Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 Keyboard+Mouse Combo Review

How Did It Perform?

MS120 Keyboard

Cooler Master claims a 26-KRO on specific gaming cluster, but because of the way membrane keyboards work, it is not just a matter of a particular set of keys being triggered at the same time like it is with a mechanical keyboard but how they are triggered in order as well because of the matrix layout. If you have seen my previous three membrane keyboard reviews (here, here,  here   and here)                you can see that the layout is always different and sometimes even more expensive ones do not have a gaming optimized matrix or some that claim to have a gaming optimized matrix have some limitations with common key input combo sets.

First, quick check that all keys are working via AquaKey test and it shows that are all input are showing normally. With the exception of the Fn key which is where the context menu key normally is.

Gaming Cluster Test

The way this test works is that you can depress all of the cluster keys but if you add one more, it will reach the limit of input except for the modifier and arrow keys. So for example in the screenshot above W, A, and S keys are depressed simultaneously with the L CTRL key and L SHIFT modifiers.  In a  typical FPS game, the WASD cluster is often used with the number keys above it as banks for the weapons/items including the ~ tilde key.

So say you are moving around and need to load an item on a specific number, and pressing AWS for example, the items on 4 and 8 are not accessible since the matrix is not triggering those numbers. It is different per key combination of course, depending on how the matrix is arranged. So for this, I have arranged a series of common FPS game key combinations and checked which corresponding number is not being registered:

• AWS = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 4 and 8 not-registering)
• WSD = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 4, 8, and 9 not-registering)
• AWZ = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 1 not registering)
• AWX = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 2 not registering)
• AWC = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 3 not registering)
• AWV = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 5 not registering)
• WDZ = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 1 and 9 not registering)
• WDX = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 2 and 9 not registering)
• WDC = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 3 and 9 not registering)
• WDV = Yes (with or without CTRL+Shift modifiers. 5 and 9 not registering)

The result is pretty much identical to Genius K20 gaming keyboard I previously reviewed which most likely uses the same matrix.  For the most part, it allows much of the number input registration although gamers might want to skip using the numbers for storing weapon shortcuts and use

MS120 Mouse

Shape is subjective for mouse users but the MsterSet MS120 uses the CM Storm Spawn body shape. It is longer, slightly wider and slightly taller and is ideal for palm grip users. The complaint that most users give with the CM Storm Spawn shape is that it is not for longer fingers so CM opted for a longer body shape to account for those people. Primarily, it is ideal for those like me who have wide palms as the wide body provides good coverage and the ring finger support provides additional stability.  I would have preferred a rubberized side grip on the left side as well to compliment the one on the right side. The grip is not balanced as pivoting towards the right is harder due to how slippery the left side body gets.

The wheel mouse is tactile with a lot more steps having a 24 detent wheel although scrolling back feels faster than scrolling forward. It might need some time to break in. The wheel itself has a rubberized strip across the wider top so there is no slipping when handling it. Right behind this is the DPI toggle which is positioned closer than the one on the MasterKeys Lite L so it is easier to access but not easily hit accidentally.

The use of the Avago 3050 optical LED sensor makes sense as it is a popular solution for budget mice including Cooler Master’s own 1st generation Xornet, Octane and Mastereys Lite L mice. Lift of distance is higher than I prefer at 2 CD height on the Roccat Hiro textured pad and on a smooth cloth pad like the Thermaltake Dasher V2. Tracking is fairly decent on lower settings but 3500 has significant jitters to the point that it is barely usable at that level.

Final Thoughts

Like the Devastator and the MasterKeys Lite L, the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is a bit of an overachiever for its class. Unlike the previous two sets, it has no direct competition in its price point in terms of an all-in-one gaming keyboard + mouse. This is probably why Cooler Master decided with confidence to price it at $89.99. The biggest criticism with this is that users who are looking to spend that much have more options for buying an individual keyboard and mouse that reach that total. That is of course, not factoring in the RGB lighting.

Much of the strength of the Devastator and the MasterKeys Lite L was in their value to performance ratio. At $89.99, the MS120 is much less so because you start to expect it to do a lot more things other than offer fancy lighting. At this price point, gaming keyboards are expected to have much better anti-ghosting clusters or even have NKRO.

Mem-chanical Switch: Noise is Not a Feature

The new mem-chanical switches is a valiant effort and allows for more consistent key presses in comparison the MasterKeys Lite L which did not have a spring. However, it is also much louder. Mechanical keyboard users go for the switches they prefer mostly because of how it feels on their hand. Those who go for Cherry MX blues such as myself, did not choose it because it is loud but because of its tactility. Manufacturers should really stop talking about mechanical keyboard sounds as if it is a feature because it is not. It is a by-product. And not like plastic is a by-product of petroleum manufacturing, but more like heat is a by-product of a light bulb.

Good Mouse Shape, Could Use Better Sensor

As for the mouse, the Cooler Master Storm Spawn/Xornet body design is a personal favorite and I am glad to see it used by Cooler Master on the MS120 as well. They will be releasing an MS121 featuring an alternate body design soon as well for those who have a different preference. The MS121 mouse will feature a more ambidextrous body design, but sport similar internals.

One thing I would have liked to see is the use of a better sensor. After the $30 price bump from the MasterKeys Lite L, they could have done much better with a superior sensor. Rather than using the same 3050 used in the Devastator and the MasterKeys Lite L. I was willing to overlook the shortcomings of the 3050 sensor on those cheaper models exactly only because of the price. Once the combo reached $89.99, it is an unacceptable sensor to use for any gaming mouse. A 3288, 3310, or even a 3090 would have earned it a passing grade. Even the new MM520 is only $49.99 and has a 3360.

RGB Heavy

I absolutely loved the Devastator II and the MasterKeys Lite L due to their price. I stand by my Editor’s Choice awards for those two exactly because of the value and functionality they provide. Are they perfect gaming solutions? Of course not, but for the price they are very good as I outlined in my previous reviews. They are also miles above what you can typically get for the price. On the MS120, the design choices seem to be a lot less about function than it is about appearances. Louder clicks and spring loaded switches for the appearance of having mechanical switches. Lower frame and clear stem for brighter RGB LED lighting.

Update: A new firmware is out for the MS120 for those experiencing some buggy issues with input. You can download it at: http://www.coolermaster.com/peripheral/keyboards/masterset-ms120/