Corsair Vengeance K70 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

By Steven Iglesias-Hearst

Manufacturer: Corsair
Product Name: Vengeance K70 Black Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Model Number: CH-9000011-UK
UPC: 843591028691
Price As Tested: $129.99 (NewEgg / Amazon)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Corsair.

The K70 is the third attempt by Corsair at making mechanical keyboards, and I think that they have finally nailed it this time. Their initial release featured a mix of mechanical keys and rubber dome keys that many users didn’t approve of. Their second release featured backlit keys and macro keys but still had a mix of mechanical and rubber dome keys. Now we meet in the middle – we have a full set of illuminated mechanical keys with per-key illumination, and there is a choice between red, blue and brown Cherry MX switches to boot. Available in Black/Red or Silver/Blue color combinations, the Vengeance K70 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is arguably one of the best looking mechanical keyboards available today. In this article Benchmark Reviews will be testing the Black/Red model CH-9000011-UK variant with Cherry MX Red switches, in a variety of scenarios including gaming and general productivity applications.

A detachable wrist rest, Multimedia keys, an extra set of textured and contoured keys for WASD and 1~6 keys, and a USB 2.0 pass through port, give the Vengeance K70 extra functionality and value when comparing to other mechanical keyboards. The K70 also features full N-Key rollover and 1000Mhz polling rate for maximum response when it really counts. All of this in encased into Corsair’s signature aluminium chassis for extra strength and quality that you won’t find everywhere else. The main downside for this keyboard, of course, is the cost. Sure it’s a high grade product (with features gamers want and all) but $130 is going to be hard to swallow for most.

Features & Specifications

• Light, responsive Cherry MX Red mechanical switches for fast, efficient gaming action
  • 45g actuation force
  • 2mm to actuation and 4mm to bottom
  • Rated for 50 million operations
  • Gold contacts
• Laser-etched, backlit keys with four illumination levels (off, 66%, 75%, and full illumination) selectable from the keyboard
• Six multimedia keys — Stop, Previous, Play/Pause, Next, Mute, Volume Up/Down — with Solid metal, weighted volume “drum roller”
• Windows Lock key for uninterrupted game play
• Metal top plate for increased strength, durability and rigidity
• USB pass-through connector giving easy access to a USB port on the back of the keyboard (USB 2.0/1.1/1.0)
• USB Connector with gold plated contacts
• 2m non-tangle cable Adjustable feet tilt for optimum personalization and positioning

Package contents

• Vengeance K70 gaming keyboard
• Detachable soft wrist rest
• Warranty card (Two years warranty).

System requirements

• PC with USB port
• Windows 7/8, Windows Vista, or Windows XP

Designed for performance gaming
Cherry MX Red mechanical key switches provide fast, linear response and low-noise operation. Since the K70 is fully mechanical, you’ll get that response with any key you press. There’s a full key matrix anti-ghosting mechanism for perfect signal quality, and the full-key rollover ensures accuracy no matter how fast you play. The aluminum frame is lightweight and durable for hours and hours of intense play.

Customizable to your style of play
The all-important WASD and 1-6 keys are contoured and textured, so you can find them fast, and enjoy fast gaming action with less chance of your fingers missing their mark. You can use the software to program back-lighting for each key independently, so you can set up custom-lit key bindings for each game you play. And, once you’ve tweaked it to your tastes, the on-board memory lets you take your settings with you.

Looks great on your desktop
Not only is the K70 a remarkable gaming keyboard – it looks amazing, too. The brushed aluminum frame is black anodized for an impressive look, and the brilliant red backlighting gives it the unmistakable look of serious gaming machinery.

100% Cherry MX Red Mechanical Key Switches
You get smooth, linear key response for ultra fast double and triple taps without the audible click.

Key-by-Key Customizable Backlighting
Deep red LEDs with adjustable brightness and key-by-key programmability to light up just the keys you need. It’s great for illuminating your key bindings for each game, and you can store multiple presets. They’re saved directly to the K70 onboard memory, so you can take your light maps with you.

Brushed Aluminum Chassis
The K70 frame has a professional-grade look and feel, plus the rugged durability you need for hours of gaming.

Full key Matrix Anti-Ghosting with full-Key Rollover
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.

Contoured, Textured WASD and 1-6 Keycaps
Keep your eyes on the action with easy to locate FPS keys. An extra set of standard typing keycaps and a keycap replacement tool are provided for general typing.

Easy-Access Multimedia Controls
You don’t just play games – you play music and video, too. Play, stop, pause, skip tracks and adjust volume directly from the K70.

USB Pass-Through
An extra USB connector is provided. It’s great for attaching a Vengeance gaming mouse or headset.

Soft-Touch Wrist Rest
Give your wrists a break, or take it off if it gets in the way.