Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch for your gaming or typing needs, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver and HMX Swift are two popular options to consider. The G Pro 3.0 Silver offers lightning-fast responsiveness with its shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers looking for a competitive edge. Additionally, the vibrant RGB lighting and medium-high pitch add a visually and audibly exciting element to your gaming sessions. On the other hand, the HMX Swift stands out with its deeper sound profile and silky smoothness, thanks to its full nylon housings. With a delicate 42g actuation force, the Swift provides a comfortable and feather-light 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
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver and the HMX Swift both have unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The G Pro 3.0 Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and more resonant sound when typing. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for a clearer sound profile. In contrast, the Swift utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound profile compared to polycarbonate.
Both switches also have nylon bottom housings, which further impact the sound and feel of typing on each switch. The nylon bottom housing in the G Pro 3.0 Silver and the HMX Swift contributes to a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its ability to absorb sound effectively. While the top housing primarily affects the sound when pressing and releasing a key, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. Therefore, the unique qualities of the nylon material in the bottom housing are consistent across both switches, enhancing the overall typing experience.
In summary, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver and the HMX Swift showcase the differences in sound profiles that can be achieved through the use of various housing materials. The polycarbonate top housing of the G Pro 3.0 Silver provides a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon top housing of the Swift creates a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share a nylon bottom housing that contributes to a similar deep and full sound profile, emphasizing the importance of housing materials in determining the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, we find that both switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a similar typing experience in terms of the pressure needed to fully press the key. However, the G Pro 3.0 Silver has a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Swift's 42 grams, making it slightly lighter in terms of the force required to trigger a keystroke. Both switches offer a light typing experience overall, making them suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, while the G Pro 3.0 Silver is slightly lighter in terms of actuation force, both switches provide a similar bottom out force for a consistent typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the HMX Swift linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm. In this case, the G Pro 3.0 Silver has a shorter travel distance compared to the Swift. The 0.5 mm variance may not seem significant, but it can affect the overall feel and performance of the switch. Gamers who prefer faster response times may lean towards the G Pro 3.0 Silver, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the Swift. However, both switches offer similar results in terms of durability and smoothness, so the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference for travel distance.
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 HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
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 Silver switch offers a bassy and low-pitched experience, giving a deep and rich sound profile during key presses. The thocky nature of this switch adds a satisfying auditory element to your typing and gaming sessions. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch is known for its clacky sound signature, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. The deeper sound profile of the Swift, thanks to its full nylon housings, creates a unique auditory experience that stands out from the typical HMX switches' brighter sound.
Moving on to the feel of these switches, the G Pro 3.0 Silver is described as buttery and creamy, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. The seamless and effortless typing sensation brought by these switches enhances the overall typing and gaming experience. On the contrary, the HMX Swift switch is known for being easy-to-press, feathery, bouncy, and also creamy. The light actuation force of the Swift switch makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The feathery and bouncy nature of the Swift switch adds a lively feel to your typing.
Overall, while the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switch focuses on delivering a bassy and low-pitched sound with a buttery and creamy feel, the HMX Swift switch provides a deeper and clacky sound profile along with an easy-to-press and feathery feel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing and gaming styles. If you enjoy a richer sound profile and a smooth keystroke, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharper sound and a light actuation force, the HMX Swift switch might be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer exceptional qualities that can enhance your typing and gaming experiences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Silver linear switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, consider your preferences and priorities. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option that offers lightning-fast responsiveness and a competitive edge in gaming, the G Pro 3.0 Silver is an excellent choice with its shorter travel distance and vibrant RGB lighting. On the other hand, if you prioritize a deeper sound profile and smooth keystroke experience, the HMX Swift may be more suitable with its silky smoothness and low actuation force. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your specific requirements for sound, feel, and overall gaming experience.
Mentioned in this article
