TTC Flame Red vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Yellow Silver both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. Starting with the Flame Red, it is best known for its stunning visuals, particularly its dazzling light diffuser, making it the perfect choice for those who prefer a backlit RGB keyboard. When it comes to feel and sound, typing on Flame Reds provides a weighty smoothness and a satisfying clacky sound profile. These switches are categorized as neutral, mild, and polished, offering a unique combination of smoothness and sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is highly regarded for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile. This makes it a popular choice among gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. Categorized as neutral, the Yellow Silver switches deliver a consistent and reliable typing experience. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific needs and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
54g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Yellow Silver both have different housing materials for their top and bottom housings. The Flame Red features a nylon top housing while the Yellow Silver has a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the Flame Red creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Yellow Silver produces a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffness. Moreover, the Yellow Silver's top housing is advantageous for those who plan to use RGB lighting because of its translucency. Although their top housings differ, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound profile.
The impact of the housing materials is notable when considering the sound and feel of each switch. When typing on the Flame Red switch, the softer nylon bottom housing contributes to a duller and rounder sound profile, creating a deeper and fuller sound when bottoming out the keys. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver provides a similar effect, eliciting a deeper and fuller sound upon keypress. Both switches benefit from the sound-absorption properties of nylon, resulting in a richer sound experience.
However, it is important to note that the top housing material plays a significant role in the sound when releasing a key. The Flame Red's nylon top housing absorbs more sound, leading to a duller sound when letting go of a key. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Yellow Silver enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, creating a distinct and crisp sound when releasing a key. These differences in the top housing material contribute to the overall sound profile of each switch.
In summary, the TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Yellow Silver showcase differences in their housing materials for both the top and bottom housings. While the Flame Red features a nylon top and bottom housing, the Yellow Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing paired with a nylon bottom housing. These variations result in contrasting sound profiles, with the Flame Red producing a deeper and fuller sound while the Yellow Silver delivers a sharper and crisper sound. However, the use of nylon in the bottom housing of both switches ensures a similarity in the deep and full sound elicited when typing on the keys.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to note. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, which means that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both. This similarity ensures that users will experience a consistent response when typing or gaming with either switch.
However, when it comes to bottom out force, there is a slight variation between the two switches. The TTC Flame Red has a bottom out force of 54 grams, while the Outemu Yellow Silver has a bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that the pressure required to fully press down on the key is slightly higher for the Outemu Yellow Silver switch.
In terms of weight, neither switch is explicitly stated as lighter or heavier than the other. But since both switches have similar actuation forces, users who prefer a lighter typing experience can expect similar results from both switches. On the other hand, those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience may find the Outemu Yellow Silver switch slightly more suitable due to its slightly higher bottom out force. Overall, the choice between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference for typing experience and force sensitivity.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is the distance it travels from the top to the bottom, which is the distance you feel when you press down on a key. When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results when it comes to the distance you feel when pressing down on a key. In other words, there is no difference in the travel distance between the two switches as they both have the same 4 mm travel distance.
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 Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
Based on the information provided, the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch seem to have similar qualities in terms of sound. Both switches are described as having a neutral sound profile, which means they have a moderate sound level and are suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you use them at home or work. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Flame Red switch is described as providing a mild typing experience, offering a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This means that the feel of typing on the Flame Red switches will be approachable to most users, as it falls within a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, the Flame Red switch is described as polished, indicating that it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Unfortunately, the information provided does not describe the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch. Therefore, it is unknown how it compares to the Flame Red in terms of feel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for a wide range of users and purposes. The Flame Red switch offers a mild typing experience with a polished and smooth feel, providing a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience. While the feel of the Yellow Silver switch is unknown, it may still provide a similar experience in terms of sound and feel. However, it is worth noting that personal preferences and the overall setup of the keyboard can also play a role in how the switches are perceived by the user.
Conclusion
To sum up, both the TTC Flame Red linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have their distinct advantages and strengths. The Flame Red switch is an excellent choice for those who prioritize visual appeal, particularly with backlit or RGB keyboards. It offers a weighty smoothness and a clacky sound profile, providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu is favored by gamers and typists who value speediness and responsiveness. With its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, it offers a great balance between performance and comfort. Both switches have a moderate sound profile and actuation force, making them suitable for various purposes and skill levels. Additionally, the Flame Red switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, ensuring a gentle and smooth keystroke. In contrast, the Yellow Silver switch lacks explicit descriptions of its feel. Ultimately, the decision between the TTC Flame Red and the Outemu Yellow Silver will depend on your specific preferences and priorities, whether it be for visual aesthetics or gaming prowess.
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