TTC Gold Silver vs. Gateron Jupiter Banana
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Jupiter Banana switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Jupiter Banana presents a fascinating contrast. The Gold Silver is a linear switch renowned for its rapid responsiveness and smooth keystrokes, offering a sense of closure with every press and a resonant sound signature. On the other hand, the Jupiter Banana stands out as a tactile switch with high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, providing a consistent feel and strong return with its two-stage springs. While the Gold Silver excels in speed, sound, and fluidity, the Jupiter Banana focuses on precision and tactile feedback. 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
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
69g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
NPI
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Jupiter Banana both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This material is known for its stiffness, which results in a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, the Gold Silver and Jupiter Banana also differ in terms of their nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, leading to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This split in housing materials means that the bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released.
Both the Gold Silver and the Jupiter Banana utilize similar polycarbonate top housing materials, resulting in comparable sound profiles that are sharp, higher-pitched, and crisper. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the resonant quality of the sound, making it an excellent choice for switches that prioritize clear sound output. However, where they differ is in their nylon bottom housing. While both switches feature nylon, the Gold Silver and Jupiter Banana have their unique take on it. Nylon's softness absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. This difference in bottom housing material affects the overall typing experience and the sound produced during key presses.
In conclusion, while the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Jupiter Banana share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, they diverge in their choice of nylon for the bottom housing. The Gold Silver offers a deeper and fuller sound profile with its nylon bottom housing, whereas the Jupiter Banana provides a rounder sound due to the same material. The split in housing materials allows for a balanced typing experience with different impacts on sound and feel during key presses. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities in their housing materials that cater to different preferences in sound output and typing feel.
Weight
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 59 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Gold Silver is unknown, while the Jupiter Banana has a bottom out force of 69 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. Those looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Gold Silver due to its lower actuation force, which can allow for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Jupiter Banana with its higher actuation and bottom out forces for a more tactile and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. The slight difference in travel distance may not be noticeable to most users, but for those who prefer a more responsive feel, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch may be the preferred choice. On the other hand, those who enjoy a slightly deeper key press may find the TTC Gold Silver linear switch more satisfying. Overall, both switches offer a relatively short travel distance compared to traditional switches, catering to the growing trend of users seeking quicker key actuation.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Jupiter Banana comes in at $2.80 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Gold Silver switch is known for its thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound with a moderate actuation force requirement. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Banana switch offers a high-pitched and resonant sound, providing a sharp and crisp auditory experience. The choice between the two switches ultimately depends on personal preference, with the Gold Silver offering a more subdued and neutral sound, while the Jupiter Banana delivers a more vibrant and resonant tone.
As for the feel, both the TTC Gold Silver and Gateron Jupiter Banana switches are praised for their polished finish, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction. The Gold Silver switch is described as silky, mild, and subtle, providing a gentle typing feel that is approachable to most users. In comparison, the Jupiter Banana switch is noted for its creamy typing experience, offering a buttery sensation with a silky smoothness that enhances the overall typing feel. Both switches excel in providing a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience, making them suitable choices for different typing preferences.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch each have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the Gold Silver excels in providing a rapid and precise typing experience with a thocky and low-pitched sound, the Jupiter Banana offers a softer backlight effect with a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to personal preference and the desired typing experience, as both switches ensure a high level of quality and performance for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize rapid responsiveness, a solid bottom-out with each keystroke, and a smooth journey from press to bottom-out with a resonant sound signature, the TTC Gold Silver may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch known for its high-precision molds, softer backlight effects, strong return, and consistent feel, the Gateron Jupiter Banana could be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize speed, sound, and fluidity with the Gold Silver, or precision, tactile feedback, and consistency with the Jupiter Banana. Choose wisely based on your individual typing experience and preferences.
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