A huge thanks to Basco HK for supplying us with our review sample. Today we will be putting the ASUS ROG Claymore Core RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard through its paces and see just how well it compares to its competitors.

You’re a gamer, you need fast response from your keyboard and you want that tactile feel when you press the keys. To look good in the world of gaming, what better way is there than to go RGB and have your keyboard match the exact color of your PC build. We have had the pleasure to review RGB gaming keyboards from the likes of Cooler Master, ThermalTake, G.Skill and Patriot Viper (yeah, we’ve pressed a lot of keys in the process), but just what is so special about the ASUS ROG Claymore Core? Let’s find out.

ASUS ROG Claymore Core

Sure, there are other keyboards with RGB lighting… but do they sync with your PC components and peripherals? We don’t think so. Not saying this does, but we’re not saying it doesn’t either. How many keyboards do you know have a detachable keypad? ROG Claymore does and it’s got a premium aluminium finish. The keys on the keypad can be used as macro keys and you can control the volume from there. Some people prefer to be minimalistic and only want the keybaord without the keypad, no problem, you can get ROG Claymore Core which comes without the keypad. If you do however change your mind, you can still purchase the keypad separately.

The first thing that will strike you with the Claymore Core is how short it is compared to its competitors. This is because ASUS has chosen to remove the keypad entirely from the right side of the keyboard, but it can be attached and purchased separately.

We first had a quick look at the Claymore Core whilst we were at Computex 2016: