Performance

The Thermaltake Level 20 RGB keyboard 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, and as is usually the case these days, the right Windows keys is replaced with an Fn key.

When first connected and running, the keyboard lights up in a rainbow wave lighting effect, which is different from the default option for the software profiles (static red on all keys). The transition animation is smooth, and the effect is a good demo to also ensure the keyboard is powered on and working properly.


In a separate test via one of the preset multi-color options, I tested for light bleed, and it was definitely present at the common edges because of the floating keycaps, but not to where it is distracting. Indeed, the light show from all the RGB LEDs underneath the keys and the extra 38 lighting zones on top and around the keyboard makes for a bigger attention grab anyway. 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 remarkably true-to-color white here, so props to Thermaltake. Perhaps it is the different set of hardware drivers onboard, but this is a better showing than the extremely similar Level 20 GT RGB keyboard that had a blue hue to the white.

Here are some more of the lighting effects demonstrated, including on the sides, making full use of the hardware and software alike. There is a good amount of onboard control over choosing the lighting effects outlined in the quick start guide, as well as customizing the speed and direction as relevant. You also have 512 colors available onboard via 8-bit RGB channels and can switch to the software for more granular control if needed.



The onboard functionality is very handy for those who prefer not to use the software drivers a lot. There are dedicated buttons for media playback, a volume mute toggle button, volume scroll wheel, lighting on/off button, Win lock button, and profile switching between the six profiles saved on the device, which can have their own associated lighting as well to make them more readily distinguishable. The key-assignment options in TT iTAKE allow for users to also go with layouts other than QWERTY, and here, I used the source code from an older keyboard review in a layout tester (courtesy of Patrick Gillespie). The results above indicate that QWERTY is not even close to the most efficient layout for me, and very likely you as well. If you are willing, try out Colemak or Dvorak as they will result in lower finger travel and fatigue overall. As such, the driver offers a significant functional tool if you are willing to devote some time to adopting either Colemak or Dvorak. Here is the link to the full results if you are interested, including a detailed analysis on key presses and distances moved.


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 Level 20 RGB keyboard sample at ~105 WPM as it comes out of the box. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with tactile and clicky switches. I did bottom out more often than not, but it is easier to train yourself not to with these Cherry MX Blue RGB switches that have a fairly pronounced feedback mechanism, albeit a loud one. This is a medium weight clicky switch with actuation rated at 60 cN and ~2.2 mm travel, at a total travel distance of 4 mm and reset closer to 1.7 mm. This 0.5 mm difference between actuation and reset means you may end up wanting keys fully back up before hitting them again, and some of you may actually prefer the Razer Green version for a lighter, faster switch as it offers the crispier typing experience of the Level 20 GT RGB keyboard we saw before.