INTRODUCTION
Corsair K95 Platinum XT
The Corsair K95 Platinum XT peripheral is considered kind of a gaming keyboard supercar by most enthusiasts out there and it comes containing everything that a true gamer would need. Its most glaring highlights include macro keys, fully customizable RGB lighting, Cherry MX Speed mechanical switches and on-board memory designed to allow the user to be able to save preset profiles straight onto the board. If you’re willing to break the bank a little to truly satisfy your hardcore gaming need, then this is definitely the board for you. Truth is, it doesn’t come cheap and if you’re more of a casual PC gamer, then it might even be a bit of an overkill for you.
Asus ROG Strix Scope
The Asus ROG Strix Scope is a good idea for those of you that want a sturdy and sleek gaming keyboard that has brilliant mechanical key switches. Just like the Corsair, the Asus Strix Scope also employs the use of Cherry MX switches. With this model, Asus’s main goal was to provide its users with more desktop space without having to compromise too much on performance. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t come cheap as well. Although, its price tag is kind of reasonable given that it has both Cherry MX Switches and the backing of a top brand name in ROG.
DESIGN
Corsair K95 Platinum XT
The Corsair K95 XT board’s overall design is very similar to that of its K70 counterpart, which is by no means a bad thing. The chassis made from aluminum has a sturdy feel to it and the keyboard’s compact dimension makes it perfect to use both on your lap or on a desk. This is kind of a big deal considering the fact that a lot more gamers are choosing to play in their lounges. The inclusion of media key functions found on the top-left of the board makes it easier to skip tracks mid-game or tweak volumes, which is something those of you that like having soundtracks play in the background will really enjoy.
The USB pass through and detachable wrist rest are also two very welcome additions to the Corsair K95. This, lacking of a USB pass through, is something that could cause someone not to buy the product altogether because not having it makes it harder to use a mouse or headset during gameplay when you’re not directly in-front of the computer. Oh, and the palm rest’s reversible rubberized strip makes it comfortable for volume typing too. The board also has a 19-zone LightEdge and six programmable macro keys. Some hardcore MOBA and RTS gamers might feel like six macro key functions just aren’t enough, however, for most that’ll be more than enough. They’re located on the left side for easy access.
Asus ROG Strix Scope
The Asus Strix Scope has a brushed aluminum top-plate and an open housing, which results in a classy-looking, sturdy and sleek gaming peripheral. It has an almost military-grade construction, which is what helps Asus justify the price tag. It measures in at around 860-grams, which is pretty heavy for a tenkeyless keyboard. The wrist rest it comes with adds another 170-grams, bringing the boards total weight to slightly over 1-kilogram. Thankfully, the tenkeyless overall design-style helps make the Asus Strix easy to transport and relatively portable. Its two-tone grey and black color scheme gives the board an aggressive look and is likely to appeal to the avid gamer’s setup.
The Asus board has a clean finish with an Asus ROG logo plastered on the board’s top-right corner. The lock-lights are located slightly above the arrow key functions, in amongst its Navigation cluster. It has double-shot molded keycaps with 2 pieces of plastic helping make them especially hard-wearing. In addition to this, Asus employs the use of its ROG typeface to further reinforce the keyboard’s sleek but aggressive overall character. Sadly, though, the Strix Scope lacks additional macro keys, however, this is something you can expect with tenkeyless boards due to their inherent space-saving nature. Though, some people might argue that this is a must-have in today’s world.
KEYS
Corsair K95 Platinum XT
The Corsair K95 XT peripheral uses Cherry MX mechanical switches, which also happens to be what its K70 Rapidfire uses. The main focus of these switches is responsiveness. These key switches have an actuation force of about 45-grams and a response movement of just about 1.2-millimeteres. Basically, what we’re saying here is that they’re extremely sensitive. Yes, the cheaper mechanical key switches have managed to improve and function way better than they once did, but they’re still nothing compared to the comfort and efficiency the Germans provide with their Cherry MX mechanical switches. You can get the K95 XT with either the tactile and quiet Cherry MX Blues, the tactile and quite Cherry MX Browns or the linear and quick Cherry MX Speeds.
Asus ROG Strix Scope
When it comes to the keys found on the Asus Strix Scope, the company opted to go for the ever-reliable Cherry MX mechanical switches, which are world-renowned for their reliability and long life. If you go the Cherry MX Red route, you’ll be getting a lightweight actuation force of 45cN which is ideal for first-person shooters. For faster keystrokes and a more competitive advantage, go for the lighter Cherry MX Speeds which have an actuation point of about 1.2 millimeters (higher than the regular 2-millimetres). Anyway, the Asus Strix Scope can also be gotten with Cherry MX Blues, Cherry MX Browns and Cherry MX Blacks.
FEATURES
Corsair K95 Platinum XT
Corsair’s proprietary Utility Engine Software (iCUE) is what powers the K95 XT peripheral. This software really hasn’t changed that much since it was first released and it’s still a little complex to use but robust in nature. This software is designed to allow you reprogram all the board’s keys (including the six extra macro keys), link profiles to individual apps, programs and games, disable certain key functions during gameplay as well as customize the RGB illumination settings. Okay, the Utility Engine provides for numerous customization and settings options and is quite powerful, however, it’s nowhere near as intuitive as you’d expect and it’s pretty hard to use. Anyway, the board also has 5 onboard profiles that allow the user to store their own presets directly on to the computer.
The 19-zone LightEdge feature is a RGB lighting strip (programmable) that lines the board’s top. If you’re down with RGB lighting, then you’ll love this feature because the Edge is a true example of decadent addition. In fact, it probably won’t appeal to everyone. However, if RGB illumination is your thing then you’ll definitely like this feature. Anyway, one thing that really sucks about the K95 is that it’s kind of a smudge and dust magnet. The board collects dust, debris and dirt pretty easily, which can be a real pain whenever you’re transporting it from one place to another.
Asus ROG Strix Scope
The Strix Scope runs on Asus’ proprietary Armoury software. Despite being a considerably heavy install, this software gives its user plenty of programming ability as far as backlighting is concerned. It provides you with ten different lighting profiles, as well as the chance to choose different modes and create custom effects on each of the individual presets. However, the fact that it lacks dedicated macro key functions makes it fall short, albeit a bit, on its software side. It has limited capability when it comes to programming macros and it doesn’t give the ability to reprogram all the keys on the board.
The Asus Strix, out-of-the-box features 5 lighting on-board presets, which include Reactive, Rain Drop, Current, Starry Night and the standard color wave. Individual keystrokes are what trigger lighting. The variety of presets it has out of the package are quite decent and it looks crisp and clean its clear housing Cherry MX mechanical switches. Asus’ proprietary software only helps makes it even that more impressive.
PERFORMANCE
Corsair K95 Platinum XT
The Corsair K95 XT peripheral has such reactive responses until it can feel a bit weird when being used for regular, daily typing duties. Furthermore, it’s also quite a loud gaming keyboard, which means it won’t be ideal for mixed living areas or office environments. The keys on it are suitably spaced out and nicely aligned to help avoid consistent typos, and this helps give it the ability to double up as productivity tool. This board is also an outright marvel when it comes to gaming as well. The keys’ sensitivity makes it ideal for first-person shooter titles and games that put emphasis on reaction speeds. You’ll genuinely feel more skillful and agile when using a Viking or Samurai in For Honor.
Although, honestly speaking, the Corsair K95 gaming keyboard isn’t for everyone. The more casual gamer might find the board’s responses a bit too reactive for their liking and they might even start to complain about misfires when they find themselves in heated battle exchanges. If you think you might be one of these people, then the Asus ROG Strix Scope would certainly be a better option for you.
Asus ROG Strix Scope
The magnetic palm rest that comes with the Asus ROG Strix Scope keyboard may not have the most secure attachment profile, however, it does help greatly increase productivity by raising the wrists upwards and, in turn, increasing ergonomics and comfort. The hardcore gamers and volume typists out there know how handy this can be. The inclusion of this palm rest makes the Strix Scope, without doubt, one of the premium products available on the market. And this notion is strengthened further by the addition of a detachable 1.8 meter USB Type-C cable.
The Asus ROG Strix Scope also has full anti-ghosting and NKRO, which are staples on most modern-day mechanical gaming keyboards out there. They help provide gamers with that competitive edge during those high-intensity battle situations. If you want to use the board for general day-to-day tasks, then you might want to strongly consider going for the version that has Cherry MX Speed or Blue switches, but if you’re going to be using it largely for gaming then the Cherry MX Reds are the way to go.
VERDICT
If you are a serious gamer that loves playing first-person shooters or competitive eSports titles and you want a very fast mechanical keyboard to take down these games with, then you definitely need to be focusing on the Corsair K95 XT. Not only does it have very reactive keys, but it also, basically, ticks all the boxes any gamers would want it to. However, if you’re in the market for a sturdy, sleek tenkeyless board that has outstanding mechanical keys then the Asus ROG Strix is what you should be going. With that said, if you had to choose between the two, then the Corsair K95 takes.
