New Keyboard

[BaronK]

So I figured it's time to look for a mechanical keyboard (Will be my first) after building my first PC and getting everything set-up nicely and made a few upgrades.

I'm looking for something around £50 don't want to go more than 10% over really, any recommendations would be great!

Cheers,

BaronK

[Dave :)]

£50 really doesn't give you many, if any, options for mechanical. If you can find another £30 you may be able to find a CM Storm QuickFire which is very good. What are your preferences? Backlit, macro buttons, what type of switch?

[BaronK]

I'm not sure, the quieter the better, so brown would be preferable? Macros wouldn't be a deal breaker and neither would back-lighting - although the latter would be preferable out of the two.

I came across the Zalman ZM-K500 - good bang for the pound?

[Dave :)]

I'm not sure' date=' the quieter the better, so brown would be preferable? Macros wouldn't be a deal breaker and neither would back-lighting - although the latter would be preferable out of the two. I came across the Zalman ZM-K500 - good bang for the pound?[/quote']

I don't think it is, but it's a keyboard and it will work. I mean, if you really want a mechanical, i suggest you wait until you have a higher budget. That Zalman uses imitation Cherry MX switches, to which i have very little knowledge of; however, i presume they aren't great. If £50 is your budget, find a decent dome board with nice features such as backlighting, Macro keys, media buttons etc.

[Jcelli]

I've a CM Storm Quickfire and I would definitely recommend it. I know they sell them with tons of different switches so I'm sure you could get a quieter type.

[BaronK]

I'm not sure' date=' the quieter the better, so brown would be preferable? Macros wouldn't be a deal breaker and neither would back-lighting - although the latter would be preferable out of the two. I came across the Zalman ZM-K500 - good bang for the pound?[/quote'] I don't think it is, but it's a keyboard and it will work. I mean, if you really want a mechanical, i suggest you wait until you have a higher budget. That Zalman uses imitation Cherry MX switches, to which i have very little knowledge of; however, i presume they aren't great. If £50 is your budget, find a decent dome board with nice features such as backlighting, Macro keys, media buttons etc.

Imitation? Everywhere I read it says they are cherry red.

[Dave :)]

I'm not sure' date=' the quieter the better, so brown would be preferable? Macros wouldn't be a deal breaker and neither would back-lighting - although the latter would be preferable out of the two. I came across the Zalman ZM-K500 - good bang for the pound?[/quote'] I don't think it is, but it's a keyboard and it will work. I mean, if you really want a mechanical, i suggest you wait until you have a higher budget. That Zalman uses imitation Cherry MX switches, to which i have very little knowledge of; however, i presume they aren't great. If £50 is your budget, find a decent dome board with nice features such as backlighting, Macro keys, media buttons etc.

Imitation? Everywhere I read it says they are cherry red.

Those are the ones from the Zalman. These are real Cherry Reds:

It's very slight aesthetically, only the name is different, but i'm not sure on the internals / quality of the internals.

[Toby]

I hear the Zalman is okay for what it is, but you're buying the absolute cheapest thing available, so be prepared to deal with the downsides that come with that.

[Helltech]

Save 30 more dollars and get a CM keyboard as others have said.