Cooler Master CK352 Full Mechanical Gaming PC Keyboard Review (CK-352-GKMR1-AR)
Welcome to our review of the Cooler Master CK352 Full Mechanical Gaming PC Keyboard. This keyboard boasts a combination of premium features, including tactile brown switches, customizable RGB lighting, a sandblasted aluminum top, and a dual keycap scheme. We’ve spent considerable time using the CK352, putting it through its paces in gaming and everyday tasks to provide you with a comprehensive assessment.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Cooler Master CK352 is a full-sized mechanical keyboard designed for gamers and enthusiasts. It’s packed with features that aim to enhance your typing and gaming experience. From the tactile brown switches to the customizable RGB lighting, the CK352 is certainly a contender in the competitive mechanical keyboard market.
Features
The CK352 offers an impressive range of features, including:
- Mechanical Switches: Available in Red, Blue, and Brown switch options, the CK352 delivers a responsive and satisfying typing experience. We opted for the Brown switches, which provide a tactile bump without the loud click of Blue switches.
- Customizable RGB Lighting: The keyboard features customizable RGB lighting with various pre-programmed effects and the ability to create custom profiles for different applications or games.
- Sandblasted Aluminum Top: The CK352 features a premium sandblasted aluminum top plate that adds durability and a sleek aesthetic.
- Dual Keycap Scheme: This unique feature allows you to swap between two sets of keycaps for different purposes or preferences. The provided keycaps are made of ABS and are both double-injection and laser-engraved for durability and clarity.
- ENG-ARB Layout: The CK352 comes with a standard ENG-ARB layout, ensuring compatibility with most software and operating systems.
Performance
In terms of performance, the CK352 delivers as expected. The tactile Brown switches provided a smooth and responsive typing experience, perfect for both writing and gaming. We appreciated the tactile feedback, which helped to improve our accuracy. The 1000Hz polling rate and 1ms response time ensured smooth and reliable input in fast-paced games.
The RGB lighting was a highlight, offering a variety of customizable options to suit any preference. The pre-programmed effects were visually appealing and we found the custom profile creation process to be intuitive. The aluminum top plate contributed to a sturdy feel and enhanced the overall premium look of the keyboard.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Tactile Brown switches offer a satisfying and responsive typing experience.
- Customizable RGB lighting with pre-programmed effects and custom profile creation.
- Premium sandblasted aluminum top plate for durability and aesthetics.
- Dual keycap scheme allows for personalization and versatility.
- 1000Hz polling rate and 1ms response time ensure smooth and reliable input.
- Standard ENG-ARB layout for wide compatibility.
Cons:
- Software support is not available, limiting further customization options.
- The keyboard is relatively heavy due to the aluminum top plate, which may be a consideration for some users.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Cooler Master CK352 is a solid mechanical gaming keyboard that delivers on its promises. The tactile Brown switches, customizable RGB lighting, and premium build quality make it a compelling choice for both gamers and typists. While the lack of software support limits customization options, the CK352 offers a well-rounded experience that is hard to fault. We would wholeheartedly recommend the CK352 to anyone looking for a high-quality mechanical keyboard with a distinct aesthetic and feature set.
Specifications
| Product Number | CK-352-GKMR1-AR |
|---|---|
| Keyboard Switch Type | Mechanical Switch (Red/Blue/Brown) |
| Keyboard Keycaps | ENG ARB: ABS Double-injection & Laser-engraved, Other layouts: ABS Painting & Laser-engraved + UV coating |
| Keyboard Material | Sandblasted Aluminum, Plastic |
| Keyboard Color | Space Gray |
| Keyboard LED Color | RGB |
| Keyboard Polling Rate | 1000Hz |
| Keyboard Response Time | 1ms |
| On-the-fly System | Yes |
| Keyboard Multimedia Key | Through Function Key (FN) |
| Compatible OS | Windows XP & 7+ |
| Software Support | N/A |
| Keyboard Cable | PVC, 1.8m, USB 2.0 |
| Keyboard Dimensions (L x W x H) | 454.6 x 142.6 x 35.96 mm / 17.9 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches |
| Keyboard Weight | 904g / 2 lbs (without Cable) |
| Keyboard Warranty | 2 years |
| Product | Keyboard |
| Keyboard Type | Mechanical |