Durock Ice King Linear vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience thanks to its full nylon construction and factory lube. This switch is described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Creamy', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black is preferred for its quiet typing experience, making it ideal for environments where minimal noise is necessary. This switch provides a cushioned, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback and is categorized as 'Silky', 'Muted', and 'Polished'. Both switches offer a smooth typing experience, but with different emphasis - one on quietness and the other on overall smoothness. 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
52g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches both offer unique sound profiles, but with distinct characteristics. The Ice King Linear's nylon top housing provides a deep and full sound, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing produces a pointed and higher-pitched sound that is described as clacky. This difference in sound profile can greatly impact the typing experience for users who have a preference for either a deeper or a sharper sound.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Ice King Linear and the Silent Ink Black switches continue to differentiate themselves in terms of sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing of the Ice King Linear contributes to the deeper and fuller sound profile characteristic of nylon, while the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing maintains its high-pitched and satisfyingly clacky sound. This variance in sound between the two switches' bottom housings further emphasizes the unique typing experiences they can offer to users depending on their sound preferences.
Overall, while the top and bottom housing materials may differ between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches, both switches aim to provide a satisfying typing experience with their distinct sound profiles. Whether you prefer a deeper and rounder sound produced by nylon housing or a sharper and clacky sound from the proprietary INK blend housing, both switches offer unique qualities that can cater to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to your personal preference for sound and typing feel, as both can deliver similar results in terms of overall satisfaction and typing performance.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches, it is clear that the Ice King Linear is the lighter option. The Ice King has an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Silent Ink Black has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, making it the heavier of the two. Both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation force, with the Ice King being slightly lighter. When it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Ink Black is slightly heavier, falling into the medium-heavy category. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time, the Ice King Linear may be the better choice. However, for individuals who enjoy a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Silent Ink Black would be the preferred option. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it shorter than the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Ice King Linear switch falls into the category of shorter travel distances, which is often preferred by gamers for faster response times. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a more traditional and deeper key press experience. Both switches have their own advantages depending on personal preference, with the Ice King Linear switch catering to those who prefer a quicker and more responsive feel, while the Silent Ink Black switch is better suited for those who enjoy a more deliberate key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key press feel.
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 Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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 Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued typing experience with a more dampened sound compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch provides a muted sound profile, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Both switches are designed to reduce auditory distractions, making them suitable for quieter environments.
Moving on to the feel, both the Durock Ice King Linear and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches are described as silky, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the Ice King Linear switch is also described as frictionless, creamy, and polished, enhancing the overall typing feel with a fluid travel and reduced friction. The Silent Ink Black switch shares the polished feel, indicating a smooth and refined finish for sleek typing.
In conclusion, both the Durock Ice King Linear and Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches provide users with a premium typing experience characterized by smoothness and quiet operation. While the Ice King Linear switch offers a slightly more subdued sound profile, both switches offer a silky feel with reduced resistance for effortless typing. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to personal preference and the specific typing environment where they will be used.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches, you should consider the following factors. If you prefer a slightly lighter bottom out force and a switch that offers a sleek and polished typing experience with a subtle sound signature, the Ice King Linear may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you require a slightly heavier bottom out force and a switch that provides a cushiony bottom-out feel while minimizing typing noise, the Silent Ink Black could be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, both switches offer a silky smooth typing experience, but the decision between the two will depend on your personal preferences and typing environment. So, take into account your bottom out force preference and noise level considerations when making your decision.
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