Durock Ice King Linear vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Silent White both offer unique advantages. The Ice King Linear is renowned for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lubrication. With descriptors like 'silky', 'frictionless', 'subdued', 'creamy', and 'polished', it promises a premium feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White lacks specific marketing descriptions but is known for providing a quiet typing experience. Each switch has its own strengths and appeal, but to make the best decision for your needs, it's important to delve deeper into the characteristics of each switch. Let's explore further to help you determine the ideal switch for your mechanical keyboard.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Silent White switches both have unique housing materials that significantly impact their sound profiles. The Ice King Linear features nylon top and bottom housings, which result in a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer plastic absorbing more sound. In contrast, the Silent White uses polycarbonate for its top housing, providing a sharper and higher-pitched sound with a clear and resonant profile. While both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, their top housings create distinctly different sound experiences.
The choice of housing material in a switch plays a crucial role in determining the overall typing experience. The Ice King Linear's nylon top and bottom housings work together to create a duller and rounder sound profile, offering a smooth and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent White's combination of polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housings produces a crisper and more defined sound, enhancing the tactile feedback when typing. Each switch's unique housing materials contribute to its distinct sound signature, catering to different preferences and typing styles.
Despite their differences, both the Ice King Linear and the Silent White switches showcase the influence of housing materials on sound profiles. While the Ice King Linear emphasizes a deeper and fuller sound with its nylon housings, the Silent White focuses on a sharper and more resonant sound through its polycarbonate top housing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound profiles and typing feel, showcasing how housing materials can impact the overall typing experience in unique ways.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Outemu Silent White linear switch's 45 grams, making the Ice King slightly more resistant to accidental key presses. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force with the Ice King at 62 grams and the Silent White at 60 grams, providing a consistent typing experience once the key is fully pressed. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Outemu Silent White for its lower actuation force, while users who enjoy a bit more resistance may opt for the Durock Ice King. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5mm, making it slightly longer than the Outemu Silent White switch which has a travel distance of 3.3mm. While both switches fall on the shorter end of the spectrum compared to the traditional 4.0mm travel distance, the Ice King Linear offers a slightly deeper press compared to the Silent White. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Silent White, while those who enjoy a bit more depth when typing may lean towards the Ice King Linear. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of the feel and responsiveness desired.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Linear has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Linear for $4.20.
The Outemu Silent White comes in at $3.10 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 Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued sound when pressed, producing a dampened sound that is not completely silent but more subtle than most switches. On the other hand, there is no specific information available for the sound quality of the Outemu Silent White linear switch. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Linear switch is known for providing a silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience, offering smooth key presses with minimal resistance and friction. This creates a luxurious and effortless typing sensation that enhances the overall typing comfort. Unfortunately, there is no information available regarding the feel of the Outemu Silent White linear switch. It is important to note that the typing feel can greatly impact the overall typing experience and comfort for the user.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is praised for its smooth and silent typing experience, with a focus on a dampened sound and a silky feel. The Outemu Silent White linear switch, on the other hand, lacks specific information on sound and feel qualities. If looking for a switch with similar qualities to the Ice King Linear, it would be recommended to choose switches known for their smooth and quiet operation. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences in sound and feel while typing.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Silent White linear switches, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a silky smooth typing experience with a medium bottom out force and enjoy a switch that offers a subdued sound signature, the Ice King Linear would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a medium bottom out force switch with a quieter typing experience but value feel over sound, the Outemu Silent White might be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to whether you prioritize typing feel, sound, or a combination of both. Make your decision based on what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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