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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

KBDFans GT 80 MX vs Pulsar Xboard MS

Get the KBDFans GT 80 MX for via. Get the Pulsar Xboard MS for knob.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

KBDFans GT 80 MX

VIA

Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $200.

Get the

Pulsar Xboard MS

Knob

Build quality in the top 35% of 80% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.

What actually differs

The differences that matter

Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.

KBDFans GT 80 MX

Pulsar Xboard MS

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    ABS

  • Mount style

    PCB Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Display

    LED

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans GT 80 MX
  • Pulsar Xboard MS
Performance
75
85
Build quality
79
63
Productivity
66
85
Customizability
76
69
Portability
53
61

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 8,000 Hz
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Full specs

KBDFans GT 80 MX vs Pulsar Xboard MS specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

9 of 18 specs differ

KBDFans GT 80 MX

Pulsar Xboard MS

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

PCB Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

—
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

LED
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
ABS

Plate material

Aluminum, FR4, Polycarbonate
Aluminum

Keycaps

—
PBT

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2025

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

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