Software: Stream Deck

Ah, we finally get to what is one of the most exciting features of the CORSAIR K95 RGB Platinum XT keyboard. In addition to those G-keys being dedicated macro keys, CORSAIR has leveraged their acquisition of Elgato Gaming to add in Stream Deck software compatibility for these keys. This is also why they include replacement S-key keycaps (S for Stream). There is thus a second software driver for the CORSAIR K95 RGB Platinum XT keyboard in the form of Elgato's Stream Deck, and the installer can be downloaded from the Elgato downloads page. The latest public version at the time of testing was 4.5.0, and the installer is 90.5 MB in size. Installation is fairly straightforward, as seen above, and the final package takes up approximately 225 MB. When you do open the program, it is best to have the keyboard connected, or there is not much to see or do here.


Opening it for the first time with the keyboard connected, we see a minimalist layout with part of the keyboard shown, and the six compatible, selectable keys. There is also a floating OSD widget that stays in the foreground even if the software window is minimized, and the system tray icon has to be removed to close it. The widget otherwise acts as a quick reference for the actions set to these six keys, and the software as a whole is extremely easy to use and stable. A small quibble I have here is that the keys are still listed as G1–6, as opposed to S1–6, but we can all agree this is not remotely close to being a problem.

Using the Stream Deck app to customize the six compatible keys on the K95 RGB Platinum XT is as simple as choosing your preferred function of choice and dragging it over to the key you want. There is a good deal of compatibility with various video streaming platforms and add-on modules to make your life easier. This effectively makes the new K95 a small Stream Deck kit, and offers easier streaming control to gamers. Note that the program has to be running, be it in the foreground or system tray, for these functions to work since the onboard hardware profiles are restricted to iCUE functions. So, to make the most of this keyboard, you would want to have both iCUE and Stream Deck installed and running.