Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver and the Gateron Silent Ink Black mechanical keyboard switches. If you're a competitive gamer seeking lightning-fast responsiveness, the G Pro 3.0 Silver is the switch for you. With a shorter travel distance of 3.4mm, these switches provide an exceptional gaming experience and a competitive advantage. Not only do they offer unmatched value from Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro line-up, but they also feature vibrant RGB lighting and a medium-high pitch that adds an exhilarating auditory element to your gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is your go-to. With a cushion-like bottom-out feel, this switch minimizes audio feedback for a more silent and serene environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in their housing materials, specifically in terms of the top housing. The G Pro 3.0 Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a distinct audible feedback. Additionally, the transparency of polycarbonate allows for the integration of RGB lighting, making it visually appealing for users interested in customizable lighting effects. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black features Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing. This blend provides a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky. This top housing material creates a satisfying thin sound that stands out without being overly sharp.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the G Pro 3.0 Silver is constructed with a nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Ink Black features Gateron's proprietary INK blend. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for producing a deep and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall. In contrast, the INK blend in the Silent Ink Black produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, similar to its top housing. This lends a clacky and satisfying sound that remains consistent with the switch's overall profile.
Although the top and bottom housing materials differ between the G Pro 3.0 Silver and the Silent Ink Black, their impact on the switch's sound and feel is divided. The bottom housing primarily influences the bottom-out sound and feel, determining the tactile feedback when the key is fully pressed. On the other hand, the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound produced when the key is released. While the G Pro 3.0 Silver offers a sharper and crisper sound on release, the Silent Ink Black's INK blend top housing contributes to its clacky sound profile when keys are let go. Overall, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The G Pro 3.0 Silver has a relatively light actuation force of 45 grams, meaning it requires a gentle push to trigger a keystroke. In comparison, the Silent Ink Black has a heavier actuation force of 60 grams, giving a more substantial and deliberate typing experience.
Similarly, when considering the bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Silver has a relatively light force of 50 grams, indicating that it requires minimal pressure to press the keys all the way down. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more solid and satisfying keystroke.
These differences in force allow for distinct preferences among users. Those who prefer a lighter feel and the ability to type for extended periods might opt for the G Pro 3.0 Silver. This switch would be suitable for bringing to work or engaging in long gaming sessions. On the contrary, individuals seeking a more pronounced and tactile typing experience may lean towards the Silent Ink Black, as its heavier forces offer a stronger push and a more substantial feel while typing.
Overall, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver possesses lighter actuation and bottom out forces, resulting in a softer and smoother keystroke, the Silent Ink Black boasts medium-heavy forces, delivering a more solid and deliberate typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force, and the desired typing or gaming experience they seek to achieve.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. The similarity in travel distance ensures that both switches provide a consistent tactile experience, allowing users to type or game with precision and accuracy. Whether you choose the G Pro 3.0 Silver or the Silent Ink Black, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver has an MSRP of $3.40 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Silver for $3.27.
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switch offers a deep and rich bassy tone, providing a satisfying auditory experience during key presses. The low-pitched nature of these switches adds a mellow and bass-heavy sound to the typing experience. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Silver switch can produce a thocky sound, which resembles a deep "thud" or soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is designed to minimize noise and produce a softer and quieter sound. It is classified as a muted switch, making it suitable for environments that require a quieter typing experience. It is important to note that the sound produced by both switches can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switch is often described as buttery and creamy. These switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. They are designed to feel uniform, ensuring consistent feedback with each press. The Silent Ink Black switch, on the other hand, is known for its silky and polished feel. These switches offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience, reducing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The polished finish of the switch contributes to a sleek and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Silver switch is characterized by a bassy sound profile and a buttery feel, providing a deep and rich auditory experience with smooth keystrokes. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is designed for a quieter typing experience with a muted sound profile and a silky, polished feel. Both switches offer quality options depending on the desired sound and feel preference. Whether you prefer a more audible and bass-heavy typing experience or a quieter and smoother feeling switch, these options cater to different needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly gaming switch that offers lightning-fast responsiveness and vibrant RGB lighting, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver is an excellent choice. With a light bottom out force and a shorter travel distance, these switches provide a competitive advantage in gaming. Additionally, they offer a bassy and thocky sound profile, adding an exhilarating auditory element to your gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is the ideal option. With a medium-heavy bottom out force, these switches offer a cushy, pillow-like feel with minimal audio feedback. They produce a muted sound, reducing noise typical of mechanical keyboards. Furthermore, the Silent Ink Black switches have a silky and polished feel, providing an exceptionally smooth typing experience with reduced friction. Ultimately, both switches have their strengths, and it comes down to your personal preference and typing/gaming requirements.
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