CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Palmrest – Pre-lubricated Corsair MLX Red Linear Keyswitches – Sound Dampening – Media Control Dial – iCUE Compatible – QWERTY UK Layout – Black
From the brand
| Weight: | 934 g |
| Dimensions: | 44.8 x 15.3 x 3.54 cm; 934 Grams |
| Brand: | Corsair |
| Model: | CH-910981E-UK |
| Colour: | Black |
| Manufacture: | Corsair |
| Dimensions: | 44.8 x 15.3 x 3.54 cm; 934 Grams |
Good keyboard, useless software
A really nice keyboard out of the box, took some time to get used to it as the keys are small, but I really like it now. The software was useless however, and it seems that this keyboard is an older less supported model. I just keep it with the default lighting.
Decent Keyboard - For Typing, Gaming, Not So Much
I can honestly say typing on this keyboard is just fine, on the other hand the keyboard is very. (And I mean Very) sensitive, the slightest press on a key and the keyboard will recognise it, say i naturally hover my fingers on (and sometimes rest on WASD) and i’ve noticed with more keys than others, if you rest your finger on it, it will push down and start “moving” in that direction, which is really fustraiting.
but i won’t go fully berrating it because in all honesty it could be the way i rest my fingers on the keys but with other keyboards i’ve never had this problem before.
As a fan of the Corsair gear in general, this one was a panic buy when I decided to throw wine all over my K70 Mk2.
What I will say is this keyboard is not as good as the Mk2, although given the price difference I guess this is to be expected.
The keys have a tendency to double-type when you are not hooked up to iCue on the latest firmware – meaning logging in can be an issue. Forcfully re-updating the firmware did help alleviate this a little, although it does still do it on occasion – so will loose a star on this basis. Once iCue is up and running, the problem disappears. I prefer the mech keys on the mk2 aswell, although this is subjective. If this issue does happen to you, there is a way of ‘resetting’ this keyboard (and other Corsair keybaords) that not many people know about, which can help you. Our favourite search engine will find the how-to on their website with ease.
That said its a good keyboard with a good feel, and as I have now repaired my Mk2, I will be keeping this as a backup for the next drink-induced-disaster I occasion on. Like I said I have always preferred Corsair gear, and have had nothing but a positive experience with them, or their customer service (replacing keys on my Mk2 cost me nothing, even out of warranty – which not many manufacturers will do.
If this is your first keyboard from Corsair or even a mech, you will not be disappointed. The lighting options in iCue alone are endless!
Performs well but not the best for the price
This Corsair keyboard has good key travel the switches are a joy to press down on the RGB lighting can be heavily customised the keyboard is easy to set up and use the biggest issue is that cable is not removable would have been nice to see a usb type c cable with this that can we taken out not an issue if your gaming setup is static but if you like to game on the go then it can be an issue overall a good gaming keyboard however for around this price you can get a slightly better gaming keyboard
Brilliant keyboard
I recently acquired the CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, and it has been an absolute game-changer for my gaming and typing experience. This keyboard is a powerhouse, combining functionality, aesthetics, and performance in one sleek package.
First and foremost, the inclusion of Corsair’s MLX Red Linear Keyswitches is a revelation. The pre-lubricated keys not only provide a smooth and lightning-fast typing experience but also reduce keypress noise, making it perfect for both intense gaming sessions and quiet office work. The actuation is precise, and the linear nature of the keys ensures quick and accurate keystrokes.
The RGB backlighting on this keyboard is stunning, allowing for extensive customization to create a visually appealing and immersive gaming environment. The lighting effects and options are virtually limitless, and the per-key RGB illumination is a true standout feature.
The addition of a palm rest is a thoughtful touch, providing comfort during long gaming sessions or extended periods of typing. It’s detachable, so you can choose to use it or remove it based on your preference.
The media control dial is a practical feature that I’ve come to love. It provides easy and instant control over volume, playback, and other media functions, allowing you to stay focused on your game or work without navigating through complex menus.
Compatibility with Corsair’s iCUE adds another layer of customization. You can program macros, create lighting profiles, and fine-tune the keyboard to your liking. It is user-friendly and powerful, enhancing the overall experience.
The QWERTY UK layout is great for users in the United Kingdom, ensuring that key placement is ideal for their typing needs.
In summary, the CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a top-tier choice for gamers and typists alike. Its combination of responsive MLX Red Linear Keyswitches, striking RGB lighting, ergonomic design, and powerful customization options make it an outstanding keyboard. If you’re looking for a premium mechanical keyboard with a focus on performance and aesthetics, this keyboard in sleek black is a great investment. It’s a versatile and highly capable addition to any setup.
Ahh Corsair. It’s been a while since I’ve had my hands on a keyboard from these guys. Back when I first got into PC gaming back in 2014 I was always eager to give them a try. Later in 2015 I ponied up the cash for a Strafe RGB model with Cherry red switches. I later moved on to several models from Ducky, who have now become my go-to when in need of a new board. However, Corsair will always hold a special place in my heart as one of my first proper mechanical keyboards.
Fast forward to 2023 and we arrive at this new model. Well, newish. The K70 line has been around for what feels like a decade as well now to be fair. Though this one does seem a lot sleeker. Gone are the K70’s huge bezels. This CORE model now integrates all of the media keys into the function keys. This’ll be down to personal preference but I much prefer this as as mentioned the end result is a slimmer build.
I’ll give props to corsair for the design on this one, minus the RGB I would argue it has a very understated design and not at all ”Gamer” looking like most boards tend to be these days. I wouldn’t look twice if I saw this in an office setting as long as you didn’t have the lights blaring of course! Corsair quotes an aluminium build but keep in mind this is only the top plate where the keys sit. The rest of the body is plastic. It doesn’t feel cheap by any means but don’t expect a full metal build. I imagine this would result in to heavy a keyboard anyway to be fair.
Lighting is fantastic here. I usually go for white boards myself as they tend to do better with RGB lighting but I must say, even with the black keys, light shines through incredibly well. There’s a ton of different ways to customise it as well. I’ve included some in a video attached, though this is just a fraction of what can be done through Corsair’s software, iCUE. You can also change what the media dial does at the top right of the board. It defaults as a volume rocker but you can use it to change the lighting brightness, a scroll wheel or even zoom. Personally I’ve left it as a volume rocker, very handy to be able to change the volume on your PC at the turn of a dial and probably one of my favourite features of this board.
Another interesting thing to see here was that Corsair seems to have made their own mechanical switch with these Corsair ”MLX” reds. My Strafe back in the day had Cherry MX reds. These definitly feel different and I’ll be honest I wasn’t the biggest fan at first. I’ve been on Cherry Blues for the past several years now so it took a little while to adjust. It doesn’t help that these are ”quiet” switches so they do feel a little spongy. Kind of like Logitech’s models. After a few games though I did get used to them and they did grow on me. It is nice to use a keyboard that doesn’t sound like you have a typewriter in your room and these keys are very quiet compared to my current blue switches. Still not as quiet as a typical rubber dome keyboard but I don’t think you’d have an issue using this in a room with other people like you would with blues.
There’s a lot to like with this model but there are some key issues I feel shouldn’t be present in a keyboard in this price range. My main one being the fixed cable. Why, in 2023 are you shipping a keyboard with a non-detachable cable? For most, this may not be a huge problem but I feel it’s a bit of a no brainer myself to allow the cable to be removed and swapped if needed. One reason being you may need a longer/shorter cable to suit your need and another reason being if the cable were to break or stop working then you’ve got yourself a paper weight keyboard. I’ve seen 20 knock off mechanical keyboards that have this feature so why is this not the case Corsair? Come on…
Another issue I had was the integrated wrist wrest. It’s removable which is a big plus and it’s a lovely sleek design, looks fantastic with the board. But I feel they’ve chosen form over function here as it’s just to low to be effective. My wrists were hurting using this board within the first hour and I had to take it off and switch it for my Kensington wrist rest. It doesn’t help that there’s zero padding on it. It’s nice to look at but yes, completely useless as a wrist rest I feel.
My final issue is the adjustability of the board. My current ducky keyboard has three levels of height adjustment. This has two. Flat or propped up. No in-between. Again, small issue but this is an expensive model and should be held up to these finer details. I’d like to see another step of angle tilt added at least.
I’ll wrap up with some pro’s and cons:
Pros:
– Gorgeous sleek and understated design that doesn’t look stereotypically ”Gamery”.
– Great build quality with a solid aluminium faceplate. Build like a tank.
– Industry leading lighting with a near unlimited level of customisability with Corsair’s iCUE software.
– Media dial is an excellent addition and a feature I’d miss if I used a keyboard without one.
– Corsair’s MLX switches feel nice to type on and are a lot quieter than most other mechanical boards.
Cons:
– Non-detachable power cable. If the cable dies, your keyboard dies with it!
– Wrist rest is built for aesthetics over functionality, very uncomfortable. Do yourself a favour and get a 3rd party one if you go with this board.
– Not much adjustability to the tilt of the keyboard. The feet are either up or flat. No room for in-between.
Overall I’d say it’s a solid keyboard. Corsair have certainly come a long way since the early iterations of the K70’s and Strafes however they still have some issues to iron out. At this price range I’d really like to see the above issues addressed. They have stiff competition in the market, there’s tons of offerings that will capitalise on these shortcomings so they have their work cut out for them. If you’re not fussed about the cabling and really love Corsair’s lighting systems then I’d say go for it. Otherwise, hold off and see what happens with this model over the coming year. 4*!