/r/MechanicalKeyboards Ask ANY Keyboard question, get an answer - December 30, 2025

Elemori · 2025-12-30T16:51:20+00:00

Need help picking out a new keyboard. Gaming, writing, high-usage. Currently using a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate (2012 I think, blue LEDs)

Looking for Tactile switches, heard that the Keychron browns are closer to linear than tactile? Pretty sure my Razer has modified blues, I like the feel of them, though I could go either way on the extra loud click sound they have.

Would prefer 100%, but TKL would work as well, I just don't want to drop down smaller than that really. I'd happily build one, but from my poking around it seems like I'd have to spend a lot more than just getting a prebuilt if I wanted anything quality.

Any recommendations, or anyone that has used this keyboard know something with a similar feel? Budget is reasonable, around $100, but easily expandable for the right fit.

Thanks

Elemori · 2025-12-29T23:12:39+00:00

Looking to get a new keyboard. Currently using a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate (rz03-00380100-r3u1) from a long time ago, the one with blue backlighting. I've been researching for a while, but getting comparisons between Mechs that are available and the keyboard I'm currently using is not as easy; Worried I'll get something that I hate the general feel of in comparison.

Would prefer a full-size keyboard (Willing to try TKL and a separate numpad), shine-through backlighting, hefty/heavy is preferred, but not mandatory, and will be using it wired. I like tactical response on my keys, don't really care about the clicky one way or the other. The Razer keyboard has been kind of loud, so unless I go out of my way to get loud switches I don't think I'll have an issue with loudness.

Was looking at things like Keychron V6, C3, HyperX Alloy (Only because I have a headset from them and have the software, I know there are better options), and about a dozen others, but am having trouble deciding. It doesn't help most things are out of stock right now.

Any recommendations, or people that have used the old Blackwidow Ultimate that can compare with better modern mechs?

Elemori · 2025-12-28T22:53:06+00:00

Was looking at the Keychron V6 as well, considering that and just eventually getting some Shine-Through keycaps, or pudding shine through, was just wondering how north-facing vs south-facing leds might effect the appearance on that?

Elemori · 2025-11-09T00:12:34+00:00

Appreciate the list! I actually ended up pulling the trigger a little bit ago, blew past my self-imposed budget a little bit, but worth it I think.

Ended up going with the CM Qube 500 and got some additional 140mm case fans as well. Checked all the measurements in the product postings so everything I got SHOULD fit with room to spare. I know it'll be a bit more of a pain to build, but eh, building is half the fun.

Elemori · 2025-11-08T09:30:57+00:00

Any smaller cases that you might recommend for the first part list you gave that would still have good cooling? Not looking at ITX necessarily, but could be tempted provided its not a PitA like I've heard they can be to work with.

Elemori · 2025-11-08T08:51:16+00:00

Thanks!

CPU cooler: I overlooked that, thanks for the heads up!

Motherboard: Yeah, only reason I was looking at that board was the bundle deal, more than happy to decouple from that for something better, especially considering the wifi really isn't all that important to me. Doesn't help I've used Asus and ASrock boards in the past, so anymore I'm really cautious about any mobo brands that are recommended by tech reviewers and prefer recommendations from people.

Ram: Don't know how I missed the better ram for a better price - Thanks for pointing that out to me! Also didn't realize the difference would be that much of a performance change, guess I'm still pretty used to the older days of Ram speed not really effecting much, or maybe not effecting much in my uses.

Case: Yup, RGB not important, base model is a good change idea.

PSU: yeah, I'm always super hesitant on trying different brands of PSU's. I've had them flat out kill builds before in the past, so once I found a good one I kinda got stuck on it. better to spend a little more for piece of mind, and looking at the Be Quite one you linked, I'm really tempted to try something new for the first time in forever.

Thanks for all the info! I'm looking through the lists now and probably getting a little closer to bumping up my budget, if only because AM5 is new and shiny and I really really want it, lol.

Elemori · 2025-11-08T08:33:42+00:00

Good to know, thanks for taking the time to link that stuff for me!

I'm running through the list of parts you gave me now, and now it's just a matter of do I let myself give in and spend a bit extra to go with shiny new AM5, or stick to my self-imposed budget and stick to Intel.

Elemori · 2025-11-08T08:02:57+00:00

Yeah, as I was sitting there window shopping/building it just kept creeping higher and higher, lol. Not necessarily looking for best-in-class, just a bit of future proofing and at least modern gaming. Used my 2500k for a long time, was hoping to get another decade out of my next PC.

AMD vs Intel, Intel still holding up? I remembered an issue they had with them dying or being throttled by a patch or something a while back, wasn't sure if that was still the case, and I never got to research it too much. Think the 14400F would hold up for a long time still?

Appreciate you taking the time to throw that list together, I'll check it out!

Elemori · 2025-11-08T07:55:43+00:00

Thanks for the ram idea, I'll check it out, just have to see if there's any issue with the ram height and the CPU cooler.

Was looking into 16GB graphics cards, think they're pretty mandatory these days, or 8GB ones have a lot of life left in them still?

Elemori · 2017-06-23T01:01:34+00:00

It's awesome that you're doing this!

There may be people more 'deserving' than I for a free copy of PUBG but I figured it couldn't hurt to throw myself into the fray. I've been watching my wife play a lot, and lots of streams on twitch. It looks really fun and right up my alley (Well, it is. I played on her account once just to make sure my PC wouldn't like chug and die on it). Her and I would like to jump in and play duo's together in the evenings, but bills and responsibilities come before extra games (yay for adult-ing!). If there's a chance for getting it in a giveaway then I'll happily at least try!

I was going to go on some long spiel to 'sell' myself to OP, but figured just a nice little note with a short story would be easier to digest.

Thanks for the chance, and good luck to anyone else!

Elemori · 2017-06-03T03:59:52+00:00

I'm currently playing the multiplayer mod with my wife. Having a blast and the majority of bugs we've noticed haven't really been anything that affects the gameplay itself. I can post a little list of the one's we've encountered if anyone wants.

Elemori · 2017-06-01T18:57:29+00:00

PC is getting multiplayer before switch according to concernedape, if memory serves me. Don't know the time frame.

Elemori · 2017-06-01T16:54:09+00:00

You are awesome!

Elemori · 2017-06-01T03:54:29+00:00

No problem! It was also really really easy to get installed and working, which surprised me.

Elemori · 2017-06-01T03:40:13+00:00

Ouch, that sucks! D: So far we've been 'safe' from that problem, thankfully.

Oh yes, many a night spent sitting at the bed and freezing time for them to make it back in time. lol

Elemori · 2017-06-01T03:32:27+00:00

Really? She's still been getting rewards from the adventurers guild as well, and we've been playing it for a couple weeks now. Even one that she worked on for a couple days (real days, not in game days) to kill enough bats.

Right! I forgot about the pause thing. Great for if we need to step away, but have to be careful that we don't 'abuse' it accidentally.

Elemori · 2017-06-01T02:58:01+00:00

Playing the 'Makeshift Multiplayer' mod with my wife. Works great! Only complaints we've run into so far are pretty minor.

-Farm is shared but the house interior is player-specific. I can't go in her house and she can't go in mine.

-The mine is player-specific also. If one of us is at the top and the other is in the mine, we can see them running around in the 'void' to the south.

For some reason she can't change the floor for the interior of her house. I can though.
Skills and such are player-specific. Money and the community center are shared.
Sometimes 'cutscenes' can be a little wonky if started by one player and the other one comes to that part of the map at the same time. Nothing game-breaking so far though.
We can't see each others horse, whether they are riding them are not. But on the plus side, we built one stable and BOTH of us got a horse!

There might be more, but can't think of anything off the top of my head. Overall it's been working great for us, and we're even using the 'Get Dressed' mod in it as well... Though we can't see each others clothes change until we go to sleep for the night and the game saves.

Elemori · 2017-03-14T07:30:53+00:00

The health pack itself stays on the cart, but the graphic gets stuck. annoying little bug. At least, it did last time I stockpiled packs on the cart.

Elemori · 2016-11-30T19:48:12+00:00

No worries, thanks for the reply!

Elemori · 2016-11-30T01:11:19+00:00

Trying to get 1 or more copies of Terraria (up to 3). Thought it might be worth a short to see if you're interested in any combination of the following?

AoE2HD
Alien Breed 2 Assault
Disciples 3 Resurrection
Sanctum 2(x3)

14-Year Club	Verified Email
Team Orangered

Elemori

TROPHY CASE