Gateron CM vs. Outemu Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron CM and the Outemu Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron CM and Outemu Silver mechanical keyboard switches, it is evident that each offers unique features that cater to different preferences. 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, these switches promise a smooth typing experience with a bouncy feel due to their lengthened, dual-staged spring. On the other hand, the Outemu Silver does not have a standout feature but is characterized by a lack of categorization. While the Gateron CM is described as 'Buttery', 'Bassy', 'Polished', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Frictionless', the Outemu Silver falls under no specific category. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you based on your personal preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
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 Gateron CM and the Outemu Silver both utilize different materials for their top and bottom switch housings, with the CM featuring a nylon top housing and the Silver boasting a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing on the CM creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing on the Silver produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer plastic composition that leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically speaking, the clear polycarbonate housing on the Silver makes it ideal for use with RGB lighting, adding another dimension to the user experience.
Despite their differences in top housing material, both the Gateron CM and the Outemu Silver utilize nylon for their bottom housings. This classic switch housing material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the softer plastic composition of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Having the same material for the bottom housing in both switches allows for a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The impact of the bottom housing is felt when pressing down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel of each keystroke.
In switches with different top and bottom housing materials like the Gateron CM and the Outemu Silver, the qualities brought by each material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing's impact is mainly felt in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing the key. Understanding how the different housing materials affect the sound profile and feel of a switch can help users make informed decisions based on their preferences for typing experience. While the two switches may have distinct characteristics due to their housing materials, users can expect similar results in terms of typing sound and feel with the shared nylon bottom housing.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron CM linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Silver switch is lighter in terms of actuation force, requiring only 45 grams compared to the CM's 55 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the CM switch is slightly lighter at 63.5 grams compared to the Silver's 65 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-heavy range in terms of bottom out force. The actuation force of a switch is crucial for determining how easy or difficult it is to trigger a keystroke, while the bottom out force indicates how much pressure is needed to press the key all the way down. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Silver switch for its lower actuation force, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for the CM switch with its slightly heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and keypress responsiveness.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron CM linear switch is 3.6mm, while the Outemu Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm. In this case, the Outemu Silver switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Gateron CM switch. When it comes to typing or gaming preferences, a shorter travel distance is often favored by gamers for quicker response times, making the Gateron CM switch a popular choice in that regard. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial keypress and a deeper feel may lean towards the Outemu Silver switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific feel each user is looking for in their mechanical keyboard.
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 Silver 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron CM linear switch stands out with its deep and rich bass tones, providing a satisfying thocky sound that resonates with each key press. This contrast with the Outemu Silver switch, for which the sound qualities are unknown. When it comes to feel, the CM switch offers a buttery and polished typing experience, thanks to its factory lubing and smooth key travel. It evokes a creamy sensation with its frictionless operation, allowing for effortless keystrokes that glide seamlessly. In comparison, the feel of the Outemu Silver switch remains a mystery. Overall, if you opt for the Gateron CM linear switch, you can expect a bouncy typing experience with a bassy and thocky sound profile, paired with a buttery, polished, and frictionless feel. While the qualities of the Outemu Silver switch remain unknown, choosing the CM switch will likely provide you with similar results across the board for a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron CM linear switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch, you should consider your preference for sound and feel. The Gateron CM switch offers a rich and deep sound profile with a smooth and buttery typing experience, thanks to its full nylon housing and impeccable factory lube job. If you enjoy a bouncy typing experience and a low-pitched, thocky sound, the Gateron CM switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and do not mind sacrificing some sound and feel characteristics, the Outemu Silver switch could be a suitable option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound signature.
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