just about finding the one I think I'd like and not getting the loudest one.

[jamdox]

I'm honestly not sure why mechanical keyboards are being marketed to gamers.  They feel nice and they're durable, but I don't see them providing the same ergonomic advantages as they do to typists.  Gamers have a handfull of keys which they mash.

I have the same reaction when folks just get reds, put o-rings on 'em, and bottom out all the time...  You're not going to increase speed or reduce fatigue or stress doing that.  That's a membrane keyboard with a liner press. 

So I'd say, and this is purely my personal opinion, you're better off not knowing about the nicer feel of mechanical keys, and just sticking to a nice anti-ghosting (6/NKRO) membrane gaming keyboard.  Comparing one to a backlit mechanical board, it'll cost 1/3 as much.  The only difference will be a little extra force needed at the top of the stroke, and a less "refined" feel, which you'll never know you're missing (and I mean that) if you don't seek it out.

Frankly, I think mechanical keyboards are just being marketed to gamers because they're inclined to throw money at their computers.  Gamers need anti-ghosting (and probably backlighting), but that's it.  I'd just get a membrane board, take the money I saved and put it to a better video card! 

[Polymer]

Typing on reds is fine.  You might be a bit surprised at first at how light they are but you'll eventually get used to them.

On the flipside, browns are fine for gaming as well...and having some tactile feedback will be familiar...it isn't a lot but it is there...

You can't really go wrong w/ either..

[file_id]

If you do mostly gaming I say go with the reds. They are nice and you can easily double tap on them. Reds give you no feedback at all and are not pleasurable at all to type on. But for FPS gaming they are nice.

[Polymer]

I'm honestly not sure why mechanical keyboards are being marketed to gamers.  They feel nice and they're durable, but I don't see them providing the same ergonomic advantages as they do to typists.  Gamers have a handfull of keys which they mash.

I have the same reaction when folks just get reds, put o-rings on 'em, and bottom out all the time...  You're not going to increase speed or reduce fatigue or stress doing that.  That's a membrane keyboard with a liner press. 

So I'd say, and this is purely my personal opinion, you're better off not knowing about the nicer feel of mechanical keys, and just sticking to a nice anti-ghosting (6/NKRO) membrane gaming keyboard.  Comparing one to a backlit mechanical board, it'll cost 1/3 as much.  The only difference will be a little extra force needed at the top of the stroke, and a less "refined" feel, which you'll never know you're missing (and I mean that) if you don't seek it out.

Frankly, I think mechanical keyboards are just being marketed to gamers because they're inclined to throw money at their computers.  Gamers need anti-ghosting (and probably backlighting), but that's it.  I'd just get a membrane board, take the money I saved and put it to a better video card! 

Because it is a more enjoyable experience..even if you're mashing, the consistency, the feel across the entire key, the reliability, the build quality, etc...Why wouldn't you want a better keyboard?  Will it make a difference in performance?  Probably not..but rubber domes will work for typing just as well...you're not going to type any better or faster...

It will also outlast your PC (likely) and you can use it over and over...

You do  have one point  though..if you don't know what you're missing, then you're probably better off..but that's how it is for a lot of things...The thing with gaming keyboards though is they're still pretty pricey...so is a bit more for a better keyboard really a stretch?  Not really...

[lunatics]

I want a mechanical keyboard for the feel of it. Just because I am a gamer doesn't mean I don't do my fair share of typing. I may not be writing books, but I spend the majority of my time on my computer, for work and my spare time so having quality peripherals is important to me. I have had a Logitech G15 for probably over 5 years at this point, that originally cost me more than most mechanical keyboards do right now. If I'm spending a chunk of money on something that I'm going to be using every day, I make sure it is worth it and will be comfortable to use and will last me.

Also, I do not mainly play FPS games. CS is the only fps I play and simply because of how long I've played it. Anything else I play now is some form of RTS, RPG, MMO or something involving a lot of keyboard use and a lot of multiple button mashing (mainly SC2 these days). That means on any normal keyboard, I have about half of my keyboard that wears away and begins to fail before the rest of it. A mechanical keyboard will last me even longer than my trusty G15 has and I will not see half of the keyboard wear away and stop working over time, the keys will continue to function as they always have. I don't think mechanical keyboards are necessarily being marketed to gamers. I am a gamer who is looking for a quality keyboard that will feel better and last me longer than normal membrane ones will.

That being said, the CM Storm Trigger seems to be the most appealing mech keyboard to me without going over board. It has multiple choices of switches, a back light but not an insanely bright over the top one, it's a full keyboard and has media keys, 2 usb ports and in addition happens to have 5 macro keys which lets me keep the functionality of my G15 while also cutting down on the unneeded size.

My mind is already made up, I can spend half or more of the price for a decent/nice "gaming"  keyboard with the features I am looking for, or I can spend a little bit more, get the same features and get a far superior quality keyboard that will last me longer and feel better to use and overall probably just be better for me in the long run, there's no reason to NOT get a mechanical keyboard as my next one. The only real problem is I have no way of testing them myself before buying them so I can only base what I think I want off of peoples opinions which are all different. After all of the reading I have done and browsing of different forums I think my best bet is to just go with brown as a hopes of in between to still have some tactile feel when typing and doing anything outside of gaming.

[jamdox]

Then I'd probably do reds with o-rings. 

[esoomenona]

I have a CM Storm Trigger with Browns. It's essentially brand new, and has one novelty backlit Escape key. I might consider selling it...

[LifeIsGooD2]

hi guys today I ordered a cherry mx red mini noppo choc mainly for gaming and starcraft 2 ... good choice ?

I really like that the f keys are so close

Will I notice a big dip in quality between it and my filco brown tenkeyless ?

[jabar]

hi guys today I ordered a cherry mx red mini noppo choc mainly for gaming and starcraft 2 ... good choice ?

I really like that the f keys are so close

Will I notice a big dip in quality between it and my filco brown tenkeyless ?

The Choc Minis have a few quirks. Its NKRO hack means no Mac compatibility and instability in some BIOSes. Some of the shortened modifiers aren't well stabilized. The odd sized spacebar means no ready replacement keycap set.

However, I still use my MX Blue Choc Mini 95% of the time.

[Leslieann]

Unless it is almost strictly for gaming, I would recommend browns, they are a really good all around compromise in my experience.

If you don't like the tactile feel, you can either sell it, or lube it with some medium weight pure silicone oil and eliminate almost all of the tactile feel (light oil can preserve what little it has).

I really don't recommend blues if you do anything more than very casual gaming, as the way they operate leaves you guessing about where the switch is in it's travel (it's not directly connected). As mentioned blacks are probably the worst for typing, but red isn't far behind. However, even those are better than rubber domes.

[linuxid10t]

Unless it is almost strictly for gaming, I would recommend browns, they are a really good all around compromise in my experience.

If you don't like the tactile feel, you can either sell it, or lube it with some medium weight pure silicone oil and eliminate almost all of the tactile feel (light oil can preserve what little it has).

I really don't recommend blues if you do anything more than very casual gaming, as the way they operate leaves you guessing about where the switch is in it's travel (it's not directly connected). As mentioned blacks are probably the worst for typing, but red isn't far behind. However, even those are better than rubber domes.

IMO MX Blacks being bad for typing has been extremely over-exaggerated.  I'm probably about 10% slower with blacks than I am with blues.  Although, I do agree browns are a good compromise.

[Mountain Man]

I recently bought a WASD keyboard with MX Browns that I've been very happy with.  I play everything from shooters to strategy games to RPGs, and the light actuation with the tactile bump is perfect for me.  It's also great for typing on.

[Vectivus]

I play SC2 on my Filco w/ MX Blacks and it's a night-and-day improvement over non-mechanical. I tried a Steeleries 6Gv2 to test Blacks and a Razer BlackWidow to test Blues (only things I could physically lay hands on locally), and I would never game on anything non-linear (so, avoid blue/brown). People say they find Blacks 'stiff', but I can't say that I notice it or find it complaint-worthy. The only thing I'm considering is going to a Cherry-profile set of keycaps.

[Mountain Man]

I'm honestly not sure why mechanical keyboards are being marketed to gamers.  They feel nice and they're durable, but I don't see them providing the same ergonomic advantages as they do to typists.  Gamers have a handfull of keys which they mash.

I suppose if you have a computer that is used exclusively for gaming and nothing else, ever, then you might have a point, but most PCs are multi-purpose devices and are not strictly gaming machines, so it's worthwhile to have a quality keyboard.  In most cases, it'll outlast the computer it's connected to.

[TotalChaos]

As mentioned blacks are probably the worst for typing, but red isn't far behind.

I respectfully disagree with this.   I love typing on Blacks and Reds.

However, even those are better than rubber domes.

Now that I agree with. 

[qmdunn]

I have a CM Storm Quickfire Pro with Brown Switches for sale if you're interested.  It's basically new, it was a Xmas gift but I bought a filco and use it instead.  I would recommend the quickfire pro or the rapid over the trigger.

[Polymer]

I have a CM Storm Quickfire Pro with Brown Switches for sale if you're interested.  It's basically new, it was a Xmas gift but I bought a filco and use it instead.  I would recommend the quickfire pro or the rapid over the trigger.

What is your basis for suggesting the pro?  It has some ergonomic issues and isn't as solid as the Trigger.  Except for price, the Pro has no advantages over the Trigger..none at all...

[dachef]

Most Koreans like Parting, MKP, Jae Dong use browns.  Browns are by far the most used switches.  Blues coming in a distant 2nd. Koreans prefer the tactile switches like blues and browns over red and black because these switches you can confirm a keystroke with it tactile actuation point.

[dachef]

hi guys today I ordered a cherry mx red mini noppo choc mainly for gaming and starcraft 2 ... good choice ?

I really like that the f keys are so close

Will I notice a big dip in quality between it and my filco brown tenkeyless ?

Aren't the F1 keys all weird with that keyboard?  It must be hard getting used to the new positions of the F1 Keys.

[Leslieann]

IMO MX Blacks being bad for typing has been extremely over-exaggerated.  I'm probably about 10% slower with blacks than I am with blues.  Although, I do agree browns are a good compromise.

I agree.
Compared to other MX switches they are the worst, but like I said, they are still better than a rubber dome.

[qmdunn]

I have a CM Storm Quickfire Pro with Brown Switches for sale if you're interested.  It's basically new, it was a Xmas gift but I bought a filco and use it instead.  I would recommend the quickfire pro or the rapid over the trigger.

What is your basis for suggesting the pro?  It has some ergonomic issues and isn't as solid as the Trigger.  Except for price, the Pro has no advantages over the Trigger..none at all...

I'm sure the Trigger is a fine keyboard, but unless he's already used to the M1-M5 side macro keys, they are very hard to get used to.  It's not that bad after you get used to it, but for someone who isn't, they're annoying.  My QF Pro seems almost as solidly built as the Filco I have, but I love my side printed keycaps

[Polymer]

I'm sure the Trigger is a fine keyboard, but unless he's already used to the M1-M5 side macro keys, they are very hard to get used to.  It's not that bad after you get used to it, but for someone who isn't, they're annoying.  My QF Pro seems almost as solidly built as the Filco I have, but I love my side printed keycaps

What do you mean hard to get used to?  Hard to have keys on the side?  You don't HAVE to use them...

The QF Pro is not as solid as the Trigger...and nowhere near a Filco...It is also one of the loudest boards I've seen which I think comes from how the switches are mounted, the size of the case and the keycaps which I don't think are very solid. 

With the big sales on the Pro, they're not a terrible buy..but the Trigger isn't much more..

[qmdunn]

I realize you don't have to use them.  Just from personal experience, it has the same layout as the Razer BlackWidow.  Sometimes in games when I needed to hit Ctrl, I would accidentally hit the M5 key, and when I needed to hit tilde (~), I hit M1.  After a few times I said screw that keyboard.  I haven't used the trigger, i just assume it wouldn't be any different.

[TheProfosist]

I realize you don't have to use them.  Just from personal experience, it has the same layout as the Razer BlackWidow.  Sometimes in games when I needed to hit Ctrl, I would accidentally hit the M5 key, and when I needed to hit tilde (~), I hit M1.  After a few times I said screw that keyboard.  I haven't used the trigger, i just assume it wouldn't be any different.

i just think you havnt taken enough time to get used to the board i know when i change boards its a good couple days till im back typing at full speed and productivity you have to remember thought most of my boards have a slightly different custom layout/programming.

[DanGWanG]

Ducky shine with reds is also a good option.  I think reds are best for sc2 and very good for fps. 

[TotalChaos]

Lots of ppl say they accidentally hit those side keys.

[m_enanos]

CM QFR with reds?

[TotalChaos]

I say WASD keyboard with Reds FTW! 

[Leslieann]

I realize you don't have to use them.  Just from personal experience, it has the same layout as the Razer BlackWidow.  Sometimes in games when I needed to hit Ctrl, I would accidentally hit the M5 key, and when I needed to hit tilde (~), I hit M1.  After a few times I said screw that keyboard.  I haven't used the trigger, i just assume it wouldn't be any different.

i just think you havnt taken enough time to get used to the board i know when i change boards its a good couple days till im back typing at full speed and productivity you have to remember thought most of my boards have a slightly different custom layout/programming.

You could say the same to those people who complain about the Windows key.

I had BWU for almost a year, after months, I finally gave up and just mapped the keys to be the same as the left side of the keyboard. Yes, it became less of an issue, but still happened.

[uJalled]

One of these days.... I'm going to save up the funds for a mx red keyboard.... But for now, blues suit me fine to gaming and typing

But if you insist upon getting a Mx red keyboard, I've heard very good things about CM QFR and Ducky Shine II (for backlighting), maybe Keycool

[Saturn]

Honestly, you can't really go wrong with browns.  They are the middle-of-the-road switch, the most inoffensive, both to the typist and to others around you, and they will likely be the easiest to adjust to if you're never typed on a mechanical keyboard before.

They feel great both to type on and game on, and don't have the double-tap issues that blues have, if that's an issue for you.  Reds feel amazing for gaming as well, but a bit less natural typing if your fingers are used to feeling a tactile response from the keys.

[Germiphene]

Jeadong uses brown switches, nuff said  .

[lazerpointer]

For gaming the best board I've ever used and currently still do at home, is my CM QFR with red switches, and the thick black o-rings from WASDkeyboards. I've tried several, several other configurations and tactility seems to just get in the way, therefore ruling out browns, the clicks from Blues won't help you with gaming, and blacks to me are far too heavy. I like a light, flowy gaming experience. So a board with red switches and o-rings will do just fine IMO


Edit;
One more thing! If this keyboard is for gaming, I highly recommend the TKL (tenkeyless) layout to save you some mousing space. Well I use TKL religiously because my Razer Naga has a tenkey on the side, so there you go.

[lunatics]

I had a G15 for 5+ years so needless to say I am used to having macro keys on the side, in fact I prefer a keyboard with at least 5 of them. While I don't play many games that use them anymore, I still find plenty of useful reasons to use them. 18 was way too much and made my keyboard way too big, but 5 is the perfect amount. I thought about a tenkeyless board but at the end of the day it's not for the sole purpose of gaming and I just can't justify paying the same price (or in some cases more) for a keyboard that's smaller and has less keys on it.

At the end of the day I decided on the CM Trigger with browns as they were a lot easier to find and also at least 30 dollars cheaper. I bought one from esoomenona, he said slightly used but it looked like it had only been taken out of the box only once. He shipped it the day after I paid him and it was supposed to be here around the middle of the week but unfortunately didn't get here until yesterday. Either way, it wasn't his fault his service was great and he even threw in a few extra keycaps with it and a keycap remover.

I've only been using this keyboard for about 2 days now but I have to say I'm in love with it. I really like the way the brown keys feel for typing and playing games like Starcraft. So far the only game that's given me a little bit of trouble is trying to play Counterstrike but that is more because I am not used to the keyboard yet. The only problem I was having was trying to bunny hop because I wasn't sure yet where/when to hit the spacebar down again for that "perfect jump" and would end up doing it too late or way too early and not jumping. Right now my only real problem is getting used to the new keyboard, not so much the feel but the slight difference in the spaces of the keys compared to my old one and the layout, I always find myself hitting the F1 key instead of escape or some other keys, and with the added ease of pressing down each key I find myself actually hitting them and messing me up more too but I'm sure I will get over that soon. Also the lights are much brighter than I thought they would be. My G15 has 3 brightness settings and the first 2 are pretty dim, I was kind of expecting with this one being red that it would be less bright, however the level 1 brightness on this I feel is brighter than the level 3 blue brightness on my G15 (although it's possible the lights got less bright over the years of using them on it I suppose) so I don't really know why anyone would even need the AC  adapter for this.

All in all I am very happy with this keyboard and esoomenonas service. I think browns are the perfect switch for me, at least right now anyway with no other knowledge or experience with the others and this keyboard has everything I need on it, it's perfect.

Now I just can't wait to start getting some more keycaps and really making this thing look cool, I just have to make sure I try and find ones that work well with LEDs.

[JPG]

Like most said, it's all personnal.

For me, I got a Filco with browns. I got it at home for playing LOL and MOH. Works well with both.

In the end, if you cannot try them, watch some reviews on youtube and focus on the part where people type on it. The sound gives a good indicator of the feel. At least it worked for me.

Also, look for the right size. Personnaly, TKL is the biggest I would ever like. So look at the different sizes available (full, tkl, 75%, 60%) and choose the one you prefer.

[Mountain Man]

Honestly, you can't really go wrong with browns.  They are the middle-of-the-road switch, the most inoffensive, both to the typist and to others around you, and they will likely be the easiest to adjust to if you're never typed on a mechanical keyboard before.

I agree.  I've been using Browns for about three-weeks now, and they're great general purpose switches that are perfect for typing and gaming.  I have zero complaints.