At first we would like to thank Cooler Master for sending a sample of their Devastator 3 Keyboard and Mouse Combo 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:

 

Ergonomic Styling From Top to Bottom

The Devastator 3 Combo is designed to be comfortable to use in all circumstances. The mouse is ergonomically pleasing, with an ultralow flat profile for convenience and a large mouse wheel for ease of use. The keyboard also features an ultralow profile for decreased strain, while antislide rubber pads underneath prevent slippage during heated battles.

 

Custom Membrane Design

The Devastator 3 keyboard features custom membrane switches for elegance and functionality. Membrane switches allow for a sleek look, while our custom design improves durability and tactile feedback for superior accuracy.

 

Seven Colors for Customized Personality

The mouse and keyboard in the Devastator 3 Combo are RGB capable, with seven different backlight options to choose from. Personalize your setup with custom color pairings to mix and match to your other PC accessories. And if you ever want to switch colors, it’s as easy as a press of the Fn button.

 

A Precision Mouse to Elevate Your Game

The mouse enclosed in our combo is custom-tailored for hardcore serious gaming. It has durable Omron switches, good for 10 million precise keypresses, and an Avago optical sensor that’s optimized specifically for going on a killing spree.

 

Functional and Durable

The rugged combo is meant to last you through the most stressful skirmishes. Rubber side grips on the mouse improve stability and minimize wear and tear, while the keycaps on the keyboard are laser etched and grip coated for minimal wear and optimal functionality. These peripherals just work.

 

 

Product Specifications:

 

In this article, we will no longer concentrate our attention upon a high-end peripheral, but an entry-level mouse/keyboard kit from Cooler Master, which has already got to its third iteration: Devastator 3 Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo. Judging by the low sale price of the combo, this type of product is usually recommended to people that are on a very tight budget but still want to experience RGB peripherals with limited customization options, but also to gamers which are building their first PC and do not want to spend a fortune on the mouse/keyboard combination. This product set is shipped inside a pretty long but slim cardboard enclosure, which does show a photo of both mouse and keyboard in operation:

 

 

 

Here we will also learn the fact that the set comes with configurable LED colors:

 

 

 

While our sample has shipped with an US Keyboard Layout, we have plenty of other layouts to choose from (which does tell us that Cooler Master wants to sell this type of product in many countries):

 

 

 

On the back side of the box, the manufacturer does list the main highlight for both mouse and keyboard:

 

 

 

After lifting the top cover, we will get to see the Devastator 3 Keyboard and Mouse, individually packaged:

 

 

 

A small manual comes in our help with more detailed information about the combo: technical specifications, package contents, system requirements, product warranty (2 years limited warranty; damage as a result of removing the keycaps is not covered by the warranty process), keyboard but also mouse hotkeys:

 

 

 

The Devastator 3 keyboard comes with an all-plastic chassis, which brings the weight down to about 980 grams; the keys do feature a custom membrane design for increased durability:

 

 

 

The keycaps writing does not have a very good visibility with the LED lighting turned off, but this aspect completely changes when the LEDs are operating. For this specific model, the F keys do no longer feature double functions, but the multimedia controls have been delegated to some separate, top buttons:

 

 

 

 

Near the left Ctrl, we do also have a Windows Lock key available, with the Cooler Master logo:

 

 

 

The Page Up/Down keys can also control the LED brightness when actuated with the FN key:

 

 

 

The F11 key, when pressed along with the Function key does enable the Lock/Unlock keyboard function:

 

 

 

The FN key is also accompanied by the Backlight key; this key can be pressed by itself for adjusting the backlight colors, but also along with FN for adjusting the backlight mode. The backlight does have two modes, static LED and pulsation (the color alternates for each pulsation); we can also adjust the pulsation frequency via the -/= buttons near Backspace key:

 

 

 

On the top right corner, the manufacturer has placed individual LEDs for the NumLock, CapsLock and Windows Lock functionality:

 

 

 

Here is how the design on the keyboard side does look:

 

 

 

In the frontal area of the Devastator 3 keyboard, we’ve got only the USB cable, but no other interfaces such as audio input/output or USB hubs:

 

 

 

Unlike high-end peripheral sets, the USB cable is not braided this time:

 

 

 

The cable ends up with a customized USB connector:

 

 

 

On the bottom area of the keyboard, we are able to see a central sticker with the product serial number and power rating:

 

 

 

Foldable feet are also available here, along with rubber pads in each corner, so the Devastator 3 keyboard will stay well fixed on the surface:

 

 

 

 

 

Next, we do have the Devastator 3 mouse in line, which does come with an all-black color scheme and an ergonomic shape; despite the fact that we are talking about an entry-level product, Cooler Master has incorporate Omron switches for the buttons (good for 10 million keypresses), along with an Avago optical sensor:

 

 

 

The back mouse area is nicely LED-lighted, TRON style:

 

 

 

An interesting dotted texture can be also found here:

 

 

 

On the left side of the Devastator 3 mouse, we can spot two extra buttons, which allow DPI switching when actuated along with the top button. Here Cooler Master has also included a rubber pad for additional grip:

 

 

 

The right side has the same construction type, but this time no extra buttons are offered:

 

 

 

In the frontal area of the mouse, we can see a design that imitates sports car air intakes (also found with high-end models such the Razer Ouroboros):

 

 

 

RGB Lighting is available here too:

 

 

On the bottom area of the mouse, we can find four medium-sized PTFE feet, a sticker with the product serial number and factory code name, but also the central sensor lens; considering that Cooler Master has aimed this product towards the entry-level market, we can choose fixed DPI levels of 600, 1200, 1800 and 2400:

 

 

The rubberized scroll wheel does also come with LED lighting; same can be said for the nearby LED function/DPI selector button:

 

 

As with the Devastator 3 keyboard, the mouse does not come with a braided USB cable:

 

 

After connecting the keyboard/mouse to spare USB ports, the LED light show will begin:

 

Devastator 3 Keyboard

Red

Green

Blue

Yellow

 

Light Blue

Purple

White

Devastator 3 Mouse

Red

Green

Blue

Yellow

Light Blue

Purple

White

 

Devastator 3 Keyboard

 

 

 

Devastator 3 Mouse

 

 

By releasing the Devastator 3 keyboard plus mouse combo, Cooler Master is also taking care of the entry level gaming segment, but can be also considered suitable for people that do not want to invest a lot on peripherals, but still take advantage of RGB functionality. The keyboard is available with many layouts and for cutting down costs, the manufacturer has went for a membrane-type switch, but at the same time has customized its design in order to increase the durability. The mouse packs an Avago sensor with a maximum DPI of 2400MHz, adjustable in four different preset steps and comes with an ergonomic shape; Cooler Master has used Omron switches for the buttons so the buttons are guaranteed to operate optimally up to 10 million actuations.

 

Regarding the keyboard RGB setup configuration, it is somehow limited, meaning that we can only switch between the available static LED colors, but also use a “pulsating” mode, which cycles through all available colors (a bit distracting but nevertheless, it has been included anyway). As an additional level of customization, we can adjust the LED brightness or turn the LEDs off completely when needed. In terms of the mouse configuration, we can easily navigate through the DPI steps via the lateral left buttons, along with the top button near the scroll wheel; the available colors do perfectly match the ones which are available on the Devastator 3 keyboard and when we do not feel LED lighting is needed, we can as well turn it off completely. For added grip, besides the matte textured plastic body, Cooler Master has also included rubber side grips, which are handy during longer gaming sessions.

 

Given the product features, available configuration options and overall material quality, the Devastator 3 combo (expected to be available for a price of $40) has a big thumbs up from MadShrimps!

 

Cooler Master Devastator 3 Keyboard and Mouse Combo is Recommended for:

 

 

 

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