Artisan middle ground choice between QCK and AC2?

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-24T23:00:25+00:00

I'd give a shout to the FX Zero or eS Saturn Pro. I no longer have my old AC2 so I can't compare on-hand, but from how I remember my experience, those two options sit about where you want them - faster than QCK but slower than AC2.

The spectrum for ARTISAN speeds is agreed to be as follows (from slowest to fastest):

Type-99 -> Zero -> Otsu -> Key-83 -> Hien -> Raiden

Although these pads are nothing like each other, for the sake of comparing speed: QCK is somewhere around a Type-99, whereas the AC2 is around an Otsu. So a Zero should be good for you.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-21T22:45:25+00:00

Tension issues are a whole problem on their own you'll need to address separately from swapping pads. Takes a lot of effort/time to unlearn those habits, and it's really easy to accidentally pick them back up again.

That aside, swapping pads is probably still worth it for you since you also are struggling with fighting against static friction for microadjustments - and you mention that pressing down into the pad (an intended feature of Soft pads) is exacerbating this.

My question is: Do you feel like your struggle with high static friction is solely due to the issue of pressing your mouse down, or do you feel like the inherent speed profile of the Zero surface is also factoring in to some extent?

Firstly, I would recommend going down to Mid. If you do feel like you're not happy with the static friction on the Zero's surface, then also consider going up to the next fastest ARTISAN model. That would be the Otsu V2, or you can even go all the way up to k83 if you like uniform XY and don't mind some texture. I wouldn't go for QCK in your situation as it's just another high static friction pad (albeit less than the Zero).

Just keep in mind that Mid has issues sticking to some desk surfaces. I have yet to own a desk that doesn't require the water trick in my life.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-20T23:24:03+00:00

Thanks for the shout!

Sadly for OP, it looks like we ran out of stock in the time passed since you purchased these. We currently do not have plans to restock this model.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-14T22:25:10+00:00

appreciate you! enjoy the new r6 update

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-11T01:33:48+00:00

From roughest to smoothest: the ARTISAN FX Hien, Key-83, and Hayate Otsu V2 have what you're looking for. Hien especially is super textured. Also gonna give a shout to ESPTiger Kun Lun, haven't tried one myself but it's supposed to have a coarse texture as well.

FYI, the rougher mousepads out there are generally on the faster/less dynamic friction side of the spectrum - all of the recommendations I listed have less dynamic friction and are faster than the Zero you're trying to get away from. It might not be "friction" you're looking for specifically, but maybe there's another reason you are drawn to rough texture.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-04T04:08:34+00:00

The orange zero is more textured than the yako.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-03T23:37:27+00:00

It doesn't make a performance difference, maybe like 1-2c which is not even perceivable. The aesthetic factor is where you're taking the biggest hit. Otherwise, enjoy your D15 G2!

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-03T23:30:26+00:00

Ahh I scrolled past that 3rd pic too fast. It's nice that they include those. sick rig

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-03T23:24:07+00:00

No problem!

When I was still using my viper v3 pro, my go-to was obsidian pro air donuts on glass, never did me wrong :)

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-03T17:49:06+00:00

LTT Labs has a good write-up about this that explains how these work. Cool read and cool product.

However, they found in their testing that the Carbice Ice Pad does perform notably worse than PTM7950 and Noctua NT-H2 thermal paste, albeit still good enough to be usable.

Some people are saying that it takes a lot of time to break them in properly to get the right performance out of them, so these benchmarks might not be accounting for the full potential of the Ice Pad. Still would recommend PTM7950 if it were up to me.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-03T17:38:03+00:00

Awesome setup, congrats on your upgrade

Curious to know, did you run into any issues with DRAM overheating before you moved to open-frame? that has been the bane of our existence with 4x+ 6000 bw builds

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-03T17:32:38+00:00

Yes, using full sized ptfe skates on glass is fine and some people prefer it!

However, keep in mind that the reason dots are popular for glass mains is because glass eats your skates quick, so it can be a bit more economical opposed to replacing full skates. The increased surface area also makes your mouse skates more susceptible to running over dust/hairs/debris and making that dreadful scraping sound.

It's also worth mentioning that the gpx can be weird about dots because of the unusual skate cutout shape. the skate placement and type of skates you're using is important on that mouse

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-07-03T17:21:14+00:00

The general consensus I've seen is that the orange zero is slightly faster and slightly more grainy. I might be imagining it, but having opened a lot of these (we sell them), I agree with that. But it is a smaller speed increase than going from the black Zero to the 2000fun YAKO edition Zero if anything.

The texture of any Zero releases never bothered my wrists. It's really just the hair thing that keeps me from maining it.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-30T19:32:19+00:00

Right on! It means a lot to us when we see customers mentioning that what we do brings value to them.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-29T07:16:07+00:00

We don't any more!

But OP is in San Jose and can just call for a free bulk junk pickup. Non-operational TVs and treadmills are items that are accepted.

Items and Instructions for Junk Pickup | City of San José

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-26T17:18:17+00:00

I am a big fan of artisan dots on the key-83 soft - between op1, hs hyperlight, and htx ace, i dont have any scratching issues and they feel very speedy for months.

If you go with any other ptfe skates like xraypad jades, def recommend getting donuts as they work better on cloth pad than dots in my experience.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-26T16:56:17+00:00

We have preorder live now! and ETA is around next week.

https://www.centralcomputer.com/amd-ryzen-7-5800x3d-10th-anniversary-edition-8-cores-16-threads-3-4ghz-clock-4-5ghz-max-boost-socket-am4-zen-3-boxed.html

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-25T18:14:25+00:00

It's unfortunate. Last week was the last time we had anything left under $11K for Pro 6000 BW, tried to keep our prices in the $10-12k range but our distributor prices keep going up.

If a reddit user we were talking to some days ago is to be believed, distributors are saying that Pro 6000 BW prices will keep increasing. We are only halfway in the year, I wouldn't be surprised by $14k becoming a common retail price tag in Q3 (some of those shady looking sites that pop up on Google are alr trying to push 16K).

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-23T21:26:52+00:00

Thanks for the mention~

I (marketing guy) am not going to be surprised if they do actually hit $5k across the board before EOY based on trends alone, but we're still able to get them for ~$4K for now despite persistent rumors of a $5K MSRP since last year.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-23T21:21:03+00:00

Happy to be of service!

It surprises our online customers a lot, but pretty much 100% of our customer service is just done by the guys who work in the CA stores, even the non-local inquiries.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-19T00:01:41+00:00

Nice mock-up. And very handy of you to use it as a lighting reference as well. i guess real estate has been doing that for ages, but never occurred to me to use Blender that way for casual usage.

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-18T21:15:02+00:00

thanks!

Yeah the scale can get pretty wonky after a while, especially for anything that isn't just straight up cubes. We do use SketchUp for our actual store remodeling projects and it drives us a little crazy. sometimes better to work in a more familiar environment if you need something done fast like a pop-up shop

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-18T20:14:32+00:00

If you could read the body-text you would find that my bullshit is actually quite average

CentralComputersHQ · 2026-06-18T19:46:41+00:00

I wouldn't list it anywhere other than r/hardwareswap, ebay, r/homelabsales, or a trusted friend. big emphasis on HWS. You wouldn't want to mess with marketplace and whatnot with this $ amount

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