Cheap Gaming Keyboard

[SFC_Mac]

I'm not into these fancy gaming keyboards with all their bells and whistles. I'm looking for a cheap keyboard that is good for FPS gaming. I have an el cheapo right now, that gets frustrated if I push to many keys at once which I'm trying to avoid. Can anyone recommend a good keyboard that may not be deamed a "gaming keyboard"? I'd rather not pay high rates of these branded kb's.

Thanks!

 

[Doom 4d]

Microsoft Sidewinder X4. Of all the cheaper keyboards (it retails for $39.99 most places) it has the best anti-ghosting. I believe it's 12-key rollover, considerably better than most other membrane keyboards. Majority of not only cheap keyboards, but even more expensive gimmick keyboards like Logitech's G-series cannot compete with the Sidewinder X4 in terms of anti-ghosting, which in my opinion is the most important technical specification that a keyboard can offer. Many models are as low as 3 or 4 key rollover and it's incredibly easy to have failed inputs while gaming on those models.

If I had to buy something aside from a mechanical keyboard, the Sidewinder X4 would be the only one I would consider.

 

[SFC_Mac]

So I'd assume the rollover is what henders my current keyboard from pushing to my keys? Higher the better then?

 

[Doom 4d]

So I'd assume the rollover is what henders my current keyboard from pushing to my keys? Higher the better then?

The higher the rollover, the more keys you can press simultaneously and continue to register inputs. Full NKRO is by default the best since you can simultaneously press every key on the keyboard without impeding any of their inputs, if for whatever reason you wanted to do that.

There reaches a point where it is overkill, but the majority of the 3, 4, 5 and 6 key rollovers are built specifically around WASD as a way of saving cost, and so while they are not sufficient as it stands, they become even more insufficient if you rekeybind away from WASD for gaming purposes, as many good gamers do.

 

[Phil1977]

How cheap do you wan to go?

The cheapest "gaming" keyboard are the PS/2 keyboards (the round green plug). They don't have the issue with too many keys pressed

 

[deadken]

... Full NKRO is by default the best since you can simultaneously press every key on the keyboard without impeding any of their inputs, if for whatever reason you wanted to do that. ...

Super Mega Combo Attack!!!

Seriously though, I suggest you check out what I use: A good mouse with a 'left hand keyboard'. I personally like the Nostromo N52. They are getting harder to find though. Ironically, when I couldn't find one for a decent price, I bought the Logitech G13 (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/g13-advanced-gameboard) I told my friend about it and he bought one also. He loved it, I hated it. The irony is that he gave me his old N52te (http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-n52te-Tournament-Edition-SpeedPad/dp/B000WMEHYG). I love the N52's. My G13 sits in my drawer waiting for the day I can't get another N52.

What it does is replace the keyboard. You rest your left hand on it and it has the keys PERFECTLY laid out for a left hand. Instead of the WASD keys being offset, they are laid out nice and straight. It has an ergonomic palmrest and thumb controller / button. I just use my thumb for the space bar. Pair that with a good mouse (I use the A4Tech X7) and you will destroy many an enemy.

 

[Ben90]

How cheap do you wan to go?

The cheapest "gaming" keyboard are the PS/2 keyboards (the round green plug). They don't have the issue with too many keys pressed

Wrong

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Second the sidewinder x4

 

[Phil1977]

Wrong

Sorry but you're wrong. I have a PS/2 keyboard from the supermarket and it doesn't have that ghosting issue.

So if the OP wants cheap, it doesn't get cheaper than this.

 

[Ben90]

Mind stating your keyboard model?

Ghosting has nothing to do with the interface a keyboard is connected through. It is entirely dependent on the controller. I have an accounting calculator from the '70s that is only one key rollover and it doesn't ghost.

The interface matters only slightly when discussing key rollover, and again not in the context you are referring to. The standard USB protocol allows up to 6 simultaneous standard key presses along with some modifiers while custom protocols can achieve full NKRO. PS2 allows 127KRO, but does not mean every PS2 keyboard is 127KRO.

Your post is the maxim "All lolipops are candy, so all candy must be lolipops"

Take for example the much heralded IBM Model M. This keyboard was the cost savings evolution of the Model F and generally considered the pinnical of keyboard technology by the ignorant. In one of the cost savings decisions, they removed the circuitry that allowed the keyboard NKRO.

 

[Phil1977]

Dicksmith PS/2 keyboard. It's a chain over here in Australia.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Class.../dp/B000MQK6BK

I use it for every game, never had a problem once with it.

 

[bononos]

How cheap do you wan to go?

The cheapest "gaming" keyboard are the PS/2 keyboards (the round green plug). They don't have the issue with too many keys pressed

Yep and they are only $7.

 

[jellowiggler]

I 3rd the ms sidewinder x4. It is the king of the cheap membrane boards.

I would go for the $67 coolermaster quick fire rapid. Very high quality build mechanical kb.