Cooler Master - CK552 vs Corsair Gaming K68 - red switches

r.linder Nov 18, 2018 @ 9:17am

If you are okay with blue switches (clicky and tactile rather than linear like MX Red), then I suggest looking at the Redragon K552.

It's a tenkeyless (no numpad) keyboard using Outemu Blue switches which are designed to emulate Cherry's MX Blues and Greens. Kind of loud but there's a lot of tactile and aural feedback which many users find pleasing. Take a listen at some Outemu Blue switch keyboards to see if you like it, because the K552 is only around 30$ USD. Although it sound pretty cheap, it's actually a VERY good keyboard for such a low cost.

However, if you're adamant on using Red switches, I highly recommend going for the Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS (full size) or FPS Pro (Tenkeyless) keyboards. Similarly to Redragon's K552, they feature sturdy metallic frames for better durability and build quality with a very hard plastic shell, very bright LEDs that light up the entire keyboard and the area around it, and have detachable cables for better storage and portability. Exact same red switch you'd find on more expensive keyboards. The Alloy FPS Pro (TKL variant) is just under 70$ USD, and I use it as my daily driver. I also own the K551, which is the full size version of the K552.

#1

WeeHawky Atrazine Chem Frogs (Banned) Nov 18, 2018 @ 1:36pm

Originally posted by Escorve:
If you are okay with blue switches (clicky and tactile rather than linear like MX Red), then I suggest looking at the Redragon K552.

It's a tenkeyless (no numpad) keyboard using Outemu Blue switches which are designed to emulate Cherry's MX Blues and Greens. Kind of loud but there's a lot of tactile and aural feedback which many users find pleasing. Take a listen at some Outemu Blue switch keyboards to see if you like it, because the K552 is only around 30$ USD. Although it sound pretty cheap, it's actually a VERY good keyboard for such a low cost.

However, if you're adamant on using Red switches, I highly recommend going for the Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS (full size) or FPS Pro (Tenkeyless) keyboards. Similarly to Redragon's K552, they feature sturdy metallic frames for better durability and build quality with a very hard plastic shell, very bright LEDs that light up the entire keyboard and the area around it, and have detachable cables for better storage and portability. Exact same red switch you'd find on more expensive keyboards. The Alloy FPS Pro (TKL variant) is just under 70$ USD, and I use it as my daily driver. I also own the K551, which is the full size version of the K552.

Blues wore my fingers/wrists out in about 5-20 mins making me pack it back up .

#2

r.linder Nov 18, 2018 @ 2:07pm

Originally posted by weehawky:
Originally posted by Escorve:
If you are okay with blue switches (clicky and tactile rather than linear like MX Red), then I suggest looking at the Redragon K552.

It's a tenkeyless (no numpad) keyboard using Outemu Blue switches which are designed to emulate Cherry's MX Blues and Greens. Kind of loud but there's a lot of tactile and aural feedback which many users find pleasing. Take a listen at some Outemu Blue switch keyboards to see if you like it, because the K552 is only around 30$ USD. Although it sound pretty cheap, it's actually a VERY good keyboard for such a low cost.

However, if you're adamant on using Red switches, I highly recommend going for the Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS (full size) or FPS Pro (Tenkeyless) keyboards. Similarly to Redragon's K552, they feature sturdy metallic frames for better durability and build quality with a very hard plastic shell, very bright LEDs that light up the entire keyboard and the area around it, and have detachable cables for better storage and portability. Exact same red switch you'd find on more expensive keyboards. The Alloy FPS Pro (TKL variant) is just under 70$ USD, and I use it as my daily driver. I also own the K551, which is the full size version of the K552.

Blues wore my fingers/wrists out in about 5-20 mins making me pack it back up .

Really? I've had no fatigue whatsoever and I've used Outemu Blues extensively. Guess it comes with experience over time.

#3

WeeHawky Atrazine Chem Frogs (Banned) Nov 18, 2018 @ 5:00pm

Originally posted by Escorve:
Originally posted by weehawky:

Blues wore my fingers/wrists out in about 5-20 mins making me pack it back up .

Really? I've had no fatigue whatsoever and I've used Outemu Blues extensively. Guess it comes with experience over time.

Carpel Tunnel and possible RA (mom had it).

#4

r.linder Nov 18, 2018 @ 5:45pm

Originally posted by weehawky:
Originally posted by Escorve:

Really? I've had no fatigue whatsoever and I've used Outemu Blues extensively. Guess it comes with experience over time.

Carpel Tunnel and possible RA (mom had it).

That would make more sense. Personally, I've been lucky enough to not get carpal tunnel, and I've been typing on keyboards for most of my life. I've never experienced the same effects that others have had from extensive use with tactile and clicky switches, in fact they don't provide any more strain to me than linear switches. Sorry to hear about that.

In that case, I'd recommend:

1. Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS Pro - 70$ USD[www.amazon.com] - Cherry MX Red, Red backlighting, Tenkeyless version
2. Corsair STRAFE RGB - 90$ USD[www.amazon.com] - RGB backlighting, usb passthrough, cherry mx red switches, full size keyboard

Honestly, while I like the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro, the Corsair STRAFE RGB Mk. 1 with red switches being on sale for 40% less is an absolute steal for what you're getting. If it wasn't on sale on Amazon US, I wouldn't even mention it.

EDIT: I also own the Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.1 but with MX Silent switches. They're linear like red switches but dampened so they sound like a clunk rather than a clack. They aren't a huge difference in sound, they are quieter, but they don't feel as good as MX red.

Last edited by r.linder; Nov 18, 2018 @ 5:49pm

#5

WeeHawky Atrazine Chem Frogs (Banned) Nov 18, 2018 @ 9:29pm

Originally posted by Escorve:
Originally posted by weehawky:

Carpel Tunnel and possible RA (mom had it).

That would make more sense. Personally, I've been lucky enough to not get carpal tunnel, and I've been typing on keyboards for most of my life. I've never experienced the same effects that others have had from extensive use with tactile and clicky switches, in fact they don't provide any more strain to me than linear switches. Sorry to hear about that.

In that case, I'd recommend:

1. Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS Pro - 70$ USD[www.amazon.com] - Cherry MX Red, Red backlighting, Tenkeyless version
2. Corsair STRAFE RGB - 90$ USD[www.amazon.com] - RGB backlighting, usb passthrough, cherry mx red switches, full size keyboard

Honestly, while I like the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro, the Corsair STRAFE RGB Mk. 1 with red switches being on sale for 40% less is an absolute steal for what you're getting. If it wasn't on sale on Amazon US, I wouldn't even mention it.

EDIT: I also own the Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.1 but with MX Silent switches. They're linear like red switches but dampened so they sound like a clunk rather than a clack. They aren't a huge difference in sound, they are quieter, but they don't feel as good as MX red.

Why not https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCX88FQ/ref=twister_B07JVTF9BX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ? I'm not buying nothing without a keypad.

Also, just wondering, I assume you don't think the Cooler Master is worth it nor the other one?

#6

r.linder Nov 18, 2018 @ 10:23pm

Originally posted by weehawky:
Originally posted by Escorve:

That would make more sense. Personally, I've been lucky enough to not get carpal tunnel, and I've been typing on keyboards for most of my life. I've never experienced the same effects that others have had from extensive use with tactile and clicky switches, in fact they don't provide any more strain to me than linear switches. Sorry to hear about that.

In that case, I'd recommend:

1. Kingston HyperX Alloy FPS Pro - 70$ USD[www.amazon.com] - Cherry MX Red, Red backlighting, Tenkeyless version
2. Corsair STRAFE RGB - 90$ USD[www.amazon.com] - RGB backlighting, usb passthrough, cherry mx red switches, full size keyboard

Honestly, while I like the HyperX Alloy FPS Pro, the Corsair STRAFE RGB Mk. 1 with red switches being on sale for 40% less is an absolute steal for what you're getting. If it wasn't on sale on Amazon US, I wouldn't even mention it.

EDIT: I also own the Corsair STRAFE RGB MK.1 but with MX Silent switches. They're linear like red switches but dampened so they sound like a clunk rather than a clack. They aren't a huge difference in sound, they are quieter, but they don't feel as good as MX red.

Why not https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCX88FQ/ref=twister_B07JVTF9BX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ? I'm not buying nothing without a keypad.

Also, just wondering, I assume you don't think the Cooler Master is worth it nor the other one?

They're both good keyboards, don't get me wrong. But there's better for less.

Also if you need a keypad, then by all means, get the full size version. I just mentioned the TKL model because it's 10$ less, and most people just don't need a full size keyboard.
It's all your average gamer needs to be happy, and there are very few keyboards with red switches for less than the HyperX Alloy FPS family, at least as far as I could find on big sellers. The CK552 isn't even using Cherry's red switch, it uses Gateron Reds according to my research, and it's still evenly priced with the Alloy FPS full size because of the RGB lighting.
Cooler Master isn't the best at durability outside of the realm of cases either, and the Corsair STRAFE does not have as good build quality as the Alloy FPS either, which is kind of sad considering there's quite a gap in their pricing, even more so in other countries than the US.

Last edited by r.linder; Nov 18, 2018 @ 10:37pm

#7

WeeHawky Atrazine Chem Frogs (Banned) Nov 18, 2018 @ 10:55pm

Originally posted by Escorve:
Originally posted by weehawky:

Why not https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCX88FQ/ref=twister_B07JVTF9BX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 ? I'm not buying nothing without a keypad.

Also, just wondering, I assume you don't think the Cooler Master is worth it nor the other one?

They're both good keyboards, don't get me wrong. But there's better for less.

Also if you need a keypad, then by all means, get the full size version. I just mentioned the TKL model because it's 10$ less, and most people just don't need a full size keyboard.
It's all your average gamer needs to be happy, and there are very few keyboards with red switches for less than the HyperX Alloy FPS family, at least as far as I could find on big sellers. The CK552 isn't even using Cherry's red switch, it uses Gateron Reds according to my research, and it's still evenly priced with the Alloy FPS full size because of the RGB lighting.
Cooler Master isn't the best at durability outside of the realm of cases either, and the Corsair STRAFE does not have as good build quality as the Alloy FPS either, which is kind of sad considering there's quite a gap in their pricing, even more so in other countries than the US.

So the full sized Hyper would be your pick ?

#8

r.linder Nov 18, 2018 @ 11:07pm

Originally posted by weehawky:
Originally posted by Escorve:

They're both good keyboards, don't get me wrong. But there's better for less.

Also if you need a keypad, then by all means, get the full size version. I just mentioned the TKL model because it's 10$ less, and most people just don't need a full size keyboard.
It's all your average gamer needs to be happy, and there are very few keyboards with red switches for less than the HyperX Alloy FPS family, at least as far as I could find on big sellers. The CK552 isn't even using Cherry's red switch, it uses Gateron Reds according to my research, and it's still evenly priced with the Alloy FPS full size because of the RGB lighting.
Cooler Master isn't the best at durability outside of the realm of cases either, and the Corsair STRAFE does not have as good build quality as the Alloy FPS either, which is kind of sad considering there's quite a gap in their pricing, even more so in other countries than the US.

So the full sized Hyper would be your pick ?

Yes, if I needed a keypad. Since I never use them, I went with the tenkeyless version because it's cheaper and frees up a little bit more space on any desk for my mouse. If you really want that keypad, then I would recommend the Alloy FPS (Full sized version, Pro is TKL).
From what I've seen and tested with the Alloy FPS Pro, they are among the most cost efficient mechanical keyboards that don't skimp on the switch and build quality whatsoever.

#9

WeeHawky Atrazine Chem Frogs (Banned) Nov 19, 2018 @ 3:07am

Originally posted by Escorve:
Originally posted by weehawky:

So the full sized Hyper would be your pick ?

Yes, if I needed a keypad. Since I never use them, I went with the tenkeyless version because it's cheaper and frees up a little bit more space on any desk for my mouse. If you really want that keypad, then I would recommend the Alloy FPS (Full sized version, Pro is TKL).
From what I've seen and tested with the Alloy FPS Pro, they are among the most cost efficient mechanical keyboards that don't skimp on the switch and build quality whatsoever.

I suppose I'd buy it from newegg. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823455004&Description=HyperX%20Alloy%20FPS&cm_re=HyperX_Alloy_FPS-_-23-455-004-_-Product

#10

r.linder Nov 19, 2018 @ 9:19am

Originally posted by weehawky:
Originally posted by Escorve:

Yes, if I needed a keypad. Since I never use them, I went with the tenkeyless version because it's cheaper and frees up a little bit more space on any desk for my mouse. If you really want that keypad, then I would recommend the Alloy FPS (Full sized version, Pro is TKL).
From what I've seen and tested with the Alloy FPS Pro, they are among the most cost efficient mechanical keyboards that don't skimp on the switch and build quality whatsoever.

I suppose I'd buy it from newegg. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823455004&Description=HyperX%20Alloy%20FPS&cm_re=HyperX_Alloy_FPS-_-23-455-004-_-Product

Yeah, most sites sell it for the same price

#11

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