CHERRY MX BOARD 5.0 Mechanical Keyboard Review

By Olin Coles

Manufacturer: Cherry GmbH
Product Name: MX Board 5.0 Corded Keyboard RED SWITCH Linear (45 cN)
Model Number: G80-3920HYAEU-2
EAN: 4025112088056
MSRP: 159 EUR / $190 USD

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

Choosing the right peripheral components is critical to demanding PC users. The mouse and keyboard work like natural extensions of the body, and so their selection becomes a personal choice. Keyboards are used for both everyday workload as well as entertainment, so picking the right one is very important. In this article, Benchmark Reviews tests the Cherry MX Board 5.0 corded mechanical keyboard with German-made Gold Crosspoint contact technology precision Cherry MX Red linear switches, double-shot keys, and customizable white LED backlighting.

Cherry Electrical Products was originally founded by Mr. Walter Cherry in 1953, in Highland Park, Illinois, and in 1963 opened Cherry Mikroschalter GmbH in West Germany, and soon began manufacturing computer keyboards in 1967. After Mr. Cherry’s passing, his son Peter took control of the company, and in 1979 moved the company’s headquarters to Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Cherry was then purchased by ZF Friedrichshafen AG in 2008, and later incorporated as ZF Electronics GmbH. The Cherry brand name continues to be used today.

Cherry MX-series switches are considered standard equipment for serious PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts. Most mechanical keyboard varieties utilize either Red, Brown, or Blue switches, each designed with its own unique feature set. Cherry MX Red switches, like those featured on the MX Board 5.0, use a linear design that foregoes tactile feedback and audible click sound, while delivering a lightweight 45 cN resistance. Brown switches offer 55 cN response while Black raises the switch pressure to 60 cN, and both add tactile feedback without clicking. Blue switches offer a slightly more resistant 50 cN response with tactile feedback and audible click.

Features and Specifications listed below ere gathered from Cherry MX Board 5.0 product webpage.

MX BOARD 5.0 Features

• Mechanical corded keyboard with ergonomic solution and extra large, individually adjustable palm rest
• Aluminum frame with extremely sturdy and non-slip feet due to duplicate design and rubber elements
• CHERRY MX technology – Gold Crosspoint contact technology for all key switches “Made in Germany”
• Win-Key lock: Windows buttons can be disabled to prevent inadvertent operation
• Full N-Key Rollover: Simultaneous operation of all keys without any key ghosting effects
• Dimmable, white key backlighting with several light effects
• Abrasion-resistant double shot PBT keycaps (for US-international layout only)
• Compatible with the CHERRY Performance Key Kit

G80-3920HYAEU-2 Specifications

• Housing color: silver/black
• Key color: black
• Weight (product): approx. 1060 g (keyboard) 420 g (wrist rest)
• Cable Length: approx. 1.80 m / 70.8 inches
• USB Current Consumption: max. 500 mA
• Warranty: 2 years
• Dimensions (product): approx. 464 x 145,5 x 36 mm (keyboard) approx. 480,5 x 86,5 x 36 mm (wrist rest)
• Reliability: MTBF > 80,000 hours MCBF > 1-Billion operations
• Service life, standard key: > 50 million key operations