Speedlink Parthica Core gaming keyboard review

1. Introduction2. Unboxing3. Speedlink Parthica Core4. Testing5. Final Thoughts6. View All Pages

When every manufacturer is pushing mechanical boards in their gaming ranges, it is often easy to overlook membrane boards like the Speedlink Parthica Core, but you should not. No its switches are not of the calibre of what you get with Cherry MX or others, but the experience is not so far removed that you cannot appreciate this as a strong gaming keyboard.

With the segregated switches, you get a much more accurate travel from each key and the overall feel is pretty good. In games, there is no really noticeable speed drop off – at least for this gamer – and though it does not have that satisfying, crisp feel as you strike the keys home, it is more than capable enough for the average gamer.

On top of that, you get a lot of features that are usually reserved for much more expensive hardware. The back-end software lets you record macros in a very in-depth manner, as well as adjust polling rates and you can import and export profiles too.

The lack of mechanical switches is much more noticeable if you are a frequent typer and for this reviewer at least, there is no way I would go back to a membrane board, even one as strong as this, for day to day typing. The Parthica also lacks RGB backlighting (though that is not surprising at this price point) and its heavy plastic design is not the most premium feeling.

I definitely want to see more underside grip on a future revision too.

For the £28 price tag, you get a lot of keyboard for the money. The back-end software is simple and intuitive, but ugly. The membrane switches are about as good as you could expect, unless you look to the lower-profile scissor style.

The Speedlink Parthica is a very well rounded keyboard that while unable to stand up to higher grade mechanical boards, offers a great middle ground upgrade path for those lumbered with an entry level board.

You can pick up the Speedlink Parthica Core on Amazon for just shy of £29.

Pros

• Isolated switches give a crisper travel than most membrane boards.
• Basic multi-coloured backlighting options.
• Good back-end software, macro recording and remappable keys.
•  Very affordable.
• Braided cable and gold plated USB, usually reserved for much more expensive keyboards.

Cons

• Irritating squeak on some keys' upstroke.
• Not enough grip on underside causes occasional sliding.
• Even at a much reduced price, hard to recommend over mechanical.
• N-Key rollover is ok, but do not expect it to handle more than one person on the same keyboard.

KitGuru Says: It is unlikely to convert a mechanical user any time soon, but the Speedlink Parthica Core is easily one of the best membrane keyboards we have ever used and at this low price point, that is a great achievement.

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