The Corsair Strafe RGB Mechanical Keyboard Review with MX Silent (Red) Switches

Quality and Per-Key Actuation Force Testing

In order to test the quality and consistency of a keyboard, we are using a texture analyser that is programmed to measure and display the actuation force of the standard keyboard keys. By measuring the actuation force of every key, the quality and consistency of the keyboard can be quantified. It can also reveal design issues, such as the larger keys being far softer to press than the main keys of the keyboard. The actuation force is measured in Centinewton (cN). Some companies use another figure, gram-force (gf). The conversion formula is 1 cN = 1.02 gf (i.e. they are about the same). A high quality keyboard should be as consistent as possible, with an average actuation force as near to the manufacturer's specs as possible and a disparity of less than ±10%. Greater differences are likely to be perceptible by users. It is worth noting that there is typically variance among keyboards, although most keyboard companies will try and maintain consistency - as with other reviews, we're testing our sample only.

The machine we use for our testing is accurate enough to provide readings with a resolution of 0.1 cN. For wider keys (e.g. Enter, Space Bar, etc.), the measurement is taking place at the center of the key, right above the switch. Note that large keys generally have a lower actuation force even if the actuation point is at the dead center of the key. This is natural, as the size and weight of the keycap reduces the required actuation force. For this reason, we do display the force required to actuate every key but we only use the results of the typical sized keys for our consistency calculations. Still, very low figures on medium sized keys, such as the Shift and Enter keys reveal design issues and can easily be perceptible by the user.

It is good to see that the modifications that Cherry made to create the MX Silent switch did not affect their quality. The Corsair Gaming Strafe RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is exceptionally consistent, with a disparity of just ±3.08%. The Cherry MX Silent switches (MX Red variation) have an actuation force rating of 45 cN and those of our sample averaged at 45.6 cN. The difference of 0.6 cN, or even many times that much, is indiscernible by touch. Samples of models with Cherry switches usually have a disparity of 3 to 5%, therefore the new Cherry MX Silent switches are just as good as the older versions as far as consistency and quality goes.

As for the noise, that is a complicated matter. The noise of a keyboard depends almost exclusively on the user. How fast keys are being pressed, how much force they have when/if they hit the bottom and how fast the finger leaves each key are the basic factors that account for the noise generated during the use of a keyboard. It would be therefore inaccurate to base our entire testing on just a single figure, recorded by a sound pressure level meter for a single keystroke. Using the SPL meter, the peak sound generated by the Strafe RGB with the MX Silent switches, in comparison with the K70 RGB (Cherry MX Red switches), dropped by 4.6 dB(A) while I was trying to type the same sentence. That might not sound like a lot, but it actually is a reduction of over 50% (the dB(A) scale is logarithmic) and clearly perceptible. Were the MX Silent versions of the Cherry MX Red switch entirely silent? Naturally, the answer is no. Although the noise generated by the keystrokes is greatly reduced, some noise is still being generated. However, that noise level is now comparable to membrane and chiclet keys, so it does make the Cherry MX Silent switches "silent" - at least as far as mechanical keyboards go.