Corsair is an eminent figure in the world of gaming peripherals and is best known for its premium, and premium-priced products. But not everyone can afford or wants to spend so much on a gaming keyboard, so the company has introduced the Corsair K70 Core. It’s a keyboard that steps boldly into the realm of budget-oriented gaming gear, but is full-sized and not only offers a wealth of features but also makes minimal compromises. Embracing the conventional full-size layout with a dash of innovation in the form of a distinctive rotary knob on the upper right corner, the K70 Core welcomes you with a captivating LED startup sequence and a pleasing tactile experience. In this affordable package, Corsair has weaved in features often found in higher-end custom keyboards, hinting at an exciting evolution in gaming peripherals. Join me as we embark on a deeper exploration of this remarkable creation.
Specifications
- Price: $99.99 (Amazon)
- Form Factor: Full Size
- Top Cover: Aluminum Plate
- Bottom: Plastic
- Sound absorbing foam: EVA Foam
- Case Foam: EVA Foam
- Color: Black
- Keycaps: ABS Double shot
- Backlighting:
- North Facing
- Individually LED lit
- Per-key Programmable
- LED Color: RGB
- Switches:
- Type: Corsair Red Linear
- Actuation Force: 45g
- Actuation Distance: 1.9mm
- Total Travel: 4mm
- 70 million keystrokes
- Pre-lubed
- Connectivity: USB 3.0 Type-A
- Pulling Rate: Up to 1000Hz Hyper-polling
- Onboard Profiles: 5
- Media Control: 1 button
- Adjustable Height: Yes
- Cable: 1.8m / 6 ft, tangle-free rubber
- Dimensions: 448(L) x 153 (W) x 35.4(H) mm / 17.64(L) X 6.02(W) x 1.39(H) in
- Weight: 0.934 kgs / 2.059 lbs
The Corsair K70 Core doesn't compromise much on features, despite its reasonable price. Sporting a traditional layout, it includes a handy rotary knob in the upper right corner. Upon plugging it in, the keyboard lights up impressively with a quick LED startup sequence, ready to use straight out of the box. I was pleasantly surprised by its build quality. It features a rigid chassis with an aluminum top plate and minimal deck flex during typing.
From the get-go, I was struck by the quality of the typing experience. The K70 incorporates two layers of sound-dampening EVA foam, situated between the chassis and the PCB. This effective configuration minimizes unwanted pinging and reverberation, resulting in a soft, refined typing feel. It comes with shine-through keycaps made from double-shot ABS plastic for improved durability.
It’s fitted with Corsair's pre-lubed red linear switches. They offer a quiet, effortless typing experience, foregoing the typical loud click of mechanical switches. While this may not be everyone's cup of tea, I've grown to appreciate the comfort of linear switches. For competitive gaming, their linearity matches well with the poise of hovering over a keycap, waiting for the perfect moment to act.
While the K70 is undoubtedly an exceptional keyboard given its price point, it does come with a few omissions that, for most gamers, might not be a concern. However, it's worth noting the absence of macro buttons. Some gamers heavily rely on these modifiers to optimize their key inputs, and transitioning to a setup without them might require some adaptation. This was a minor adjustment for me personally, as I'm accustomed to using a keyboard with a 75% layout, which also lacks these extra keys.
The Corsair K70 Core also incorporates a convenient rotary dial with preset functionalities right out of the box. These presets encompass volume control, lighting adjustment, page scrolling (both vertical and horizontal), and zoom. You can easily select these presets by pressing Fn+F12 or by utilizing Corsair's iCUE software. Additionally, the K70 features a dedicated media key, which bears the Corsair iCUE logo. By default, this key serves as a play/pause button, but you have the flexibility to remap its function using iCUE. While the rotary dial and dedicated media key are valuable additions, I did notice that the rotary dial's proximity to the lower keys made it somewhat awkward to use, and the media key, being rather flat, required a bit more effort to use.
Another high point is that it works flawlessly with my other devices that are iCUE enabled. It paired nicely with my LL120 RGB case fans and I was able to create some splendid effects that synced with both the case fans and the keyboard with minimal effort. The depth of customization is Photoshop-like, however, and works in layers — if you choose to go that deep. If you are not familiar with iCUE you may be in for a fair amount of tinkering to acclimate, but the customizations are seemingly endless. I have several effects that I was able to extend to the K70 that are accessible via a plugin with my Stream Deck.
The K70 Core is offered in both wrist rest and non-wrist rest variants. While the wrist rest is a thoughtful addition, I had mixed feelings about it. The soft-touch plastic, despite its touted comfort, left impressions on my palms over extended use. Nevertheless, it attaches securely to the keyboard through magnets and remains in place even when the keyboard is repositioned. One minor drawback is the non-detachable USB cord, which, while understandable from a cost perspective, would have been a nice addition for customization and aesthetic matching.
Final Thoughts
In the world of gaming keyboards, the Corsair K70 Core stands out as a budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on features. For $100, you’re getting a high quality mechanical keyboard with many of the bells and whistle you would usually expect to pay extra for. With a traditional layout and handy innovations like the rotary dial and dedicated media key, it offers both functionality and style. Its focus on sound-dampening foam and pre-lubed switches also help it to deliver a refined typing experience. Although it lacks macro buttons and the wrist rest might not suit everyone, its seamless integration with Corsair's iCUE ecosystem offers endless customization possibilities. If you're looking for a cost-effective gaming keyboard with great potential for personalization, the Corsair K70 Core is worth considering.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Purchasing products through our links will result in a small commission for the site. Authors are not compensated based upon clicks or commissions.
