TTC Gold Brown vs. TTC Gold Silver
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the TTC Gold Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering which mechanical keyboard switch to choose, the TTC Gold Brown and TTC Gold Silver are excellent options to compare and contrast. The Gold Brown is praised for its balanced nature, offering a slight bump for tactile feedback and a moderate weightiness. In contrast, the Gold Silver stands out for its rapid responsiveness, shortened travel distance, and solid bottom-out feel with a resonant sound signature. While the Gold Brown provides a softer sound profile and a buttery keystroke experience, the Gold Silver excels in speed, fluidity, and precision with each key press. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and typing styles. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
NPI
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
18mm spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Brown and TTC Gold Silver both use polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature. This makes them ideal for switches where clarity and resonance are important, especially when paired with RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this feature, the difference lies in their nylon bottom housing. The Gold Brown's nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound profile of the polycarbonate top housing. In contrast, the Gold Silver's nylon bottom housing offers a similar deeper and fuller sound but without the added impact of the crispness from the polycarbonate top housing.
Despite the similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, the differences in their nylon bottom housing create distinct typing experiences between the TTC Gold Brown and TTC Gold Silver switches. While both switches maintain a sharper, higher-pitched sound due to the polycarbonate top housing, the Gold Brown's nylon bottom housing adds a deeper and fuller sound profile which may appeal to those seeking a more rounded typing experience. On the other hand, the Gold Silver's nylon bottom housing maintains the deeper and fuller sound profile but without the added impact of the stiffer polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a slightly different typing feel and sound compared to the Gold Brown.
In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Brown and TTC Gold Silver offer unique typing experiences based on their combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing. The Gold Brown provides a balance between sharpness and depth in sound, while the Gold Silver leans more towards a fuller sound profile without the added crispness. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for typing feel and sound profile, with the housing materials playing a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience for each switch.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the TTC Gold Silver linear switch, it is clear that the Gold Brown has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Gold Silver's 45 grams. Additionally, the Gold Brown also has a heavier bottom out force of 63 grams, while the bottom out force of the Gold Silver is unknown. The Gold Brown provides a more substantial typing experience with its medium actuation force and heavier bottom out force, which some users may find more satisfying. On the other hand, the lighter actuation force of the Gold Silver may be preferred by those who enjoy a lighter typing touch for longer typing sessions or gaming. Both switches offer different weight options to cater to individual preferences, with the Gold Brown leaning towards a heavier feel and the Gold Silver providing a lighter touch.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. In this case, the Gold Silver linear switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Gold Brown tactile switch. The shorter travel distance of the Gold Silver switch may appeal to those looking for faster response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the longer travel distance of the Gold Brown switch may provide a more satisfying depth for those who prefer a more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown for $3.28.
The TTC Gold Silver has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Silver for $2.90.
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
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch offers a balanced typing experience with a slight, satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness, resulting in a soft and rounded sound profile that is suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the TTC Gold Silver linear switch is characterized by rapid responsiveness with a shortened travel distance, providing a solid bottom-out and smooth keystrokes. The Gold Silver produces a thocky and low-pitched sound that is deep and satisfying, emphasizing swift action and fluidity in every keypress.
When it comes to feel, the Gold Brown switch is described as mild, buttery, accented, and polished, offering a gentle and approachable typing experience with a smooth and refined finish. In contrast, the Gold Silver switch is polished, silky, mild, and subtle, providing an exceptionally smooth typing feel with reduced friction and minimal resistance. Both switches offer a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, catering to different preferences in terms of tactility and smoothness.
Overall, while the TTC Gold Brown and Gold Silver switches have their unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel, they both deliver high-quality performance and reliability. Whether you prefer a balanced and buttery typing experience with the Gold Brown or a swift and silky keystroke sensation with the Gold Silver, you can expect excellent tactile feedback and satisfying sound profiles from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound signature.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch or the TTC Gold Silver linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you value a balanced and moderate tactile feedback with a softer sound profile, then the Gold Brown would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize rapid responsiveness, smooth keystrokes, and a deep, rich sound profile, the Gold Silver would be more suited to your needs. Consider your typing style, sound preference, and desired level of tactile feedback when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, the choice between the Gold Brown and Gold Silver switches will depend on your personal preferences and typing habits.
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