CORSAIR MGX Magnetic key switches explained

With the release of the CORSAIR K70 MAX, we’re unveiling our new MGX magnetic-mechanical key switches.

Out of the box, you’d be forgiven for thinking this keyboard simply had standard linear mechanical switches, however, there is more here than meets the eye, or the finger. So, let’s take a closer look to find out what’s going on.

To answer this question comprehensively, we’ll first have to have a quick lesson on traditional key switch mechanics, this way, the differences will be clearer.

In a normal keyswitch, there are two conductive metal contacts that are held apart when the switch is at idle. When the switch is pressed, these plates are brought into contact with each other, which completes an electrical circuit, registering the keypress.

Our MGX switches work completely differently. There are no metal plates touching to complete a circuit, instead we use a magnet. This works because there is a sensor at the bottom of the switch that can tell how far away the magnet is very accurately. Once the magnet reaches a pre-determined distance, the keypress is registered.

You can probably see where this is going, because the actuation point is determined by a moving magnet and not a physical mechanism, you can decide on a per-key basis where you want the actuation point to be. This is the main feature of the MGX switches, but that’s not all.

For the mechanical keyboard fans out there, the specs are paramount, so here’s what you can look forward to from the MGX switches, tactility-wise.

• Switch style: Linear
• Actuation force: 45g
• Pre-travel/Action point: 0.4mm – 3.6mm, adjustable in 0.1mm increments. (Out of the box actuation point is 2.0mm)
• Total travel: 4.0mm
• Durability: 100 million keystrokes

So, out of the box, these feel just like regular linear key switches, but they are hiding some fun stuff. You can adjust the actuation point in 0.1mm increments per key via iCUE, but another benefit of the magnetic design is that you can have more than one actuation point.

That’s right folks, with normal key switches, you press them down until they actuate, and that’s the entire functionality. With the CORSAIR MGX switches, however, you can set another actuation point, and bind it to another function entirely. All of this can be done for each individual key via iCUE, but why would you want to? Where’s the real-world benefit?

Well, consider an FPS game as an example. Typically, you walk with W, and if you want to sprint you hold Shift at the same time. With MGX switches, however, you could set it so pressing W to the first actuation point is walk, and the second is sprint. The same goes for crouching and going prone. This is cool for newer PC gamers who come from the console world, as most controllers work similarly.

Seeing as choosing our own actuation point, and indeed having the ability to add a second one is unfamiliar territory, here's a quick guide on how to do it.

• Open iCUE and make sure the firmware of the K70 MAX and iCUE itself is up to date.
• Go into the K70 MAX tab of iCUE and locate the 'Key Actuations' setting.
• Select the key you want to change (Or drag a box over the whole keyboard if you have no need of individual per-key actuation.)

• Use the slider located to the right of switch image or the text box above to choose the actuation point. Remember, you can have anywhere between 0.4mm – 3.6mm, and within this range you can set it at 0.1mm increments. That's 32 potential actuation points, so play around and see what suits you.

You can also set the reset point in 0.1mm increments, just as long as it's above the actuation point, so you really can tailor this keyboard on a key-by-key basis to perfectly customize it to your own personal requirements and preferences. But what about that second actuation point?

• Setting the second actuation isn't required, but can create some fun additional functionality. In order to do this, simply check the 'Secondary Actuation Point' option, then repeat the same steps for setting the first one. Using the secondary actuation point can take some practice, and we'd recommend setting it significantly further down the switch unless you have the dexterity of a professional pianist.

For those of you short on time, here’s some quick-fire queries about the MGX switches.