If you want the best gaming performance, it's time to gear up. Today we're taking the best gaming keyboards on the market and putting them through their paces for you.
If you’re a super keen gamer, there’s an entire market out there dedicated to making you even better. Just like any outdoor sport, PC gaming has its gadgets and gizmos to increase your performance. We grabbed some of the newest and most popular products from the big names in gaming gear and put them through their paces. Though comfort is subjective at best, we have tried to be as neutral as possible when it comes to the look and feel of these devices, while proving benefits and potential pitfalls along the way. Unfortunately the distributor for Razer was in the process of getting in the new model keyboards at time of writing - so we’ll look at them in standalone reviews when they become available.
So what do these gaming keyboards offer over standard (and much cheaper!) models? The primary thing for keyboards is ghosting, which is the limit of the number of keys which register as pressed at any one time. Secondly, and the thing that sets many keyboards apart, is the inclusion of multiple programmable keys, such as macro keys. These let you set up a group of actions and assign them to a single keypress, saving you precious time in the heat of battle. Gaming mice are optimised to be ultra-precise - that is, they can respond to the smallest of movements. They also typically have a large amount of buttons.
Gaming keyboards come in all shapes and sizes. Logitech's G13 seen here (and reviewed below) is a good example.
What do I look for in a gaming keyboard?
GhostingMake sure you can press multiple keys at the same time and have them register.
Macro keysSave precious keystrokes with macro-compatible keyboards.
Key actionIt’s a personal thing, but some like the thump of a long travel key or mechanical switches.
USBHigh-end boards sometimes include USB hubs, to cut down on the cable mess on your desk.
BacklightPlay in the dark? A backlight might make things easier.
And...Be sure to check out
part two of our gaming accessories roundup which takes a look at the best gaming mice available. Note: additional reviews for this article were written by Troy Coleman.