The GIGABYTE FORCE K85 RGB keyboard is a heavyweight in regards to construction quality and robustness. The base feels solid, the keycaps are well made, and the switches themselves are rated for 70 million key presses. The compact frame is attractive, and it sells itself on the basis of raw, out the box performance (with 95% of its features accessible without the need for the software). The vibrant customisable RGB backlighting helps it stand out from many other mechanical keyboards at this highly competitive price point.
When we consider that the Force K85 RGB can be found for £69, that is a fair £10 cheaper than the ROCCAT SUORA, it can become easy to understand the value GIGABYTE have been able to provide the end user. Though it also feels a little too... empty? Sure, people love the raw, performance out the box without requiring drivers. Sure people love the compact and elegant design ethic. But the FORCE K85 RGB is literally as raw as a mechanical keyboard can get with RGB lighting. There are many 'nice to haves' that this has not. Like for example, the ROCCAT SUORA features 6 programmable macro keys. Sure, you don't need to use them, but if you want to install the software, you can, along with accessing various other features. The software for the FORCE K85 only enables you to choose the exact hue of lighting. Otherwise all other features can be accessed onboard. It would have been nice to have a macro recorder, or considering that this is a RGB keyboard, it would have been nice to have had per-key LED customisation, a feature that is useful and more desirable than 'effects'. I humble wrist rest or USB/audio pass-through would have helped the FORCE K85 RGB shine that little brighter.
That being said, it is certainly a well made mechanical keyboard that gamers should pay attention to. It has vibrant RGB LED lighting, a compact frame, and competitive price tag.
The FORCE K85 RGB is a great value mechanical keyboard that is both robust in construction and in performance.
Pros.
+ Solid construction throughout
+ Attractive RGB backlighting
+ Available in Red and Blue switches
+ 64 key anti-ghosting
+ Price
Cons.
- No per-key LED customisation
- No included wrist rest
- Limited software/ no programmability
+ Solid construction throughout
+ Attractive RGB backlighting
+ Available in Red and Blue switches
+ 64 key anti-ghosting
+ Price
Cons.
- No per-key LED customisation
- No included wrist rest
- Limited software/ no programmability
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