I’m sick of mainstream gaming keyboards. They are simply too expensive for what you get. My frustration at finding something I really love led me to finally bite the bullet and build my own. It is a hobby that is considered niche and excessively expensive, but it is not. You can build a keyboard for the same price as buying a keyboard from a mainstream brand, and you’ll get a much better result.
Keyboards are complex beasts, despite how simple they look. Once you open the can of worms that is custom mechanical keyboards, you’ll quickly become an expert on the minor differences between keys, switches, and everything in between. If you want a keyboard that can put even the best mechanical keyboards to shame, you need to build your own.
Making your own keyboard is not that expensive
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
There’s one reason most people stick with mainstream keyboards: Making your own is too expensive, or so they say. While it’s hard to make a keyboard at the same price as something like the HyperX Alloy Origins Core, it’s not much more than buying a high-end gaming keyboard.
My personal keyboard (above) cost me about $250. That’s a lot, but not much more than the wired Asus ROG Strix Flare II Animate, and the same price as Logitech’s popular G915 TKL. And you get it a lots of more for your money. If a mainstream brand like Corsair, Logitech, or Asus released a keyboard that could compare to the one you built yourself, it would cost $400 or $500. Easy.
But in that way, building a keyboard is not like building a PC. It’s not about making something cheap and shabby. Building your own keyboard means putting together something that’s unlike anything else you’ll find in the world of keyboards — from the incredible customization offered to the premium build quality.
Now there are more options than ever to customize your keyboard. For years, we were limited to Cherry MX switches and their derivatives, as well as kits that would cost several hundred dollars on their own. An influx of newer brands like Akko sell parts for much less, greatly lowering the barrier to entry. There’s never been a better time to dive.
Choose your base
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Building your keyboard starts with a base. If this is your first time, I would highly recommend starting with a DIY kit to get your keyboard up and running right away. These kits come with all the basic components you need and almost always allow you to retrofit the kit with your own parts.
Here are a few kits I recommend:
- Glorious GMMK Pro — Go to DIY kit for building your own keyboard with great features and build quality. This is what I use.
- Akko ACR Pro 75 — An excellent DIT kit with an acrylic frame, significantly smaller than the GMMK Pro.
- Drop CTRL — Very well built and will last for years, but more expensive than it should be.
- Glorious GMMK — Basic version of GMMK Pro with fewer features but the same excellent build quality.
From $50 to nearly $200, DIY kits cover a wide price range. And with good reason. Before purchasing a DIY kit, keep a few things in mind.
The first is how the panel is mounted to the frame. Most cheaper kits and almost all major mechanical keyboards use a keyboard mount — that is, the keyboard board is attached directly to the frame. More high-end kits like the Akko ACR Pro 75 and GMMK Pro use a gasket mount instead, which puts a small gasket between the switch plate and the frame. I prefer the gasket mount as it provides a slightly softer typing experience. You may encounter a few other types of mounts, but most are variations of the standard plate mount.
Otherwise, consider what form factor you want. I don’t like full size keyboards, so I gravitate towards the 60% or 70% options, but it all comes down to personal preference. You have a lots of more options when creating your own keyboard, so take some time to find a shape you like.
Finally, look at the material the keyboard uses for the board. You can usually replace the plate later, so don’t worry too much about getting it right right away. You can find aluminum, copper, and even acrylic keyboards, all of which provide a slightly different sound and typing experience.
Once you’ve got your accessories, it’s time to turn your keyboard into, well, a keyboard with some switches.
Switches make the difference
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
The key switches you use are incredibly important when building your own keyboard, so it’s important to research the switches that work for you. Look up typing examples on YouTube, read reviews and try not to get too bogged down in the specs. You can usually order testers for a few dollars to try the switches before you buy them.
In general, switches are divided into two types: linear and tactile. You’ll need a linear switch for gaming and a tactile switch for typing, though you can certainly switch between gaming and typing with either. It all comes down to preference, as it usually does.
Here are some switches I recommend for gaming:
- Akko Wine Red linear switches — the perfect alternative to Cherry MX Red switches.
- Glorious Lynx Linear Switches (Lubricated) — Super lightweight linear switch that is manually lubricated.
- Gateron Oil King Linear Switches — A much heavier switch that’s great for demanding gamers and typists.
And for typing fanatics:
- Glorious Panda Tactile Switches (Lubricated) — Manually lubricated tactile switches that have an extremely satisfying thank you while typing.
- Drop Halo Clear Tactile Switches — Heavier switches that have a clear bump at the start of the press. Definitely for heavy typists.
- Kailh Speed Bronze Click Switches— A click switch that is very loud. Great if you like clicky keyboards, but bad for the office.
Manually lubricated switches are the best way to go if you can get them. Factory lubrication is very inconsistent, so you’ll want to look for switches that are hand-lubricated if possible. You can also buy a kit to do it yourself, or you can forego lubrication altogether. Some people prefer the typing experience with non-lubricated switches anyway.
The main thing to pay attention to is how many pins the switch has. You’ll usually find 3-pin and 5-pin switches, but they’re basically the same. The 5-pin switches add a few plastic posts to stabilize the switch, but you can cut those parts off if your keyboard can only accommodate a 3-pin switch.
Make it yours
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Now for the fun part: making the keyboard your. Style points matter when building your own keyboard, so take some time to find keyboards you like, a cable that matches your theme, and lighting that pulls the whole thing together.
Keycaps are a personal endeavor, and many sets are limited editions that you only have a short time to purchase. Rather than recommending specific sets, here are a few places I recommend buying keys:
- Drop — expensive but fantastic switches with lots of personality and unique shapes. If you have the money, this is where you want to shop.
- Osume — A minimalistic keyboard that is only available in a limited edition. They look and feel fantastic, but are a bit more expensive.
- Akko — Akko keys are cheap and not as pretty as the first two options, but you’ll find a few unique designs you won’t see anywhere else.
- Amazon — Amazon is a great place to buy cheap keys, but you may have to deal with quality issues like unclear legends or durability depending on the set you choose.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your keys. First, try to choose PBT keys if you can. ABS buttons have a better color, but wear over time. PBT keys will last longer, but feel free to use ABS if you want something with a bit more shine. Also try to look for thicker keys if you can find them.
Outside of the material, look at how the key legends are attached. If possible, you want either sublimated legends or two-shot legends, as these offer the best protection for legends over long periods of heavy use. Laser-etched keycaps are also an option if you want the RGB lighting to shine, although they will wear out much faster.
Finally, look at the keyboards you’ll need for your keyboard. Many kits have different form factors for function keys such as Ctrl and Alt, so you may have to buy a separate set if yours doesn’t come with the right sizes.
Beyond the keycaps, your cable unifies the look of your keyboard. Nothing special to note here other than choosing the right cable for your keyboard. Both Glorious and Drop have several coiled cables with different color options, although they are a bit more expensive. If you’re trying to save money, you can always use any old cable.
The journey, not the destination
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
I’ve only scratched the surface of the world of making my own keyboard. Much like building a PC, you can continue to upgrade, change, and customize your keyboard over time. That’s the idea. Build something now for your budget and needs, but know that you can always make changes.
Nothing you do is set in stone, which adds so much value to your purchase upfront. Again, you’re not just buying a product — it’s a platform you can build on in the future.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn