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The Corsair brand is often associated with high-performance gaming peripherals, particularly mice and keyboards, that sport a distinctive, almost futuristic design. This aesthetic, a stark contrast to the more colorful offerings from Asian manufacturers, has earned Corsair a reputation for sleek, “Men in Black” style, appealing to gamers who prefer understated elegance. However, recognizing the demand for more visually striking options, Corsair has recently expanded its portfolio with vibrant additions like the Flavor Rush Collection. This collection introduces colorful keycaps for the Corsair K65 RGB MINI, inspired by candies and ice cream. They’ve even ventured into artisan keycaps, crafting clear resin designs featuring the Corsair “sails” logo, adding a touch of personalized flair.

The pinnacle of this stylistic evolution is the Corsair K100 RGB Midnight Gold, a reimagined version of their flagship K100 RGB mechanical gaming keyboard. This new iteration retains the core functionality of the original while boasting a completely revamped aesthetic. This review delves into the key features and design elements that set the Midnight Gold edition apart.

Corsair K100 RGB Midnight Gold Keyboard

A Golden Touch

The Corsair K100 RGB Midnight Gold is essentially a cosmetic redesign of the K100 RGB. This review focuses primarily on the aesthetic changes, highlighting the new design elements. For a comprehensive analysis of the keyboard’s performance and features, please refer to our detailed review of the original Corsair K100 RGB.

Close-up of Corsair K100 RGB Midnight Gold

The overall chassis design remains largely unchanged from the original, retaining the familiar black color scheme prevalent in Corsair’s high-end product line. The front view showcases the striking gold baseplate juxtaposed against the traditional black keycaps. The rear panel lists technical specifications and key features, including the AXON hyper-processing technology with an 8000Hz polling rate, eight times faster than standard gaming keyboards, and Corsair’s proprietary OPX optical switches.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Sealed Corsair K100 RGB Midnight Gold Box

Even the packaging receives special attention. The seal is designed for easy removal without the need for tools, a thoughtful touch not often found in other products. Unboxing the keyboard reveals the stunning brushed gold finish, a refreshing departure from the typical all-black aesthetic of Corsair’s other gaming keyboards.

Corsair K100 RGB Midnight Gold Out of the Box

While the keycaps remain black, the anodized aluminum baseplate in gold provides a dramatic contrast. This gold accent extends to the braided USB cable, featuring a sophisticated blend of black, gold, and gray, replacing the standard black cable of the original version.

Detailed Design Elements

Close-up of the Volume Roller and Function Keys

The function keys and media controls are crafted from plastic with a gold finish, matching the baseplate. The signature metal volume roller, a staple in Corsair’s mid-range and high-end keyboards, is also plated in gold, featuring a textured triangular pattern that adds a touch of luxury.

Gold-Accented Keycaps

One of the most striking changes in the Midnight Gold edition is the gold-plated arrow keys and function row. These keycaps are made from durable PBT plastic, a common feature in high-end keyboards, offering superior resistance to wear and shine compared to standard ABS plastic. A thick, glossy gold coating, applied over carefully prepared base and primer layers, ensures long-lasting durability.

Keycap Texture and Switches

The top surfaces of these keycaps feature a textured, non-slip finish for enhanced grip and control. Beneath the keycaps lie Corsair’s OPX optical switches, known for their incredibly fast response times. These switches are housed in transparent plastic to maximize LED light transmission, resulting in vibrant and impressive per-key RGB illumination.

Corsair OPX Optical SwitchesCorsair OPX Optical SwitchesCorsair OPX Optical SwitchesCorsair OPX Optical SwitchesCorsair OPX Optical Switches

The OPX switches are Corsair’s fastest yet, designed for competitive gamers who demand lightning-fast response times. Corsair is gradually incorporating these switches into its high-end keyboard lineup, catering to the needs of action game enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The Corsair K100 RGB Midnight Gold is a visually stunning reimagining of the K100 RGB. The new gold accents and subtle design refinements offer a refreshing departure from Corsair’s traditionally understated aesthetic, providing a unique and luxurious option for gamers. The attention to detail, from the meticulously applied gold finish to the textured keycaps, demonstrates Corsair’s commitment to quality and design.