TheOverclocker Issue 45 Alternate Cover | Page 28

G A M E T I M E // C O R S A I R K 7 0 R G B M K . 2 V S . C O R S A I R S T R A F E R G B M K . 2 V CORSAIR STRAFE RGB MK.2 PRICE: $139 - $149 (Depending on Switch Type) | WEBPAGE: www.corsair.com Another issues, another CORSAIR keyboard, only this time it’s two keyboards, namely the K70 RGB MK.2 and the Strafe RGB MK.2. By the naming convention it should be clear that these are the second iterations of each respective keyboard. Given that the original models were great, the question is how much of a difference is there between these updated models over the initial outings. The simple answer to that is that there isn’t much of a difference, but the MK.2 models are most certainly better. The first part has everything to do with the fact that a keyboard can only have so much built around it, as its chief utility places limits on how creative any one or group of 26 The OverClocker Issue 45 | 2018 designers and engineers can be when dealing with such a peripheral. It’s a rectangle with keys on it at its core and this leaves few avenues for creative expression. Creative expression is of particular importance here, because one of the highlights for both these keyboards is the improved LED lighting. The colour from these two keyboards is clearly a generation ahead of what was available on the most premium CORSAIR keyboard to date in the K95 RGB Platinum. The K95 brought with it a whole host of improvements, over its predecessors and among those was a better more simplified design, but with it better build quality through better materials. The K70 RGB MK.2 and the Strafe RGB MK.2 seem to springboard off these advancements (at least most of them) and for that they are better off. In fact as it stands, there’s a case to be made for switching from the K95 Platinum RGB to the K70 RGB MK.2 and I’ll explain why as we go along. Outside of the Macro keys and a much higher quality - more versatile wrist rest on the K95 Platinum; the K70 and Strafe MK.2 models are near identical to their more premium stable mate. The differences are cosmetic for the most part as you can clearly see the CORSAIR keyboard DNA in all three (K95, K70 & Strafe). Let’s start with the top right of the keyboard. The K95, K70 and Strafe (please do not be special - I’m obviously talking about the MK2 models here not the original