G.SKILL Ripjaws KM780 RGB Keyboard Review

[@sol666]

wow I have owned this keyboard for 1 year now and I have to say , ripjaws lives up to it's reputation as the "memory maker". I thought this was just a cheaper copy of the corsair k70 RGB, I am glad I was wrong. Here's what I realize after 1 year: ripjaws debut in the peripheral market with with this keyboard, a mouse and a headset. Being new they did not act arrogant like a lot of companies do and released the product cheap, they were at the time in no position to challenge the Corsair's sophisticated keyboard software, since their version was not fully operational. The keyboard had flaws like the RGB LED transitions were not fluid enough likely due to a weaker controller chip plus the profile and media control buttons were always red. still compared to corsair it was a cheap alternative with everything I wanted on a keyboard. flash forward 1 year and I updated the keyboard software for the fifth time with driver version "0.105". and to my amazement the entire keyboard is now RGB (even the profile buttons and media keys have RGB LED underneath them). I have a new found respect for Ripjaws. Apparently there are companies still in the business who actually care about providing their customers with the best product at the best price possible. I never expected there were RGB lights waiting to be activated under those buttons 1 year after I purchased this keyboard.....why would anyone go through the trouble of putting RGB LED under them when they are always red and linger on the edge of a cheap mechanical keyboard....apparently ripjaws cares about delivering perfection no matter what they make!

[@QQ251647742]

Can I set the macro keys without downloading and installing the software every time when switching to a new computer?

[@iTzDaNiiLo]

Very nice review Paul. I like how you kept in mind that G.Skill is new to the keyboard market and you didn't give crap to them for having a buggy software which is understandable and they will work on it for sure.

[@stevensims3342]

Except they never did...

[@matthewyoon7554]

I can deal with ads. I can deal with buffer But when ads buffer I suffer

[@savaros1]

Beautiful

[@mortalnovaus9385]

Praise 🙌🙌🙌

[@carlosmartinaramayomedina2443]

+Matthew Yoon the next neruda

[@keymind117]

Get Adblock plus.

[@thewaterboy2013]

+Der Reptilien- Kommandant Or you know.... don't and help keep the internet free to use.

[@friendlessharold330]

200K IS REAL CONGRATS PAUL! Really like this video, not a fan of rgb but i might sell my g710+ and get the red one. Great video mate

[@shtechvn]

2:55 - I can either change them into any color or turn it off entirely with my K70 RGB. And btw, the volume roller is ripped right off from Corsair's keyboards (Not to mention the horizontal brushed aluminium plate and the sticker logo). Anyways, nice try on the first keyboard, G.Skill. I love your RAM, may you keep doing the good work and improve the keyboard.

[@RatioOfOne]

OMG 60fps. The illusion is shattered

[@bertoray5497]

In your demo, I like how you whip out "A very specific keyboard layout that's designed for people who switch between MMOs, MOBAs, and Flight Sims, and it's a very very popular layout." I also like your camera's crisp image quality.

[@MHSDankusPotatus]

i have had this for 2 years. incredible build quality. literally everything i wanted in a keyboard

[@bfjrd]

I love how the edits on the settings immediately reflects to the keyboard.

[@rovert97]

I’ve had this keyboard for 3+ years now and honestly I haven’t been kind to it. Hasn’t been taken apart and cleaned, but it’s held up great. The tabs that hold the wrist rest on have broke many times and been glued many times. But finally it’s starting to die on me at the usb connection. It makes the plugged in/out noises randomly when the cable gets slightly bumped. Been a good keyboard for these years and been very pleased with it. It is now being replaced with a k95 rgb platinum gunmetal.

[@Trstnfr]

"snacks" *opens KM780 key case* *pulls out a Cheeto*

[@Pazo139]

will the ripjaws km780 rgb run fallout 4 at max settings?

[@paulshardware]

+Pazo139 only if overclocked

[@dimytril2428]

+Paul's Hardware on triple 8k monitors right?

[@roccoramos1358]

lolz

[@Reddonuts1]

I tried it on 6 12k monitors and 3 150 inch 24k tv's I got 120 fps ultra settings and overclocked to 7.2 ghz

[@SamYung0]

+Paul's Hardware I don't know which comment is more epic: Your reply or the comment you replied to.

[@akpane3]

Is it me or did anyone else notice how super slow the ripple effect happened after he press the keys. I love this keyboard and wish I had one though. It has all the features I want. I would have got the Razer BlackWidow Chroma but it does not have all the features or even look as good as this keyboard. Its like G. SKill took all the competition features and roll them into one. Good Job with the review and great job G. Skill!

[@Germanbattle83]

I think this is a really nice review, thank you. Just one thing i would add, that I feel is important: I currently have this keyboard and I think for 160 bucks its worth noting that the keyboard really has that "premium feel", if you know what I mean. Its very solid and the finishing is top notch. 160 bukks for a keyboard may be harsh but, personally, i can totally feel where the money went. If you are a nerd like me, man up, buy this gadget :P

[@sir1junior]

Thanks for the review Paul!

[@TheNiteNinja19]

I've been using the red backlit version for 4 years now. Cherry MX Blues, and to this day I still look down on every other keyboard I ever see. I have mine decked out with damps, got a chrome red keycap set (which really goes good with the red backlight), and the board feels as good now as the day I bought it. It's built like a tank and it's certainly holding up to the test of time.

[@MrYodi2007]

5 years later mine is still running almost flawlessly! Even after several beers wasting onto it.....lol!

[@ScullyMD-jt1bn]

I use this board daily but mine has cherry mx blues in it and I love the look and feel of the keys as I type. It's a pretty awesome keyboard. I've had it for close to 2 years and had a couple problems with spillage but they did an rma for me and fixed it quite quickly. I can't use another keyboard now. I love this thing!

[@slugger449]

I just bought the KM780R on newegg for $94.99. (Same as KM780, just without the box and key caps mentioned). I decided I wanted to try out mechanical keyboards and started out looking at the Corsair Strafe, then the Corsair K70, then the G.Skill KM780. I think the G.Skill is more favorable. It's just a big bonus that I happen to find a big sale for the KM780R.

[@AlphaMachina]

I still prefer my Microsoft Sidewinder X4 over any mechanical keyboard. Never had a problem with any kind of wear of the silicone dome overlay. I've had it for over 6 years and I can simply pop the keys off, unscrew the bottom and pop the top bezel off, take it and the silicone to the sink and rinse, clean the keys, put everything back together and 30 minutes later my keyboard is a clean as it was the day I bought it. Plus, no annoying clickity/clackity sounds from the keys. And I prefer the low profile key caps.

[@davidslone9103]

I have a Corsair K70 (red LEDs). As a keyboard, I like it, especially the roller volume control. Unfortunately, the brightness of the LEDs is some form of PWM. It flickers from the edge of my vision like old CRT monitors did if they were set to 60hz. It's very distracting, so I typically keep the LEDs turned off. Judging by the interaction with the video shutter, I suspect that this one is also PWM. I wonder if any of the current crop of RGB keyboards are DC variable?

[@drmurda]

Great review paul, thanks! Defiantly a keyboard ill add to the list when building my next computer.

[@Fluffyvoir]

60fps looks nice, Paul! Next up 4K? :3

[@paulshardware]

+Robbie Bystrom thanks Robbie! soon...

[@___Robin___]

+Paul's Hardware this makes me wonder why pewdiepie with millions of subscribers still delivers 720P content. Your camera quality is buttery smooth with sharp details and the 60 fps are pleasing to the eyes.

[@Dncmaster]

+Paul's Hardware Soon™

[@KeiAngelus]

+Robin Clarijs Cheaper videos = higher profit margin.

[@___Robin___]

that makes no sense at all.. you only have to invest once in a good camera, he makes 10 million dollars a year. Him moving from 720P to 1080p and looking more appealing probably already earns his money back

[@mumafiedmustangs]

60fps Paul is a thing i never thought i would want but now that I've seen it i don't want to go back.

[@503whys0s3ri0us]

Might get it for Black Friday

[@itsdeonlol]

I didn't know G.SKILL made keyboards. Looks cool!

[@luckydragonaaaa]

The split screen made it look like the monitor had NO BEZEL! Super sexy. Here's hoping that the future produces such a glorious monitor. ;)

[@TheNiteNinja19]

Still my daily driver in 2020. I have one with the Cherry MX blue switches, replace the keycaps with chrome red, with red stainless steel for the gaming rows..

[@bbqR0ADK1LL]

I like the brushed aluminium, not sure about all the "aggressive" angles. I'd love some differently textured WASD keys but I don't know if those would be what I'm looking for. I have a Logitech G510S at home, I'd like to eventually move to a mechanical keyboard but once you've got used to that little screen, there's no going back. Aida 64 provides a great app for monitoring everything you could ever want & i haven't found anything else that is as useful.

[@fungusd.shroom251]

I love this keyboard. I will most likely be getting it.

[@CountingThree]

I am typing on this keyboard to write this. It's a GREAT keyboard, the only downside is that the software doesn't have anywhere near the ability that corsair's does, being that it can't do any of the cool effects other than what is obviously shown. However, I did ask one of the techs on the forums and he said it will take a while for them to put that software update out since it is difficult to engineer (clear enough statement that they aren't just stealing everything from Corsair). Would I recommend this? YES. But only if you can be patient to wait for the great updates like Corsairs. I think of this keyboard being the real successor to the k95, unlike the strafe, since it is metal and has the dedicated media keys. Not to mention it's own little quirky benefits.

[@Lother1n]

aesthetics are 10/10. Now i need to test it in game!

[@Riskabuen22]

this video was super smooth, 60fps Paul?

[@SapriconLP]

I like a simple design. I heard that the things on the sides are removable. Is this right? When it is, i really like the design. The Pipes are so functional, there could be third-party addons you can put on there.

[@kavinrajakaruna7035]

this keyboard is combo between a k70 and logitech g910

[@Kenny-mz4xe]

I like that there is a volume roller on this keyboard, I am still using an old Logitech that has one and I use it often. I don't really get the keycap holder and why it would need to be snapped on the keyboard like that, would be neat if there was a compartment under the keyboard to store them instead. I'm really waiting for a good keyboard that has a volume roller and hardware switching between key lighting profiles so I can switch on the fly instead of going into the software each time I want to change.

[@curbthepain]

Corsair makes amazing keyboards, even the older vengeance k65 and k70 are amazing. Just got my vengeance k65 in the mail :D

[@lifethrownoutofthewindow]

"snacks" got me subbed

[@Chelsea_Brooke]

same 😂

[@fireyfrost4241]

Same here XD

[@ItsMajorK]

Hello again. xD

[@lifethrownoutofthewindow]

hey

[@djrollerx81]

I just got this keyboard on Newegg. An absolute steal at $129!

[@tehsupertoilet]

there was a flash sale and i looked this up and was sold... $109.99 usd

[@djrollerx81]

tehsupertoilet Yeah prices have come down since I bought mine. No surprise there.

[@44LA]

always happens.. quick question.. Do you like it though, like was it worth it and would you have rather just gone with the regular instead of RGB?

[@djrollerx81]

The RGB in my opinion is not needed. It's strictly for looks. If you dont need the RGB looks then dont bother spending the extra cash. That being said, I love my keyboard and I cant imagine giving it up.

[@theendurance]

Its 80 rn :p

[@braydennturner]

I have this keyboard, and it's amazing!

[@NotYaaat]

Excellent review .. and love this 60fps video..

[@KingEdgeHead]

I don't know why but lighting up different zones made me think of old keyboard multiplayer. It would have been so nice back then to have different peoples keyboard area as a specific colour.

[@Rowlett54]

i like the desing of the keyboard. its got the "gamery" look, but its not too extreme, and the subtle piping along the edges are a nice touch, it works well to break up an otherwise monotonously boxy design. the brushed aluminum top plate adds a nice "high end" look. i dont agree with the whole backlit rgb craze thats going on, i prefer a white backlit keyboard (or a solid color). The extra textured keycaps are a nice touch. I think that theres a (volume?) wheel in the top right corner? I havent had a keyboard with that feature, but it sounds like a useful "button" i like how the top of the gskill software is designed after their ram heatspreader, the attention to detail is a nice touch.

[@robmelendez6179]

did you just switch to 60fps? looks fantastic!

[@colinfury4264]

I personally don't like the look, but I do like the extra features the K70 doesnt

[@asgerhaargaard2358]

Nice keyboard. I am definitely buying this!

[@Frenzy724]

Does the volume indicator link to your Windows sound, or only adjustments made by it's wheel? As someone very picky about my volume (it MUST be EXACTLY 13) I hate accidentally hitting my volume up or down on my mouse, having to alt+tab out of my game to check it in Windows, then tab back in. This would definitely get my buy for only $10 more than the Strafe RGB on sale at my local Best Buy.

[@Vaalhaal]

I must be new to this whole lighting customization thing... its crazy! Little too much for me :( I'm a simpleton w/ Keyboards I guess lol. Keep up the great work!

[@Cullinane2010]

4:20 you could keep your weed in there haha

[@wez2776]

I see what u did there

[@Chillidog0]

almost 200k :o Hype

[@paulshardware]

+Chillidog0 so close! :-D

[@dollars1234]

I have this keyboard with the brown switches. I like it so far. had it for about 2 months and haven't had any issues. the software is really weird. it takes a while to get the lighting setup the way you like it. but over all, I think it's a good keyboard.

[@sandeshjadhav8804]

Hey Paul is the LED color transition smooth? like the K 70?

[@pf2611]

one of the only other brands with cherry mx switches

[@SmokeyDaRoach]

"Snacks"

[@paulshardware]

+Cr3ateCK nomnomnom

[@calebandkylerock]

+Paul's Hardware I love your humor Paul!

[@roger-charlesmanga2065]

hey Paul i might go for a decent PC in the next months i had a lot in my mind because i want something extra with a skylake build but when it comes To chosing keyboard and mouse im tempted To go for the cheaper but seeing that i had finally a job and can pour in more money i dont know which keyboard should i go for razer being ban for m'y list ! corsair or G Skills ?

[@Trstnfr]

This is honestly my dream keyboard. Definitely getting one for my birthday or Christmas.

[@1582-o6j]

its really not that great

[@1582-o6j]

you would be better off with a logitech high end or something like a k70 paired with an older keyboard using hidmacros (a high end keyboard from a trusted brand paired with a keyboard of nothing but fully programmable macro keys)

[@Trstnfr]

5supermario aka CharaVEVO what makes those any better than this? Especially when this has more features and I don't need a whole keyboards worth of macros.

[@1582-o6j]

Tristan Crawford corsair is a much more trusted brand, its general rule of thumb not to get a companies first, they dont have experience and dont know how to perfect everything yet. if you really want the extra features, give the logitech g910 orion spark a shot

[@Trstnfr]

5supermario aka CharaVEVO​​ sounds like you're going off brand names rather than actual features. You didn't actually say what makes either of those other keyboards better.

[@KoryKinnett]

if you save your profile to device memory, if you can... then re-install your software or operating system... will the g.skill software when re-installed accept or acknowledge your previous profiles??? and is it 1ms..?

[@MrHerbNspice]

Is this keyboard going to go the same way as the Corsair K70 RGB with Cherry MX Blue Switches? I mean have you heard anything about them cancelling this Cherry MX Blue version being that is going to be "released" June 30, 2016.

[@tomvandijkhuizen8110]

This seems awefully similar to some of the Corsair products though...

[@TheXBRGUY]

So...should I go for this...or the k95? Honestly after seeing this I'm leaning towards the KM780

[@andyusa]

+The Angry Little Alchemist It's a no brainer. Having both USB and audio pass through is a big 1 up to the KM780. Together to cable management and dedicated accessory box with extra keys makes this an excellent upgrade if you're on older Corsair boards. If your main purpose is for gaming, this is definitely the one. Otherwise, I think the Cherry MX 6.0 would better choice for typist.

[@rogerj412]

Cool video Paul but I'll stick with the Blackwidow Chroma.

[@davidkrocks]

it looks pretty cool; I'd buy it!

[@pepsboismo8307]

Do you think it's worth it to replace my 2 year old Razer Deathstalker with this, I've been intrigued by the mechanical keyboards and I'm not sure if it's worth the switch (bare in mind that my deathstalker works fine)

[@steelwrath]

I'm leaving in Greece and right now it costs 100 euros should I buy it? The corsair k70 costs 180 though 😕

[@Dismantled95]

Floss sent me here. Awesome keyboard, by the way. Might just get one of those :D

[@SLDR23876]

It doesn't look very nice to me, but that's personal preference. The biggest problem I have with it is the horrendously non-standard bottom row. It's going to be basically impossible to find a spacebar that will fit if you ever want to upgrade your keycaps.

[@kipp4805]

"With the visually appealing metal pipes" -paid by G.Skill confirmed

[@therealr0bert]

That case would be a nice little spot for thumb drives.

[@crazyjo899]

I really like the look. I feel like it looks like a futurustic gaming keyboard, but I don't know yet. But yeah I really like the look of it.

[@ThunderbolttheFox]

I am loving this keyboard lots

[@Avalon304]

I think GSkill talked to Corsair... the keycaps look identical to the keycaps on my K70... and that media control area looks super similar too...

[@ThePaulobraveheart]

i bought a gskill mx780 keyboard, and mouse. after a few months they both malfunctioned. it was not a good experience with me. I found the construction very good, the mouse to if one failed, even understood. but break down the two, semi new. for me, gskill never again. the rest are excellent, I have memories of them. it was just to leave my opinion.

[@GrumblingPete]

Does the configuration software require being online AT ALL, or is it an offline standalone program? I fell for that bull with Razers Chroma Blackwidow, and Steelseries pull the same shit with SSE3, I'll never buy another keyboard (or any other peripheral for that matter) that requires an online account, for any reason, in order to use it's features, even if they blow smoke and say "but you only need to do it once". Once is once too often.

[@nicolasvanhout4589]

I was looking for a gaming keyboard, i was trying to decide between razer and corsair untill i saw this thing i think i found the perfect keyboard ever!

[@kylejoson8704]

Nice keyboard. Paul if i may add to your comparison for to that keyboard would be the new Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum. (Its not cherry mx switches though)

[@AzeUnkn0wn]

why does the RGB Leds looks blinking while transitioning colors? not smooth at all. is that just an effect or hardware?

[@MooTaters]

Glad to see another keyboard with dedicated media keys, no function key bollocks.

[@norfy]

That 60fps startled me

[@wesleynuffixkerth852]

I just thought about it and i think it would be nice to have a option to turn on a slight flicker of the rgb lightning.. it would kind of fit to some games an there visual styles... DOOm for example, would look nice... But well i like it when something just looks kind of dirty ^^ :)

[@UggyStoopy]

Just wish they'd make this in a Tenkeyless version. Love the extra real estate on my desk!

[@bronxbrown1986]

60fps looks great. Not a bad looking keyboard also.

[@paulshardware]

+Kyle Brown thanks Kyle!

[@Skyrim279]

Is that RGB flickering only visible in the video?

[@TonyTheTerrible]

paul why arent your media keys RGB? ive seen another video where they ARE rgb

[@samdeur]

I like minimal low footprint TKL keyboard no extra keys. Basically somewhere between Leopold fc660m and KUL keyboard. Portability is key ;-)

[@mrthombob]

I think it looks fucking awesome

[@protechnician83]

the box for storing snacks sold me..

[@lanuhsislehswolfchild146]

Fuck yeah! Got this for a Christmas gift. ;-)

[@St0cks_01]

question is, why would you buy this keyboard when there are "gaming keyboard" staples for much less? I don't personally like the RGB fad thing, but if you wanted it there is a lot of other options which cost a chunk of change less

[@1soupasaurus]

I just purchased a KM780R, it differs from this one by not coming with the "gaming" key caps. G.Skill has made the software less buggy, but still kind of clunky. The keyboard was only $105 on Amazon, this one is still over $150. Key caps, to me, aren't worth $45.

[@jedge0001]

I hit that Like button, just cuz I like you. And the video. I like you and the video as well.

[@LordMustangGT93]

60fps so much better, I could tell seconds into the video. Nice keyboard too, I like it better than corsairs.

[@Marty2011uk]

I like the picture of Data as Sherlock Holmes on the wall.

[@TiRaNog]

Oh glorious 60fps!!!

[@alexthemoo]

i still have my corsair k70 silver edition. but its red led. i cri because i wanted blue, since my entire system is blue themed. now i have to get this keyboard because i like the style and i would do a spectrum of blue on it :D

[@toonamife]

thumbs up for the Mr. Guaran -T commericial

[@chaotic3783]

The media controls look like Corsair's

[@weiday3372]

+Chaotic378 corsairs media controls looks like logitechs. so whats your point?

[@patrickchallita3699]

+Wei Day haha (Y)

[@SamYung0]

+Wei Day MEDIC!!!!

[@TAVIII]

same keycaps (exact same except the bottom row, look at the fonts), pretty much identical to the k70 but has a standard bottom row, same black metal top plate corsair use a oem, will be made by the same company.

[@clay7840]

Doesn't even mention #1 selling board as competition. Poker line has had officially Cherry switches for a long time Paul.

[@TheBrandicus]

Is USB 3.0 required? My motherboard does not have USB 3.0 headers.

[@TheSuckerOfTheWorld]

+Brandon Billue You can also use USB 3.0 but 1.1 probably won't work.

[@TheBrandicus]

+TheSuckerOfTheWorld I meant to say 3.0. My motherboard does not have USB 3.0 headers

[@TheSuckerOfTheWorld]

Brandon Billue after a bit of research: It's an USB 2.0 device. No need for USB 3.0 Ports.

[@TheBrandicus]

+TheSuckerOfTheWorld Thanks!

[@ThunderbolttheFox]

ordered one just now

[@zubair9240]

IF I had to buy a keyboard and choose between k70 & this one, i would go for this one definetly