I was born and raised around computers only to become the family’s personal IT department. Fast forward a few years and now only two things spark my interest—filmmaking and keyboards. One day you might just see me at the Oscars, but till then stick to my sick custom builds.
Position at Tech4Gamers
Being a keyboard enthusiast, I specialize in reviewing, modding, and critiquing them for the people. If you’re a Razer fanboy, my only goal is to convert you to the dark side 😈.
Tech Journey
My first tech love was the PSP, a gift that sparked my passion for all things tech. Since then, my curiosity has turned me into a snob, always ready to argue that with enough thought, anything can be upgraded.
Current PC setup
This is what I’m rocking:
CPU: Ryzen 7 7700X (undervolted -40mv)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M Aorus Elite AX
GPU: AMD RX 6700XT Sapphire Nitro+
RAM: 32GB T-Force Delta RGB 6000MTs CL30
Cooler: Deepcool LT520 WH 240mm AIO
SSD: XPG S70 Blade 2TB Gen4 NVMe
PSU: XPG Core Reactor 750W 80+ Gold
Case: Corsair Crystal 280X
Monitor: MSI MAG321UP 4K 32″ QD-OLED
Keyboard: TKD Cycle7 with HMX Xinhai & GMK Metropolis
Unlike its more expensive older sibling, the Phantom+ fares even worse across all our tests. It has an okay-ish typing experience for a modern prebuilt and skips on features, like wireless support, that would have been great to have, especially considering the price. The design is only for those who prefer the aggressive gamer aesthetic, as the build quality around it is not the best either.
Aula F65 is a good budget keyboard but not quite the homerun we’ve come to expect from Aula. While the fundamentals are all there, the clunky software and unimpressive wireless performance let it down. Regardless, it sounds great with the same excellent stock stabs and premium keycaps. If all you want is a solid keyboard that types well and you’re set on the 65% form factor, the F65 is still a reliable choice.
Keychron’s latest venture into the gaming market delivers a great keyboard that prioritizes a satisfying typing experience without cutting corners, while being at the forefront of hall-effect performance. The K2 HE strikes a balance between enthusiast-grade features and a mainstream-friendly approach, all at a reasonable price. Its striking design complements a robust build, creating a versatile keyboard that caters equally to gamers and professionals.
A couple of weeks ago, we reviewed the Lucky65 and awarded it an Editor's Choice award because it was the best budget 65% aluminum keyboard we could find. It nailed all...
The Epomaker Shadow X is one of the best budget keyboards out there that nails all the fundamentals with its own unique take on the genre. While the knob switch might be gimmicky, the screen serves as a useful tool on top of being a great aesthetic piece. The switches, keycaps and stabilizers are all best in class, but it’s the build quality that impresses the most.
The Record Alice is a great custom keyboard that opts for a clacky sound signature in the world of thock. The leaf-spring mounting, mixed with the 1.2mm PCB and polycarb plate, allows for a bouncy typing experience. Whether you’re an enthusiast looking for extras like PCB-mount stabs and VIA support or just a competitive gamer wanting to type better, this keyboard has you covered at an affordable price.
Apart from bleeding-edge performance, the Wooting 80HE builds upon the legacy of its predecessor by improving in all the areas the original fell short in. The new Lekker V2 switches paired with factory lubed screw-in stabilizers significantly upgrade the stock sound. And the gasket mount allows for a soft and thocky typing experience that only acts as a cherry on top of the world-class gaming keyboard the Wooting 80HE already is.
The Lucky65 is a home run in the field of budget custom keyboards. With a beautiful design, premium finish and excellent build quality, it punches well above its weight. It nails all the fundamentals with well-tuned stock stabilizers and a deep, marbly sound profile that can be customized for your taste. Mix all that with the affordable price, and it's hard not to gush over this one.
The Aula F81 is the best transparent keyboard you can get, with even more potential if you choose to mod it. Its thocky sound and excellent build quality make it a standout, allowing many to look past its subjective aesthetics and appreciate a polished product. While it has some flaws, compared to similar keebs, it offers an unparalleled all-in-one package.
