Corsair Nightsword RGB Gaming Mouse Review

Introduction

Whether you’re playing the latest FPS, MOBA, or Strategy game, your mouse can be the difference between a win or a loss. There’s a lot of thought that goes into choosing just the right mouse from size, weight, precision, and aesthetics while Corsair hopes to knock a few off that list with its new offering: the Nightsword RGB.

The Nightsword RGB features an 18,000 DPI optical sensor, RGB illumination, a tunable weight system, and 10 programmable buttons. With an affordable MSRP of $79.99, the Nightsword might just be your newest weapon to securing victory.

We would like to thank Corsair for sending us the Nightsword RGB to review.

About Corsair

Founded in 1994, Corsair started by making Level 2 cache modules for OEMs. After Intel incorporated the L2 cache into the processor, Corsair refocused and started making DRAM modules. Fast forward to 2018, and they have become one of the leading names in the high-end PC industry. Over the years, with their groundbreaking technology and innovation, they have expanded their line of products to include high-performance memory, ultra-efficient PSUs, cases, PC and CPU cooling solutions, SSDs, keyboards, mice, and headsets.

Features & Specifications

Notable Features:

• 18,000 DPI optical sensor
• Tunable weight system
• Contoured shape with high-performance rubber grips
• 10 programmable buttons

Technical Specifications:

Packaging & Unboxing

Following Corsair’s other newer peripherals, the Nightsword RGB is packaged in a similar black/yellow box. On the front of the box is a shot of the Nightsword showing off its rubber gripped top as well as some of its RGB zones with its illuminated Corsair logo and mouse wheel. Looking to the bottom of the box, we see the Nightsword being labelled as a “Performance Tunable FPS/MOBA Gaming Mouse” which can be configured using Corsair’s iCUE software.

Moving to the back of the box are a few more shots of the NIghtsword RGB with one of the photos showcasing its 6 removable weights. On the right side of the box, written in 4 different languages is a list of the Nightsword’s notable features which include:

• Precision 18,00 DPI optical sensor
• Smart tunable weight system that scales from 115g to 137g
• Contoured shape with high-performance rubber grips
• Ten programmable buttons
• Two sets of weights and size mounting locations

Also written in four languages are the system’s requirements that are located at the bottom of the box which consists of a USB port, Windows 7/8/10, and an internet connection to download the iCUE software.

Looking to one side of the box is the final photo of the Nightsword featuring its gripped side and front RGB zones with the other having a tag line “Control Freak”.

Upon removing the mouse from the box, the Nightsword is encased in molded plastic that is wrapped in yellow cardboard.

Once all the packaging has been removed, in addition to the Nightsword RGB, we find your token warranty and user guide as well as a small plastic case.

Enclosed in the plastic case, Corsair has included two different size weights with the solid ones weighing 4.5g and the other 2.8g.

A Closer Look

Now that the Nightsword RGB is out of the box, we can get a first-hand look of the mouse. The Nightsword has an entirely black body with the exception of the white Corsair logo and has a combination of glossy and matte finishes. Doing a few test glides across a mouse pad it felt great in our hands and slid effortlessly across the surface. Counting all the buttons (including the mouse wheel), the Nightsword contains a total of 10 programmable buttons which can be configured using Corsair’s iCUE software.

The palm of the mouse is completely covered with a soft rubber material that is also dimpled. The material is quite comfy when in hand and should provide excellent handling during your gaming sessions.  In the center of the grip, there is also the first of four RGB elements with a white backlit Corsair logo.

Looking to the front of the mouse, we have our left/right mouse buttons with a textured mouse wheel in the center. Below the mouse wheel, are the Nightsword’s profile buttons which enable you to switch profiles on the fly and the buttons to the right, cycle you through the configured DPI settings.

Turning the mouse to its right side, there is another rubberized grip as well as an RGB lit mesh near the bottom.

Moving to the left of the Nightsword we see more RGB backlit mesh in the front and the back with a contoured thumb rest in the center. Also, in the center, going left to right it the multi-purpose LED indicator (used to display the currently selected DPI and profile configuration), forward/back buttons, and the sniper button.

Taking a look at the bottom, the Nightsword is equipped with 5 large gliding pads, two at the front, two and the back, and the last on the bottom of the thumb grip. In the center, we have the 18,000 DPI as well as a removable panel to enable you to add/remove weights from the mouse.

Removing the panel, we find 6 compartments which can be filled with the supplied weights.

You can choose to install each weight into any compartment of your choice give you complete control over the weight distribution.

Like most Corsair’s premium peripherals, the Nightsword includes a branded USB connector and a braided sleeved wire.

Plugging in the Nightsword, the RGB element lights up with our favorite lighting profile “Rainbow”. Out of all the RGB zones, we like the mesh sections at the bottom of the mouse as they really pop whenally seen in the dark.

Software

Like many other Corsair peripherals, the Nightsword RGB can be configured in the iCUE software. If you don’t already have iCUE install on your computer, it is readily available on Corsair’s website with the following link: https://www.corsair.com/icue. Once you run the iCUE software, the Nightsword should be automatically detected and listed in the device list. If you don’t see the Nightsword in your list, it is likely that iCUE is out of date and needs to be updated using the settings menu.

Looking at the “Actions” menu, you can create macro’s, remap buttons and various other things to any of the Nightsword’s 10 programmable buttons.

Using the “Advanced Settings” on the action screen, you can configure how your action is triggered as well as if it should be repeated, a second action ran, and if it should retain the original key output.

The last tab on the actions screen enables you to configure a sound to play when the action is triggered.

Going to the “Lighting Effects” menu, you can turn off/on any of the RGB zones as well as adjust their lighting effects. The various effects included in iCUE are:

Predefined:

• Rainbow – Cycling through all the colors of the rainbow
• Color Pulse – Fading random/alternating colors in and out
• Color Shift –  Shifting between random/alternating colors

Custom:

• Static Color – Solid static color that is always on
• Solid – Solid color that can have the occupancy and lighting time configured
• Gradient – Gradient of two colors that can have the occupancy and lighting time configured

Lighting Link:

• Spiral Rainbow – A spiral rainbow type effect over each of the RGB zones.
• Rainbow Wave – Changing colors in each RGB zone in an alternating pattern using the whole spectrum of colors
• Color Wave – Alternating colors in each RGB zones and changing color on each cycle
• Visor – Flashing colors alternated from each RGB zone
• Rain – A rain type effect
• Type Lighting – Light up as you use the mouse
• Temperature – Change color based on various temperature sensors

Once you have selected an effect, you can adjust various settings such as color, speed and when to start/stop the effect.

Under the “DPI” menu, you can configure each of the DPI profiles of the mic. Looking at the Nightsword’s DPI profiles, we have Default, Sniper and 2 others; each having individual DPI settings for X/Y. Below the DPI settings, you can also change the indicator colors for DPI and Sniper.

On the “Performance” menu, you can configure the mouse’s pointer precision, speed, and profile indicator color.

The next menu item is “Surface Calibration” and it is used to calibrate the surface you want to use your mouse on. The Nightsword RGB is already preconfigured for the majority of Corsair’s surfaces but if you are planning to use another mouse pad, you would want to run the calibration to achieve maximum performance.

On the last menu item “Weight Tuning”, it detects and displays which weights are installed in the Nightsword and gives you its total/center of mass.

Testing

My test system is comprised of:

• Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Pro Motherboard
• Intel 9900K Processor
• 2 x 8GB Team Group Vulcan TUF Ram
• Gigabyte RTX 2060 Super Windforce
• Cooler Master ML240P Mirage
• Corsair HX750 PSU
• Open Test Bench
• Corsair MM530 XL mouse mat

To test the Nightsword, I decided to pair it with my Corsair MM530 XL mat and play some Wingman matches in CS: GO. I choose CS: GO as not only is it my current favorite FPS title, it tests all aspects of the Nightsword from its precision and how it reacts to fast movements. Before I started my match, I decided to go with 4 weights, with the majority being installed in the back. This gave the mouse a total mass of 132.9 grams, which is a little heavier than I’m used to, but did feel great gliding on the MM530.

Like other Corsair mice I have reviewed, the included 18,000 DPI tracked perfectly on the MM530. It was extremely fast/precise and I had no issue executing a perfect flick in those clutch moments. It did take me a little bit to get used to the extra weight which I installed, and with the beauty of the Nightsword I can decrease the weight and shed another 17g if I wanted to.

Preferring the palm grip while gaming, the Nightsword felt perfect in my hands. Both the contouring and the rubber grip made it very comfortable in my hands and was easy to control. I could make both subtle movements while looking for that perfect headshot or quick flicks with the AWP. The only feature that didn’t really work for my playstyle (at least in CS: GO) was the sniper button. Like I mentioned in my M65 Elite review, it just felt awkward and I preferred my original DPI setting.

For this gaming session, I used the Nightsword for approximately 3 hours and from start to finish it performed exceptionally well. I really loved how it glided across the mouse pad and felt in hand. Also, the ability to tune the mouse’s weight to my preference is by far its best feature.

Final Thoughts & Conclusion

Corsair’s new mouse, the Nightsword RGB, not only performed well during our 3 hour gaming session it felt great from the first match to the last. Some of its standout features for me were its tunable weight system, its contoured body, and the rubber grips throughout the mouse.

Being a palm grip mouse user, I felt right at home with the Nightsword. From its contoured body to the soft rubber grips, it was extremely comfortable to hold and maneuver. During my matches I was able to make precise headshots/flicks with ease and at no point did the Nightsword have any issues tracking on the Corsair MM530 XL mouse mat. I did find that the weight of 132.9 grams that I configured it to was a little heavy, but it is nice to know that I could shave another 17 grams if I needed to. If you’re a user that prefers a heavier mouse, the Nightsword has your back as it can be configured to have a max weight of 137g.

From start to finish, the Nightsword exceeded my expectations in comfort, tracking, and configurability. I really loved how it felt in my hand and the fact I can tweak the weight until I find that perfect balance is awesome. If you are a palm user like me and looking for that perfect mouse, the Nightsword RGB just might fit the bill.

Excellent Job, Corsair!