nudeltime
Member
OP, Original Prankster.
Posts: 388
Registered on: April 2015
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Post by nudeltime on Aug 6, 2015 21:06:44 GMT
So I was looking for a new keyboard with function keys and a better layout, quality etc. Do you guys generally recommend mechanical boards, are they necessary, will you be better with it? (Playing CS:GO atm). They are quite a bit more expensive.. another thing is, how do I test which type of switch I like?
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method0ne
Member
Posts: 166
Registered on: June 2015
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Post by method0ne on Aug 7, 2015 18:38:39 GMT
Only real way to test which switch you prefer is to try them all, your best bet for this is friends who own them or local computer stores as most chains don't let you open the box to test the feel.
Are they necessary, not at all, will you be better with one, depends on a lot more than just the switch, the layout of the keys as well as the keystroke length and force requirements all play a part (The majority of rubber dome/scissor keyboards have a really short throw with little force needed, most mechanical keyboards have a longer throw with more force required to activate a keypress).
As an aside, if your motherboard has a ps/2 port, make sure your keyboard of choice is running from that and not from usb, many keyboards advertise full n-key rollover but that function requires being used on a ps/2 port, if you run from usb then it's a max of 6-key rollover and though that's usually the wasd specific area there are no guarantees so fps gaming can suffer.
One thing that is for sure though, is that even a half decent budget mechanical keyboard will last you a very long time, so once you find one that you like you probably wont need to replace it unless you physically smash it to pieces.
Currently I run with a Zowie Celeritas limited edition mechanical on Cherry MX reds which I've used rubber o-rings to dampen the sound of, it's a simple solid board with no need for drivers that can be used on both usb with 6-key rollover or ps/2 (with an adapter) for full n-key rollover and I have no real complaints, it does lack extra macro keys that you find on more expensive boards but frankly I never used those on boards that had them and the £65 I paid for it has been more than worth it in my opinion.
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nudeltime
Member
OP, Original Prankster.
Posts: 388
Registered on: April 2015
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Post by nudeltime on Aug 7, 2015 19:43:57 GMT
Only real way to test which switch you prefer is to try them all, your best bet for this is friends who own them or local computer stores as most chains don't let you open the box to test the feel. Are they necessary, not at all, will you be better with one, depends on a lot more than just the switch, the layout of the keys as well as the keystroke length and force requirements all play a part (The majority of rubber dome/scissor keyboards have a really short throw with little force needed, most mechanical keyboards have a longer throw with more force required to activate a keypress). As an aside, if your motherboard has a ps/2 port, make sure your keyboard of choice is running from that and not from usb, many keyboards advertise full n-key rollover but that function requires being used on a ps/2 port, if you run from usb then it's a max of 6-key rollover and though that's usually the wasd specific area there are no guarantees so fps gaming can suffer. One thing that is for sure though, is that even a half decent budget mechanical keyboard will last you a very long time, so once you find one that you like you probably wont need to replace it unless you physically smash it to pieces. Currently I run with a Zowie Celeritas limited edition mechanical on Cherry MX reds which I've used rubber o-rings to dampen the sound of, it's a simple solid board with no need for drivers that can be used on both usb with 6-key rollover or ps/2 (with an adapter) for full n-key rollover and I have no real complaints, it does lack extra macro keys that you find on more expensive boards but frankly I never used those on boards that had them and the £65 I paid for it has been more than worth it in my opinion. My rig does have PS/2, and I think I even have an adapter lying around somewhere. Now.. so you say just spending some time at an electronics store is fine? Thanks for th ehelp, appreciate it!
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method0ne
Member
Posts: 166
Registered on: June 2015
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Post by method0ne on Aug 8, 2015 7:38:15 GMT
Just had a minor moment of brilliance as I remembered someone mentioning a test kit for Cherry MX switches in a long forgotten thread on some hardware site or other, a quick search later turned up this on Amazon in the US but if you're elsewhere in the world you may still be able to locate one with a little Google-fu.
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