TTC Gold Red vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Red and Gateron Mountain Top stand out as popular linear switch options with unique characteristics. The Gold Red is praised for its buttery smooth typing experience and light-medium resistance, accompanied by a snappy sound profile that adds a touch of personality without being overly ostentatious. In contrast, the Mountain Top by Gateron is designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a comfortably light actuation, perfect for discreet and continuous typing in professional settings. While the Gold Red exudes a 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched' feel, the Mountain Top is described as 'Bouncy' and 'Easy-to-press'. Both switches have their own strengths and cater to different preferences, making them ideal choices depending on your specific needs. 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
43g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and Gateron Mountain Top switches have distinct differences that affect their sound profiles. The Gold Red features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched sound due to its stiffness, making it ideal for clear housings and RGB lighting. In contrast, the Mountain Top utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound with a rounder tone as the softer plastic absorbs more sound. While the Gold Red's polycarbonate top housing offers a clear and resonant sound, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing creates a more muffled and duller sound profile.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Gold Red and Mountain Top switches also present differences in sound quality. The Gold Red's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound, while the Mountain Top's nylon bottom housing serves the same purpose with a softer plastic material. Both switches offer a more muted and rounded sound when pressed due to the bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. However, the Gold Red may have a slightly sharper sound profile compared to the Mountain Top when it comes to bottom-out sounds.
In summary, the choice between the polycarbonate top housing of the Gold Red and the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top will depend on the desired sound profile. The Gold Red offers a sharper and clearer sound due to its stiffness, while the Mountain Top provides a deeper and fuller sound with a rounder tone thanks to its softer nylon material. Similarly, the bottom housings of both switches contribute to a more muted sound profile, with the Gold Red potentially offering a slightly crisper sound compared to the Mountain Top. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials, providing options for various preferences in mechanical keyboard switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, it is evident that both switches are relatively light. The Gold Red has an actuation force of 43 grams, while the Mountain Top has a slightly lighter actuation force of 40 grams. In terms of bottom out force, both switches require 50 grams to reach the bottom. This means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of force required for both switches. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended use, either of these switches would be a suitable choice. However, for individuals who prefer a slightly heavier push feel, they may want to consider other options with a higher actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Gold Red and the Gateron Mountain Top would come down to personal preference in terms of typing force.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Mountain Top has the shorter travel distance, making it potentially more suitable for gamers looking for quicker response times. On the other hand, the Gold Red offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantive feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference, as both options provide unique benefits based on their respective travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red 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 Red for $3.28.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 per 10 switches.
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 Red linear switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile that is neutral, providing a deep and satisfying typing experience without being too loud. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch also provides a neutral sound profile, ensuring a quiet yet pleasant typing experience that is suitable for professional environments. While the Gold Red switch adds a touch of personality with its snappy sound, the Mountain Top switch prioritizes discretion and subtlety, making it an ideal choice for office settings where noise levels need to be kept to a minimum.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Red linear switch stands out for its mild and silky typing experience, offering a subtle and polished feel that is smooth and refined. On the contrary, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch provides a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, giving a lively and responsive typing experience that is effortless and comfortable for extended periods of use. Both switches offer a mild typing experience that is approachable to most users, with the Gold Red switch leaning towards a more luxurious feel and the Mountain Top switch emphasizing a responsive and rebounding sensation.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Gold Red switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound with a mild and silky feel, the Mountain Top switch offers a neutral and quiet sound profile with a bouncy and easy-to-press typing experience. Depending on personal preferences and the environment in which the keyboard will be used, users can choose between the buttery smoothness of the Gold Red switch or the discreet responsiveness of the Mountain Top switch to enhance their typing experience. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality and satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will get similar results in terms of performance and comfort, regardless of their choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider the following guidelines based on your needs and preferences. If you are looking for a smooth and slightly snappy typing experience with a light-medium resistance, the Gold Red switch would be a great choice. This switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, along with traits like a mild, silky, subtle, and polished feel. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and discreet typing experience suitable for office environments, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is the way to go. This switch provides a neutral sound profile and features like a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on how you prioritize sound, feel, and typing environment in order to find the switch that best suits your mechanical keyboard preferences.
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