What kind of keyboard do you use for gaming?

[CPA]

I don't have a separate keyboard for gaming. I assume most folks don't. I use a Logitech MK700. It's workable, but keys sometimes don't press down smoothly. Thinking of changing it up, but I don't have a clue of keyboard quality for gaming.

 

[tdawg]

I use that Logitech light-powered keyboard (k750, I think). Before that it was a Microsoft wireless keyboard--some $30 keyboard from Target a couple of years ago (nice keyboard). They've both been sufficient for me in battlefield 3 and 4; I've never owned a "gaming" keyboard, so I have no idea how one might perform compared to the standard keyboards I've used over the years.

 

[KaOTiK]

Have an original Logitech G15, but it has been starting to act up here and there, can't complain it is like 15 years old now. For Christmas I asked for the Steelseries Apex.

 

[Childs]

Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth 2013. I used to use a Logitech G15, which was fine. I dont think keyboards matter that much. I mainly get gaming keyboards for backlit keys. Some games would benefit from macro keys.

 

[biostud]

Corsair K70 Vengeance - cherry red mechanical switches.

 

[slpnshot]

I'm using the Max Nighthawk X8 Cherry Brown.

I mainly got it because it was on sale during Black Friday and I wanted a backlit mechanical. It feels nice to type on but I don't feel that the input-type has really affected my gaming in any way. But I don't play keyboard intensive games like Starcraft so I can't comment too much on that end.

My advice is to just look at the minimum rollover you want and macro keys if needed. Don't be fooled by things like polling rate. This isn't a mouse.

 

[JeffMD]

I have been using pretty generic keyboards for the longest time. I simply goto best buy and feel out the keyboards for good tactile response and that is all I need. No fancy features, the less extra buttons the better.

 

[Zeze]

I'm not convinced you need gaming or mechanical keyboard to be good.

I use an old wireless kb/mouse from logitech. I have no problem stomping pubs at top 1 percentile. (dota 2)

And I used plain old cheap wired mouse to play CS and maintain 2.5:1 ratio consistently.

I think this whole 'gaming mouse/kb' is largely marketing to make $$$. They sure have their benefit though, but not worth the cost.

 

[sash1]

CM Storm Quickfire TK Stealth

 

[destrekor]

I'm not convinced you need gaming or mechanical keyboard to be good.

I use an old wireless kb/mouse from logitech. I have no problem stomping pubs at top 1 percentile.

And I used plain old cheap wired mouse to play CS and maintain 2.5:1 ratio consistently.

I think this whole 'gaming mouse/kb' is largely marketing to make $$$. They sure have their benefit though, but not worth the cost.

Aren't you Asian? You could have your hands tied behind your back and still outperform most of us normal folk in most games.

For some games, keyboard doesn't matter at all. For some games, keyboards make all the difference in those that can play said game competitively (or, for someone who is mostly "there" but not quite, a keyboard might make all the difference - it won't change your game unless your game is currently limited by it. sometimes you can tell, sometimes you can't).

For some games, it doesn't necessarily have an impact, but it can depending upon your exact play style. Are you likely to use certain key combinations or rapidly roll from certain keys into the next? KRO (key rollover), how many keys can be pressed at once (and if it's the entire keyboard, or only certain key combinations), will be detrimental to some, largely unimportant for many.
I found, even in Battlefield games, that the way I approached certain key clusters, and what keys I tended to use at the same time, on a few different keyboards introduced different issues. I had KRO issues (too many keys pressed at once on a particular board), and I also had bad switch issues, where I might not have pressed a key fully, or didn't let it travel up enough before rapidly clicking again. If you ever feel like any key press is ignored, it is almost guaranteed not to be a game glitch (some view these moments as such), but rather a keyboard error, a missed key activation.

I went mechanical for those reasons, and for the superior tactile response for daily typing. Best of both worlds.
I have a Razor Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth (2012? original edition). If I was buying a keyboard now, and wanted it made by a large accessory manufacturer (importing those various boards, like Ducky and whatnot, is not everyone's cup of tea), I'd probably pick up Logitech's mechanical keyboard (with the same Cherry MX Brown's as my keyboard right now).

There's a wealth of information out there about the different switches and whatnot, that I had not previously known about before researching mechanical boards before my first purchase. Some incredibly detailed information - easy to find by searching "difference between cherry mx switches" and "mechanical vs scissor switch vs rubber domes" to get a good broad overview.

 

[Firsttime]

I like nice mice, but don't give a shit about keyboards. I have some $20 keyboard that I got from Bestbuy when I did a build and realized I forgot to order one. Works fine.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I will say that my first gaming keyboard was noticeably better than the dell I gamed on for years. Key presses seemed to lag on the dell.

 

[biostud]

I found out that for fast double tapping the cherry red switches are better than generic ones. It is now much easier to double jump in UT2K4

 

[Via]

I use a G19. I think it works well.

 

[motsm]

Keytronic's[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular] K9.3; it's scissor switch's fit the bill perfectly for me and I've never had any issues with ghosting or wear over the few years I've been using it. Of course not everyone likes the rather short travel and tactile feel of scissor switches.
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[AdamantC]

I use a Logitech Ultra-X laptop style KB. I find the low profile keys are great for quickly moving my fingers about.

 

[AVP]

wasdkeyboard with browns.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Leopold Full size with Cherry Blue (I like the click for typing).

 

[VulgarDisplay]

The only reason I haven't bought mechanical keyboard is because I can't settle on switches. I hear that the blacks and reds are better for fps games, and I type really hard so maybe blacks would be better.

 

[Chaotic42]

I use the same Das mechanical keyboard for gaming and non-gaming.

Edit: Das not Daz

 

[destrekor]

I use the same Daz mechanical keyboard for gaming and non-gaming.

Greatest fact about mechanical: they truly are the best boards out there, and, granted you start with the right switch, perfect for all types of use, twitch gaming, heavy "APM" gaming, word processing, general computer tasks, etc.

I'd argue Cherry MX Blues have their place everywhere except gaming, because the Blues have such high "reset travel" distance, or whatever it's called. It has to bounce back almost the entire way before it can activate the switch and register another key, it really ruins rapid key press gaming. In many games it may not matter much at all, I had tried one board with Blues and did not like it one bit; I also disliked the heavy click sound, which sealed the fate. lol

 

[Chaotic42]

I love mechanicals. I don't think they make my exact keyboard anymore, but I don't think I can ever go back to membranes at home. I'll have to see about buying one and bringing it into work. I couldn't at my last job, but these folks may be cool with it.

 

[Grooveriding]

Logitech G710+

Mechanical is just so much nicer to use. I like the brown switches, better balance of noise vs feedback. Find the blues too loud.

 

[slpnshot]

The only reason I haven't bought mechanical keyboard is because I can't settle on switches. I hear that the blacks and reds are better for fps games, and I type really hard so maybe blacks would be better.

If you don't want to go out to a B&M store to try out a mech keyboard, yuou can order a switch sampler to try out some of the more popular switch colors.

Max Switch Sampler

I think Corsair might also have a sampler available to order.

 

[RaulF]

Corsair K70.