CM Storm Quickfire XT Mechanical Keyboard Review

By Austin Downing

Manufacturer: Cooler Master Ltd. Inc.
Product Name: CM Storm Quickfire XT
Model Number: SGK-4030-GKCL1-US
UPC: 884102021404
Price As Tested: $89.99 (Amazon | Newegg)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by Cooler Master Ltd. Inc.

Cooler Master has a full range of keyboards with various prices and configurations, ranging from the fully backlit, full sized Trigger, to the minimalist ten keyless QuickFire Stealth. Adding yet another keyboard into the fray, Cooler Master has introduced the QuickFire XT, a full size companion to Cooler Master’s very popular QuickFire Rapid. The Quickfire XT is a no frills, full-sized mechanical keyboard available with variety of switches depending on a user’s needs. In this review Benchmark Reviews will be evaluating the Cooler Master CM Storm Quickfire XT (model SGK-4030-GKCL1-US) against its rivals in the very competitive mechanical keyboard market.

I always look forward to reviewing Cooler Master mechanical keyboards with their beautiful simplicity, and the QuickFire XT it was no different. The simple design of the Quickfire XT focuses on primarily being high quality keyboards without all of the extras that many other manufactures seem to think add value to their product.

As with any other peripheral it is important look at the Quickfire Stealth from a well-rounded standpoint, this means using it in a various situations including gaming and from a typist’s standpoint.

Part Number	SGK-4030-GKCG1(Green switch) SGK-4030-GKCL1(Blue switch) SGK-4030-GKCR1(Red switch) SGK-4030-GKCM1(Brown switch)
N-Key Rollover	N-Key in PS/2 mode
Repeat Rate	4 levels (PS/2 mode only)
Interface	USB/PS2
Windows Key Lock	Yes, both sides
Media Keys	Yes (via F keys)
Keycap Puller	Yes
USB Cable	Removable, USB A connector
Dimensions	440(L)x132(W)x29(H) mm 17.3(L)x5.2(W)x1.1(H) inch
Weight	1100 g/ 2.43 lbs

Testing peripherals like the Quickfire XT are quite simply a matter of using them in the real world for an extended amount of time. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the product they are no standardized test that can be done but rather it is a matter of personal opinion from the time spent using the product. In order to analyze the qualities of the Quickfire XT I focused on looking at the many different realms of work and play that the Quickfire XT is expected to be subjected to. This means looking at both its qualities as a gaming keyboard, but more importantly its qualities as a method of input for work related projects.

• Motherboard: MSI P67-GD65
• System Memory: G.Skill Ares 1866MHz 2 x 8GB kit
• Processor: Core i5 2500k 3.3GHz @ 4.7GHz
• Audio: Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty
• Video: GTX 690
• Disk Drive 1: 240GB Mushkin Enhanced Chronos
• Optical Drive: DVD Drive
• Enclosure: Silverstone Raven RV02-EW
• PSU: Cooler Master SilentPro 1000w
• Monitor: Asus 27.5″ 1920 x 1200
• Operating System: Windows 8 x64 Profesional

As soon as I received the QuickFire XT I started using it to play the massively multiplayer shooter Planetside 2. Using the QuickFire XT for hours on end proved to be an enjoyable experience. I found no problems, quickly navigating various menus quickly and while avoiding the enemy’s bullets.

During our sessions, I need to quickly go from killing the enemy to guiding our platoon with a map, then back to marking enemies on the battlefield for our platoon to destroy, and planting beacons to allow my squad mates to spawn. The tactile nature of the Cherry MX Blue switches enabled me to be sure of every key press I made, giving me the confidence to quickly send many commands at once.

Typing on the QuickFire XT for work proved to be equally enjoyable with the click and bump of the Cherry MX Blue switches. While working on projects I found that the full sized QuickFire XT was almost perfect, allowing for both accuracy and speed in my work. The Cherry MX Blue switches are almost hypnotic to type on, with the constant clicking and clacking lulling me into a trance.

During my time at Benchmark reviews I have reviewed many different mechanical keyboards, but I find myself repeatedly coming back to review Cooler Master designs. Every time a new model shows up at my door I can’t help but think, “Surely this is the final design Cooler Master will bring out for a while.” only to Cooler Master announce a new model.

The QuickFire XT is a full sized addition to the QuickFire line. It has everything a user needs and nothing more. Personally, I like that Cooler Master keep things simple with the QuickFire XT. While LED’s in a keyboard are cool, they drive up the price, add complexity and for a touch typist are unnecessary.

Just like QuickFire Rapid, I hope the Cooler Master ends up making a QuickFire Stealth version of the QuickFire XT. (I also would love to review a Cherry MX Green version of the QuickFire XT) Otherwise I would leave the QuickFire XT just the way it is.

Performance in a keyboard is about being able to type quickly and accurately. With the QuickFire XT I was able to type with ease and while gaming I was sure the button I was pressing was the one I needed. Even better because of the auditory feedback provided by the Cherry MX Blue switches, I was able to have faster typing speed because I know as soon as I hear the click that I can move on to the next key.

Cooler Master kept thing simple with the appearance of the QuickFire XT. Its black keys with white lettering look great, whether at home or work. My only concern is that the fill used for the laser etched keys tends to discolor over time. After less than a week of use my WASD cluster is already starting to discolor, nothing terrible but noticeable.

The QuickFire XT like all of Cooler Master’s mechanical offerings is well built. To back that up Cooler Master has provided a two-year warranty should something go awry.

The QuickFire XT is a barebones mechanical keyboard, it has no backlighting or software for creating macros. What it does provide is a amazing platform for typing, in a full sized keyboard layout, with media controls. Overall the QuickFire XT does everything I need and nothing more.

As of August 2013 the CM Storm QuickFire XT is available online for $89.99 (Amazon | Newegg), which is fairly priced for a full sized mechanical keyboard. The SGK-4030-GKCL1-US model has a few competitors that are less expensive, and a quite a few that are more expensive. Many enthusiasts still will have a hard time justifying the extra expense needed for a mechanical keyboard, especially since a basic membrane keyboard can be had for less than $8.

Because of its wonderful build quality, fair price, and high performance, I award the Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire XT the Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer award.

+ Competitive price for full sized mechanical keyboard
+ Simple design will fit in many different environments
+ Available with many different Cherry MX Switches
+ Two year warranty

– Fill used on laser etched keys stains quickly
– Expensive when compared to a membrane keyboard

• Performance: 9.50
• Appearance: 8.75
• Construction: 9.50
• Functionality: 8.75
• Value: 9.00

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