TTC Gold Silver vs. Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3)
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare and contrast are the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3), both linear switches. The TTC Gold Silver is celebrated for its rapid responsiveness, providing a decisive bottom-out with each keystroke and a harmonious resonant sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Red Pro is known for its smooth and budget-friendly typing experience, offering buttery smooth keystrokes and a pleasing low-pitched "thock" sound. While the Gold Silver showcases speed, sound, and fluidity, the Milky Red Pro excels in affordability and smoothness. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you determine the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3), we can see that both switches feature nylon top and bottom housings. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound than stiffer plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound overall. While both switches utilize the same housing material for both the top and bottom, the specific design and construction of each switch may still lead to slight variations in sound and feel.
However, where the two switches differ is in their top housing material. The Gold Silver utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) opts for a nylon top housing, which offers a different sound experience compared to polycarbonate. While both materials have their own unique qualities, the choice between polycarbonate and nylon for the top housing ultimately comes down to personal preference and desired sound profile.
Overall, both the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) offer quality housing materials that impact the sound and feel of the switches. Whether it's the sharper sound profile of polycarbonate in the Gold Silver or the fuller sound profile of nylon in the Milky Red Pro (KS-3), the housing materials play a significant role in determining the overall typing experience. While the switches may differ in their top housing materials, the use of nylon for both the top and bottom housings in each switch ensures a consistent and reliable typing experience.
Weight
Both the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch have the same actuation force of 45 grams, making them equally responsive in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Gold Silver has an unknown bottom out force, while the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) has a bottom out force of 52 grams, which is considered medium-light. This means that the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) requires a slightly heavier force to fully press the keys compared to the Gold Silver. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gold Silver may be the preferred choice, while those who enjoy a slightly more substantial typing feel may opt for the Milky Red Pro (KS-3). Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Gold Silver switch provides a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers. On the other hand, the Milky Red Pro switch offers a slightly deeper feel when pressed, which some users may prefer for a more substantial keypress experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired keypress feel. Both switches offer reliable performance, so you can expect similar results regardless of which one you choose.
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 Milky Red Pro (KS-3) has an MSRP of $2.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) for $2.30.
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 Silver linear switch boasts a thocky and low-pitched profile that delivers a satisfying deep tone while maintaining a neutral sound suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch offers a bassy and thocky sound with a low-pitched quality, providing a richer and deeper tone during key presses. Both switches are designed to produce a pleasing sound, with the Gold Silver leaning towards a more neutral tone and the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) offering a deeper bass-heavy profile.
In terms of feel, the TTC Gold Silver switch provides a polished, silky, mild, and subtle typing experience, offering smooth and refined key travel with reduced friction and gentle resistance. Conversely, the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) switch is described as buttery, ensuring a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. While the Gold Silver switch presents a versatile typing feel with its polished and subtle characteristics, the Milky Red Pro (KS-3) prioritizes a buttery smoothness that enhances the overall typing experience.
Overall, the TTC Gold Silver linear switch excels in rapid responsiveness, offering a decisive bottom-out with a harmonized and resonant sound signature, coupled with a smooth and fluid keystroke. In contrast, the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch is known for providing a budget-friendly and smooth typing experience with a buttery sound profile. Depending on personal preference and typing style, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different needs, ensuring that users will enjoy a satisfactory typing experience with either choice. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of sound and feel, allowing users to find the perfect match for their mechanical keyboard preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize rapid responsiveness, precision, and a resonant sound signature with a smooth keystroke experience, the TTC Gold Silver is the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a smooth and budget-friendly typing experience with a satisfying "thock" sound and a buttery smooth keystroke feel, the Gateron Milky Red Pro (KS-3) is the switch for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for speed, sound, and feel in your mechanical keyboard switches.
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