Viper Gaming V765 Mechanical Keyboard Review

A Closer Look & Performance

In the box, you’ll find a keyboard, obviously. However, you also get a detachable magnetic wrist rest, as well as a key cap pulling tool.

The keyboard is hard wired, which is a shame. However, the cable is nicely braided pretty durable and lightweight.

Aluminium

Easily my favourite feature right away is that lovely brushed aluminium body. Not only does it look fantastic, but it also keeps the keyboard rigid and nicely weighted. It should look pretty slick with the RGB on too, as it’ll diffuse and reflect the lighting nicely.

The aluminium is mounted over a plastic base, but that’s pretty standard these days. Overall though, the construction feels really robust. There’s some extra side lighting here too, with an RGB strip running down each side of the keyboard.

Control!

This keyboard can work with the Viper software. However, looking around the keyboard, I don’t see any reason to bother. You can control literally everything through the Fn-Shift function. There’s lighting pattern controls all over the place.

Four lighting profiles here.

Another four here, giving you wave effects, stars, snake and more.

Then even more here. seriously, they’re bloody everywhere. So if you want to tinker with the RGB, you can do so in seconds. There are other buttons for changing brightness, frequency, direction, etc.

Multimedia

Then you’ve got multimedia controls. There’s a handy volume wheel in the top right, as well as play, pause, stop and track skipping buttons on the top left. I listen to music almost all of the time while working and gaming. These buttons mean I don’t have to tab out to change tracks, which is especially handy while playing online.

Keys Glorious Keys!

The new Kailh switches are a big step up. The old red ones were no match for their Cherry counterparts, but they’ve made massive improvements over the years. They’re smooth and linear just like Cherry MX Red, so light and fast for quick typing action and fast-paced gaming.

The “box” design provides a few nice perks too. It balances the keycap really well and keeps them from having too much wobble, which is nice. Plus, they stop dust and water getting into the switch. There are other design elements that keep that IP rating, but this is part of it. I don’t typically spill dust and liquid on my keyboard, but it can happen, of course.

RGB!

If you love vibrant colours and a truckload of RGB customisation, you’ll be more than satisfied with the Viper Gaming setup. As I said above, there are a plethora of options directly on the keyboard to tinker with profiles. You can use per-key customisation in the software. However, there are so many built-in settings, that I personally didn’t feel the need.

I love the additional lighting on the side too. It’s not as bright as the keycaps, but will still give a soft ambient light around the keyboard.

At maximum brightness, the LEDs shine with a fury. Even in a well-lit room like today, the colours really pop. In a dark room, it’ll be like having a desktop disco. Of course, you can dial them down or even turn them off should you need to.

There’s a good range of effects for sure. I love how vivid the purples are too.

The built-in profiles cover various popular gaming layouts too.

Not quite sure which one this is though.

Rainbow explosions. Fun for a few keystrokes, but can be a bit seizure-inducing if you’re typing your dissertation.

Comfort

The keyboard is nicely designed and looks great. However, the performance is just as equally matched too. The keys are light and responsive and surprisingly quiet for a mechanical too. The space bar does have a bit of a louder “clunk” though compared to the somewhat dampened sound of the rest of the keys. Personally, I’d put an o-ring mod on the space bar, but overall, no real issues here.

The wrist rest is nice, but it is quite short. I have rather long fingers so find my wrist tends to use it more as a bump-stop.

Using it for my wrist means I have to curl my fingers. Again, ergonomics are different for everyone, and I suspect others will find it just fine.

The keyboard is quite slim though, so even without a wrist rest, it’s pretty comfortable. Of course, typing with your wrists elevated is still preferable.