TTC Gold Brown vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the TTC Gold Brown and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Gold Brown switch is known for its balanced qualities, featuring a slight, satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness. It offers a rounded sound profile that is softer than most switches without being completely silent. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. It provides a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, making it ideal for environments that necessitate a quieter typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision on which switch suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Brown and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, one can observe some similarities and differences. Both switches have unique top housing materials that contribute to their distinctive sound profiles. The Gold Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black features Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, characterized by a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. While both provide a higher-pitched sound, the Gold Brown's polycarbonate housing offers a more clear and resonant profile, while the Silent Ink Black's INK blend housing is described as "clacky." Thus, these switches offer different auditory experiences.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, we see that the Gold Brown employs a nylon bottom housing, while the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's INK blend for the bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, generates a deeper and fuller sound when typing, absorbing more sound and producing a duller and rounder profile. On the other hand, the INK blend bottom housing in the Silent Ink Black contributes to its satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, again described as "clacky." In this aspect, both switches offer a distinct auditory experience, with the Gold Brown showcasing a deeper and fuller sound due to its nylon housing, while the Silent Ink Black produces a thinner and higher-pitched sound with its proprietary blend.
It is worth noting that when a switch has different top and bottom housing materials, the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. Therefore, when pressing down on the switch, one will feel the impact and qualities of the bottom housing, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when releasing the key, the top housing will be more influential in shaping the sound. Although the TTC Gold Brown and the Gateron Silent Ink Black differ in their specific housing materials, this principle still applies, ensuring that both switches deliver unique auditory experiences to their users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are notable differences. The Gold Brown has a slightly lighter actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black, which requires 60 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Gold Brown requires 63 grams, while the Silent Ink Black has a higher bottom out force of 70 grams.
Considering weight, it is worth noting that the Gold Brown offers a lighter typing experience overall. This can be beneficial for individuals who prefer a lighter touch, allowing them to type for extended periods without fatigue. This lighter actuation force could make it a suitable choice for those bringing their keyboards to work or engaging in long gaming sessions.
On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black provides a slightly heavier and more substantial typing experience. With its higher actuation and bottom out forces, it offers a stronger push feel, making each keystroke more deliberate and satisfying for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience.
Overall, while the two switches have similar force requirements for actuation and bottom out, the Silent Ink Black is slightly heavier, offering those who prefer a stronger push feel a better choice. However, both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, ensuring that regardless of the choice, users can expect a satisfying and responsive typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Gold Brown tactile 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 a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the switch travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. As a result, whether you choose the Gold Brown or the Silent Ink Black, you can expect similar tactile feedback and keypress experiences in terms of travel distance.
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 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 TTC Gold Brown switch falls into the neutral category. This means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile. The Gold Brown switches produce a rounded sound that is generally softer than most switches, although not completely silent. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is described as muted. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gold Brown switch offers a mild and approachable typing experience. These switches provide a safe middle-ground zone with a gentle tactile bump and moderate weightiness. The Gold Brown switches can be described as buttery and polished, offering a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. The key travel is smooth and friction is reduced, allowing for effortless typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is described as silky and polished. This means that it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Like the Gold Brown switch, the Silent Ink Black switch also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Brown switch provides a balanced sound profile with a soft and rounded sound. It offers a mild and approachable feel, with a satisfying bump and a smooth and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is perfect for environments that require quieter typing, offering a muted sound and a silky smooth typing experience with minimal resistance. While they may differ in sound and feel, both switches provide excellent options for those looking for a reliable and satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, consider the differences in bottom out force, sound, and feel. The Gold Brown switch has a medium bottom out force of 63 grams, offering a balanced typing experience with a slight, satisfying bump and a moderate weightiness. It has a rounded sound profile that is softer than most switches without being completely silent. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams and is ideal for environments that require quieter typing. It provides a cushiony, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback.
In terms of sound, the Gold Brown switch has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced typist and whether you use it at home or work. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black switch is classified as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, thus minimizing the noise associated with mechanical keyboards.
When it comes to feel, the Gold Brown switch offers a mild typing experience that is approachable to most individuals. It has a buttery, smooth keystroke sensation and is considered an accented switch, providing a medium amount of tactility that is not overwhelming. Additionally, it has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Silent Ink Black switch is described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Like the Gold Brown switch, it also has a polished finish.
Consider your personal preferences and typing needs when making a choice between these two switches. If you prioritize a balanced typing experience with a slight bump and moderately weighted keys, the Gold Brown switch is a suitable option. However, if you require a quieter typing environment and prefer a cushiony, smooth typing feel, the Silent Ink Black switch would be a better fit. Ultimately, the decision boils down to your individual preferences and the specific requirements of your typing environment.
Mentioned in this article
