Cooler Master CK530 Gaming Keyboard Review

Usage & Final Thoughts
I have been using the Cooler Master CK530 for the past few weeks now as my main keyboard. So I’ve done my fair share of gaming as well as typing on it. As far as comfort goes the CK530 is pretty comfortable. With the brushed aluminum top plate you have absolutely no flex on the keyboard at all. It did take me a little while to get used to this keyboard, mostly the height adjustment. I am typically a person who uses keyboard with the pop-out feet. But with this keyboard using the pop-out feet things felt just a little too steep, or kind of like I needed a wrist rest like the MK730 had. Putting the pop-out feet down the keyboard was just a little too flat, so I really was not able to find a happy medium. I did actually take the MK730’s wrist rest and use it with this keyboard and things felt perfect. So my suggestion to you would be get the keyboard, give it a try and if you run into the same problem get a wrist rest. Cooler Master actually makes their own wrist rests which are very affordable.

As I mentioned this keyboard makes use of Gateron switches and we are using the blue switches. To me blue switches are the best, I love their clicky noise and they have the best feeling for someone like me who does a lot of gaming as well as typing. Comparing Gateron to Cherry MX switches you are going to be able to tell the difference, and yes Cherry MX switches feel better overall, but Gateron switches are not all that bad. I actually prefer them over Kailh switches, and they are going to feel a hell of a lot better than a non-mechanical switches. The Blue’s specifically on this board do not have the super clicky noise I am used to with Cherry MX switches, I mean it is there, just not as pronounced. Overall these switches did make for a good experience and once you are used to them you can really “get in your groove” as I like to say.

While do can control the lighting and macros “on the fly” you are better off using their software, which is quite good. It makes it very easy to reprogram the keyboard, set macros, and setup your lighting. While their software is good I still feel like it is missing the ability to reprogram a key to say a shortcut (open a program) or run a Windows command. We’ve talked about this not being in the software since it was introduced. The RGB lighting on the keyboard is good and the floating key design allows for a nice glow around each key. You get full per-key backlighting for those wondering.

In my head I’ve been calling this keyboard a “poor man’s MK730”, which is basically is, but it is a good keyboard for the price. It is tenkeyless, mechanical, has full per-key RGB backlighting, software, and solid construction. All of that for only $69.99 at our favorite online retailer. Overall ThinkComputers gives the Cooler Master CK530 an 8 out of 10 score and our Good Value Award!

rating8 10 TC award goodValue

Pros:
– Price
– Brushed aluminum top plate
– Mechanical key switches
– Per-key RGB backlighting
– Software control

Cons:
– Gateron switches not as good as Cherry MX
– No wrist rest
– USB cable not removable

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