The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is a premium-quality gaming mechanical keyboard with strong and well-built keys that deliver good feedback. This is thanks to the mechanical switches and Double Shot PBT keycaps, which ensure that the keys will endure a long time and remain in good shape.
Compact keyboards appear to be all the rage these days, and HyperX’s newest contender appears to provide an excellent all-around alternative. There are no frills or unnecessary features here, just what you need, combined with a strong frame, fast switches, and enough software.
What will you see here?
Price & Availability
The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is currently available in the United States for $99. However, it does not appear to be accessible in other areas. It’s more expensive than other compact keyboards, but it’s a steal when contrasted to other larger-sized gaming keyboards.
Another tiny gaming keyboard is the Corsair K63 Wireless, which costs $78 and has a palm rest and a partial num lock pad. However, the Das Keyboard 4C TKL is a touch more expensive at $139 / £130, but it has a lot more luxury feel to match. The Alloy Origins 65 falls solidly within the best keyboards’ middle while being on the upper end of the finest tiny keyboard category.
Design
There’s no denying that the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is a massive keyboard. It’s quite heavy for such a small board. That’s mirrored in the keyboard’s strong metal backplate and outside design, which make it seem exceptionally solid and durable, including its 830g weight, cord included.
It has a smaller footprint, with a 65% layout that provides a bit more capability than a typical 60% board – it has arrow keys and a few extra function buttons on the right side. In essence, the availability of arrow keys makes this a superior layout for day-to-day functioning.
Double-shot PBT keycaps
The Alloy Origins 65’s superior build quality is mirrored in its double-shot PBT keycaps. Which feel fantastic under the finger and are far more durable than the conventional ABS plastics. If you wish to contrast the conventional black keycaps for something a bit more colorful, the box includes a neat tiny patterned spacebar and an additional key. The USB-C cable is detachable and braided, adding to the overall quality sense of the product.
Features
You’re getting the normal set of functions you’d expect from a $100 gaming keyboard. The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 has complete n-key rollover, anti-ghosting, and per-key RGB illumination with five brightness levels. That’s standard stuff at this pricing bracket. However, it’s disappointing to discover just 3 onboard memory spaces.
This is comparable to the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 & Alloy Origins Core. However, it is still somewhat below average for a gaming keyboard. For around $20 extra, the Razer Huntsman Mini & Mountain Everest 60 both have five onboard memory settings. As you get away from the smaller form factor, you’ll see that the great majority of gaming keyboards in this price bracket stick to the normal five or six preset restrictions. If you’re not concerned with creating individual profiles, this should simply be a blip on your radar; but, if you’re looking for something with greater macro support, you should look elsewhere.
You’ll also notice HyperX’s custom switches, which come in either linear Red or tactile Aqua. The 45g actuation force is consistent with conventional red switches, although the 1.8mm actuation point is somewhat higher than the 2mm often found in other keyboards. This results in a lighter snap as well as a faster average actuation, which worked especially well in this chassis.
When it came to covering those switches, it’s ecstatic to discover that these Doubleshot PBT keycaps had a more grippy texture than the original 60% model. There’s a lot more texture here, making the whole thing more tactile and comfy.
Performance
Underneath its strong chassis, the Alloy Origins 65 employs HyperX’s own Red switches, which are among the best and most substantial MX Red clones available. They provide a quick typing experience that is suitable for both day-to-day business and gaming.
The Alloy Origins 65’s 45cN actuation force assures light and responsive keystrokes, making it an excellent choice for FPS games. It works brilliantly in a couple of matches of CS:GO and Apex Legends. Although the switches are not analog, the Alloy Origins 65 demonstrates that sometimes simplicity is better. This reflects a rising trend in gaming keyboards, as manufacturers are progressively removing unnecessary or lavish functionality in order to keep things simple and practical. It’s refreshing, particularly when it converts to a fantastic all-around experience, like the Alloy Origins 65 does.
Conveniently, HyperX’s little candidate has both complete anti-ghosting and full NKRO, ensuring that no input is lost. The Alloy Origins 65 provides the most accurate key presses possible.
Software & Lighting
In terms of software and illumination, the Alloy Origins 65 once again excels with super-vibrant RGB that, by default, cycles over the whole color spectrum. The lighting itself appears sophisticated and refined. All too frequently, the lighting on a keyboard can make it appear gaudy and cheap. However, it’s wonderful to see that HyperX has given some care to how it’s provided here.
While the lighting is striking, the same cannot be said about HyperX’s NGENUITY software. It has the appearance of a reskinned Windows menu and provides basic functions like adjusting the lighting, configuring the two levels of keys, and deactivating keys to enable the Alloy Origins 65 to enter Game mode.
There are seven lighting settings to pick from, as well as options to modify the brightness, selected colors, and the pace at which colors change.
Is Ducky better than HyperX?
Both the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 and the Ducky One 2 Mini V2 are 60% tiny mechanical keyboards. However, the HyperX is superior for gaming because of its substantially reduced latency. It also includes simple modification tools for setting macros and changing the RGB backlighting.
Which HyperX switch is best for gaming?
Aqua HyperX. They are used by gamers who seek a quick key switch yet value accuracy over speed.
Conclusion
The HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is a fantastic gaming mechanical keyboard in a small package. It’s quite well-made, with no deck flex at all. There are some responsive light switches that are ideal for gaming, and the illumination is among the finest for the price. Just be careful of the software’s limited functions, which may leave some seeking a little bit more.
If you’re looking for a powerful gaming keyboard that’s a little smaller than the norm, the HyperX Alloy Origins 65 is an excellent alternative. It lacks the analog switches of Razer’s little keyboard, but it’s not as much of a loss as you would think. The Alloy Origins 65 is purposeful, robust, and beautiful – and its linear, light switches provide an excellent gaming experience, even if the software isn’t all that great.
