Hardware Razer reveals BlackWidow X, improved switches and Cherry MX models

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Combatus, 24 Mar 2016.

  1. Combatus

    Combatus Bit-tech Modding + hardware reviews Lover of bit-tech Super Moderator

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    Combatus, 24 Mar 2016
    #1
  2. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    So their improved 80 million keystroke switches - which were already "better" than Cherry MX when they were only good for 60 million keystrokes, compared to Cherry's paltry 50 million - aren't quite good enough for their own ultra high end boards.

    Interesting. :lol:
     
    David, 24 Mar 2016
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  3. LennyRhys

    LennyRhys Fan Fan

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    Gotta love all the marketing doggerel, huh?
     
    LennyRhys, 24 Mar 2016
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  4. Dogbert666

    Dogbert666 *Fewer Lover of bit-tech Administrator

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    What do you mean? The entire BW range (and now BW X) still has the Razer switch in. The ones with Cherry MX are a select few models, not the top end ones, and they retail for less money. Not a comment/opinion on the quality, but from Razer's perspective they consider their switch superior.
     
    Dogbert666, 25 Mar 2016
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  5. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    The Blackwidow Ultimare and X Ultimate names would suggest high-end boards.

    I'm guessing either exclusivity deals or cost are the reasons behind the Chroma boards not being available in the RGB Cherry variants.

    As ever, I could be wrong, and I'm happy to be educated otherwise. :)
     
    David, 25 Mar 2016
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  6. Yslen

    Yslen Lord of the Twenty-Seventh Circle

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    I wonder if it's because the PCBs would have to be redesigned for RGB Cherry switches? They are SMD LEDs under the switch, right? Probably re-using their old cherry-compatible designs?

    Might be way off but I'd be interested to know. As far as I'm aware the exclusivity to Corsair ended way back.
     
    Yslen, 25 Mar 2016
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  7. Dogbert666

    Dogbert666 *Fewer Lover of bit-tech Administrator

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    BlackWidow Ultimare, haha :D

    But yeah, that's pretty much it. Cherry MX switches are a pretty easy swap into existing Razer designs, but the RGB variants would need a new PCB. Razer would likely say it's because it wants to reserve the more premium switches for its most premium boards though ;) and yes there are now other companies utilising Cherry MX RGB switches as Corsair's exclusivity is over - it may still have the exclusive on the MX Silent switches though.
     
    Dogbert666, 25 Mar 2016
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  8. David

    David μoʍ ɼouმ qᴉq λon ƨbԍuq ϝʁλᴉuმ ϝo ʁԍɑq ϝμᴉƨ

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    Oh, I know the exclusivity deal ended, but I imagine it forced Razer to invest in the alternative, and that is tying them into using the chroma switches for a sustained period, to realise return on investment.

    Ultimare... haha :blush: :lol:
     
    David, 25 Mar 2016
    #8
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