TTC Gold Red vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options stand out: the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Silent Frozen. The Gold Red switch offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. Not only does it provide a satisfying tactile feedback, but it also emits a snappy sound profile, adding a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen switch is characterized by its extremely quiet sound profile, making it an ideal choice for those who require discretion. Additionally, these switches offer a super smooth and pillowy type feel, ensuring a pleasant typing experience. Both switches share qualities such as being thocky, low-pitched, subtle, and polished. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities so you can make an informed decision and choose the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Red and the TTC Silent Frozen share similar characteristics when it comes to their housing materials. Both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing also allows for the switches to be translucent, making them ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting. Furthermore, polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, contributing to a clear and resonant sound profile. In terms of aesthetics and sound output upon key release, both switches will offer comparable results due to their shared polycarbonate top housing.
However, the two switches differ in terms of their bottom housing materials. The Gold Red utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Frozen features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which aligns with its top housing. This means that the Silent Frozen will have a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both bottom-out and key release, in contrast to the Gold Red's variation in sound quality between the top and bottom housings.
Overall, while both switches share the benefits of a polycarbonate top housing, they offer slightly different sound profiles due to their different bottom housing materials. The Gold Red's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound when typing, while the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate bottom housing enhances the sharpness and clarity of key sounds. These differences in housing materials contribute to distinct typing experiences, allowing users to choose the sound profile that aligns with their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. First, in terms of weight, both switches can be considered lighter, which is advantageous for extended periods of typing or gaming. The Gold Red has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Silent Frozen has an actuation force of 39 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams.
In terms of actuation force, the Silent Frozen requires a slightly lighter touch to trigger a keystroke, with a force of 39 grams compared to the Gold Red's 43 grams. This means that users may find it easier to activate the keys on the Silent Frozen switch. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Gold Red requires a slightly heavier force of 50 grams compared to the Silent Frozen's 43 grams. This indicates that users will experience a more substantial typing experience with the Gold Red, as it requires a firmer push to fully press down the keys.
Ultimately, both switches provide a relatively light actuation force and bottom out force, with the Silent Frozen being slightly lighter in both aspects. However, if a user prefers a more substantial typing experience and a stronger push feel, they may find the Gold Red to be a better choice due to its heavier bottom out force. Conversely, those who prefer a lighter touch and a slightly easier activation may opt for the Silent Frozen. Overall, these switches offer a range of options to accommodate different preferences and typing styles.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Gold Red's travel distance is considered more traditional, providing a sense of depth and a longer travel distance. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen's shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers seeking faster response times. This shorter travel distance allows for quicker key presses and is ideal for those looking for a more responsive typing experience. However, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance of the Silent Frozen to be too abrupt. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference.
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 TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.33.
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 Red linear switch is best known for its buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. When it comes to sound, the Gold Red switch produces a thocky and low-pitched tone, adding a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. The sound profile of the Gold Red switch is described as neutral, making it suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work.
On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch is characterized by its extremely quiet sound profile. While also offering a super smooth typing experience, the Silent Frozen switch has a pillowy type feel. In terms of sound, the Silent Frozen switch produces a thocky and low-pitched tone like the Gold Red switch, but with the added quality of being muted. A muted switch produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
When it comes to feel, the Gold Red switch offers a mild and silky typing experience. It falls into a safe middle-ground zone, providing a gentle typing experience that most users will find approachable. The switch feels subtle, with gentle resistance and a non-resonant sound signature, making it suitable for shared spaces. The Gold Red switch is also polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish, reducing friction and providing smooth key travel.
Similarly, the Silent Frozen switch also offers a creamy and buttery feel. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, offering a seamless and uniform typing sensation. Like the Gold Red switch, the Silent Frozen switch feels subtle and polished, ensuring a gentle resistance, suitable for shared spaces, reduced friction, and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Gold Red and the TTC Silent Frozen switches offer a smooth typing experience with a low-pitched, thocky sound profile. The Gold Red switch has a neutral sound profile, while the Silent Frozen switch has a muted sound profile. In terms of feel, both switches provide a subtle and polished typing experience, with the Gold Red switch falling into a mild and silky category, and the Silent Frozen switch being described as creamy and buttery. If you are looking for a similar typing experience, either switch would be a suitable choice, depending on your preference for sound.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and moderately resistant typing experience, the TTC Gold Red linear switch would be a great choice. With a bottom out force of 50 grams, these switches offer a light-medium level of resistance that is approachable to most typists. They provide a buttery smooth feel and produce a thocky and low-pitched sound, adding a touch of personality without being too loud or distracting. The Gold Red switches are also described as mild, silky, subtle, and polished, ensuring a comfortable and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and pillowy typing experience, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch would be the better option for you. With a bottom out force of 43 grams, these switches are even lighter than the Gold Red switches, reducing finger fatigue and making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. The Silent Frozen switches offer an extremely quiet sound profile, described as thocky, low-pitched, and muted. They provide a creamy and buttery feel, gliding effortlessly under your fingers with each keystroke. Additionally, they are also described as subtle and polished, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Gold Red and Silent Frozen switches depends on your preferences for typing experience and sound. If you prefer a slightly firmer resistance and a sound profile that adds a touch of personality, go for the Gold Red switches. However, if you value a quieter typing experience with a lighter touch and pillowy feel, the Silent Frozen switches would be the better option. Both switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, making them suitable for various contexts.
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