Thermaltake eSports Challenger Gaming Keyboard Review

Introduction & Specifications

Thermaltake is a
well known brand for Computer Cases, Coolers, and PSUs. Due
to the constant requests for keyboards
and mice from
gamers and end users, Thermaltake decided to create a series of gaming
keyboards, mice,
and headsets with the Tt eSPORTS brand back in 2009 and launched their first product in 2010.

As a large supporter of the World Cyber Games, Thermaltake has taken the input from gamers and made a line of budget oriented gaming keyboards for those users. With the challenger line of keyboards; Thermaltake has entered the market with the idea to set a trend of unique features added to your standard assortment of gaming features like Anti-Ghosting, Advanced Key Rollover, Macro Keys, Media Keys, and multiple profiles.

As a bit of a surprise, the front of the Thermaltake Challenger’s box is not chock full of information like you would normally find on boxes. Instead it chose to list 3 features of the keyboard; USB cable positions in either right or left orientation, hand cooling fan is included, and 6 Macro keys are programmable on the keyboard.

Moving onto the back of the box, we have a list of specifications in multiple languages. For the ease of reading, I’ll transpose what it says:

• Up to 32KB Onboard Memory to store your preset macro key functions.
• Provides total of 18 Macro Keys set up in 3 game profiles. Features with Anti-ghost Key function for reliable gaming functionality

• There was a bit of Engrish on this bullet point, but what I’m assuming the last part is saying is that it has a specially design Key Matrix for gamers so that no key presses will get blocked while you are gaming and no extra keys will appear in the future.
• We’ll be testing this feature to see how it works since there are many ways to implement this.

One extra USB Port for other USB devices.

Golden Plated USB Connector for best stability & speed.

• This is purely marketing fluff right here. Gold plated connectors do not give you a better connection nor increase the speed of the the USB ports. I wish companies would stop making such ridiculous claims. Gold plating on connectors prevents against corrosion due to oxidation of a metal.

Thermaltake eSports Challenger Gaming Keyboard Specifications

• Interface: USB
• Operational systems: WindowsR 7/Vista/XP
• Number of Macro keys: 6
• Number of Multimedia keys: 7
• 2.0 USB port: 1
• Switch lifecycle: 10 Millions
• Cable length: 2m
• Keyboard Body dimension (LxWxH): 480x 205.5x 25mm
• Fan Speed: 6,000 RPM(15%)
• Max. airflow:2.7CFM
• Noise level:21.7dB
• Rate voltage: DC 5.0V
• Life expectancy: 50,000 HRS
• Fan dimension (LxWxH): 30x30x10mm