Testing & Results

Testing Methodology

Testing an input device is simple, all one needs to do is use it. Unfortunately there are no quantative benchmarks to run, no numbers to compare, and no software used that can test the quality of the hardware. Testing an input device like the Roccat ISKU Illuminated Gaming Keyboard is going to be based around personal opinion and preference. In this section I will present my unbiased opinion with regards to the use and operation of the Roccat ISKU and report back any improvement benefiting directly by its use in various games and programs listed below. Your mileage may vary slightly and as such this should be taken as a guide only.

Test System

• Motherboard: ECS P55H-AK (Intel P55)
• System Memory: 4GB OCZ Blade ST 2000MHz
• Processor: Core i5 760 @ 4.0GHz
• Video: MSI N560GTX-Ti HAWK
• Disk Drive 1: OCZ Vertex 2 60GB
• Disk Drive 2: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB
• Enclosure: Thermaltake Overseer RX-I
• PSU: Corsair HX750W 750 watt Modular
• Monitor: HKC 22" Widescreen (1920x1080)
• Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate x64 (SP1)

Test Software

• Adobe Photoshop CS5
• Firefox and Internet Explorer web browsers
• Microsoft Office applications
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (mainly zombies)
• Battlefield: BC2
• Need for Speed: World
• GTA IV

Results

The Roccat ISKU is much like any keyboard when it comes to its use, aside from the EasyShift[+] functions and Macro Live Recording it is just a regular keyboard that glows blue. There is no real anti-ghosting to talk about since it connects to your PC via USB. The keys are of the rubber dome variety so they respond quite well because they are new, but we know that rubber dome keyboards are only good for a few years of heavy use whereas a mechanical keyboard will easily last the duration.

The ISKU is not a bad keyboard but the only real benefit it has to gamers are the macro keys and backlights. It feels the same as any normal keyboard and responds the same too. It's only when you put things like EasyShift[+], EasyAim and Roccat talk into the mix that you start to notice the benefit of this keyboard. Roccat says that they plan to release more peripherals that take advantage of Roccat talk and I for one am hoping that one of these peripherals might be a mechanical keyboard.

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