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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

Corsair K70 MAX vs Corsair K70 CORE

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Corsair K70 MAX
Corsair K70 CORE

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Apr 08, 2025 06:04 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Dec 02, 2024 06:29 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Corsair K70 MAX Picture
Corsair K70 CORE Picture

Variants

  • K70 MAX (Steel Gray)
  • K70 CORE (Black W/ Palmrest)
  • K70 CORE (Black W/O Palmrest)
  • K70 CORE (Steel Gray W/O Palmrest)
  • K70 CORE SE (White W/ Palmrest)

Our Verdict

Corsair K70 MAX

Corsair K70 CORE

The Corsair K70 MAX and the Corsair K70 CORE are full-size gaming keyboards in Corsair's wider K70 lineup. Their main differences lie in their switch technologies and maximum polling rate. The K70 Max uses magnetic switches, allowing you to customize individual keys' actuation and reset points. It also has a maximum polling rate of 8000 Hz. On the other hand, the K70 Core uses standard mechanical switches and has a standard 1000Hz polling rate.

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Check Price

Steel Gray
K70 MAX
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black W/ Palmrest
K70 CORE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Steel Gray
K70 MAX
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black W/O Palmrest
K70 CORE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Steel Gray
K70 MAX
B&H
Steel Gray W/O Palmrest
K70 CORE
Amazon.com
Steel Gray
K70 MAX
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White W/ Palmrest
K70 CORE SE
Amazon.com

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.8
8.6
No major differences between these keyboards for gaming. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Corsair K70 MAX Top Picture
Corsair K70 CORE Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

1.5" (3.9 cm)
1.7" (4.2 cm)

Width  

17.4" (44.3 cm)
17.6" (44.8 cm)

Depth 
 

6.5" (16.5 cm)
5.4" (13.6 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

9.4" (23.8 cm)
8.4" (21.4 cm)

Weight 
 

3.18 lbs (1.442 kg)
2.06 lbs (0.934 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Corsair K70 MAX Build Quality Close Up
Corsair K70 CORE Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

PBT
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

Corsair K70 MAX Side Picture
Corsair K70 CORE Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

Medium Incline 
 

N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

Home Row Height 
 

33.9 mm (1.3")
33.9 mm (1.3")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

7.4
6.7

Customizability Overview  

Corsair K70 MAX Customizability Overview
Corsair K70 CORE Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Yes
Yes

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Plate-Mounted
Plate-Mounted

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

6.25u
6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

1.25u
1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

Yes
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Soldered

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Backlight Features 
 

10
10

Backlighting Picture  

Corsair K70 MAX Backlighting Picture
Corsair K70 CORE Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Corsair K70 MAX Brightness Max
Corsair K70 CORE Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

Corsair K70 MAX Brightness Min
Corsair K70 CORE Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
8.0

White Shot  

Corsair K70 MAX White Shot
Corsair K70 CORE White Shot
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
No

Length  

6.1 ft (1.9 m)
5.8 ft (1.8 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
Not Detachable
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

5.5
4.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Corsair K70 MAX Extra Features
Corsair K70 CORE Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Dedicated
Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
No

Control Knob 
 

No
Yes

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Corsair K70 MAX Bundle Picture
Corsair K70 CORE Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

7.5
7.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

7.8
7.8

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

51.2 dBA
51.3 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

CORSAIR MGX
CORSAIR MLX Red

Switch Type 
 

Magnetic
Mechanical

Feel 
 

Linear
Linear

Analog 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

39 gf
42 gf

Actuation Force 
 

39 gf
42 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.1 mm
1.6 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.1 mm
3.8 mm
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.3
9.3

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

2.4 ms
2.3 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.3 ms
±0.5 ms

Wired 
 

2.4 ms
2.3 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

9.0
9.0

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

Key Press 
 

2.5 ms
2.4 ms

Key Release 
 

9.0 ms
7.8 ms
Show Text 

Data Transmission 
 

9.6
8.7

Multi-Key Raw USB  

Corsair K70 MAX Multi-Key Raw USB
Corsair K70 CORE Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

USB Polling Rate 
 

8,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

8,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Yes
Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Chord Split 
 

8.6
8.4

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

4.5 ms
4.6 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

6.8 ms
8.7 ms
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

iCUE
iCUE

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
Yes

Profiles 
 

6+
6+
Show Text 

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
10

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0
0.0

Android 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible
Show Text 

Check Price

Steel Gray
K70 MAX
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black W/ Palmrest
K70 CORE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Steel Gray
K70 MAX
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black W/O Palmrest
K70 CORE
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Steel Gray
K70 MAX
B&H
Steel Gray W/O Palmrest
K70 CORE
Amazon.com
Steel Gray
K70 MAX
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
White W/ Palmrest
K70 CORE SE
Amazon.com

Corsair K70 MAX

Corsair K70 CORE

Comments

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Corsair K70 MAX vs Corsair K70 CORE: Main Discussion

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