Durock Ice King Linear vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the TTC Silent Red mechanical keyboard switches, you'll find yourself in the realm of smooth and quiet typing experiences. The Ice King Linear offers a silky and frictionless feel, thanks to its full nylon construction and factory lube, creating a subdued and creamy typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Red provides a buttery and mild typing experience with a muted sound profile that is perfect for office or shared living spaces. Both switches boast a polished feel and consistency throughout typing. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Durock Ice King Linear and TTC Silent Red switches feature nylon as the material for their bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller, rounder sound. On the other hand, while the Ice King Linear utilizes nylon for its top housing, the Silent Red features a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound profile, especially useful for RGB lighting due to its translucency.
Despite both switches having nylon bottom housings, which contribute to a similar deep and full sound profile when typing, the differences in their top housings impact the overall sound output. The Ice King Linear's nylon top housing creates a duller, rounder sound profile, while the Silent Red's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, crisper sound. This distinction makes the Ice King Linear more suitable for those seeking a softer, more muted typing experience, while the Silent Red is ideal for users who prefer a more clear and resonant sound with RGB lighting capabilities. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and aesthetics.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it becomes evident that the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when typing, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite the differences between the nylon and polycarbonate materials used in the Ice King Linear and Silent Red switches, both housing materials contribute to a satisfying typing experience. Whether one prefers the deeper, fuller sound of nylon or the sharper, crisper sound of polycarbonate, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound output. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to individual preferences for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch showcase some key differences. The Ice King Linear has an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, whereas the Silent Red has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This makes the Ice King lighter in terms of actuation force, but heavier when it comes to bottoming out compared to the Silent Red. The Ice King provides a slightly lighter typing experience overall, which may be preferable for extended typing sessions or gaming. Conversely, the Silent Red offers a slightly heavier feel, which some users may prefer for a more substantial typing experience. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range of actuation and bottom out forces, ensuring that users will get a similar experience overall in terms of force requirements. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing feel and weight preference.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TTC Silent Red linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Silent Red switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ice King Linear switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Ice King being the shorter of the two. Gamers looking for faster response times may prefer the Ice King Linear switch, while those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the TTC Silent Red switch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key 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 TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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 Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued sound profile, providing a dampened and subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red switch is known for its muted sound, offering a softer and quieter typing experience that is perfect for shared environments. Both switches aim to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, so you can expect a quieter typing experience from both options.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Linear switch is praised for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience, offering smooth and effortless keypresses with minimal resistance. Conversely, the TTC Silent Red switch is described as buttery, mild, and polished, providing a gentle and uniform typing sensation that is approachable to most users. Both switches aim to offer a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction, making them both comfortable options for prolonged typing sessions.
Overall, both the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the TTC Silent Red switch offer superb typing experiences with their smooth and quiet operation. Whether you prefer a subdued sound profile like the Ice King Linear or a muted typing experience like the Silent Red, you can expect a similar level of comfort and ease of typing from both switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel, but rest assured that you'll get a top-notch typing experience with either option.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the TTC Silent Red linear switches, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. If you prioritize a silky smooth typing experience with a full nylon construction and generous factory lube, the Ice King Linear might be the ideal choice for you. However, if you're looking for a switch with a muted sound profile and a padded bottom-out feel for maximum comfort, the Silent Red linear switch could be the better option, especially for office or shared living space use. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force. With this information in mind, you can confidently choose the switch that best suits your needs and enhances your overall typing experience.
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