Hands-on review: Corsair K65 Rapidfire RGB mechanical keyboard

The Corsair K65 Rapidfire RGB keyboard is hearty and beefy to the core. It provides 100% anti-ghosting with full key rollover on USB - and it gives you a set of extra keys, handy if any somehow get lost (or broken in a fit of game rage, maybe)!

The point of difference here is that the K65 doesn't have a numpad. Corsair says it's so you have more room for your mouse or other items, and if you're really honest - how many gamers use their numpad frequently anyway? If you do, consider the K70, which does have a numpad.

Its Cherry MX switches are built for 50 million operations through its 1.2mm ultrafast switch, providing rapid response to inputs, and it doesn't disappoint.

The K65 features a standard, raised mechanical keyboard without a numpad, but still with a loud (yet somehow satisfying) key clack.

Up top you have buttons for brightness, mute, volume and key toggle. Up front you have easy access to four profile modes and the bios settings, with a USB passthrough switch.

The spacebar is textured for good grip - oddly it's the only key on the keyboard that has this texturing. Why? I don't know, but there has to be a reason. Perhaps the sheer range of games with different setups defeat the point of texturing specific keys. In any case, the spacebar ensure non-slippage.

There is no plastic around the keys, allowing for easy cleaning out of those breadcrumbs you might drop down there. The brushed aluminium is placed directly on its plastic base, with an additional wrist rest.

The keyboard did well in-game - once you know your way around those keys, it will provide a great gaming experience. If I had to pick out one little fault, the keys could do with a little more texturing like the space bar, but I completely understand why they don't.

The Corsair Utility Engine (CUE) software is the mother of all drivers that helps you customise your rig, right down to lighting patterns, media control, macros and timers. Available from Corsair's website, you will need it, because the customisation options are many and varied.

Corsair's K65 Rapidfire RGB keyboard is compact for those who don't want the unnecessary numpad taking up valuable desk space. Corsair's reliable design and build, in combination with its CUE software, make the K65 a valuable, small and portable addition to your gaming gear.