Gateron CM vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Gateron CM and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron CM and the Outemu Silent Grey offer unique experiences for users. The Gateron CM stands out for its full nylon housing, providing a richer and deeper sound signature compared to conventional polycarbonate housings. With an impeccable factory lube job and a bouncy typing experience due to its lengthened, dual-staged spring, the CM switches offer a smooth and graceful typing journey. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey switches are known for their quiet and highly tactile typing experience, featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. This makes them perfect for users seeking satisfying and silent switches. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Dual-staged 20mm lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron CM and Outemu Silent Grey switches both offer unique characteristics that impact the sound and feel of typing. The Gateron CM features a nylon top housing which creates a deep and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile because of its stiffer plastic composition. While the CM's nylon top housing creates a duller and rounder sound, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing offers a clearer and more resonant sound, making it ideal for use with RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Both the Gateron CM and Outemu Silent Grey switches incorporate a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deep and fuller sound profile similar to their nylon top housing counterparts. This consistency in housing material between the two switches ensures a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Despite variations in the top housing material, the nylon bottom housing of both switches absorbs sound effectively, creating a dull and round sound profile that enhances the overall tactile experience of typing on these switches.
In a switch where the top and bottom housings differ, such as the Gateron CM and Outemu Silent Grey switches, the qualities of each housing material are distributed throughout the key press experience. The bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. This division in housing materials allows for a more nuanced and dynamic typing experience, with different aspects of sound and tactile feedback being controlled by the respective top and bottom housings in each switch.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron CM linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, the actuation force and bottom out force play a significant role in the typing experience. The Gateron CM has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Grey's 50 grams. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Outemu Silent Grey requires more force at 65 grams compared to the Gateron CM's 63.5 grams. Both switches fall under the medium-heavy category, providing a solid and substantial typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter typing feel, the Outemu Silent Grey might be the better option due to its lighter actuation force. On the other hand, those who enjoy a stronger push feel may lean towards the Gateron CM for a more robust typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron CM linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of responsiveness, the Gateron CM linear switch would provide a quicker key press due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for fast response times. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch with its longer travel distance may provide a more deliberate and satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a deeper keypress. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CM has an MSRP of $4.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CM for $4.25.
The Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, the Gateron CM linear switch is known for its bassy and thocky characteristics, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. The low-pitched sound of the CM switches adds to the overall typing experience, giving a satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a quiet typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, perfect for those who prefer a silent yet tactile feel. Both switches may offer a similar sound experience depending on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used, but the CM linear switch is likely to provide a more bass-heavy and rich sound compared to the Silent Grey switch.
In terms of feel, the Gateron CM linear switch is often described as buttery, polished, creamy, and frictionless, offering a smooth and luxurious typing experience. The factory lube job on the CM switches enhances the overall feel, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation that feels like gliding gracefully with each key press. As for the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, the feel is not specifically described in the provided information. However, given its tactile nature, it can be assumed that the switch offers a satisfying and tactile typing feel with a smooth keystroke.
Overall, the Gateron CM linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The CM switch excels in providing a rich, deep sound signature and a buttery smooth typing experience, while the Silent Grey switch offers a quiet and tactile feel for a satisfying typing journey. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches provide unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches comes down to individual preference in sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when considering whether to choose the Gateron CM linear switch or the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it really comes down to your personal preferences. If you prioritize a rich and deep sound profile with a smooth typing experience, then the Gateron CM switches with their bassy and thocky sound characteristics, along with a buttery and polished feel, would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a quiet typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, then the Outemu Silent Grey switches may be more suitable, offering a highly tactile and silent typing experience. Both switches have a medium-heavy bottom out force, so the decision may ultimately depend on whether you value sound profile or tactile feedback more in your mechanical keyboard switches. Ultimately, choosing between the Gateron CM linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch will come down to your individual preferences and typing style.
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