I'm looking to upgrade from my Saitek Eclispe 2 keyboard as good as it is. Looking at the Steelseries v6g2, Qpad mk50, and Cooler Master CM Storm Quick Fire TK at a push. Finding it hard to explain to the wife that i need a keyboard that costs more than £50.00, also their is the noise issue with switch type i think i would have to have black cherry mx keys so as to not disturb the wife watching tv. Or would i be better buying a more expensive membrane keyboard over a entry level mechanical.
Mechanical keyboards
- Thread starter Ciff1
- Start date
I have the CM Storm Quick Fire TK Red - I wouldnt go back after experiencing the joys of the mechanical keys..... however they are noisy if typing... If you go down the membrane route I dont think theres any point in upgrading what you already have!!!
Soldato
- Joined
- 1 Apr 2009
- Posts
- 9,952
If you can't touch type, mechanicals are noisy, end of. You can buy rubber o-rings to soften the effect of bottoming out, but from what I've seen, it has little impact, and affect the feel.
Quietest illuminated keyboard I've used is a Logitech Mechanical Keyboard. But it's by no means a gaming keyboard.
Quietest illuminated keyboard I've used is a Logitech Mechanical Keyboard. But it's by no means a gaming keyboard.
Mechanical keyboards have a very different (and much nicer imo) feel vs rubber dome / membrane keyboards. Since owning one at home I actually dislike / find it difficult typing on a regular membrane keyboard at work - to the point where I am actually considering buying a second mechanical.
It is worth noting that the only switch type that clicks and is very loud to type on are the cherry MX blues. Reds, blacks and browns are all similar in noise when bottomed out. If anything browns will be the quietest of them because it is possible to stop without bottoming the keys out when you feel the actuation bump. Reds and blacks are designed to be bottomed out, which is what causes most of the noise.
Personally my favourite general switch is the reds as I find them totally non fatiguing and I do more gaming than typing. Lots of people suggest browns as the best compromise but I tried them and found them a bit... (not sure what the right word is but 'dull' or 'mushy' seem appropriate) compared to the reds.
Howayman above said he thinks mechanicals are too noisy for gaming but honestly with my speakers booming or my headphones on I have never found this to be an issue.
About the money, people said I was crazy for spending so much on a keyboard but it really does make a noticible difference I think. Also if you are willing to spend £1000+ on a PC liek me, why on earth would you skimp on the accessories? The parts you use the most!
Just my two cents.
It is worth noting that the only switch type that clicks and is very loud to type on are the cherry MX blues. Reds, blacks and browns are all similar in noise when bottomed out. If anything browns will be the quietest of them because it is possible to stop without bottoming the keys out when you feel the actuation bump. Reds and blacks are designed to be bottomed out, which is what causes most of the noise.
Personally my favourite general switch is the reds as I find them totally non fatiguing and I do more gaming than typing. Lots of people suggest browns as the best compromise but I tried them and found them a bit... (not sure what the right word is but 'dull' or 'mushy' seem appropriate) compared to the reds.
Howayman above said he thinks mechanicals are too noisy for gaming but honestly with my speakers booming or my headphones on I have never found this to be an issue.
About the money, people said I was crazy for spending so much on a keyboard but it really does make a noticible difference I think. Also if you are willing to spend £1000+ on a PC liek me, why on earth would you skimp on the accessories? The parts you use the most!
Just my two cents.
I type and game a lot on blues and also just couldn't go back to a horrible mushy membrane keyboard. The noise doesn't bother me while gaming, I just hear the effects and music and the key noise is just not an issue (for me). Whichever key type you go for, there is no going back once you've started because in comparison, typing on a membrane keyboard will feel like massaging cold porridge 
The noise issue is not for me, but more for the wife who has to share the same room all but 15ft away as i game with a headset with noise cancelling. I just think the Saitek is holding my gaming back in fps games as the awsd, c keys are starting to feel not as responsive as when the keyboard was new. I thought that cherry mx black keys were the quietest from what i've seen on the web, pc is used mostly by myself for gaming although other family members do use it occasionally.
