TTC Gold Silver vs. TTC Yunhai
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Silver and the TTC Yunhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves comparing the TTC Gold Silver and the TTC Yunhai, both of which are linear switches but cater to different typing preferences. The TTC Gold Silver is renowned for its rapid responsiveness, featuring a shortened travel that provides a decisive bottom-out with a satisfying sound signature that enhances speed and fluidity. Its polished and thocky feel makes it an ideal choice for users seeking a combination of precision and tactile feedback. On the other hand, the TTC Yunhai offers a distinctive typing experience characterized by a deep, rounded sound profile and an incredibly light actuation force. This makes the Yunhai particularly appealing for typists who prefer a gentle, effortless key press that facilitates prolonged typing sessions without fatigue. With these unique attributes, each switch serves different user demands and typing styles. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
NPI
Stem material
POK
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
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Silver and the TTC Yunhai switches display notable distinctions, particularly in their top housings. The Gold Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer nature. This property enhances clarity and resonance, making polycarbonate an excellent choice for users seeking bright auditory feedback, especially when paired with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Yunhai's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon helps absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. While both materials serve the purpose of housing the switch's mechanism, the critical difference lies in the tonal qualities they impart, with polycarbonate favoring brightness and clarity, while nylon leans towards warmth and fullness.
When we explore the bottom housings of both switches, a significant commonality emerges: they both utilize nylon. This choice of material in the bottom housing means that both the Gold Silver and Yunhai will likely deliver a similar depth and fullness to the sound profile produced when typing. Since nylon is a softer plastic, it effectively dampens sound, resulting in a quieter and more muted bottom-out experience, enhancing the overall comfort while typing. This similarity ensures that regardless of the top housing material, users can expect a consistent foundation of sound absorption and rounding from the bottom housings.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate in the Gold Silver's top housing and nylon in both switches' bottom housings reflects a design philosophy that balances contrasting acoustic properties. While the Gold Silver prioritizes clarity and resonance from the top housing, the Yunhai offers a deeper sound experience, albeit with a similarly muted bottom profile thanks to the nylon base. In essence, both switches could appeal to different user preferences depending on the type of auditory feedback one desires, but their nylon bottoms create a shared acoustic foundation that promotes a fulfilling typing experience.
Weight
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch exhibit notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, impacting their overall typing experience. The Gold Silver switch features an actuation force of 45 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Yunhai switch, which has an actuation force of 42 grams. This indicates that the Gold Silver may provide a more substantial typing feel, ideal for users who prefer a stronger keypress. However, while the Gold Silver's bottom out force is unavailable, the Yunhai switch does have a confirmed bottom out force of 50 grams, classifying it as light. This means that, in practice, the Yunhai switch might feel less taxing during prolonged use due to its lighter actuation force combined with a manageable bottom out force. Overall, for those who enjoy a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, the Yunhai switch may be more suitable, while the Gold Silver appeals to those who favor a firmer push feel.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch have slightly different travel distances, with the Gold Silver measuring 3.5 mm and the Yunhai at 3.6 mm. This means that the Yunhai offers a longer travel distance, providing a deeper feel when pressed, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Gold Silver, with its shorter 3.5 mm distance, caters to those who appreciate quicker, more responsive keystrokes, which can be advantageous for gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, while both switches are relatively close in travel distance, the Gold Silver is the shorter option, and the Yunhai is the longer one. Choosing between them will depend on personal preferences regarding typing depth and responsiveness.
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 TTC Yunhai has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yunhai for $5.99.
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 delivers a thocky, low-pitched sound profile that provides a deep and satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. This resonance enhances the overall typing experience and emphasizes the switch's swift and decisive action, making it ideal for users who appreciate a sonorous feedback during their typing sessions. In contrast, information on the sound characteristics of the TTC Yunhai linear switch is currently unknown, leaving its auditory qualities to speculation.
In terms of feel, the Gold Silver stands out with its polished and silky characteristics, resulting in a remarkably smooth typing experience. The switch exhibits a mild response, making it accessible to both beginners and advanced typists. The subtle resistance ensures a gentle touch without feeling feather-light, maintaining a comfortable typing flow. The feel of the Yunhai is also unspecified, leaving any direct comparison in that area unmade.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Silver switch is defined by its thocky sound and refined, silky feel, catering well to those who appreciate both auditory and tactile feedback during their typing. On the other hand, while the sound quality of the Yunhai remains unknown, its lightweight actuation force suggests a gentle action that may cater to typists who prefer an easier press. While the Gold Silver offers a rich auditory and tactile experience, the Yunhai may serve a different typing preference, emphasizing lighter action without additional sound details to compare.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch, it’s essential to consider your personal preferences and the typing experience you seek. If you prioritize rapid responsiveness and a decisive tactile feel, the Gold Silver is your ideal choice. Its shortened travel distance and polished, silky finish make it perfect for fast-paced typing and gaming, where every keystroke is precise and satisfying. The rich, low-pitched sound profile it produces adds to the overall typing pleasure, making it suitable for both work and play in shared environments. On the other hand, if you lean towards a more gentle, effortless typing experience, the TTC Yunhai would be the better option. Its light actuation force and unique sound profile provide a relaxed typing experience, perfect for long writing sessions where comfort is paramount. In essence, choose the Gold Silver for speed and clarity, and opt for the Yunhai for smoothness and ease in typing.
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