TTC Gold Red vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red 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 that offer distinct advantages are the TTC Gold Red and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Gold Red is revered for its buttery smooth typing experience and light-medium resistance, providing a snappy sound profile that adds a tasteful flair to your keyboard without being overwhelming. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black offers a silenced version of the Ink Black switch, ideal for environments that require quieter typing. It provides a cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, ensuring a peaceful typing experience. However, let's delve deeper into the characteristics of these switches to help you make the best selection that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
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
The TTC Gold Red and the Gateron Silent Ink Black differ in terms of their housing materials. The Gold Red features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which produces a more clear and resonant sound. In addition, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it suitable for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, which is characterized by a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. While it also offers a satisfying thin sound, it is not overly sharp.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Gold Red employs a nylon material. This classic switch housing material elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Silent Ink Black incorporates Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which contributes to its pointed and high-pitched sound. However, like the top housing, it is not excessively sharp and is often described as clacky.
Overall, while their housing materials differ, both the Gold Red and the Silent Ink Black provide unique sound profiles. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the preference for a sharper and crisper sound (Gold Red with polycarbonate) or a pointed and clacky sound (Silent Ink Black with proprietary INK blend). Additionally, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of sound quality, but with distinct characteristics based on the individual properties of each housing material.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Gold Red has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, while the Silent Ink Black requires a higher force of 60 grams to trigger a keystroke. Similarly, when it comes to bottoming out, the Gold Red requires 50 grams of force, while the Silent Ink Black requires a heavier 70 grams.
This contrast in weight between the two switches can significantly impact the typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter touch and enjoy typing for longer periods, the Gold Red would be a suitable choice due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a more substantial and responsive typing experience may opt for the Silent Ink Black, with its higher actuation and bottom out forces, providing a stronger push feel.
While the Gold Red and Silent Ink Black switches differ in weight, it is important to note that both options cater to specific preferences. By selecting the appropriate switch based on personal typing preferences, users can achieve similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, ensuring a comfortable and satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear 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 same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent and satisfying tactile feedback, making them suitable options for users who prefer a shorter travel distance. Whether you choose the TTC Gold Red or the Gateron Silent Ink Black, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels when pressed.
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 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 Red switch is best described as thocky, low-pitched, and neutral. This means that when the key is pressed and released, it produces a deep, rich sound that is satisfying to the ears. The low-pitched sound profile of these switches adds a bass-heavy and mellow tone to your typing experience. It is a neutral switch in terms of sound, which means it has a moderate actuation force and a moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes.
In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch offers a muted sound. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. The Silent Ink Black switch is specifically designed for environments that require quieter typing, making it ideal for shared spaces or situations where noise reduction is necessary.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, both the TTC Gold Red and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches are described as silky and polished. This indicates that they both offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The silky feel enhances the overall smoothness of the typing experience, while the polished finish reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.
To conclude, the TTC Gold Red and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches differ in terms of sound, with the Gold Red being thocky, low-pitched, and neutral, and the Silent Ink Black being muted. However, both switches provide a silky and polished typing feel, ensuring a smooth and refined typing experience. If you choose either switch, you can expect similar smoothness and reduced friction during your typing sessions, making them both excellent options for those seeking a comfortable and enjoyable mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance, the TTC Gold Red linear switch is a great choice. These switches have a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. On the other hand, if you need a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is the way to go. This switch offers a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, making it perfect for environments that require reduced noise.
In terms of sound, the Gold Red switch produces a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound, giving you a deep and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch is described as muted, minimizing the noise commonly associated with mechanical keyboards.
When it comes to feel, the Gold Red switch provides a mild, silky, subtle, and polished typing experience. These switches offer a gentle resistance, smooth key travel, and an overall refined finish. Similarly, the Silent Ink Black switch also provides a silky and polished typing experience, enhancing the smoothness of the typing feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Ultimately, your choice between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch will depend on your preferences and requirements. Consider factors such as typing experience, sound profile, and noise reduction to determine which switch is the best fit for you.
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