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Anyone who has built a custom desktop computer in recent years is certainly familiar with the iconic logo of the Corsair ship’s sails. For years, Corsair has built its empire on the unsexy, high-stakes components that power gaming rigs, like USB drives and power supplies designed to survive marathon gaming sessions. Hell, Corsair may have even built the world’s craziest standing desk. If you’ve ever assembled a battle station in the last two decades, you’ve probably seen some of the brand’s fantastic components at stores like Micro Center and Best Buy.
Fast forward to today, and the gaming landscape looks drastically different. Gamers are no longer satisfied with having a fast graphics card. New setups demand studio-quality streaming hardware, competitive gamepads with back paddles, ultra-custom mechanical keyboards, and immersive racing cockpits. Corsair understood this, but instead of building all these complex products from scratch itself, the PC titan went on a massive (but calculated) buying spree to acquire other companies that were already doing these things.
Over the past decade, some of the most influential and forward-thinking names in gaming and creator technology have been quietly brought together under one roof. Some of these sub-brands maintain such a fiercely independent identity that ordinary consumers have no idea that they are technically buying from the same company that made their computer’s colorful cooling fans. From elite content creation gear to luxury simulation rigs, here are five important brands that you probably didn’t realize are owned by Corsair.
Elgato
If you’ve watched a live stream on Twitch or YouTube in the past few years, you’ve probably seen Elgato hardware in action. The company is material royalty when it comes to the live streaming economy. It single-handedly made external capture cards accessible to everyday gamers, and beyond that, the release of the customizable Stream Deck fundamentally changed the way content creators produce live video. With it, streamers could change cameras, mute their audio, and even trigger special effects with a single button on a small, bright desktop console. These reasons and more are why anyone serious about live streaming should get this accessory.
Recognizing that content creators were increasingly moving toward streaming and higher-quality video production, Corsair struck a major deal to acquire Elgato in 2018. And given the importance of video content today, this deal was undeniably one of the smartest acquisitions in modern technology. In one fell swoop, Corsair went from installing parts in PC towers to capturing the prime real estate atop creators’ desks around the world.
Elgato still operates with its own iconic brand intact and continues to offer its Stream Deck alongside premium microphones, 4K webcams and ultra-bright illuminated keys. It now serves as the dedicated content creation arm for the entire company, and Corsair now has a well-rounded ecosystem that gives aspiring streamers and seasoned YouTubers everything they need to put on a professional-level broadcast without hiring a team or even breaking the bank.
Drop
The custom mechanical keyboard community is notorious for being picky. True keyboard enthusiasts often reject off-the-shelf, off-the-shelf gaming keyboards in favor of mechanical keyboards, seeking specialized switches, heavy aluminum frames, acoustic foams, and exciting aesthetics. Drop (originally launched as Massdrop) has built an almost religious following by catering directly to this discerning crowd. It has become the ultimate online bazaar for custom keyboards and keycap sets, as well as limited-edition community group buys that you simply couldn’t buy anywhere else.
In 2023, Drop and its assets were officially acquired by Corsair, giving the company instant access to the fascinating world of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. So instead of spending millions trying to convince die-hard purists that consumer gaming keyboards are good enough, or even building their own gear, Corsair decided to simply buy the town square where keyboard enthusiasts hung out. Now, Corsair’s keyboard offerings extend from off-the-shelf retail gaming models to more customized, small-batch options.
Although Drop has moved away from community-run group purchases, it continues to offer exciting pop culture collaborations. Today, the company produces officially licensed keycaps, themed desk pads and pre-built mechanical keyboards inspired by beloved franchises like “Lord of the Rings” and “Cyberpunk 2077.”
SCUF Games
For decades, PC gaming and console gaming existed in entirely separate universes. If a brand made great computer mice, they almost never bothered to create a game controller for PlayStation or Xbox. SCUF Gaming stepped in and decided that everyone should get the controller of their choice, regardless of what medium they play on. Long before major console manufacturers began releasing their own expensive professional controllers, SCUF pioneered rear paddles, customizable trigger stops, and swappable thumbsticks to give FPS fans a huge mechanical advantage.
In late 2019, a blockbuster deal brought SCUF Gaming into Corsair’s portfolio. This strategic purchase allowed the traditional PC gaming titan to finally gain a foothold with the living room couch audience. The acquisition gave Corsair all of this without having to invent its own pro-level gamepad. He essentially inherited one of the most prestigious names in competitive esports controllers, all with a significant portfolio of patents and heavyweight tournament sponsorships.
SCUF Gaming continues to hold a huge market share in the premium controller scene, with its high-performance gamepads for PC as well as consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series These professional-level controllers not only bring fun and fantasy to gamers around the world, but also make it a little easier for them to win their matches.
Fanatec
Sim racing has evolved from a nerdy computer hobby to a surprisingly serious, high-octane motorsport obsession. Hardcore racers spend thousands of dollars to outfit hyperrealistic cockpits that mimic real GT3 cars. When it comes to heavy simulation hardware, German manufacturer Fanatec has long been the brand to beat. Its direct-drive wheelbases, load cell brake pedals and authentic replica steering wheels provide precise force feedback that makes the simulation extremely real for mainstream gamers.
In late 2024, Corsair’s acquisition of the Fanatec product line was officially completed. This decision was huge for the mainstream simulation gaming industry. Since developing direct-drive motor technology and precision racing pedals requires years of specialized engineering, Corsair’s intervention to save Fanatec benefited both parties. And by adding high-end simulation games to its lineup, Corsair has expanded its offerings from simple desktop accessories and PC parts to include high-end virtual racing setups. No matter how you spin it, it’s bold.
Original PC
There’s something undeniably satisfying about manually selecting each computer component, installing the motherboard, setting up a liquid cooling system, and all in all, assembling your own custom gaming rig from scratch. But let’s be honest: not everyone has the time, patience, budget or desire to spend an entire weekend preparing one. For gamers and digital creators who want an ultra-premium, no-compromise gaming PC delivered straight to their door, Origin PC has long been one of the most respected boutique builders in the industry.
Founded by former Alienware executives, Origin PC made its name making custom, hand-built desktops and laptops for those who didn’t want to do it themselves. The company was acquired by Corsair in 2019, achieving an exceptionally smart hardware loop. While Corsair’s individual PC components are still sold by the millions to DIY enthusiasts, owning Origin PC has opened a direct path to high-end consumers who prefer pre-built luxury gaming behemoths with full factory warranties.
This acquisition created an immediate hardware showcase for Corsair’s entire enterprise catalog. Whenever things like cutting-edge liquid cooling loops or specialized lighting systems hit the market, they’re plugged directly into the Origin PC’s flagship towers. It seamlessly connects the dots between raw PC hardware and turnkey performance, proving that whether the customer builds their own rig or orders a boutique monster, the core technology inside ultimately comes from the same company.
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