Mice & Keyboards by stefan @ 2013-08-26
The Vengeance K95 is the new flagship gaming keyboard from Corsair which was built on the already successful K90 platform but now with all-mechanical key layout (Cherry MX Red) for enhanced durability and key-by-key addressable backlighting. The keyboard does also come with a black anodized brushed aluminum chassis for a clean, professional look and it is really easy to clean.
At first I would like to thank Corsair for sending a sample of their Vengeance K95 Fully Mechanical Keyboard for testing and reviewing.
Meeting Performance Computing Demands since 1994
"Corsair is a global company bringing innovative, high-performance components to the PC gaming market. Specializing in very high performance memory, ultra-efficient power supplies, and other key system components, our products are the choice of overclockers, enthusiasts, and gamers everywhere.
Founded as Corsair Microsystems in 1994, Corsair originally developed Level 2 cache modules for OEMs. After Intel incorporated the L2 cache in the processor with the release of its Pentium Pro processor family, Corsair changed its focus to DRAM modules, primarily in the server market. In 2002, Corsair began shipping DRAM modules that were specifically designed to appeal to computer overclocking enthusiasts. From its roots in high-performance memory, Corsair has expanded its award-winning product portfolio to include ultra-efficient power supplies, builder-friendly cases, ground-breaking CPU coolers, blazing-fast solid-state drives, and other key system components.
Corsair has developed a global operations infrastructure with extensive marketing and distribution channel relationships. Corsair’s products are sold to end users in over sixty countries worldwide, primarily through leading distributors and retailers."
You’re Good. The K95 Is Better.
Vengeance K95 Fully Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is made for serious gamers. Cherry MX Red key switches have super-fast reaction times and low operating force, and the key-by-key customizable lighting lets you adjust brightness and illuminate bindings. 100% anti-ghosting with full key rollover on USB ensures that the K95 will keep up. The 18 G-keys are programmable on the fly, so you can adapt and react. And Vengeance K95 has onboard memory, so you can take your K95 with you and play your best on any system.
All of this technology is housed in a professional-grade black anodized aluminum chassis for superior strength and stability.
The Beauty of a 100% Mechanical Layout
In the world of high-performance gaming gear, there are few things that match the feeling of using a well-designed keyboard with mechanical key switches. Vengeance gaming keyboards use Cherry MX Red switches, hailed by gamers worldwide to be the best of the best. They combine great key feel with super-fast reaction times and smooth, linear travel with low operating force.
Vengeance K95 takes the next step with a 100% mechanical layout – there’s a Cherry MX Red switch underneath every key. So, you’ll get that optimal tactile feedback and responsiveness, no matter your fingers go.
100% Cherry MX Red Mechanical Key Switches
You get smooth, linear key response for ultra fast double and triple taps without the audible click.
Black Anodized Brushed Aluminum Chassis
A professional-grade look and feel, plus the rugged durability you need for hours of gaming.
Key-by-key Customizable Backlighting
The brilliant white LEDs have adjustable brightness and key-by-key programmability to light up just the keys you need.
100% Anti-Ghosting with Full Key Rollover on USB
Every keystroke translates into accurate gameplay—even when multiple keys are pressed. There’s no signal degradation, and it keeps up with you, no matter how fast you play.
18 Customizable G-Keys with On-The-Fly Programming
You can quickly and easily record up to 54 key sequences for faster play.
On Board Profile Storage
Set up once, play everywhere – your settings are stored in the keyboard’s memory, so you don’t need to start over when you take your gaming to go.
About Corsair Gaming Keyboards
Corsair gaming keyboards are designed for competitive play. Crafted with high-quality components and materials, they offer great key feel and the responsiveness you need when victory is essential. They deliver incredible responsiveness, customizability and precision to elevate your game.
The high-end K-series keyboard has been reborn with the launch of the K95 Vengeance. Now we are dealing with a fully mechanical design composed from Cherry MX Red switches which have super-fast reaction times and low resistance force. On the frontal side of the packaging we will be able to see a photo of the product in operation:
By looking on the box sides, we will get additional details regarding the keyboard like Features and Technical Specifications:
On the back side of the packaging the main keyboard functions will be explained:
The manufacturer has sealed the enclosure on both sides for extra security:
After removing the top packaging layer, we will uncover a secondary plain cardboard box:
Inside it, on the top layer, we will find the keyboard which is also wrapped inside a transparent plastic bag:
On the bottom we will observe the rest of the bundle:
As with the K90, we will get a removable palm rest and additional documentation:
The palm rest has a matte rubberized texture for a nice feel and additional comfort:
It can be mounted on the keyboard with the same type of mechanism:
The Guide explains us in detail how to get everything started:
Now we are dealing with a black anodized aluminum chassis (instead of silver) for a professional look and also for rugged durability:
On the left side we have three groups of 6 programmable keys each:
Thanks to the macro keys located on top we will be able to record no less than 54 different functions:
Further to the right we will get to see the Corsair logo:
Next, we have the LED light mode switch, the LED intensity button, but also the Windows Key disable button:
On the top right corner we will also get to see the Num Lock, Scroll Lock and Caps Lock LEDs, along with the sound mute button, the Volume wheel and some additional multimedia controls:
The left Shift key has a smaller footprint on this keyboard:
When looking on the side, we will be able to see how the switches are assembled onto the aluminum chassis:
Near the USB port we have a selector for the report rate which can be 8ms, 4ms, 2ms, 1ms or BIOS mode:
Let’s also look on the bottom side of the keyboard, which is made from plastic:
In the center we have a sticker with the product serial number, code and also input rating:
The corners feature small rubber feet and on top we have an additional set of plastic ones for raising the keyboard at an angle:
Here is also a shot of the keyboard with the removable palm rest attached:
The motherboard features braided cables and at the end we have two USB connectors, one for the keyboard itself and the other one for the USB port:
If we have seen the K90 software interface before, this one is not very different; on top we have the MR button along with the three memory banks and with their help we can program no less than 54 possible macros and also here we have the option to modify the intensity of the LED backlight. On the right we will find the three groups of programmable keys and the macro recording procedure is the same as on the older revision:
A Hardware Playback option is also available for saving the settings directly to the memory of the keyboard:
For the recorded macro we can apply different playback settings:
-playback once
-playback n times
-playback while pressed
-playback until stopped
The next menu will also permit us customize the delays:
Certain commands can be also assigned to the programmable buttons. These are separated in the next menu under the Basic Commands and Advanced Commands sections:
Basic Commands
Advanced Commands
During macro programming, the performed actions will appear inside the drop-down section:
The Manage Profiles tab will take care of the currently saved profiles, but we can also perform actions on them like renaming, previewing, copying, assigning a profile to a different application, lock or restore the default values:
If we click onto the “i” circle on the top right corner of the GUI, a smaller, separate window will pop up, showing us the software and hardware versions:
The K95 keyboard was built on the solid platform the K90 had but with some important and eye-candy additions like fully mechanical layout which integrates MX Red switches from Cherry or key-by-key customizable backlighting. The 18 programmable G-keys can help us create an insane number of macros and the brushed aluminum chassis reinforces the whole platform. The keyboard also comes with anti-ghosting capabilities along with 20-key rollover and if we feel that it’s necessary, we can always install the wrist rest for additional comfort.
The volume controller is much more precise than the function keys we have found on other keyboards and retains the same shape as the one on their headsets. Corsair have chosen to go again with MX Red switches as many other gaming peripheral manufacturers, considering that these are both good for gaming and typing; it would be nice though to see more variety in the future regarding MX switch choices like blues, blacks or the newer released greens.
Thanks to the design of the build, the keyboard is very easy to clean, even underside the key caps; many times we have found that blowing compressed air from the side is more than enough. Also, we have found very handy the BIOS switch located near the USB port, which allows the keyboard to be initialized properly when starting up the PC and entering the BIOS won’t be an issue anymore. On the K90, the BIOS was initializing the keyboard a bit later after the boot sequence so it was impossible for us to fire it up unless we installed a secondary keyboard on PS/2 or USB which supported this function.
The Corsair K95 keyboard is not the cheapest mechanical offering out there and can be picked up online for about 154 Euros. Even at this price, we consider that it should worth it considering the high quality material build which should last us for years to come.
We would like to thank again to Corsair for making this review possible!