CM Storm Quickfire Ultimate Review (MX Browns)

[ManOfDisguise]

Hey guys, finally got my new keyboard . Here is the review:

 

 

The Looks/Asthetics

 

This is a very cool looking keyboard with a gamer look to it. If you like to game a lot you will appreciate this but if you don't want anything too "agressive" looking but something more plain and simple I suggest looking at something like the CM Storm Quickfire Stealth. My version of the ultimate isn't all that flashy though as it doesn't have the logo or writing on the spacebar or above the keys. Only in the upper right corner. This will differ based on regions.

 

The Build Quality

 

Built like a TANK. Embedded steel play in this keyboard makes it one of the sturdier ones out there. 10/10 if I had to rate the build quality.

 

The Surface 

 

So far I don't see any fingerprints on this keyboard, much better than my Blackwidow.

 

The Features

 

Backlighting - It comes with different backlighting colors based on switch and region. I personally have the MX Brown version with the red backlighting. There are 3 modes for the backlighting (WASD + Arrow Keys, Full Backlighting, Full Backlighting w breathing/pulsating effect). The backlighting isn't super bright to the point where it will blind you but it's more than bright enough for you to see in the dark. There are 5 brightness levels.

 

Detachable cable - some people might not like this as they might not trust the smaller detachable cables(fragilness) but it is connected on the bottom of the keyboard which makes it harder to disconnect on accident. I personally find it to be just as good as a normal cable. It is a thick braided cable and the keyboard has place underneath it where you can manage where the cable will go out of (middle, left or right)

 

6 key rollover, N key rollover - pretty standard for mechanical keyboards

 

Keycap puller - this comes in the packaging with the keyboard and is very handy if you want to remove a keycap safely without damagin the switch or keycap itself.

 

Value for price/Should you get it?

 

I think you should absolutely get this keyboard. This is one of FEW mechanical keyboards that is pretty much flawless. The only thing that it would be missing from perfection would be a wrist rest and macro keys but me and a lot of other people find those 2 things useless anyway. The price is pretty damn nice as well. I got mine for 100 euros over here(probably cheaper in the US). Build quality is the best there can be, the backlighting is nice and the pulsating effect is awesome to look at, the keys all feel good, for me it's pretty much flawless. It's a very overlooked keyboard but I tell you it's damn flawless and can match the BEST mechanical keyboards if not beat them easily.

 

 

Bonus - Cherry MX Browns - The feel(for those who are wondering how mx bronws switches feel)

 

Having used only 2 switch types( MX Blues, MX Browns) I can't really compare them too much but I'll try give you the best description.

 

Cherry MX Blue vs Cherry MX Brown

 

 The blues

The feel - are heavier,stiffer and the bump is MUCH more pronounced. You can definitelly FEEL the bump on every key you hit. A lot of people LOVE blues. I personally hate them. If I want to try to type lightly on them, it's pretty much impossible for me due to the stiffness. I don't find them that good to use in FPS where you have to constantly use the WASD keys. They are fine for other genres though. 

 

The Sound -They are probably the loudest Cherry MX switch but Buckling Springs are even louder. But blues for me were annoyingly lound. If you like hearing the keys and are in an environment where you don't really have people around you you might not mind that though.

 

The browns

The feel - are a bit lighter. Their bump is nowhere near as pronounced, heck if you push the key down real fast it almostfeels as if you're typing on a linear switch. However the bump is still helpful here and will stop you from making typos easily and will let you know that you hit the key but nowhere near as much as on the blues.

 

The Sound - Now some people said the browns are still pretty loud and I honestly don't know what they are smoking cuz the browns are almost membrane level of silence for me. They are pretty damn quiet for a mechanical keyboard.

 

The browns are the switch I reccomend if you're just about to get your first mechanical keyboard as they are the best at being good at both typing and gaming. Reds you can make typos easily, Blues you might not find comfy for gamnig, Blacks might not be good for typing because how heavy they are(so more fatique), Clears are like Blues but quieter, there are more switches but the rest are much less popular.

 

If you have questions then PLS ASK! Hope you liked the review

[Sharif]

I was really interested in it but the only thing that stopped me is the lack of dedicated media keys,i can't live without them 

 

Though i love the price.....

[Faceman]

How are clears for gaming?  Are they smoother than the blues?  How stiff?

 

I am getting ready to buy my first mechanical keyboard sometime this year.  Either the new Corsair RGB, or the Logitech one.  Leaning towards Logitech because of the ARX control/software.

 

Anyways, I only really have experience typing with mechanical keyboards based on what is on display at Best Buy.  I got to try the reds on a Corsair keyboard.  They were far too light and linear for my liking.

 

I also got to try the Razer Blackwidow, which are green in color, and I hear they compare to MX Blues.  I did prefer this to the reds I tried.  The typing was fantastic, and I love to type.  My only reservation is gaming.  I play a lot of FPS, and MOBA, so I want a blend of gaming performance and typing.  The thing is, I really loved the tactile bump and sound of the blues.

 

I have yet to try browns, and I think I need to try those next as they are often considered a mix of blue and red.  I just really love the tactile bump and sound of the blues for typing, but I don't want to have to sacrifice gaming performance.

 

I have thought about ordering the switch box from Corsair, but in my mind, that isn't a good enough representation of how an actual keyboard will feel with all of a certain switch.  So I'm kind of stuck right now.  If I had to order a keyboard today, I would go with blues, but I'm interested and open to other ideas and thoughts from those who actually own mechanical keyboards and who might share some of my same preferences.

[Totally-A-Hero]

 

<snip>

If you dont like the Razer greens you will not like the blues, the greens are really just blue's that are better for gaming. I didnt like the red's either, couldnt stand the just straight feel. The Browns felt really clunky to me. At my best buy they have browns on display the Logitech G710+, the keyboard is nice just i didnt like the switches.

[ManOfDisguise]

ask questions ill try to answer guys

[ManOfDisguise]

How are clears for gaming?  Are they smoother than the blues?  How stiff?

 

I am getting ready to buy my first mechanical keyboard sometime this year.  Either the new Corsair RGB, or the Logitech one.  Leaning towards Logitech because of the ARX control/software.

 

Anyways, I only really have experience typing with mechanical keyboards based on what is on display at Best Buy.  I got to try the reds on a Corsair keyboard.  They were far too light and linear for my liking.

 

I also got to try the Razer Blackwidow, which are green in color, and I hear they compare to MX Blues.  I did prefer this to the reds I tried.  The typing was fantastic, and I love to type.  My only reservation is gaming.  I play a lot of FPS, and MOBA, so I want a blend of gaming performance and typing.  The thing is, I really loved the tactile bump and sound of the blues.

 

I have yet to try browns, and I think I need to try those next as they are often considered a mix of blue and red.  I just really love the tactile bump and sound of the blues for typing, but I don't want to have to sacrifice gaming performance.

 

I have thought about ordering the switch box from Corsair, but in my mind, that isn't a good enough representation of how an actual keyboard will feel with all of a certain switch.  So I'm kind of stuck right now.  If I had to order a keyboard today, I would go with blues, but I'm interested and open to other ideas and thoughts from those who actually own mechanical keyboards and who might share some of my same preferences.

Browns are between reds and blues. Better than reds at typing, better than blues at gaming, lighter than blues, but not as sensitive as reds to typos(due to bump).