For a few week, I’d been swapping between the three mouse pads within the new SteelSeries QCK Performance sequence. To be sincere, the feel particulars have been one thing I’ve by no means paid an excessive amount of consideration to earlier than. As an individual who values desk aesthetics, I’ve all the time cared extra about whether or not the perfect mouse pad for me appeared good. But after enjoying and dealing with the QCK Performance sequence, I can wholeheartedly say: I get it.
The SteelSeries trio of mouse pads are designed for various efficiency wants. While they visually look the identical, other than the slightest coloration variance due to textures, the impression the QCK Performance sequence mats have in your mouse velocity is noticeable. Differentiated by fashions named Speed, Balance, and Control, every mouse pad has a distinct texture with various levels of friction, affecting how rapidly your mouse glides throughout the floor.
Across all three, I performed an FPS, an MMORPG, and a administration sim. While the primary recreation I performed required velocity, the MMO was my most performed and helped set up a very good baseline, and the administration sim was all about having extra management when navigating a busy UI. The undersides of the mouse pads have the identical grip floor throughout all three fashions, and all three keep in place extraordinarily properly. But that doesn’t imply they’re all precisely the identical, simply that they’ve the foundational parts that you may anticipate from SteelSeries and its QCK line.
SteelSeries QCK Speed – Design and Performance
In the QCK Performance sequence, the QCK Speed is the mouse pad designed for speedy responsiveness in video games that demand fast actions – say, aggressive shooters. It’s for the individuals who prefer to crank their mouse sensitivity up, and sadly, I’m not that individual. This one boasts the bottom stage of friction, and whereas I used to be skeptical, it does make a distinction. That mentioned, it does take some getting used to. The largest query I had for the QCK Performance sequence is whether or not or not every model works as supposed. The reply is: it does!
For individuals all the time trying to achieve a bonus and infrequently tinkering with their sensitivity, lowering friction permits for faster aiming and attacking in a top-down ARPG. It additionally did the identical for taking part in an FPS the place aiming is essential. The faster motion looks as if a small adjustment, however it may make a distinction in video games the place accuracy issues. However, I’ll be the primary to inform you that I’m a slowpoke in the case of flick photographs and speedy swipes usually – which can be why my KDR has by no means been superb.
While the shortage of friction works in fast-paced video games, the fact is that doing duties outdoors of gaming is more durable to adapt to than anticipated. The “split-second responsiveness” isn’t an oversell, and in the end, it helps craft your desk expertise to what you want it to be. Spreadsheet work and picture enhancing all took extra finessing than anticipated.
Looking to improve your mouse, too?
Razer Deathadder V3 Hyperspeed
Razer made notable tweaks to its flagship mouse, making the V3 the most effective mice and additional proving why Deathadders have been a staple for PC gaming for thus lengthy.
Check out our roundup of the greatest gaming mice!
My most important concern for this mouse pad is its sturdiness. While the smoothness of the floor is crucial to assist how rapidly your mouse glides, it’s additionally extraordinarily noticeable as you utilize it all through the day that maintenance goes to be key, particularly given the light-weight design. As of proper now, the sturdiness isn’t one thing to query, and the stitching high quality is excessive like others within the QCK Performance line. However, the feel doesn’t allow you to cover any imperfection in your desk. Taking care of your merchandise is essential, however put on and tear is unavoidable.
SteelSeries QCK Balance – Design and Performance
The subsequent within the QCK Performance sequence is the QCK Balance. This is the closest to the extra widespread type of mouse pad floor. It actually is correct between Speed and Control by way of friction stage. The texture feels just like my present desk mat, which is to say, this one doesn’t have any massive noticeable variations from the usual mousepad texture, or no less than in comparison with the one I changed. It’s additionally the closest to the earlier flagship QCK mouse pads from SteelSeries.
As I performed via video games utilizing the QCK Balance, there have been no surprises or modifications no matter recreation sort or play velocity. This one, properly, it simply seems like an previous buddy. That mentioned, the QCK Balance did signify a very good baseline for testing and understanding the place my preferences would lie.
That being mentioned, that is the mouse pad that’s hardest to element. While it does boast a excessive sew depend with tightly woven polyester, the texture is simply too acquainted to essentially stand out from among the many manufacturers’ different mouse pad choices, particularly in comparison with the QCK XXL which is a straightforward favourite amongst SteelSeries mouse pad choices.
SteelSeries QCK Control – Design and Performance
QCK Control, oh, how I really like you. The most textured of the QCK Performance sequence, this mouse pad has a micro-textured floor that locations precision over velocity. While the QCK Control additionally takes some changes after I first began utilizing it, how I used to be in a position to adapt and enhance my work and gaming expertise speaks to the fact that the QCK Performance sequence is fine-tuned as long as the one you decide up matches your type.
While the QCK Speed made duties more durable for me, even making me decrease my mouse sensitivity, the QCK Control felt the candy spot for me. When it involves gaming usually, I’m somebody who can profit from extra stability in my mouse swipes since I are typically fairly jumpy in aggressive matches, typically sending my photographs off course after I play shooters.
The QCK Control’s texture creates sufficient friction to assist compensate for these slight actions. Keeping my sensitivity the place it historically sits, I might see the feel does simply sufficient work to assist compensate for my frenzied actions however not decelerate my glide so considerably that I wind up with the other drawback from my time with the QCK Speed. Additionally, the feel itself offers me important confidence in its sturdiness to cope with every day use. I’m not fearful about something marring the feel and surprisingly, regardless of being mild, the feel speaks loudly in opposition to the opposite two or another desk mat I had already.
The shock right here was additionally akin to how the QCK Edge sequence that SteelSeries launched, which was touted for its sturdiness. That mentioned, the highest texture is noticeably completely different from most different mouse pads. If you’ve got particular sensory wants or are on the lookout for one thing with a bit extra give, the marginally elevated rigidness of the QCK Control might not be the best name.
