HyperX Alloy Elite RGB Mechanical Keyboard Review

HyperX has done well lately with its series of product releases, and we’ve had our fair share of experiences across its lineup. We have great regard from the company’s recent Cloud Alpha gaming headset and the first two Alloy FPS keyboards, delivering stellar performance at beautiful price points. What we have here today is the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB – a mechanical keyboard that offers pro level performance altogether with customization features to step up your game.

HyperX has done well lately with its series of product releases, and we’ve had our fair share of experiences across its lineup. We have great regard from the company’s recent Cloud Alpha gaming headset and the first two Alloy FPS keyboards, delivering stellar performance at beautiful price points. What we have here today is the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB – a mechanical keyboard that offers pro level performance altogether with customization features to step up your game.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
KEYBOARD
Switch	CHERRY MX
Type	Mechanical
Backlight	RGB
Connection type	USB 2.0 (2 USB connectors)
USB 2.0 pass-through	Yes
Polling rate	1000Hz
Anti-ghosting	100% anti-ghosting
Key rollover	N-key mode
Media control	Yes
Game Mode	Yes
OS compatibility	Windows® 10, 8.1, 8, 7
Price	Php8,995 MSRP
SWITCHES
CHERRY MX Blue	Clicky, 50cN
CHERRY MX Brown	Tactile, 45cN
CHERRY MX Red	Linear, 45cN
CABLE
Type	Attached, braided
Length	1.8m
DIMENSIONS
Width	444.00mm
Depth	226.80mm
Height	36.30mm
Weight (keyboard and cable)	1467g

PACKAGING

The Alloy Elite RGB comes in quite a familiar packaging that’s complete with HyperX’s signature design language for its boxing. Red and black, but this time with RGB to spare to glorify the Alloy Elite RGB’s lighting features. From there onwards, we get the usual in full view – basic features, design, specifications, branding, and the like printed across the board.

When it comes to the inclusions, the Alloy Elite RGB comes with the keyboard itself (duh), a detachable wrist rest, a set of textured keycaps, and a keycap remover. It’s sad to note that there’s no travel bag here. It’s a nice addition in the package, and for the price it’s one of our expectations. Let’s not forget the mainstay HyperX greeting cards and other paperwork. It's never complete without them.

DESIGN

Moving forward, the Alloy Elite RGB’s design is one of its graceful features. There’s a whole lot of improvement coming from the Alloy FPS series, which you’ll find a lot of use for. While it does retain that familiar solid steel frame, it comes with a heap of additions that are greatly welcomed.

For one, the detachable wrist rest is definitely a great addition here. It gives your wrists some sort of base, and it’s a comfortable one at that. Attaching it is quite easy as it locks into place without any difficulties.  

Next up, you’re going to love using the multimedia controls on the top right section of the keyboard. It’s great for playbacks and such, plus it adds up to its premium design and feel. The main attraction on this part is the volume control wheel that just feels so good to the touch. Moving forward, there’s another set of controls on the other end. There’s a button designated for the brightness, RGB mode, and gaming mode.

Powering up the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB requires you to plug it in to two USB ports. The cables are also thick and huge compared to other offerings. There’s also a USB port at the back of the keyboard for your devices, but do take note it’s only USB 2.0.

PERFORMANCE

HyperX tags the Alloy Elite RGB as the “perfect” keyboard for the gamer who wants to equip their battlestation with a durable, full-featured keyboard with style. As with anything else, perfect here is solely a matter of preference, and we’ve had a pretty good run with the Alloy Elite RGB. For starters, HyperX graces the Alloy Elite RGB with Cherry MX Red switches that does the job. Reds have always been our preference when it comes to precise key actuations at 45cN and tactile feedback. Plus, we'd like to keep the noise down in our office.

There’s also the Game Mode that you can activate on the fly using the switches on the top of the keyboard. You can set it up to disable a couple of key combinations that could lead to exiting your game as well through the HyperX Ngenuity software.

You can also easily program macro keys through the Ngenuity Software, although the lack of dedicated keys for it is a bummer.

SOFTWARE

HyperX does plenty in its Ngenuity software when it was introduced, giving you even several profiles on popular games such as Overwatch, Destiny 2, DOTA 2, Fortnite, the list just goes on. The company says more will be added along the way, and you can even download profiles from popular eSports players like Cloud 9’s Tarik. Don Echo Fox’s signature orange while you’re at it, even.

CONCLUSION

There’s a whole lot to adore about the HyperX Elite Alloy RGB. We’re not exactly grand about RGB, and we do understand HyperX’s interest in jumping the bandwagon. But 16.7 million colors aside, HyperX’s promise in quality and performance never fails to deliver.

As far as the pricing goes, the HyperX Alloy Elite RGB comes with a Php8,995 price tag. The competition is definitely a tight race in this price point, not to mention crowded. But with that said, HyperX's foray in this segment is definitely welcomed, all proven with its solid, sturdy build quality, genuine Cherry MX switches, and customizations through the NGenuity software. 

Pros	Cons
Cherry MX Red switches easily owns it Great tactile feeling Smexy RGB light bar Classy multi-media keys Dedicated Keys for Brightness, RGB Setting, and Game Mode Detachable wrist-rest Thick braided cables USB passthrough is a plus	No dedicated Macro Keys Needs two USB ports