Modding a Gaming Keyboard

Choose A Base Keyboard Type

Flickr

There are many different types of gaming keyboards, but all of them fall into 2 main categories, membrane and mechanical. Membrane keyboards have a rubber film that interacts with the circuit to detect a keystroke. Mechanical keyboards have a mechanism in their sides that detect a keypress. Membrane keyboards tend to be more budget friendly ($20-?), and mechanical are a little more expensive, tending towards gaming ($50-?).

Choosing Switches

Flickr

After choosing the base keyboard type, the next step is to find the correct switch for your build. There are tons of switches that exist today so I am only going to list some of the well known types.

Popular Switch Types

1. Cherry Mx Reds: Linear switch, 45g actuation force, 2mm actuation point, 50m keystroke lifespan and price is around $30 for 60 switches or around $80 for the switches in a keyboard. Switches Keyboard
2. Gateron Brown: Linear switch, 55g actuation force, 2mm actuation point, 60m keystroke lifespan and price is around $30 for 60 switches or around $60 for the switches in a keyboard. Switches Keyboard
3. Cherry Mx Blue: Clicky switch, 60g actuation force, 2mm actuation point, 50m keystroke lifespan and price is around $45 for 60 switches or around $60 for the switches in a keyboard. Switches Keyboard
4. Cherry Mx Speed Silver: Linear and silent switch, 45g actuation force, 1.2mm actuation point, 80m keystroke lifespan and price is around $45 for 60 switches or around $100 for the switches in a keyboard. Switches Keyboard
5. Gateron Black: Linear and gentle switch, 60g actuation force, 2mm actuation point, 50m keystroke lifespan and price is around $30 for switches and $60 for the switches in a keyboard. Switches Keyboard
6. Cherry Mx Black: Linear switch, 60cN actuation force, 2mm actuation point, 50m keystroke lifespan and price is around $40 for switches and around $100 for the switches in a keyboard. Switches Keyboard

   Modding Types

   Once you have the switches and base keyboard chosen, you can get into the modding process. To start, there are lots of different types of mods. A Modding Kit is very helpful when modding.

   1. Lubing the switches and stabilizers Lube (Around $13) (Switches need to be hotswappable)
   2. Foam modding the case Foam (Pretty cheap, $15)
   3. Holee mods/Bandaid mod Bandaids
   4. Custom usb cable or new keycaps Curled Cable ($50) Keycaps (Price varies)

   Modding Process

   

   Wikipedia Commons

   Performing keyboard mods is very difficult and time consuming. Explaining each mod in depth on this site would be a crazy task so he are some videos on how to do them. (Thank you to Taeha Types, Hipyo Tech, Badseed Tec, LTT and Haurjie for these helpful videos)

   1. Lubing switches and stabilizers Link
   2. Foam modding the case Link
   3. Holee mod (Bandaid mod) Link
   4. Custom usb cable and keycaps Link, Link