Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two popular linear mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the TTC Silent Red. The G Pro 3.0 Red, part of Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro lineup, offers a smooth typing experience with a medium-light actuation force. It strikes a balance between responsiveness and ease of use, making it ideal for those seeking a comfortable and efficient typing experience. With its frosted light diffuser, this switch allows for brighter and more vibrant RGB lighting effects, enhanced by its medium-high pitch that provides a satisfying auditory experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red is designed for those who prioritize a noiseless environment. These switches offer a smooth and seamless typing experience with a muted sound profile, making them perfect for office or shared living spaces. They also provide a consistent feel from top to bottom, along with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. Both switches offer unique advantages, but let's dive in a little deeper to help you make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the TTC Silent Red both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch with these qualities, both the G Pro 3.0 Red and the Silent Red will provide similar results with their polycarbonate top housing.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches incorporate nylon material. Typing on switches with nylon housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder materials, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, the G Pro 3.0 Red and the Silent Red will provide similar sound profiles with their nylon bottom housing, creating a satisfying typing experience with a rich sound.
While both switches share similar qualities in their respective top and bottom housing materials, it is important to note that the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, whereas the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. Therefore, the G Pro 3.0 Red and the Silent Red may have slight differences in sound and feel due to the variations in their top and bottom housing materials, but overall, they will deliver comparable results in terms of sound profiles and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there are notable similarities and differences. Both switches have an actuation force of 45 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both. This ensures a consistent and light typing experience for users of either switch. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, there is a contrast between the two. The G Pro 3.0 Red has a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it slightly heavier and providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red has a higher bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it medium-heavy and providing a more solid feeling when pressing down all the way. This may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel while typing. Ultimately, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red offers a lighter typing experience overall, while the TTC Silent Red provides a slightly heavier and more substantial feel when bottoming out.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The G Pro 3.0 Red has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Red has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This makes the G Pro 3.0 Red the longer option and the TTC Silent Red the shorter option. The G Pro 3.0 Red falls into the more traditional range with its 4 mm travel distance, providing a deeper key press feel. On the other hand, the Silent Red offers a shallower 3.7 mm travel distance, which is preferred by gamers looking for faster response times. While the Silent Red may be more responsive due to its shorter travel distance, some users may find it too abrupt. Therefore, the choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference, with the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red offering a longer travel distance for those who prefer a deeper key press feel, and the TTC Silent Red providing a shorter travel distance for a faster and more responsive keystroke experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Red for $2.77.
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 G Pro 3.0 Red switch has a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound that is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you are using the switch at home or at work. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch has a muted sound profile. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch. The Silent Reds are designed to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them a great choice for office or shared living space use. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red switch offers a creamy, mild, and polished typing experience. The switch is described as creamy, which means it provides a smooth and buttery typing experience. This can be attributed to the lubricant applied in the switch at the factory or specific materials used. Typing on a G Pro 3.0 Red switch feels like gliding your fingers across the keys effortlessly, with each keystroke melting into the switch. The switch is also mild, offering a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, the switch has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the TTC Silent Red switch offers a buttery, mild, and polished typing experience. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, delivering a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Like the G Pro 3.0 Red, it also has a mild and polished feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Considering all the available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and TTC Silent Red switches have similar qualities in terms of sound and feel. Both switches offer a smooth typing experience, with the G Pro 3.0 Red having a medium-light actuation force for a balanced responsiveness, and the Silent Red providing a consistent feel from top to bottom with a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort. The main difference lies in the sound profiles, with the G Pro 3.0 Red having a neutral sound and the Silent Red having a muted sound. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user, whether they prioritize a quieter typing experience or a budget-friendly option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red and the TTC Silent Red linear switches, it is important to evaluate your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a budget-friendly switch that provides a smooth typing experience with a medium-light actuation force, the G Pro 3.0 Red is a great choice. It offers a satisfying auditory experience and allows for brighter and more vibrant RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience, particularly for office or shared living spaces, the TTC Silent Red is the ideal option. With its muted sound profile and padded bottom-out feel, it provides maximum comfort without all the noise typically associated with keyboards. Both switches offer a range of characteristics in terms of feel, such as creamy, mild, polished, and silky, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your specific requirements, whether it be sound, lighting, or overall typing feel. Make your selection based on what factors are most important to you and enjoy an enhanced typing experience with either the G Pro 3.0 Red or the TTC Silent Red.
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