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Cooler Master CK530 V2 Review: An Affordable and Complete Mechanical TKL Gaming Keyboard

Cooler Master CK530 V2 Review: An Affordable and Complete Mechanical TKL Gaming Keyboard

Since this is the TKL model, you will understand that the CK530 V2 is a portable keyboard. It takes up only 38 x 13.5 cm on a table and allows you to use your mouse in a less weird way. The chassis is mostly made of plastic, but it is covered with brushed aluminum foil, which gives it a solid and more premium look.

CK530 V2 compact.

The height of the keyboard is 4 cm, a marked thickness which compensates for the presence of a palm rest. There is no magnet or hanging structure here, it is a simple block of dense foam covered with a thin layer of cloth. The material may be a little hard and one doubts its durability over time. In terms of comfort, it really isn’t, but it’s always better than not having palm rest; Some competitors did not offer anything.

Palm rest is easy, but a little hard.

Palm rest is easy, but a little hard.

A 1.8m USB-A cable connects the keyboard to the computer – it detects directly. The retractable legs on the back of the keyboard only come with two non-slip straps, but the CK530 V2 slides on the table. On the other hand, the height of the legs is adjustable and it is necessary to be satisfied with a single angle of use.

Under the keyboard.

The keys contain a large number of symbols, which must be understood using the arrow keys and especially the “F”. These secondary shortcuts allow you to change the keyboard backlight (colors, light effects, speed of these effects) by activating the Fn key simultaneously. In the same vein, keys 1 to 4 are decorated with the 3rd function specified on the edge, which corresponds to the backlight profiles we want to record. Multimedia functions are not dedicated and are integrated on the right side of the keyboard in “Delete”, “Insert” keys etc.

The backlight can be configured directly on the keyboard.

The backlight can be configured directly on the keyboard.

For details on these shortcuts, see the download guide for Cooler Master on its site, but we advise you to use MasterPlus software directly, which provides an easy and clear interface to use light effects. Assign key functions and macros.

Customization by keys.
Customization by Master Plus

Backlight customization is very extensive and the key can be adjusted by key in a set of millions of colors. Many effects are also listed for stationary, moving lights, and reactions to key pressures.

Customizing the keyboard offers a lot of possibilities.

Customizing the keyboard offers a lot of possibilities.

Cooler Master has selected TTC switches here, equivalent to Cherry and guaranteed 50 million clicks. The CK530 V2 is sold with the classic red, click blue (loud) or brown (it provides tactile feedback) switches you like. Here we test the most popular model, decorated with red linear switches, which are not available fast, but for most users it will suffice. Typing is smooth and precise, although the keys are not static.

In use, the vibration of the chassis is heard.

In use, the vibration of the chassis is heard.

Finally, mechanical switches are usually loud, but here we have to add the most pronounced metal vibration, which is not very pleasant. Many mechanical keyboards have this problem, and the fault of one construction is not always well thought out. People who always play with headphones on their ears will not be ashamed, but this is a point to note, especially if the keyboard is used in office automation. Note that a small key extraction is included with the keyboard, which is nice, but not necessary, unless you want to replace the keys with competing models for customization.

An important extraction is provided.

An important extraction is provided.