TTC Gold Silver vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Silver and Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique qualities to enhance your typing experience. The Gold Silver is praised for its rapid responsiveness, with a shortened travel that results in a satisfying bottom-out and a resonant sound signature. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switches from Gateron are designed for discretion in office environments, providing a quiet typing experience with a light actuation force. While the Gold Silver emphasizes speed, sound, and fluidity, the Mountain Top switches prioritize comfort and quietness. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Silver and the Gateron Mountain Top, both switches share the use of nylon as the bottom housing material. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housings. The choice of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches allows for a consistent experience in terms of sound profile and feel when pressing down on the keys.
However, the top housing materials of the Gold Silver and the Mountain Top differ significantly. The Gold Silver utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate's relatively stiffer plastic composition leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches that feature RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Mountain Top features a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the polycarbonate top housing of the Gold Silver. Nylon's softer plastic composition absorbs more sound, resulting in a sound that is duller and rounder in comparison.
Despite the differences in top housing materials, both the Gold Silver and the Mountain Top switches offer a unique typing experience. The qualities of the top and bottom housings in each switch play a significant role in the overall sound profile and feel when typing. While the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key, the bottom housing has a more noticeable impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. By understanding the characteristics of the housing materials used in these switches, users can choose the option that best suits their preferences for sound and typing experience.
Weight
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, which has an actuation force of 40 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Gold Silver switch is unknown, while the Mountain Top switch requires 50 grams to bottom out. The Gold Silver switch offers a slightly heavier typing experience for those who prefer a bit more resistance, while the Mountain Top switch is lighter overall. Both switches provide options for users based on their preference for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Gold Silver switch leaning towards a heavier feel and the Mountain Top switch offering a lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for quicker response times. The Gold Silver switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more substantial and deliberate keystroke feel compared to the slightly shorter travel distance of the Mountain Top switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either a slightly longer or shorter travel distance. Both switches offer a modern, shorter travel distance option that is increasingly popular in the keyboard market.
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 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Gold Silver linear switch is characterized by a thocky and low-pitched profile, providing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. This switch also offers a neutral sound signature, making it suitable for various environments and preferences. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch also features a neutral sound profile, catering to a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience ideal for office settings. Both switches offer a moderate sound profile, ensuring versatility in different usage scenarios.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Gold Silver switch is known for its polished and silky attributes, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. This switch also offers a mild and subtle typing feel, striking a balance between comfort and tactile feedback. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, offering a range of typing experiences from lively and responsive to gentle and comfortable. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant typing feel, appealing to a variety of user preferences.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Silver linear switch excels in rapid responsiveness, with a focus on speed, sound, and fluidity in keystrokes. Its sound signature is characterized by a thocky, low-pitched, and neutral profile, while the feel is polished, silky, mild, and subtle. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is designed for discreet and quiet typing in office environments, offering a neutral sound profile and a range of feels from bouncy to snappy and subtle. Depending on individual preferences and usage scenarios, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to different typing experiences, ensuring an enjoyable and customized mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when choosing between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you prioritize rapid responsiveness, a solid bottom-out feel, and a resonant sound, the TTC Gold Silver may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you need a switch that provides a quiet and light typing experience suitable for office settings, the Gateron Mountain Top could be the better option. Ultimately, the decision boils down to your personal typing style and the context in which you'll be using the keyboard. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different needs, so choose the one that aligns best with your preferences.
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