HyperX HX-KB1SS2-UK Alloy FPS RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Kailh Silver Speed Switches (UK Layout)

Product Information

I really do love the size of it, and actually kept the original Alloy FPS on my desk for a number of months after review because it took up so little space. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. Back to the switches, we saw earlier that they are built by Kailh, they are mechanical, and exposed at the back of each switch is an RGB LED capable of displaying nearly 16. Finally, you can choose to set a lighting preset to any of these zones if you prefer something a little spicier than a solid color, as well as use the Customize button to create your own zone template. Since the Alloy FPS RGB doesn't feature dedicated media keys F6 through F11 double as those (previous/play/pause/next/mute/volume up and down - with the FN key) while the F12 key enables gaming mode (disables windows keys).

The Alloy FPS passes power but not data through this port, so you can charge your phone but not, you know, plug a mouse into it or any of the various devices you’d actually want to use. Below the image we see that Alt+Tab, Alt+F4, even Shift+Tab can also be locked making it nearly impossible to accidentally leave the game. At the front of the keyboard we find the micro USB port for the detachable cable and the USB charging port. Far to the right are the lock LED indicators next to the HyperX name, as well as a full number pad, with optional arrow keys on it. In an era where higher-end mechanical keyboards are expected to have a software driver and RGB lighting, at least as it pertains to the more mainstream arena, HyperX was definitely found wanting before they came out with the Alloy FPS RGB, a natural extension of the older Alloy FPS keyboard with a few tweaks here and there in addition to merely adding more colors to backlighting.

While Cherry purists may scoff at the idea of leaving their fruit-based favorite, the reality is that while Cherry may hold more mindshare in mainstream keyboards, concerns about quality are a thing of the past. The Alloy FPS doesn’t include dedicated media keys, but it does allow you to skip songs and adjust the volume using Fn + F6 through F11; Fn + F12 is the gaming mode that disables the Windows key. The leading edge, where the box opens, you will find the name of the keyboard to the left, and the HyperX name on the right.

We took a look at the Alloy FPS and Alloy Elite in 2017, with the former being a simpler (as in no RGB backlighting) mechanical keyboard and the latter adding more hardware buttons and functionality. The exposed LEDs on the keyswitches amp up the brightness of the RGB backlighting which can be customised with the easy-to-use HyperX NGenuity software to make your stream really stand out. You can fully customize it to your liking in the companion software or cycle through brightness settings and profiles directly on the board.The Alloy FPS RGB uses the popular floating key design which is about perfect for clear-topped RGB switches. It has a full-size 104/105-key layout, pretty RGB illumination, a well-considered design and light, linear Speed Silver switches. The product remains the property of HyperX but is on extended loan for future testing and product comparisons. The footprint is also smaller than usual with very little of the frame extending past the key zones.

On the other hand, there was a side-effect from this effective speed increase as I made more typos than usual when using this for writing – sloppy strikes that brushed other keys actually caused them to actuate sometimes, and I would type both keys at once. The standard Alloy FPS comes with red backlighting, but the Alloy FPS RGB model I’m testing comes with full per-key RGB support. The only drawback is that the Freestyle tab doesn’t let you choose any of the preset animations like Corsair’s CUE does. This is likely due to the limited support in the bottom half of the fame, and whether flat or on its extended feet, the noise and feeling was there. Never miss an important keypress with the Alloy FPS RGB’s customisable Game Mode, 100% anti-ghosting and N-key rollover features.The Razer Huntsman and the HyperX Alloy FPS RGB perform very similarly and are both fantastic full-sized gaming keyboards.