Price/Where to Buy
US: $200 – [easyazon_link identifier=”B01MS0I1ZK” locale=”US” tag=”back2gaming-20″]Corsair K95 RGB Platinum on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
PH: Php9530 – PCHUB
[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B01N5IISXY” locale=”US” tag=”back2gaming-20″]
We’ve been missing on Corsair for a good two years now and during those times we still managed to cover their products even though it was hard securing any for review. During that time period, we’ve seen them evolve their memory, peripheral and casing line to a more modern audience and now they’re stepping into creating all-in-one systems with their new Corsair ONE mini-PC. Focusing more on their peripheral line, Corsair has not been one to backdown from modern trends being the first to feature Cherry MX RGBs on their keyboards, its not a surprise they’ll try to maintain their position as a top peripheral manufacturer.
Today we have the current pinnacle of Corsair keyboard design with the new K95 RGB Platinum. Featuring a much improved layout, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum still brings the build quality and design we know and love from the original Corsair mech keyboards as well as the fully customizable keys and lighting gamers need. Read on!
Features
- Aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame: Built to withstand a lifetime of gaming. Lightweight and rugged durability, necessary for a keyboard that’s going to see a lot of action
- 8MB profile storage with hardware macro and lighting playback: Allow access up to three stored profiles on the go, independent of external software
- Dynamic multicolor per key backlighting with Light Edge: Adjust each key’s color and illumination level in addition to 19-zones on the top edge light bar for sophisticated and dramatic animations
- 100% CHERRY MX Brown RGB mechanical key switches: Light tactile feedback for fast performance and precise timing with less distraction
- 6 programmable G-keys keys for in-game macros: Assign single keystrokes or complex multi-key combos to any of the 6 dedicated macro keys
Closer Look
Corsair packages the K95 RGB Platinum in their signature full-colored box. On the box, we see a beauty shot of the keyboard on the front and back. The model name is printed in bold in the front with the Cherry MX logo indicating which switch we have. At the back are a rich array of detail highlights for the keyboard showcasing the main features of the K95 RGB Platinum.
The printed packaging is actually a slip cover for the actual box inside which houses the keyboard. Corsair protects the K95 RGB Platinum during shipping with folder cardboard with ample spacing. The keyboard itself is wrapped in plastic and the accessories are neatly tucked in another box inserted just underneath the keyboard.
Inside the package we have a few paperworks like the warranty guide, a user guide and also included are replacement keycaps
Included also in the package is a detachable wrist rest. This is a refinement over the previous iterations we’ve seen from the Corsair mechanical keyboard line and employs a deeper profile for improved ergonomics.
The wrist rest connects to the main keyboard via two connectors and are lined with rubber feet themselves for improved stability.
The cables on the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum are covered in tightly-woven mesh sleeve which provides not only great looks but excellent protection for the cable. The USB connectors are tooled with a stylized connector which rounds-out the premium aesthetic of the cable.
Not a lot has changed design-wise for Corsair for their mechanical keyboards: they still utilize the same baseplate design featuring a brushed metal surface or what Corsair calls, aircraft grade aluminum.
The underside of the Corsair K95 features a plastic base with cable routing paths tooled in. This serve to guide your accessories connected to the onboard USB port like a mouse or keyboard for better cable management on your desk.
The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum features side-raised height adjustment feet. They don’t offer much height difference but for those that prefer it that way, they’re enough.
Moving over the keys, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum features a standard 109-key layout. The keycaps features extra large fonts for high-readability and as shown above, Corsair includes a couple of replacement keycaps for gaming usage.
Extra buttons include the profile switch, brightness toggle and the Win Key lock toggle.
On the right-hand corner we have the media keys, mute button and volume wheel.
To compliment the RGB lighting feature, Corsair’s logo placement is a clear plastic part which you’ll see more of later.
Here’s the wrist-rest connected to the main keyboard. Do note that you can take off the plastic film covering the soft-touch cushion of the wrist rest and it also is a dual-sided design. You can pop the cushion on the wrist rest and use the smoother side if that is to your liking.
Once connected, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum showcases its default Color Spin light effect which cycles through colors while it spins on the keyboard switches.
One of the big difference of the new K95 RGB versus the older Vengeance mech keyboard is the addition of a halo bar at the edge of the keyboard which serves to accentuate the keyboard even further especially in dim or dark rooms.
Going back to features again, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum features a single USB port passthrough on the top to easily connect your mouse and/or headset to.
Corsair ships the K95 RGB Platinum in 3 variants: a black version which has Cherry MX Speed and Cherry MX Brown switch options and the Gunmetal version which only comes in Cherry MX Speed switch option.
Corsair uses ABS keycaps for all its keyboards and the same is true for the K95 RGB Platinum. Corsair did change their textured keycaps to color-molded ones instead of the painted version we saw in the original K70.
Here’s the WASD replacement texture keycap set with the included key puller.
The WASD set are designed for gaming use with their shape aiming to improve feel for games which heavily use these key set for movement.
Software – Corsair Utility Engine (CUE)
Corsair has created the Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) as their primary configuration utility for their peripherals. This unified interface allows customization of all supported Corsair Gaming peripherals including the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum.
Specific to the K95 RGB Platinum, CUE allows customization from key assignment, macro creation, lighting effects and switch performance. The K95 RGB Platinum’s extra keys can be assigned a variety of function including launching applications to starting pre-recorded macro combinations.
On the lighting effect side, Corsair implements a couple of preset lighting effects which can be seen in the video below. Light effects can be stacked when using the Corsair CUE but for those looking to bring their keyboards with them on LAN parties, only a single effect can be used. Your macros and key customizations as well as polling rate settings will be saved on to hardware memory though.
Light Effect Overview
User Experience & Conclusion
There’s no arguing Corsair has been pretty much on top of the mainstream mechanical gaming keyboard market since their first in terms of build and design. That remains the same to this day with the release of the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum. It’s build quality alone speaks a lot for what the keyboard can take and as an integral part of the gaming experience, the K95 RGB Platinum compliments and gaming playstyle. Keyboard switch options allow choices with the Cherry MX Speed variant acting as the perfect choice for pure gaming applications that want instant feedback and response on every keypress while the Cherry MX Brown option serve as middleground for those looking for a work-and-play keyboard.
Corsair has done with the FPS or MMORPG assignment for this release and does not bill the K95 RGB Platinum as a specialized keyboard, noting the universal appeal that this keyboard has and embodies. Its overall design is strikingly simple but the RGB lighting, regardless if you’re a fan or not, is without a doubt a step-up from previous iterations. The inclusion of the edge lighting also improves the overall aesthetic of the keyboard making it an elegant desktop centerpiece for those that want to give their desk that personalized feel.
Advanced users who want to tinker with the keyboard have the Corsair Utility Engine to playwith, expanding on the existing feature set and giving that extra something that gamers need. The extra keys are a hallmark for Corsair and they remain in this release.
It’s hard to find fault in the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum. Corsair has pretty much matured the design and has refined it throughout the years. If we were to nitpick, the ABS keycaps have always been our gripe and despite the larger font size, they’ve ultimately been the weak link in every Corsair mechanical keyboard release. Mech keyboard enthusiasts may be familiar enough to find replacement sets on their own with better PBT keycaps being a top priority but with no official Corsair offering, non-mech KB savvy users have no 1st-party option to go to.
Overall though, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is a prime example of the company’s experience. Corsair has stepped away from creating any over-the-top keyboard design and that has served them well over the years, sticking with their tried-and-tested and improving upon each release. The Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, as it is right now is a perfect gaming keyboard for those looking for a well-made, all-rounder that can serve them for a while with all the RGB goodness one wants.
Price/Where to Buy
US: $200 – [easyazon_link identifier=”B01MS0I1ZK” locale=”US” tag=”back2gaming-20″]Corsair K95 RGB Platinum on Amazon[/easyazon_link]
PH: Php9530 – PCHUB
[easyazon_infoblock align=”none” identifier=”B01N5IISXY” locale=”US” tag=”back2gaming-20″]
If you’re looking for the most premium mechanical gaming keyboard right now with excellent build quality but doesn’t look gaudy, the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum mechanical keyboard is a great choice.
Corsair backs the K95 RGB Platinum with a 2-year warranty. We give it our B2G Gold Award!
1 Comment
Corsair FTW