TTC Flame Red vs. TTC Gold Silver
An in-depth look at the TTC Flame Red and the TTC Gold Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the TTC Flame Red and the TTC Gold Silver mechanical keyboard switches, it is apparent that both offer unique features and advantages. The Flame Red stands out for its dazzling light diffuser, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a backlit, RGB keyboard. Typing on the Flame Reds provides a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, offering a distinct tactile experience. On the other hand, the Gold Silver excels in rapid responsiveness with its shortened travel distance, culminating in a solid bottom-out with each press. The resonant sound signature adds to the switch's commitment to swift action, creating a harmonious blend of speed, sound, and fluidity. While the Flame Red is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', the Gold Silver is described as 'Polished', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Silky', 'Mild', 'Neutral', and 'Subtle'. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
54g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
NPI
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
24.5mm long spring
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flame Red and the TTC Gold Silver, it is evident that the Flame Red utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, while the Gold Silver features a polycarbonate top housing and a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, polycarbonate in the Gold Silver's top housing results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer nature that leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. Therefore, the Flame Red offers a more muffled and subdued sound experience compared to the Gold Silver's more vibrant and defined sound output.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Flame Red and Gold Silver share the characteristic of using nylon for the bottom housing. This means that when typing on switches from either variant, users can expect a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, impacting the overall typing experience. While the top and bottom housings may differ in material between the two switches, the use of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a level of consistency in sound and feel for both the Flame Red and Gold Silver.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Flame Red and Gold Silver housing materials comes down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. The Flame Red's nylon housing provides a more subdued and muffled sound, ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience. In contrast, the Gold Silver's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound, perfect for users who prefer a more vibrant and defined typing sound. The split in housing materials between the two switches allows for a diverse range of sound profiles, catering to individual preferences in typing feel and sound output.
Weight
The TTC Flame Red linear switch and the TTC Gold Silver linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, making them equal in this regard. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Flame Red switch has a force of 54 grams, while this information is unavailable for the Gold Silver switch. The Flame Red switch is considered medium-light in terms of weight, offering a balance between ease of typing and a satisfying push feel. The Gold Silver's weight is unknown, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison. In general, some prefer lighter switches for extended typing sessions or gaming, while others prefer heavier switches for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the TTC Gold Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Flame Red has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Gold Silver's 3.5 mm travel distance. The Flame Red offers a more traditional and deeper key press feel, which may appeal to those who prefer a greater depth when typing. On the other hand, the Gold Silver provides a slightly shallower travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. Both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Flame Red being the longer option and the Gold Silver being slightly shorter. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flame Red has an MSRP of $7.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flame Red for $4.38.
The TTC Gold Silver has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Silver for $2.90.
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 TTC Flame Red is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Silver is described as producing a thocky, low-pitched sound that is deep, rich, and satisfying. This difference in sound signature between the two switches offers users a choice between a more standard sound with the Flame Red and a more unique, resonant sound with the Gold Silver.
Moving on to feel, the TTC Flame Red is characterized as offering a mild and polished typing experience, providing a smooth and refined feel that falls in a safe middle-ground zone. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Silver offers a polished and silky typing experience, emphasizing smoothness and minimizing resistance while typing. Both switches are described as providing a gentle typing experience, with the Gold Silver offering a bit more smoothness and refinement compared to the Flame Red.
Overall, the TTC Flame Red and Gold Silver switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Flame Red provides a neutral sound and a mild, polished feel, the Gold Silver delivers a thocky, low-pitched sound with a polished and silky typing experience. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, users can choose between the standard yet versatile Flame Red or the unique and refined Gold Silver switches. Ultimately, both switches offer a high level of quality and performance, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users looking for linear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the TTC Gold Silver linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a visually striking backlit keyboard with a weighty smoothness and clacky sound profile, the Flame Red would be an ideal choice for you, especially if you are a beginner or advanced user looking for a versatile switch suitable for various environments. On the other hand, if you value rapid responsiveness, decisive bottom-out, smooth key travel, and a resonant sound signature, the Gold Silver switch would be a perfect fit for you, especially if you prefer a thocky and low-pitched sound with a polished and silky typing experience. Ultimately, your preference will depend on whether you prioritize visual aesthetics and versatility (Flame Red) or rapid responsiveness and smooth key travel (Gold Silver) in your mechanical keyboard switch.
Mentioned in this article
