Hello!

[AverageHybrid]

Hi guys I am new on this forum and decided to make an account because I had queries about buying mechanical keyboards.

Let me first introduce myself, my name is Syl and I am from Singapore, a south-east asian country. I am what people call a computer geek who spends hours in front of the computer per day. I do lots of forum posts like this where I type a lot of words and I would also say I use my keys as much as posting on forums for MMO and FPS gaming. So basically I'm a gamer and a typist.

I am typing this from my rubber dome keyboard which is okay for me to use and I have no complains but I recently decided to get a mechanical keyboard. I have already looked at countless guides at youtube and read blogposts/articles relating to mechanical keyboards and I still cannot figure out which one to get. Mechanical keyboards are quite readily available in my area however they do cost quite a lot. The two choices I have made is the Steelseries 6GV2 or the CM Storm quickfire rapid tk which are both within my budget. The problem is that these keyboards both have choices of different cherry MX switches and I am having problem picking out which Cherry MX switch is for me. I mostly look for comfort in typing in a keyboard but I also play a rhythm game called osu! which requires quick and rapid taps while still being accurate and on time for the beat (not sure if accuracy and speed is possible at the same time but I would say I would go for accuracy more). I would say that I use my keyboard for rhythm games as equally as for typing and MOBA gaming(League of Legends). Please take note that I am switching from a membrane keyboard and I type quite fast at 120 WPM and I do not consider myself mashing my keys quite a lot.

I have decided to rule Blues out of my choices as it is clicky and I do not want to disturb my family at night while typing away at my keyboard on forums or even in-game chat. I have recently leaned towards the browns as most of the people I have asked consider them as a perfect crossover between typists and rapid clicks for gaming. I do not want to have any draw backs from just getting my keyboard to type neither do I want to regret getting a keyboard just to play my rhythm game and suffer from typing. I have went to the store try the keyboards however I have only tried the blues and the reds which I have instantly ruled out blues(although they feel nice though). For me I would say I like the linear feeling but I like it as much as the tactile feeling, I wonder how it will affect my performance in-game with the rapid presses.

I have also had recommendations from the osu! forums. Most of them said that I should either get the brown or red but filled with mix opinions so I bet its down to opinion for the game itself. From the research I have done the tactile switches are good for typists while linear switches are good for gaming so I think that I am leaning towards the browns as they require the same actuation force as reds for rapidly pressing of keys without fatigue while providing tactile feedback for my typing.  I will go to the shop and try out all the keyswitches so I'll update you guys too. Hope to hear your opinions!
TL;DR I need a keyboard switch that I can use to type in comfort and also to play a rhythm game which requires rapid taps.

[CPTBadAss]

I think Sifo plays osu! on modified MX clears with a stock MX Clear stem and 62g springs. However you'd have to modify the switches for yourself. Many people like the stock linear switches (MX Red and Black) for playing video games. And modified clears are a very popular switch type. I personally like stock Clears though.

Personally, Browns are my least favorite MX switch so I won't recommend them to anyone.

Welcome to Geekhack! Good luck in your hunt

[jacobolus]

Can you avoid posting in yellow text? Some of us have themes which default to dark text on light background, which makes your post completely illegible. :-)

Also, welcome!

[Hundrakia]

Welcome!

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

I like the yellow text   Looks good with the Nostalgia theme!

I don't really like browns - they feel like gritty reds.  Enough feedback to differentiate them from reds, but not enough to say for certain that it is there.

MX clear is quite a stiff switch - unless you have fairly strong fingers, you might want to try a lighter switch.

Actually it sounds like reds might be the best place to start, unless you really want the browns.

Also consider whether you want to replace the keycaps eventually.  The Steelseries 6GV2 has an unusual Enter key that you will not be able to find replacements for.

[Sent]

I actually played osu! and Stepmania for a bit on stock reds.  They were fine but eventually they started to feel pretty light to me so now I use some modded blacks which I've been happy with.  Just another option.

[Puddsy]

Most of my OSU! playing friends use stock reds.

[AverageHybrid]

Please do take note that I have been mashing my fingers on this very stiff membrane keyboard till it has been starting to give up on me recently. So I consider my fingers rather strong, although it may be different for blacks or clear as membranes just need the force to push it down instead of constantly applying a force to the blacks and clears. Clears are quite hard to find in my area though, will let you guys know if I find an affordable clear keyboard. And aren't clears just the silent version of greens? So in any case switching from a membrane keyboard to a mechanical keyboard won't impair my typing just that some switches helps you more in typing than the others am I right? And guys take note that I mentioned I type quite a lot daily on forums and on chats in streams and in-game so yea I want a keyboard that is perfect for typing which also does not fail me in rapid presses in-game.
Edit: after more researching I heard that tactile switches do not slow your tapping speed down at all and is more of a preference. However, they also mentioned that red feels awful to type on and feels like pressing on springs. So I am leaning more towards the Blacks and the Clears, I will look for clears in my area.