Performance

The CORSAIR K68 RGB supports N-key rollover USB out of the box, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys either.

When first connected, the CORSAIR K68 RGB lights up in a spiral rainbow lighting effect, which is the default option in its basic lighting mode. The transition animation is smooth, and the effect is a good demo to also ensure the keyboard is powered on and working properly.


I then manually set all the keys to white using the software driver to test for color fidelity since RGB LEDs have a hard time depicting white, and it was a white with a light blue hue in this case. It could be that the rubber mold is partly to blame here as well, but I also think part of it is possibly the color's calibration since I was able to get it to improve slightly by adjusting the individual R/G/B channels in the driver as seen in the next image, which also shows how legends placed towards the bottom of the keycap do not get as well backlit. In a separate test using per-key backlighting, I tested for light bleed, and it was definitely present at the common edges because of the floating keycaps and the white rubber mold reflecting light back.

Here are some more of the lighting effects demonstrated, including a rainbow wave, a rain (drop), and color wave making full use of the hardware and software alike. I also created a Frankenstein's monster lighting profile in the advanced lighting menu by combining a few of the options available, and to its credit, the keyboard did very well - you have been spared from having to see that in action, thankfully.

The white PBT replacement keycaps make the lighting pop even more in either a static or dynamic lighting effect. I realize that this is their more budget friendly lineup, but CORSAIR really needs to start using these keycaps as stock keycaps for new entrants to the K70/K95 series of keyboards at the very least.


There is one more thing I have not mentioned before, and chances are high you will miss it entirely as well if you did not read the manual. The K68 RGB actually has the present lighting effects (as seen in its basic lighting mode) saved to the device itself, which explains the discrete flash memory module we saw before, and if you do not wish to use the driver, you can configure these effects via onboard controls using a combination of Fn and the number and arrow keys. Note that if CUE is installed, these functions will be disabled, which means you will have to use the driver to make such changes.



As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the CORSAIR K68 RGB sample at ~100 WPM as it comes out of the box. In addition, knowing that the replacement PBT keycaps would affect the sound signature as well, a second sound clip is below with the keycaps replaced entirely. You will notice that the stock keyboard is on the quieter side of things owing to the rubber mold underneath the keycaps, and also that the PBT keycaps create a denser sound profile if I say so myself. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out here, and the Cherry MX Red switches used were no different than any other tested before except that the rubber mold does make the typing experience not as satisfactory.

I did test the spill resistance as well, despite it being hard to replicate the IP32 rating testing conditions exactly. While gaming on the keyboard, I "accidentally" sprayed ~25 mL of water through a watering can, and there were no issues at all. I do wish Corsair would include a keycap puller to aid in cleaning since I did have to take some of the keycaps out to then use paper towels on what remained of the "water spill" in the mold. Overall, I am not convinced that the rubber molds add enough resistance to justify their use, especially with the typing experience being affected.