Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Mechanical Keyboard Review – Release Day!

CORSAIR UTILITY ENGINE (CUE)

The CUE is the software you will use to interact with the features of your keyboard and is easily downloadable on the Corsair website. Using CUE allows you to have all your CUE-compatible devices available on one screen and also allow them to sync up colour schemes with one another. CUE comes with a standard mode and an advanced mode. Allowing new users to get the hang of the system with basic controls while allowing more involved users to change and alter almost anything they can think they can.

The K95 holds 8Mb of on board memory which will allow you to save up to three profiles on board of the device itself. This is beneficial for taking the keyboard on the go when you will be using a different system but want to carry your gaming profiles with you.

When first opening up the program you’ll be brought to the screen below.

Starting at the top left you’ll notice the four tabs, three resembling SD cards. These are your hardware profiles and anything saved in these will be saved to the 8Mb of on board data. The default profile is beside those and this will be the running profile when CUE is not in use. If you have any other CUE enabled devices hooked up they will show up at the top beside the Keyboard and you control them simply by clicking on them and adjusting their options.

As you start to go down the left side you’ll see three tabs, Actions, Lighting Effects, and Performance.

Actions, is where you where you will be able add completely manipulate the actions of every key. From inputting macros for quick in-game actions to remapping a key or turning it into a quick launch button. For the dedicated gamer it is imperative that complete keyboard manipulation is available. Allowing you to not only shorten your keyboard but easily blind navigate it are important. The lighting effects of the K95 Platinum are second to none. With the addition of the light bar at the top of the board with 19-zone independent lighting, you’re sure to make the coolest of visual effects on your K95.  Whether you want complete control to select the lighting effects of each individual key or one of the pre-programmed lighting effects you’re sure to be impressed. The final tab is the Performance tab and will allow you to control the function of the Windows Lock button. Disabling certain functions of the keyboard to keep you from messing up mid-game with an accident Windows key tab. Also, the colour wheel will allow you to control the lighting of the Profile/Brightness/WinLock keys.

The overall use of the app is very user-friendly. The intricacy of the keyboard is completely reliant of the users necessity for peak performance. Whether you are using simple macro’s and key re-mapping, complimented by pre-programmed lighting effects or if you need in depth macros, dedicated lighting, and complete control, you’re sure to be covered by the K95 Platinum.