ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate vs Corsair K70 Pro: Which is the better keyboard for PC gaming?
The ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate and Corsair K70 Pro are excellent mechanical keyboards that are well-suited for PC gaming. They're both fairly similar in terms of key arrangement but differ slightly when it comes to the features.
Now, you might be confused between the two if you're looking to buy one at the moment. However, we've got you covered, as in this article, we do a detailed comparison to see which one is the better mechanical gaming keyboard.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and solely reflect the opinions of the writer
ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate vs Corsair K70 Pro: Specifications
To get a better idea of this ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate vs Corsair K70 Pro comparison, we must look into the specifications of the two keyboards. For starters, they're both full-size wired keyboards, so you get a full layout of 104 keys. Both also come with ergonomic wristrests, so you can have a relaxed typing or gaming experience.
The ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate has an AniMe Matrix LED display that shows audio visualizations, system status, and cool animations. While this doesn't directly help you in any way, it is a cool add-on. However, I feel this is the feature that makes the keyboard expensive and isn't necessary if you're looking for an affordable one.
On the other hand, the Corsair K70 Pro keyboard features a set of dedicated media keys with a volume roller for ease of use. It comes with PBT keycaps and a light setting that switches to tournament mode, which is basically a single backlight mode that reduces distraction from the flashy RGB lights.
They have slightly different switches though, with the ROG Strix Flare II Animate featuring ROG NX keys and the K70 Pro featuring Cherry MX keys. Cherry MX keys have a 2mm actuation, whereas the ROG NX switches have little to no actuation at all. The difference is rather unnoticeable unless you're a dedicated typist.
ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate vs Corsair K70 Pro: Gaming performance
If we're speaking of gaming performance, we can talk about the actuation, feedback, and overall experience while playing. This can vary from person to person, but a good balance of soft but also clicky keys is a good combination.
The Asus ROG Strix keyboard nails this, as it isn't annoyingly loud like most mechanical keyboards. This is particularly because of the sound-dampening foam present between the keys and the socket.
Don't get me wrong, the K70 Pro is still an excellent keyboard that outperforms many other options, but it does not have any sort of dampening. You might end up with super noisy keys if you go for Brown or Blue switches. However, you might hear softer clicks if you go for the Red or Linear Switches. It's nice that you have a provision to choose the switch type, and this is exactly why it's useful.
Both keyboards have Anti-ghosting and N-key rollover features, which basically means all keypresses are accurate and don't get ghosted on lighter taps. This can be useful during intense gaming sessions when you fail to fully click a key due to the fast movements.
ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate vs Corsair K70 Pro: Value for money
Let's be real here; the ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate is expensive only because of the added LED display. It costs $219.99 compared to the Corsair K70 Pro's $169.99 price tag. They're both similarly built, have a similar selection of switch types, and almost feel just as good as the other in terms of performance.
However, I feel the K70 Pro might be a better option overall when you compare the key factors that you require in a gaming keyboard.
ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate vs Corsair K70 Pro: Final verdict
The ASUS ROG Strix Flare II Animate takes the win in terms of performance and functionality. However, it is quite pricey, so choosing the Corsair K70 Pro might be the right choice for those on a tighter budget. They're both fairly similar in terms of performance, but it's just that Asus's keys feel better to click and type with.
Moreover, the Flare II Animate's RGB lighting is one of the best I've seen in a while. It adapts based on the activity you are doing, and honestly, it goes really well with the theme. However, let's be honest, most of us wouldn't look at the keys for that long, and much of the effects displayed would go unnoticed, so it isn't a requirement.
Overall, the choice depends on how much you're willing to pay for your keyboard. If you can afford it, by all means, go for the Asus ROG keyboard. However, if you want great performance at more affordable rates, go for the Corsair keyboard.
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