Performance

The Corsair K68 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 you first connect the keyboard to a Windows PC without CUE up and running, the keyboard lights up in a static red at 100% brightness. The on-board brightness control key allows for steps of 0/33/67/100%, so you will need CUE to get finer gradients of control in terms of how bright these are. Lighting is uniform at 100%, but the legends that were placed a tad lower on the keycaps are not as well backlit at 50% or lower as a result of the LED having been positioned at the top the switch.












With CUE running, the Visor lighting effect is activated by default. Some of the other lighting effects in basic mode can be seen above as well, along with the two customized basic and advanced lighting effects I created when demonstrating the driver on the previous page.


On to the switches now. I have used Cherry MX Red switches many times before, and the Cherry MX Red switch is quite possibly the most popular mechanical switch used in keyboards today. For those interested, here is some more information courtesy of the wonderful Input Club, and we can see that the Cherry MX Red is classified as a light linear switch with a force-travel diagram such that the actuation distance is generally less than 2 mm inwards (rated at 2 mm +/- 0.5 mm) with an average rated actuation force of 45 cN and a total travel distance of 4 mm. These switches were extremely consistent in actuation force and travel in this sample, with a tension gauge used measuring an average actuation force of 44.88 cN at 1.87 mm as an average across twenty switches.


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 sample at ~90 WPM. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with linear switches. I did bottom out here, and I will note that the K68 is indeed a quieter keyboard thanks to the rubber molds that are present.

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 periphery keycaps out to then use paper towels on the remaining water that had collected in the molds.