Odin Gaming Nova 65 vs Vortex HellcatAluminum vs Acrylic Kit
Choose the Odin Gaming Nova 65 for a premium aluminum build and gasket mount, or the Vortex Hellcat for a more complete DIY kit with sound dampening and keycaps.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Odin Gaming Nova 65
Aluminum
- Constructed with a high-quality aluminum case and thick bezel design.
- Features a gasket-mounted plate design for a potentially more flexible typing feel.
- Includes Durock v2 screw-in stabilizers stock, according to the vendor.
- Does not include keycaps or switches, requiring a larger additional purchase.
- Lacks the explicit sound-dampening materials included with the Hellcat.
- Software customization is listed specifically for VIA, without mention of QMK or VIAL support.
Get the
Vortex Hellcat
Acrylic Kit
- The kit includes DSA profile PBT dye-sub keycaps designed by MiTo.
- Comes with multiple sound-dampening components: an internal silicone dampener and a silicone switch pad.
- Offers extensive programmability support for QMK, VIA, and VIAL firmware.
- The tray mount with a plastic/acrylic case may feel less premium than an aluminum build.
- Requires full assembly as a DIY kit, which may be challenging for beginners.
- A customer review noted that mounting posts can be fragile, citing cracked threads in plastic.
Your priority should guide your choice. If you value a premium metal build, a gasket mount, and are willing to source all keycaps and switches separately, the Odin Gaming Nova 65 is the clear pick. If you prefer a more complete kit that includes quality keycaps, sound-dampening materials, a carrying case, and broader firmware support, the Vortex Hellcat offers greater immediate value and customization depth for a similar price.
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.
Odin Gaming Nova 65
Vortex Hellcat
Case material
Aluminum
Acrylic, Plastic
Mount style
Plate Mount
Tray Mount
Sound dampening
No
Yes
Plate material
Aluminum
FR4
VIAL
No
Yes
- Odin Gaming Nova 65
- Vortex Hellcat
- Performance
- 5254
- Build quality
- 6978
- Productivity
- 5369
- Customizability
- 7985
- Portability
- 7070
- Layout size: 65%
- Hot-swappable
What will you mostly use it for?
The Vortex Hellcat wins in more categories, particularly where included accessories, quiet typing, and advanced programmability are valued, such as for office work, programming, and travel. The Odin Gaming Nova 65 takes the lead for content creation, where its aluminum build and gasket mount may offer a more premium feel. For gaming, the boards are evenly matched on core specs, making the choice more about aesthetic and material preference.
It's a tie
- Both use a 65% ANSI layout, saving desk space for mouse movement.
- Both feature south-facing RGB LEDs and per-key RGB lighting.
- Both are hotswap, allowing for quick switch changes to personal preference.
Odin Gaming Nova 65 vs Vortex Hellcat specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
7 of 17 specs differ
Odin Gaming Nova 65
Vortex Hellcat
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Typing angle
Backlight
VIAL
Mac & Windows
Released
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Odin Gaming Nova 65 vs Vortex Hellcat: your questions
No, the Odin Gaming Nova 65 is a barebones kit. The vendor description explicitly states it does not include switches or keycaps. You must purchase these separately to complete the keyboard.
The Vortex Hellcat kit includes a set of DSA profile keycaps made from PBT plastic with dye-sublimated legends. They were designed by MiTo, known for popular keycap sets like Pulse and Laser.
The Vortex Hellcat is better suited for quiet typing based on its included components. Its product listing mentions an internal silicone dampener and a separate silicone switch pad, which are designed to reduce sound, whereas the Nova 65 does not list similar dampening materials.
Yes, both keyboards support key reprogramming. The Odin Gaming Nova 65 uses VIA software for customization. The Vortex Hellcat supports a wider range of firmware, including QMK, VIA, and VIAL, according to its product description.
The Odin Gaming Nova 65 uses a gasket mount design, where the plate is suspended on rubber gaskets. The Vortex Hellcat uses a tray mount system, where the PCB assembly is screwed directly into the case. These yield different typing feels and sounds.
No soldering is required for switch installation on either board, as both feature hotswap sockets. However, the Vortex Hellcat is a full DIY kit requiring assembly of all components, while the Nova 65 is listed as a prebuilt barebones unit.
Both keyboards feature per-key RGB lighting and RGB underglow with south-facing LEDs. The Nova 65 has a unique sandblasted polycarbonate bottom to diffuse its underglow, while the Hellcat's acrylic case will also show off its underglow effectively.
The Odin Gaming Nova 65 lists Durock v2 screw-in stabilizers as being included stock. The Vortex Hellcat kit includes a set of gold screw-in PCB stabilizers, but they require installation as part of the DIY assembly process.
The Vortex Hellcat case is made of acrylic. The vendor description specifies it is a "frosted acrylic CNC case," which is a type of plastic, not glass.
The Odin Gaming Nova 65 is likely more beginner-friendly as it is described as a prebuilt barebones item, meaning major components like stabilizers are already installed. The Vortex Hellcat requires full assembly, and a customer review noted a lack of included instructions.
Yes, according to the compatibility information listed in both vendor descriptions, both the Odin Gaming Nova 65 and the Vortex Hellcat are compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
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