Corsair Vengeance K90 Backlit Macro Gaming Keyboard Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

[jak21ify]

True, thats why I wanted a LED backlit keyboard, cause the glow of the screen isn't enough for seeing most of the keys. The k90 is an awesome keyboard, just for the mechanical feel, its typing touch and the 54 macros :D

[mageminer70]

its not usb3 compatible...

[macbookpro57]

The K90 is awesome, if only it was smaller

[himmelsturmerIX]

I'm using windows 7 64bit.

The driver apparently is not signed by Microsoft. So I have to press F8 during boot to disable driver signing enforcement.

When I did not do this then I am unable to update the firmware and macro don't work.

Do you encounter the same problem as me?

[skateing95]

I have a k90 and it´s the best keyboard that i have ever used and it´s well built and relly nice to type on

[wolvenring2]

when will they use USB 3.0 limit on that is registered at 50 keys I've heard so -_-

[hp3sOoJ]

palm moisture / 10

[Pienimusta]

"now you can search porn in dark"

[Pienimusta]

DRUUDD!! faceroll moonfire <3

or arcane blast :D

[ilikeboslice]

i fucking love you ncix!

[manfreak456]

this or razer black widow? or some other mech keyboard that has backlit

[Dvizion08]

@manfreak456 K90 Because Of The Red MX Cherry Key & Its Not So Loud When Your Typing

[OsmLps]

@manfreak456 Quit worrying about backlights and buy a Das. Blackwidows have a reputation for failing and this keyboard isn't fully mechanical. Strongly recommend a Das, HHKB, or a Filco.

[himmelsturmerIX]

@OsmLps If back light is important zibal 60 is a unpretentious solid keyboard with back lighting. Only black switches tough.

[OsmLps]

@himmelsturmerIX I don't own one yet, so I wouldn't be able to help him out. Sorry for leaving it out. I just have experience with the Das, HHKB, and the Filco. All great keyboards. The HHKB is by far my favorite...and priciest.

[himmelsturmerIX]

@manfreak456 I don't like the glossy finish of the black widow, and they have weird positioning of the F key, F4 and F5 to close together in my opinion.

[bernardopkmDP178]

What are your wife thoughts about the shirt?

LOL

[ayaneforever]

Your shirt on this is hilarious now because you're married ><

[skateing95]

My k90 comes in like 2-4 days.

Can´t wait!!

[PTNLemay]

I hear mechanical is supposedly healthier for your fingers, for... some undisclosed reason. But doesn't that loud "TAK TAK TAK" get annoying after a while of heavy typing?

[RememberOmaha]

@PTNLemay For some undisclosed reason ? lmao

[PTNLemay]

@RememberOmaha

I just get the feeling that the louder "tak" of each type would signify a harder mechanism on the fingers than a soft "thump" of dome keys. That's how I understand it.

But all my friends say that no... I'm wrong. Mechanicals are better for your fingers, even though I don't understand why.

[PTNLemay]

Can I use the "G-Keys" to control... say... tabbed groups of units in Starcraft 2?

Is there a list of compatible games that can use those keys?

[PTNLemay]

I'm tempted... this would be the first product I buy from NCIX, lol (for some reason it's not available on NewEgg).

But yeah, I'm really hesitating because I wanted to go for wireless... but I can't find any mechanical wireless keyboards.  Do they even exist?

[DYLANCRAZYAS]

i want ur shirt lol

[gmanrulz27093]

I may be a foll but i can't get my k90 macro keys to do anything :/

[TheMegaStolle]

Not all switches are individually backlit

[PurpleRaven224]

awesome shirt, Linus

[manssupar]

HAHA. button keyboard like eraser. so ugly

[Ether820]

:D I just won one of these at a LoL tourney. It's pretty sweet. Hmmm I just need some more imagination with what to do with my g-keys.

[SCCOOTTER16]

TAKE MY FUCKIN MONEY I WANT ONE

[IsTheCoW]

I litteralry JUST got this this keyboard. Damn its goooooooood!

[RamtinApproves]

@IsTheCoW is this basically THE best keyboard? I'm buying a whole new setup in a few months

[IsTheCoW]

@RamtinApproves Ohh, i think so, I've had a bunch of keyboards, everything from the cheapest crap, to the most expensive crap. This is the best one by far.

[RamtinApproves]

@IsTheCoW alright, cheers mate, I will go for this one. Just can't believe I went from a £6 keyboard to a £100 one :O

[KrakPoT13]

Are these keys hard to press? I have a Saitek Eclipse II keyboard which feels just right. Can you elaborate on this?

[MrGrifft]

@KrakPoT13

these keys are rediculously easy to type on, they trigger after 2-4 mm afaik

[KrakPoT13]

@MrGrifft I have heavy hands, and I game a lot, by the resting your hands on the keyboard do you find yourself hitting keys on mistake??

[hoofhearted44]

@KrakPoT13 the exact opposite of hard. cherry switches in general are all easy to press. Red in particular are slightly easier to press (and for some too easy)

[SilentEcho8]

@hoofhearted44 @KrakPoT13 Yep. 45g. A Steelseries 6Gv2 or 7g may be your best bet, black switches are a lot stiffer and require more force.

[sar9161]

Good fucking job Corsair. I am definitely buying one. That back-light is godly.

[SuperMaexle123]

Haha, I programmed my G1-key on my G15 to be Escape.

The G15 rocked, but it is SOOOOO difficult to clean.

The K90 is too big, but I have the K60 and it's cool :)

[aoverhage5181764]

the actual build quality of the keyboard is very good though.

[aoverhage5181764]

just fyi the macro recording software is bad for these keyboards. I uninstalled it because it caused so many problems.

[hadahmesh]

epic win shirt!

[GaleoMagnus]

I really can't decide between the k90 or K60, games I primarily play are league of legends, world of Warcraft, battlefield 3, Starcraft 2 & many indie games. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[aleksandersandstrom]

@GaleoMagnus i would go with the k90 due to the lighting...

[ObLiViOnZThEkIllEr]

@GaleoMagnus Why is that any problem to decide? Easy choise: k90 :P

[1337tuutti]

@GaleoMagnus

get a filco, not these kinds of bullshit

[mBrooks95]

Palm moisture? What exactly is he suggesting I do on my computer in the dark?

[SolitudeWithStyle]

I want his shirt...

[turtlecom8]

Wow

[crimson177]

this or the logitech g19

[ezailcrowson1]

@crimson177 the g19 is definitely better if your willing to pay 40 dollars more

[Dragon2OOOO]

@ezailcrowson1

The K90 Is Have mechanical keys but the G19 Is not have it !!!

[Deifux]

I bought this keyboard a few days ago, and this is the best quality keyboard out there. i have nothing negative to say about this keyboard, the light looks great, the buttons is very responsive and fast, feels good to type. The armrest feels good and what i also love is that you can change the sound volume from your keyboard, which is very useful if you're playing a game or watching a video fullscreen. You also have plenty of useful macro keys on the left side of keyboard!

[Reason4Termination]

he sounded like a robot at 6:25

[123thepyro123]

06:26

HAHAHAHAHHA WTF

[FreeSkinDesigns]

NCIX Needs To Ship To The UK =(

[GIMPMan1972]

Yeah but over £100 for a keyboard, pretty insane.

[potatocats]

@GIMPMan1972 Yeah, although I suppose you get what you pay for, really. I plan to spend a lot on the rest of my system anyway, so I'd rather not skimp on the peripherals, so I may get this keyboard, but I do agree that it is a lot of money for something that really doesn't affect your system's performance directly.

[GIMPMan1972]

@potatocats I picked up a Cyborg V5 for £35.

Totally true about peripherals, I've learned not to buy cheap crap, not that cheap Logitech was but for gaming it's best to spend a bit more. :)

[PaGoNdA]

@potatocats don't get this keyboard. Get a filco or something else instead. I got a filco b tenkeyless ninja mx brown, and it is fucking awesome.

[asia911]

Not 100% mechanical = total failure. If ESC key was mechanical I would consider it.  The G Keys should be removable.

[Chrisguitar95]

@asia911 lol why does the esc key need to be mechanical? lol you fail so hard XD

[asia911]

@Chrisguitar95 Listen fucking retard. Do you play any games at all? If not STFU. There are plenty of games out there that have hundreds or thousands of dialogues that you want to skip through if you already went through it already. You don't know how many time I uses the ESC keys so STFU. The only fail here is you and Corsair.

[Chrisguitar95]

@asia911 lol umad bro? calm down. to me this isn't a deal breaker because its the only good looking functional mech keyboard.

[F0X2F0X]

@Chrisguitar95 You must press ESC a lot for rage quitting, ha.

[asia911]

@Chrisguitar95 What's the point of having a rubber dome keys dying out on you when your perfectly Mechanical keys are still working? I have a rubber dome keyboard and the shit wore out in a year and get damn sticky.

[Chrisguitar95]

@asia911 You must press the esc key a lot then. I have had rubber dome keyboards for years and they haven't been worn out or gotten sticky.

[THEREVERify]

Check out linus marage at linus cat tips happy mariage linus

[Omb101frc]

Got it yesterday. high quality keyboard, i'm very happy with it. I was considering the g510 with 40% discount but there seems to be issues with the spacebar and some key double registering and they probably have their 2012 lineup product to replace it. So i went with the K90 instead. BTW press 6:24 repeatedly.

[123chubz321]

Linus, will the wrist rest from the K60 fit the K90? Also, will the replaceable key tops from the K60 fit the switches of the K90?

[TunesByTanzil]

Ducky Shine, strongest backlighting :) Six levels, even level 2 is brighter!

Get a Ducky instead of these unless you NEED macro keys.

[jezbong]

When they release a fully mech version, I'll get one.

[TunesByTanzil]

@jezbong I agree, so expensive too. Just not worth it. Get a Ducky Shine :D



[terran698]

i own a k90 and a m90 and love them! my friend has a g400 and a g19 and the corsair products easily beat them in every way imaginable. i may have to buy another set just to travel with i like them so much.

[OnlyXfox]

@terran698 how is this keyboard compared to G19 when it comes to typing fast, in your opinion? I have the G510 which is very similar to G19, and I want something better for typing..

[hadipotter]

@OnlyXfox I can honestly say that the typing performance is excellent. Typing quickly is no problem as each key requires very little force to actuate. Perfect keyboard in my opinion, really.

[terran698]

@OnlyXfox it feels amazing and i find myself making fewer mistakes, i dont know how but it helps, and the keys feeling when typing compared to a basic membrane or rubber dome you just have to feel to understand but i will never own another non-mechanical kb

[OnlyXfox]

@terran698 Thank you for answering! I found it with a discount, just ordered it thanks to you :) I really hope it will be as good as it sounds. Btw, those lights look awesome! My room has a lot of blue already, it will fit perfectly :)

[Igorsov]

@OnlyXfox They say once you go mechanical you don't go back.

[OnlyXfox]

@Igorsov Now I know why :p

[RocketDeluxe1]

Linus Drug Tips!!!!



[ItsRelyT]

just buy a lycosa......

[mag3690]

lol@10:49

[Amaroqdricaldari]

Step 1: NEVER light from behind or directly in front. Only light from the sides.

Step 2: Make sure you avoid over exposure, and also be sure to keep it even.

Step 3: Use a proper balance of warm lighting and cool lighting.

Step 4: Find some way, Mechanical or Otherwise, to stabilize your video.

[numex106]

can you please review the das keyboard plz?

[iStyleProduction]

@numex106 he just did. -.-

[SPiDAAMuNKy]

I personally use black

[Ryuuken24]

@apav93 Logitech illuminated slim edition keyboard, bought 2010, laser etched keys. Boom, right inn your mothers clam!

[Ryuuken24]

@apav93 Microsoft keyboard, year 1999, boom, right in your mothers face!

[sivert778]

Unboxing Razer Mamba

[biggsff]

You forgot to do the iPhone comparison. :)

[Tolrias]

got my K90 few days ago and have issues with the G keys, apparently they don't work with skyrim or swtor, corsair promised to fix with a patch by the 25th =(

[georgeghazi18]

Im typing with this bad boy right now. I love it! best look and feel ever

[DOWWADC]

Corsair is amazing :')

[Vinzaf]

I received this keyboard as of this posting, and there are a couple of notes about it.

Overall it's great. I love the design of the keyboard in terms of its aluminum brushed finish, seeing the blue light reflecting off of it is pretty damn slick looking.

Rubberized function keys (F1-F12) is a no-go, especially for professional RTS/MMO players, who use them very often. For most players it's fine, but if you want this used by high-profile players, change it.

Also, too many macro keys.

[Ryuuken24]

These companies are very vapid about what products they make. No innovation at all, just do it safe, copy from someone else, Logitech, for instance, and call it new, and high price it, it works like magic. Yeah, you can press 20 keys at the same time, when have we EVER had the need to press so many keys, it stops responding, it makes me laugh. Keep making fake terms for nothing, mechanical keys, look, it feels better when pressing down, don't you feel it, here, let me draw you pants down, AAaah!

[Vinzaf]

@Ryuuken24 Are you nuts, or something?

[Ryuuken24]

@Vinzaf Nuts? How am I being "nuts"? If you don't agree with what I said, that only means you have bought unnecessary pc parts, which today are in a box down your cellar, it's that simple. And Logitech did it first, and does it best, you wanna argue, you better grab a shotgun and break into Corsair, I bet you'll have a good fight against their infiltrating ninjas!

[Malius1000]

@Ryuuken24 Corsair is the only brand in the universe to combine high quality mechanical keys with other features like macros, dedicated media keys and backlighting. They are the revolution in high end computing. They are the only brand take aggressive styling and features to the next level of quality. They are the pioneers in this industry and you call them fake copiers... lawl

[Ryuuken24]

@Malius1000 I'm pretty sure companies copy each others products, and corsair does it best, of them all, keyboard illumination started with one keyboard, it was actually criticized by reviewers, who thought it to be a "gimmick", with no future, a couple years later, boom, it's very popular. Mechanical keyboard, the old types, before they started using plastic for everything, they're great, but they didn't cost 150 dollars back then, why should they cost it now?

[Malius1000]

@Ryuuken24 No doubt brands copy each other, just look at microsoft copying apple software lol. Or any other brand for that matter. I don't mind that however if they make the products better. I do think that this is a good keyboard, I prefer the k60 though which I own. I don't care much for backlighting, I still think it's a gimmick, and so are 18 macro keys... As for mechanical keyboards being overpriced, sure they are, but so is most other stuff. I think mechanical keyboards are worth it.

[60398]

@Malius1000 totally agree, just ordered that awesome piece of hardware

[18iser]

looks cheap for that price

[linh0810]

I wish it uses Cherry Brown.

[Haderzarc]

cat @ 06:27?

[elevul]

2 USB ports used, instead of doing it correctly and have one ps2 and one usb used, freeing one usb port for other stuff...

[SaurabhJain666]

Lol 06:27

[Ram99ize]

Hey! linus can u open a mac mini please

[KriegsMaschine]

Sucks that it's 2x the price of what I paid for my 6Gv2 cause otherwise I would get it right away. I just don't like the wasted space from the useless macro keys. The backlight is by far the most kick ass ever!

[BludSworn]

Who ever is head design of Corsair is a genius!

[CosmicComatose]

@BludSworn I highly doubt that - due to the aforementioned flaws and features keyboard mainstream manufacturers continue to fail on.

[CosmicComatose]

...and the macro keys are barely lit up and bright like the other keys. NOT BUYING IT!

[veiron1]

I received my Corsair Vengeance K90 last friday, and im completely satisfied!! I love it!

Gret build quality, individual backlight, nice media controls + +

I replaced a two year old Razer Lycosa.

[darklink2000]

Every key should be mechanical at that price no excuse corsair, pretty disappointing keyboard really.

[Patrunic]

@darklink2000 So you want those macro keys to be mechanical, because they are used often and wouldn't be annoying to have at the same level? you're a fucking idiot.

[darklink2000]

@Patrunic nah more like my money and I feel like every key should be mechanical how that makes me a idiot is beyond me.

[Craig9081]

@darklink2000 Because you are an idiot :P nah just kidding your right if you spend 100+ on a keyboard all the keys should be mechanical, that said I am thinking about buying this or the razer blackwidow ultimate, but I get your point.

[darklink2000]

@Craig9081 If your looking for a backlit mech keyboard in MX blue,red or browns check out the Ducky Shine.

[stocker05]

@darklink2000 What do you use? a Razer?

[darklink2000]

@stocker05 Ducky Shine give me some credit bro.

[Pirispanen]

Nice t-shirt :D

[Tolrias]

I wonder if you can do a comparison between different mechanical keyboards for Gaming and Typing

[titin200]

@HarryMusix grippiness

[CosmicComatose]

It lacks key noise suppression and a detachable key 'board' for washing it under soap and water.

[MyVillageIsBurning]

Why did I ask for a Black Widow Ultimate for Christmas?

[Al000678]

why the fuck am I watching this?

[labobo]

07:18 oh my that's just pr bullshit, dude.

Corsair's just wants to make the keyboards as cheap as possible while still charge as much for the keyboard as possible.

That's why all keys aren't mechanical.

Guess Corsair got some money problems, i'll expect lower quality hardware coming from them in the future, so sad...

[Patrunic]

@labobo Lolwut, lower quality goods based on a non fully mechanical keyboard? righttt.

[60398]

Logitech - now it is your turn!

[matawin2]

08:37 RACIST!!

[jamiestoehr]

linus is hungover

[laizel05]

Gaming Keyboard? Does This Keyboard Will Increase My FPS on GAMES?

[dddaaannn360]

at about 6:26 when he said 'yeah' did it sound like a cat meowing?

[haytotheden]

@dddaaannn360 I was about to comment that. didn't take long to find yous. lol.

[hope00hope]

Hey Linus, when could be see in the info line like: EU. NOT just: CA or US?

[crumbworks]

You only have 10 digits on your hands! Being able to press 20 keys at once? Who needs these dumb features?! I can't recall ever having needed to press more than 4 at a time!

[Tensorskills]

@crumbworks This is just for efficiency dude, learn to think

[toonygamer2004]

@crumbworks

Its meant for games and people who play call of duty or counter strike on a computer, like myself, need the ability of pressing at least six keys at once and occasionally seven, and I'm not even a Star Craft player. However, yes, simultaneously pressing twenty keys is unnecessary but the fact that its capable of that is appealing and knowing there is no limitation.

[DoNotTouchWillie]

Screw these $130 keyboards. I have a $9 value PS/2 keyboard. The keys aren't "laser etched" yet every key looks identical to the day I got it. It has been used for at least 9 hours a day, every day, for 11 years straight. Every key is perfect -- nothing wobbly, loose, or broken. The feet used to angle it are still properly intact, and if it weren't for a bit of dirt from years of fingerprint oils, it could pass as brand new. I can game very well with it, too. In short: don't waste your money.

[shawnspeed3]

@DoNotTouchWillie My Logitech has some keys with letters worn off. Had it for 10 years and can't find Win 7 x64 drivers! Keys still works great...but I may have to upgrade to a gaming keyboard this year. Unfortunately, some devices lose support over time :(

[crumbworks]

@shawnspeed3 It sounds like DoNotTouchWillie has a generic PS/2 keyboard. The benefit of those: no need for drivers. I'm in that boat too: as long as the layout is exactly how I like it (like Linus says: proper backspace, proper shift, etc.), then it can be as generic as they come and it'll work fine provided the PC supports PS/2 (or if you buy a PS/2 to USB signal converter cable).

[drksdofthmoon]

12:13 is that ET doing the cam?

[SecretName25]

I wish the keyboard was totally mechanical and available in a variation of key switches. For 130$ I expect better.

[tomstutorials]

Lol 6:25 couldn't stop laughing.

[shogrran]

Putting the macro keys on a lower plane is a rather pointless idea. Yes I have encountered that problem but then again you only need a couple of days to get familiar with the keyboard. My guess is that they did it so that they can offer it at a cheaper price point. If this keyboard was all mechanical it would cost twice the amount of a back-lit keyboard due to the number of keys.

[SCARSAC]

shave your neck linus! tightin that kitchen up

[ktop5566]

is the left windows key a different color???

[TheComputerNerd0101]

haha, my G15 is broken at the excact same spots, unless.... I still use mine

[PCEnergyMonkeys]

WTF? the macros arent lit?

[mrtex1111]

@PCEnergyMonkeys yes there are backlit but in a different colour more like grey

[5T34LTHcamoT4NK]

@PCEnergyMonkeys yes they are, the camera makes it look like if there not cuss its focusing on the brighter light, camera works differ from your eyes, they dont need to be since i only look at keys to type words, not when playing BF3, in BF3 i simply go from memory, having to look down would degrade my performance(not that i only play BF3 but you get my point)

final summation, there light but dimer, you can still see them with your eyes, but not with a camera

[yellowSpidA]

linus sounds kind of sick or something

[Azzagard]

"Some experts believe that mechanical keyboards are loud as SHIT!"

[MrSamsonIsCool]

KIM JUNG IL IS DEAD. just saying.

and nice keyboard linus

[TizKINGJ98]

Someone please give me some suggestions, what is a good gaming keyboard that has back lighting and is under the price of 90$? Thinking of getting one for christmas! Thanks!

[elliekoon]

backlighting looks pretty bad...the non-mech keys are so dim compared to the rest making it look uneven.

[TonysTactics]

Still want a K60, would never use that many macros.

[cliffandy]

Well, his wedding ring is still on...