TTC Flaming Purple vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flaming Purple and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique features that cater to different preferences and needs. The Flaming Purple stands out for its resonant character, delivering a touch of bass in its sound signature and a feathery touch that makes typing swift and effortless. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switch from Gateron is designed for office environments, providing a quiet typing experience with a light actuation to ensure discreet and continuous typing. While the Flaming Purple is more engaging with its poppy undertone, the Mountain Top offers a subtle and professional typing experience. 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
42g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The TTC Flaming Purple and Gateron Mountain Top switches both have unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Flaming Purple utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. In comparison, the Mountain Top features a nylon top housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. While the polycarbonate top housing of the Flaming Purple is ideal for showcasing RGB lighting due to its translucency, the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both the Flaming Purple and the Mountain Top switches utilize nylon. This classic switch housing material adds to the deep and full sound profile of the switches. The relatively softer nylon material absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller sound that is more noticeable when bottoming out the switch. Despite both switches using nylon for the bottom housing, the differences in their top housing materials still result in distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Overall, the choice between the TTC Flaming Purple and Gateron Mountain Top switches comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The polycarbonate top housing of the Flaming Purple creates a clearer and resonant sound, while the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top produces a deeper and fuller sound. If the top and bottom housing materials are different, as with these switches, the qualities of each material will impact different aspects of typing and keypresses. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound or a deeper, fuller sound, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that both switches fall under the category of lighter switches. The Flaming Purple requires a slightly lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Mountain Top's 40 grams. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Flaming Purple has a lighter force of 47 grams, whereas the Mountain Top features a heavier force of 50 grams. Both switches provide a relatively light typing experience, which is suitable for those who prefer less resistance while typing or gaming for extended periods. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the slight differences in actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Flaming Purple has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top. Both of these switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are preferred by gamers for faster response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance between the two may result in a slightly different typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on personal preference for the amount of key travel that feels comfortable and responsive.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Purple has an MSRP of $8.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Purple for $4.30.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 TTC Flaming Purple linear switch stands out for its bassy and resonant sound profile, offering a deeper and richer auditory experience during key presses. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch provides a neutral sound signature, balancing a moderate actuation force requirement with a subdued tone suitable for professional environments. While the Flaming Purple leans towards a poppy undertone, the Mountain Top aims for discretion with its quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience. Both switches offer distinct auditory qualities that cater to different preferences and settings, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference and intended use.
When it comes to feel, the Flaming Purple is characterized by a feathery and easy-to-press nature, offering a light typing experience that minimizes finger fatigue and enhances comfort during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy and easy-to-press, providing a lively feel with gentle resistance that promotes a responsive and low-impact typing sensation. The Flaming Purple's silky smoothness contrasts with the Mountain Top's mild typing experience, as both switches aim to offer a comfortable and enjoyable feel while addressing the need for different levels of tactility and responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between them will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and feedback.
In conclusion, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offer unique sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences and usage scenarios. While the Flaming Purple excels in its bassy and resonant sound profile coupled with a feathery and silky typing feel, the Mountain Top prioritizes a neutral sound signature and a bouncy yet easy-to-press typing experience suitable for office environments. Whether you prefer a more engaging auditory flair or a discreet typing experience, both switches provide quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts looking to tailor their typing experience to their liking. It's important to consider your personal preferences for sound and feel when choosing between these switches, as both offer distinct qualities that can enhance your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your typing environment and preferences. If you value a more engaging auditory experience with a touch of bassy undertones and effortless typing due to its feathery nature, the TTC Flaming Purple switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a comfortably light actuation, suitable for professional settings, then the Gateron Mountain Top switch would be the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the sound profile and feel that best suit your typing style and environment.
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