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CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX, review: a keyboard ready to compete

As we explained before, this keyboard also incorporates the Tournament Switch, a mechanical actuation switch that blocks the use of macros and programmed actions (to avoid cheating) and, in addition, puts the keyboard lighting in static mode to avoid possible distractions. .

Tournament Switch

Another change that this keyboard incorporates is that instead of using caps made of PBT Double-Shot, the caps are made of polycarbonate, more resistant to abrasion and wear, with better durability and that allow better light to pass through for an even more impressive illumination. In addition, these caps are more solid and fit better on the switches so they “dance” less, improving the precision of pressing.

For the rest, the CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX retains the typical characteristics of the brand’s keyboards, such as its high-quality brushed aluminum frame, its dedicated multimedia keys or its digital volume wheel. In addition, in this case and also thinking that users take their peripherals to tournaments, this keyboard has a detachable cable with a USB-C connector for greater comfort.

Unboxing and external analysis

The CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX comes packaged in the usual black and yellow rigid cardboard box that the manufacturer uses for all its peripherals. On the front side we can see an image of the device accompanied by its main summarized characteristics, leaving a sketch with its main parts and characteristics for the back.

As accessories, we only find the usual pamphlets on the guarantee and safety, as well as the detachable cable, a 1.82 meter long cable, meshed with nylon thread and with a USB-C connector at one end and another USB-A on the other.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

Here you have the CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX, with its compact size but in which nothing is dispensed with except the number pad, since it has 4 multimedia keys in the upper left corner, volume and silence wheel in the upper right, and buttons for profile change, lighting intensity and game mode just to its left.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

Here you can see these dedicated multimedia keys, whose pulsation by the way CORSAIR has improved substantially since the previous versions of their keyboards in the K70 range.

The characteristic black brushed aluminum plate of the brand’s keyboards is still present, and with quality accents throughout.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

The typography of the keys is also the usual one, it looks great even with the lighting off. However, we return to the fact that, at least personally, we liked the typography that CORSAIR once used on its STRAFE range of keyboards better, with the larger letters.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

On the back is where we will find both the USB-C female port to connect the cable and the Tournament Switch. By the way, when we have this switch activated, a red LED will light up so that tournament referees can see at a glance that it is active.

At the bottom we find generous rubber inserts to prevent the keyboard from moving out of place during use. We find it curious, by the way, that this model, despite not having a wrist rest, does have the hooking area for the wrist rest on the lower plastic structure.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

In the upper area we find the usual lifting feet that modify the angle of the keyboard by 8 degrees, and of course they have rubber inserts so as not to lose grip on the table.

CORSAIR OPX switches are similar in shape and height to conventional mechanical switches, so keyboard thickness is standard even though the actuation distance of these optical-mechanical switches is just 1mm.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

Here you can see one of these switches that, aesthetically speaking, do not differ at all from the original Cherry MX that CORSAIR usually uses on its keyboards.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

The caps, despite being made of polycarbonate, are also no different from the normal ones made of PBT DoubleShot, except for the fact that they fit better and, in fact, it does take a little more effort to remove them from the switch by pulling towards up.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

Seen the keyboard, it’s time to connect it and put it to the test.

The software: CORSAIR iCUE

As I’m sure you already know, iCUE is the unified software for the entire CORSAIR hardware ecosystem, including its peripherals. As soon as you connect the keyboard, the PC already recognizes it without even needing to update the software, so we can proceed with its configuration immediately.

iCUE

As soon as you press on the keyboard to access its options, the software informs us about the Tournament switch that we have already told you about before.

iCUE

Let’s go now with the options. Initially we have the key assignment, where we can configure what we want each key to do, including macros and special options. The next option is called hardware key mapping, which is the same but it will store what we do in the internal memory of the keyboard, so we can continue to use these options that we configure even without software.

iCUE

In lighting effects we can configure precisely this, the lighting of the keys with a multitude of options and advanced effects. In hardware lighting we have the same as with key mapping, how we want the keyboard to light up when there is no software installed on the PC.

iCUE

In the Performance tab we can configure what we want the keyboard to do when we activate the game mode. Also here we can configure the color of the special brightness, profile and lock buttons.

iCUE

Finally, in device configuration we can update the keyboard firmware, as well as configure its polling frequency, brightness and keyboard language. Be careful because the keyboard comes from the factory configured at 1,000 Hz, and if we want to fully enjoy the advantages of AXON technology, we must access this section to manually configure 8,000 Hz.

iCUE

Given what the software offers us, let’s see how the keyboard behaves in use.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX Tests and Performance

As usual, let’s see how the lighting looks first of all. In the following image you can see the lighting of this CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX in very bright conditions, with two 2,200 W white light bulbs pointing directly at the device.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

Logically the lighting is hardly visible, but you can see something, which shows the power of the lighting. Now let’s see how it looks in more normal lighting conditions, only with natural daylight coming through the window, located about 2 meters from the keyboard.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

Now it really stands out a lot more, right? The illumination of this keyboard is more than adequate, and in fact we would say that it looks more intense than in previous models that used PBT caps instead of polycarbonate.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

As for the performance of the keyboard, what to say? It’s fabulous across the board. We had already tested the CORSAIR OPX switches before, and they behave excellently both for gaming and for typing, although their strong point is gaming since, as they have an actuation point of only 1 millimeter, they are very fast for repeated presses but they can induce involuntary pulsations in other areas, such as to write texts. However, the keystrokes are recorded on the PC instantly, and no matter how hard you “pound” the keyboard never gets stuck and everything we want to do is recorded.

Speaking of the ergonomics of the keyboard, certainly if you don’t need the number pad, the TKL format is appreciated, since it leaves a lot more space on the table to move the mouse. Of course, we miss the wrist rest, because although it is an accessory that is not really necessary, it is quite noticeable not to have it when you are used to it, and everything is said, it is an element that helps reduce the tired when you spend many hours using the keyboard. Leaving that aside, the ergonomics are correct, the usual in a mechanical format keyboard that has quite high keys.

With the tournament mode activated, the keyboard illumination turns completely red and all the advanced options that we have configured in the software are deactivated, allowing us to focus solely on the game and with the performance that can be expected from a keyboard of these characteristics. Actually, we see it as a very useful addition, especially for users who want to take their own peripherals to competitive tournaments of eSports games.

Conclusion and verdict

With the CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX, CORSAIR covers a wider range of possibilities for users who take gaming very seriously; the keyboard is designed to offer the best quality and maximum performance in games, saving space thanks to its TKL format and with that useful tournament mode that users will greatly appreciate when they use it for it. In addition, the fact that the cable is removable is something that is also appreciated to make it more comfortable to carry the keyboard from one place to another.

CORSAIR K70 RGB TKL OPX

The CORSAIR OPX switches have a smooth and very fast operation, Cherry MX Speed ​​style, something that is also very appreciated by users who intend to use the keyboard in a competitive game, where the keystrokes are frantic on many occasions.

For all these reasons, we believe that this release from CORSAIR is a success, and we consider that the K70 RGB TKL OPX deserves our Gold award, as well as our recommendation for its excellent performance.

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