At first we would like to thank Cooler Master for sending a sample of their QuickFire XTi Brown Switch Keyboard for testing and reviewing.

 

 

About Cooler Master:

"Cooler Master was founded with the mission of providing the industry's best thermal solutions. Since its establishment two decades ago, the company has remained faithful to this mission, emerging as a world leader in products and services for companies dealing with devices where heat issues must be resolved.

 

In pursuing this mission, Cooler Master is absolutely committed to delivering solutions that precisely meet customer requirements for features, performance, and quality. Moreover, we strive to be a reliable long-term partner for our customers that they can truly depend on. It aims to be the first and foremost name that comes to mind for companies around the world seeking thermal solutions, and seeks to build such a reputation through outstanding technology, sophisticated design, and superior service.

 

Cooler Master's current business encompasses a comprehensive lineup of thermal solutions for a full range of applications. Its products range from heat sinks and fans to component housing, chassis, and ducting for computers, industrial machinery, telecommunications equipment, and many other devices.

 

A critical component of Cooler Master's ability to successfully pursue its mission is an unstinting commitment to quality, as demonstrated by the ISO 9001 certification granted to its main manufacturing plant in Taiwan. It has also enforced ISO guidelines and is in the process of applying for ISO 9002 certification at its second and third plants, located in China. Cooler Master has also implemented a number of analytical and testing protocols to ensure top quality, including at subcontractors, to further ensure thorough quality control. Moreover, Cooler Master's dedication to quality extends beyond manufacturing to every aspect of its operation, including service."

 

Product Features:

 

Sleek, minimalistic design

Sleek lines, refined symmetry, and a heavy-weight quality build help you keep things clean and simple. For gamers with style, the Quick Fire XTi mechanical keyboard sets you apart from the rest.

 

100% authentic Cherry MX switches with ultra-violet keycap coating

Gamers demand the best, which is why the Quick Fire XTi only uses Cherry MX switches with UV keycap coating for unsurpassed quality and durability. Get the tactile preference you prefer while the UV coating gives a textured, luxurious experience and long-lasting game play.

 

Multicolor per-key backlighting with built-in customization

Mixable dual color blue and red LED backlighting gives you up to 35 colors per key which can be changed and customized on-board without the use of any additional complex software. LEDs include multiple modes of operation including wave, breathing, and unique responsive effects. Be sure to download the latest firmware to get the newest LED lighting modes.

 

On-the-fly macro and profile support with onboard memory

Four profile keys offer quick backlighting and macro recording without hassle. Program multiple keystrokes to a single key or change per-key backlighting with intuitive keyboard commands without the need for software. Set specific keys with different colors to give yourself an edge when playing a game for the first time.

 

Online lighting and firmware updates

Expand LED lighting modes and keep your keyboard functioning at maximum performance with online updates and upgrades.

 

Detachable cable with 180° management

Quick Fire XTi cables won´t ever get in your way or clutter your desktop. The detachable cable allows for easy transport without the risk of cable strain and provides a simple way to move your keyboard out of the way when needed. Hidden underside positioning grooves gives you 180° cable management, keeping your keyboard and desktop sleek and organized regardless of arrangement preference.

 

Product Specifications:

 

In this article we are going to take a look at the Quick Fire XTi keyboard from Cooler Master, which does employ a compact layout while keeping the full-sized numeric pad and incorporating the status LEDs functionality into the respective keys. We can also make use of the multicolor per-key backlighting and macro recording capabilities straight from the keyboard itself, without using extra software on our computer. The product does ship inside a medium-sized cardboard enclosure, which does show the keyboard in operation, but also the Cherry MX switch variant we have purchased; while our sample has arrived with Cherry MX Brown switches, there is also a Cherry MX Blue and a Cherry MX Red model available for purchase:

 

 

 

On the back side of the box we will be able to spot the main product features, written in different languages:

 

 

 

The Quick Fire XTi can be found inside the cardboard enclosure extra wrapped with a cloth bag in order to avoid scratches during transit:

 

 

 

As bundle, we will receive a simple cardboard manual, along with a separate bag with accessories:

 

 

 

The very handy key puller is supplied with the Quick Fire XTi, along with the USB cable and one key cap for replacement:

 

 

 

The braided USB cable does have a length of 1.5m and its USB connectors are gold-plated for optimal contact:

 

 

 

The Cooler Master supplied their key cap for replacement of the Fn or Windows key; the manufacturer has used UV key cap coating for extended quality and durability so they won’t wear off during extensive use:

 

 

 

 

The small manual will teach us how to operate each function on the keyboard:

 

 

 

Quick Fire XTi has a nice and clean layout; the top black plastic layer comes with a rubberized finish as we have seen on many other models coming from Cooler Master:

 

 

 

A lot of keys do have extra functions linked to them; with F1 and F2 keys we can regulate the amount of blue and red accents in order to create new colors, F3 will change the current LED light mode while with F4 we can enable Windows lock key:

 

 

 

With F5 to F8 we can adjust the repeat rate:

 

 

 

Next, F9 can help us record a macro on the fly, while with F10 we can erase a previously defined macro; F11 enables single macro loop function while F12 enables an infinite macro loop:

 

 

 

We can also enable “repeat macro” by using the Fn+”Prt Sc” key, “LED play” with Fn+”SCR Lock” and also record a LED backlight setup by pressing Fn+”Pause”:

 

 

 

We can work with four different profiles, which have their own dedicated keys:

 

 

 

Ins/Home/Page Up/Del/End/Page Down also double up as multimedia keys on the Quick Fire XTi:

 

 

 

Double functions can be also found for 2,4,6,8 keys on the numeric pad:

 

 

 

The Spacebar key does also feature a small opaque white line in the middle through which LED light can come through:

 

 

 

Here is a look at the side of the Quick Fire XTi, where we cannot spot other interfaces like USB hubs:

 

 

 

Same thing can be said about the frontal area of the product:

 

 

 

The product simple and sleek look does also continue on the back; here we will be able to see some cable routing channels and a Cooler Master logo in the middle, along with a small sticker featuring the serial number. In each corner, the Quick Fire XTi does feature small rubber feet so the product would stay steady on the surface we would place it on:

 

 

 

There is also a set of feet on the top in order to raise the keyboard at an angle; the tip of these feet also have a rubber coating (big plus):

 

 

 

 

We are free to choose the cable management layout in three possible ways:

 

 

 

The mini-USB port has an optimal placement so the cable won’t move easily in this position:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the key-puller we can remove the key caps without damaging them in just a snap. Each Cherry MX switch does feature a blue/red LED which can be adjusted on our liking:

 

 

 

We are free to turn off the red or the blue LED component completely in order to obtain pure blue or red LED light:

 

 

 

 

A closer look at the included bi-color LED shows that the blue accent is placed on the left while the red accent is located on the right side:

 

 

 

Quick Fire XTi does provide the same key press feeling as many other keyboards we have tested in the past from other manufacturers since it does use the well-known Cherry MX Brown switches, which are great for both typing and gaming. With this model, we won’t get extra software because all can be done directly from the keyboard itself since F-keys and many others have double functions for: adjusting the red/blue LED light accents, setting a LED lighting mode, adjusting the repeat rates, recording macros on-the-fly, set our own LED profile and more. As accessories we do get the quite handy key puller in order to remove the key caps without scratching them or damaging the switch, but also a Cooler Master-branded key cap for replacement of the Fn or Windows key one.

 

The keyboard does also come with full NKRO support, anti-ghosting features, channels to route the cable underneath, so in total we get most of the benefits of the high-end keyboards. Also, it is good to remind of the UV key cap coating for extended quality and durability so the key caps won’t start wearing off as we have seen with the NovaTouch TKL after some months of heavy usage.

 

Despite the fact that we only have two colors to choose from for the LED lighting, we can always use a combination of these two in order to get many more results, since the LED light intensity can be set per-color.

 

The Quick Fire XTi model was not designed to be a very expensive so it can be found online for about 139 Euros; considering the product features/benefits we are getting with the XTi, the current pricing is quite fair.

Cooler Master Quick Fire XTi Brown Switch is Recommended For:

 

 

We would like to thank again to Cooler Master for making this review possible!