CORSAIR K70 MAX: Everything you need to know

That’s right folks, there’s a new K70 flagship in town. With the K70 line of keyboards, particularly the full-sized options, being among our most popular offerings in the gaming keyboard space, the CORSAIR K70 MAX has a lot to live up to. Let’s take a closer on what this MAX rendition brings to the party.

Of course, the first thing any self-respecting keyboard person should be concerned with is the specs, so here you go.

• Form-Factor: Full-size
• Chassis: Aluminum, Space Gray, bead blasted
• Keyswitches: CORSAIR MGX, magnetic
• Style: Linear
• Actuation force: 45g (Actuation point is adjustable from 0.4mm-3.6mm in 0.1mm increments.)
• Default pre-travel/Actuation point: 2.0mm
• Total Travel: 4.00mm
• Backlighting: Individually LED lit and per-key programmable
• LED Color: RGB, 16.8 million colors
• Available keycaps vary by regional layout SKU
• PBT double-shot keycap set, 1.5mm thick, backlight compatible
• Polycarbonate keycap set, backlight compatible
• Matrix: Full key rollover (NKRO) with 100% anti-ghosting
• Connectivity: USB 3.0 Type-A
• Polling rate: Up to 8,000Hz hyper-polling with CORSAIR AXON
• Onboard Memory: 8MB
• Onboard Profiles: Up to 50 (depending on complexity)
• Onboard Lighting: Up to 20 layers of lighting effects with CORSAIR AXON
• Volume Control: Multi-function roller with mute button
• Media Keys: Stop, Previous Track, Play/Pause, Next Track buttons
• Profile Key: Dedicated button
• Brightness Key: Dedicated button
• Windows Lock Key: Dedicated button
• Adjustable Height: Yes
• Device Compatibility: Windows PC, Apple Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
• iCUE (Software): Supported in Windows 10, 11, and macOS 10.15+
• Cable: 1.82m / 6ft, USB Type-C to Type-A, detachable, braided fiber
• Dimensions: 442(L) x 166(W) x 39.2(H)mm / 17.4(L) x 6.54(W) x 1.54(H) in
• Weight: 1.39kg / 3.0lb

As you can see from the specs, the K70 MAX lives up to its name as an incredibly comprehensive full-size gaming keyboard with all the creatures, comforts, bells, and whistles. However, there are some particularly cool things to go over with more of a macro lens.

Traditional key switches use the downward motion of the keystroke to bring two pieces of conductive metal into contact to complete a circuit. This works fine and results in a perfectly functional keyboard.

The CORSAIR MGX magnetic switches work differently, however, as that same downward press moves a magnet down towards a sensor. The sensor constantly measures how far away the magnet is, and when the magnet reaches a predetermined distance from the sensor, the keystroke is registered.

Conversely, with the MGX switches, the depth at which the keystroke is being registered is decided by a sensor, instead of a physical mechanism. This means that there is nothing stopping you from picking the actuation point yourself, which is exactly what you can do with the MGX switches using iCUE.

The electromechanically minded among you, might have thought “Well, if the sensor knows where the magnet is at all times, then surely it could actuate the key more than once per keystroke.” Well, smart guy, you’d be correct, which is why you can set two individual actuation points per key with the CORSAIR K70 MAX. If you’re anxious for more details, we’ve written an entire CORSAIR MGX Magnetic key switches article for you to peruse. For now, though, let’s talk about the rest of the K70 MAX.

In addition to a full-size layout (104 keys for ANSI, 105 for ISO), we’ve kept the full suite of media controls on the upper right. So, you get a Stop, Skip back, Play/Pause, Skip forward. You also get a mute button alongside smooth volume roller. If you’ve never had a keyboard with media controls, it’s so convenient to have hardware buttons within arm’s reach. Especially if you’re a gamer, the volume of PC games goes up and down like a yoyo from game to game.

Moving to the left flank we find the buttons to cycle through the K70 Max’s profiles, adjust the RGB brightness (20% increments), and toggle windows lock. This is useful to avoid accidentally bringing up the windows while gaming. However, if you want to totally focus, the CORSAIR K70 MAX has a physical tournament switch on the back. This locks into place and turns all the RGB red and disables any and all software stuff. No profiles, no macros, nothing. This allows for full, intense, and uninterrupted concentration. So, if you’re a competitive player, this is a feature you’ll find particularly useful.

While everyone loves a brushed aluminum finish, we decided to go with something different this time around. Instead, the K70 MAX is finished with smooth aluminum around the keys, and the section across the top has been finished with some stylish triangular etching further helping to delineate the K70 Max from previous K70 boards. Additionally, we’ve lightened up the color of the frame a touch, too. This makes it more of a graphite tone as opposed to the gunmetal black vibe of previous K70s. For the keyboard people out there concerned about sound and feel, we've squeezed a few layers of dampening material in there, softening the tactile response and decreasing the overall noise. As an aside, we've also updated the HS80 into the HS80 MAX, so check that out if you're interested in another modernized classic.

For the people who have a preference for wrist rests, we’ve got you covered, too. We’ve including an improved version of the wrist rest from the K70 RGB, this time boasting plushy memory foam padding. It’s magnetically-attaching as well, so in addition to being clean and easy to remove, it’s one last opportunity to put even more magnets in the keyboard.

So, if you’re curious about the CORSAIR K70 MAX, or any of our other keyboard, head over to the retail site to take a look around. Alternatively, stick around and explore Explorer, as we’re sure you’ll find more interesting stuff here. For those interested in how the K70 MAX stack up against the previous K70 line-up, we've written a direct comparison page.