03-04-2022, 11:14 PM
It's been almost two years since I got the HyperX Alloy Core RGB, and overall I've been super happy with it. Easily the nicest rubber dome keyboard I've ever used. However... as you know I've been doing a TON of typing on it and it's starting to show. Most keys, originally a nice matte texture, are now shiny from wear and feel unpleasantly slippery to the touch. Also, it's like the response of certain keys have changed somewhat (the spacebar in particular) which gives the keyboard a kind of uneven feel. Some keys are looser and others are stiffer, sort of. It's subtle, but noticable.
Again, I have no doubt this is due to the punishment I've put the poor thing through. Under more normal use conditions it would probably have taken several more years for it to reach this stage, so I'm not knocking HyperX's quality or anything. Nonetheless... I found myself looking for a new keyboard.
About a year ago I picked up a used HyperX Alloy Elite RGB for cheap -- a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Red switches. As mentioned I'm not really into mechanical keyboards at all, but to my surprise I found myself liking this one except for one thing: NOISE. The clackety-clack of the keys was driving both me and my girlfriend nuts, and after a few days I went back to the Alloy Core again. This got me thinking that maybe I should try a mechanical keyboard this time around -- a quieter one. Yeah, they're more expensive, but also last far longer.
Since I already have a Razer mouse and mouse pad, I figured hey, why not try a Razer keyboard as well. My choice fell on the BlackWidow V3 with Razer's "silent" yellow switches.
![[Image: IMG_20220304_234550.jpg]](http://mattiaswestlund.net/misc/IMG_20220304_234550.jpg)
I say "silent" because the keyboard isn't silent at all
Still, compared to the hollow clatter of the Alloy Elite, it's a lot quieter and it doesn't make any more noise than the Alloy Core. I've only had it for a few hours so I haven't used it much yet, only for typing this and playing a bit of Guild Wars 2. So far I really like it, though the feel of it is going to take a little getting used to. Due to the yellow switches being linear and having no tactile bump, the keys feel very sensitive compared to the Alloy Core.
Only negative I can think of is that the included wrist rest doesn't attach to the keyboard. Some reviews I watched mentioned the wrist rest being magnetic, but mine clearly isn't. I don't know if this is a feature that has been removed since the BlackWidow V3 was launched, or if mine simply has been demagnetized after sitting in a warehouse for long time. No biggie though.
So, in conclusion, if you're in the market for a nice mechanical keyboard that's good for both gaming and typing, and doesn't make a hellish racket, this is certainly a good option. A nice clean look to it, too.
Again, I have no doubt this is due to the punishment I've put the poor thing through. Under more normal use conditions it would probably have taken several more years for it to reach this stage, so I'm not knocking HyperX's quality or anything. Nonetheless... I found myself looking for a new keyboard.
About a year ago I picked up a used HyperX Alloy Elite RGB for cheap -- a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Red switches. As mentioned I'm not really into mechanical keyboards at all, but to my surprise I found myself liking this one except for one thing: NOISE. The clackety-clack of the keys was driving both me and my girlfriend nuts, and after a few days I went back to the Alloy Core again. This got me thinking that maybe I should try a mechanical keyboard this time around -- a quieter one. Yeah, they're more expensive, but also last far longer.
Since I already have a Razer mouse and mouse pad, I figured hey, why not try a Razer keyboard as well. My choice fell on the BlackWidow V3 with Razer's "silent" yellow switches.
I say "silent" because the keyboard isn't silent at all
Still, compared to the hollow clatter of the Alloy Elite, it's a lot quieter and it doesn't make any more noise than the Alloy Core. I've only had it for a few hours so I haven't used it much yet, only for typing this and playing a bit of Guild Wars 2. So far I really like it, though the feel of it is going to take a little getting used to. Due to the yellow switches being linear and having no tactile bump, the keys feel very sensitive compared to the Alloy Core.Only negative I can think of is that the included wrist rest doesn't attach to the keyboard. Some reviews I watched mentioned the wrist rest being magnetic, but mine clearly isn't. I don't know if this is a feature that has been removed since the BlackWidow V3 was launched, or if mine simply has been demagnetized after sitting in a warehouse for long time. No biggie though.
So, in conclusion, if you're in the market for a nice mechanical keyboard that's good for both gaming and typing, and doesn't make a hellish racket, this is certainly a good option. A nice clean look to it, too.
