CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB: Everything you need to know

The CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB is our newest gaming keyboard and has one of our most accessible price points yet, while also packing plenty of brilliant features. It’s also the first keyboard to showcase our very own CORSAIR MLX Red switches, which is exciting for reasons we’ll explain later, but before that: The specs.

• Form Factor: Full size
• Top cover: Aluminum plate
• Bottom: Plastic
• Sound absorbing foam: EVA foam
• Colorway: Black
• Keycaps (NA Layout): ABS Double shot
• Keycaps (Non-NA Layout): ABS Paint
• Backlighting: Individual RGB LED lit and per-key programmable
• Keyswitches: CORSAIR MLX Red linear mechanical switches, 45g actuation force, 1.9mm actuation distance, 4mm total travel, guaranteed for 70 million keystrokes
• Connectivity: Non-removable USB 3.0 Type-A
• Matrix: Full key rollover (NKRO) with 100% anti-ghosting
• USB Report Rate: Up to 1,000Hz hyper-polling
• On-Board Profiles: 5
• Media Control: Hotkey*1
• Brightness Control: FN shortcuts/Rotary dial
• Windows Lock Key: FN shortcut
• Adjustable Height: Yes
• Console Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4,5
• Cable: 1.8 m / 6 ft, USB Type-C to Type-A, black, tangle-free rubber
• Dimensions: 448(L) x 153(W) x 35.4(H) mm / 17.64(L) x 6.02(W) x 1.39(H) in
• Weight: 0.934 kgs/2.059lbs
• Warranty: Two years – Local country regulations are applicable

The keyboard-keen amongst you will have noticed that we’ve applied an “everything you need, nothing you don’t” priority here. This pragmatic approach to the design has allowed us to price the K70 CORE very accessibly. The pricing for different regions can be found below. You should note that these are subject to change and may vary slightly depending on the specific SKU.

• United States: $99.99
• Canada: CAD 149.99
• Europe: €99.99
• United Kingdom: £89.99
• Nordics: 1,090.00 SEK

This price point positions the K70 CORE as the cheapest full-size mechanical gaming keyboard in our line-up, however, that doesn’t mean it’s short on features. Earlier we used the phrase “everything you need, nothing you don’t”. So, let’s take a look at some of the K70 CORE RGB’s features.

For starters, we’ve gone with a full-size form factor. If we’re making a budget gaming keyboard, it makes no sense to provide it in a small size that some will find unusable. The full-size form factor works for everyone, and a budget keyboard won’t work if it’s not inclusive. However, if you’re unfazed by a full-size board, and you’re just into the whole mechanical keyboard thing, we’ve managed to squeeze a lot of that stuff in, too.

Despite the $99 price point, we’ve engineered both the acoustics and tactile feedback to provide a great overall typing and gaming experience.

The construction is a combination of an aluminum top plate and a plastic bottom case. The aluminum provides rigidity and a touch of style, while the plastic bottom case creates less reverberation. This results in a solid keyboard with preferable acoustic characteristics.

Speaking of acoustics, we’ve equipped the K70 CORE RGB with two layers of EVA foam: one either side of the circuit board. This is a great configuration as it fills the void at the bottom of the case preventing reverb, and it cushions the switch plate, creating a slightly gentler bottom out feeling. Of course, when it comes to the typing experience, the most important part is the switches.

The CORSAIR MLX Red switches make their debut with this board, these are the third type of switches made by CORSAIR specifically for use in our own boards, joining the ranks of the MGX and OPX switches.

Where the MGX switches are all about customizability and the OPX switches are about responsive gaming performance, the MLX switches are designed for a pleasurable feel-first experience.

These come pre-lubed from the factory with a linear actuation and a fully transparent housing to let all 16.4m colors of the RGB spectrum through. These lights are of course per-key customizable via iCUE. For a more detailed rundown of these switches you can read our dedicated CORSAIR MLX Red article, for now though, let’s get back to the CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB.

Many of our other gaming keyboards like the K70 MAX and K100 RGB feature a full compliment of media controls. However, in order to keep the consumer price of the K70 CORE as accessible as possible, we’ve simplified this aspect here, though it’s still plenty comprehensive.

At the top right of the keyboard, just above the Numpad, you’ll find the media controls, as well as the indicator lights for numlock, caps lock, scroll lock, and Win lock.

The most important aspect here is the control dial. You can spin it and you can click it. Clicking mutes your PC’s audio output, useful for avoiding embarrassing situations or to more easily ignore work meetings.

However, holding Fn and tapping F12 will scroll through various modes for this rotary dial, with the color of the F12 LED indicating which mode you’re in. (You can change what each color means to make it easier to remember if you want.)

On the left of this section, you’ll find a completely programmable button. It has an iCUE logo on it, but you can set it to do whatever you want. Play/pause, open a certain application, or any number of macros. Additionally, you can secure it with a modifier key, too, so another key must be held to activate it. Just in case you bind it to something critical.

So, there you have it. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. If the low price, high quality, and comprehensive nature of the CORSAIR K70 CORE RGB sounds like something you’re up for, check it out over at our retail website. You can also browse the rest of our gaming keyboard selection there, too.