CoolerMaster Storm QuickFire Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

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Last updated on 2012-01-30 by Tom.cpcr in Reviews

Introduction

Don’t be fooled by its name, the QuickFire Rapid will not suddenly boost your typing speed to the firing rate of a fully automatic machine gun. Perhaps what CoolerMaster was trying to say when they named this keyboard the “QuickFire Rapid” is that it can handle even the fastest finger movements without a hitch. But the name of the keyboard doesn’t matter, we are here to see if it performs.

The CM Storm QuickFire Rapid is the only keyboard in the CM Storm family. Geared towards serious gamers who demand nothing but performance, this plank features a minimalistic design much like other mechanical keyboards we’ve reviewed in the past such as the SteelSeries 6GV2 but oddly enough, this one is missing the right side numpad. Intrigued?

In my opinion, mechanical switches are a must for true gaming keyboards. They’re typically more durable, each keypress feels more balanced, and mechanical keyboards typically offer some sort of N key rollover or anti-ghosting feature that ensures every keypress is registered. As you probably already know, the most common mechanical keyswitches are produced by Cherry and they most commonly produce four different variations of their switches each with different actuation forces, sound profiles, tactile feels, etc. Unlike most companies that only offer one type of switch, CoolerMaster offers three depending on your region. (Cherry MX Black, Cherry MX Blue and Cherry MX Brown) Additionally, they also produce a Cherry MX Red edition of the keyboard which features a physically different appearance; however, is available only in specific markets as well.

For the purposes of this review, our review sample came with Cherry MX Blues, which is actually in our favor because we find them to be among best balance between typing and gaming.



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Tom.cpcr

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  • Chris Eastman

    The lack of media keys and back lighting has little to do with the price.  They just aren’t features that seem as popular with mechanical keyboards.  And tenkeyless is always going to be a matter of taste.  I would personally be more concerned about the detachable cord.  If that port gets loose, its going to be a real headache.  $80 is a fantastic price when you compare it to comparable boards. From what I hear the build quality is closer to a leopold or even filco than a dk1087 or rosewill.

  • Pingback: CM Storm Quickfire rapid red OR Leopold tenkeyless Otaku cherry mx reds

  • Daniel Biggs

    I’m getting tired of reviewers bashing this keyboard because it is tenkeyless or no back lighting.  I purchased this keyboard specifically because it is tenkeyless and has no back lighting. I really wanted a minimalist look and a lot of room for my mouse.  Furthermore, wrist rests are actually detrimental, ergonomically speaking, to your wrists.

    I suppose it comes down to a matter of preference.  But still, it irks me that a professional review would list the major selling points of the keyboard as ‘negatives’.

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