Durock Ice King Linear vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking into mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Ice King Linear stands out for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, categorized as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Creamy', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is favored for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it ideal for gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness, categorized as 'Neutral'. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences, 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
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Yellow Silver, we see a notable difference in the top housing material used. The Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Yellow Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials offer unique acoustic properties, the choice between nylon and polycarbonate will ultimately depend on the preferred sound profile desired by the user.
On the other hand, when examining the bottom housing materials of these switches, we find that both the Ice King Linear and the Yellow Silver use nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. As a result, in terms of the bottom housing material, these two switches offer a similar typing experience with a duller and rounder sound profile. Despite the difference in their top housing materials, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures a consistent acoustical experience for both switches.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Yellow Silver will come down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience. The Ice King Linear with its nylon top and bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Yellow Silver with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing provides a sharper, crisper sound. Whether one prefers a rounder, more muffled sound or a clearer, more resonant sound will determine which switch is the better fit. Regardless of the differences in housing materials, both switches boast quality construction and offer a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that the Ice King Linear is the heavier option with an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver is the lighter choice with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range, but the Ice King Linear leans towards the heavier side while the Yellow Silver is more towards the lighter side. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Yellow Silver to be more suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming sessions, while users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel might lean towards the Ice King Linear for a stronger push. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences for a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the 4 mm travel distance of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch. The Ice King Linear switch would be favored by gamers looking for faster response times due to its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch would be a better choice for those who prefer a more substantial keypress feel with its longer travel distance. Both switches offer different advantages based on their travel distances, so choosing between them would depend on individual preferences for keypress feel and responsiveness.
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 Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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 typing experience, producing a dampened sound when pressed. This provides a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches, making it suitable for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch boasts a neutral sound profile, with a moderate actuation force requirement. This makes it versatile for various uses, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and regardless of whether you are using the switches at home or work. Ultimately, the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Ice King Linear switch is revered for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience. These switches offer exceptional smoothness, minimal resistance when pressing keys, and a sensation of effortlessly gliding across the keys. In contrast, information on the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is not provided. Since both switches are linear and geared towards a smooth typing experience, it can be reasonably assumed that users will get a similar feel in terms of smoothness and ease of use.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Linear switch excels in providing a subdued sound profile and a luxurious, frictionless typing feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch offers a neutral sound profile and is likely to provide a smooth typing experience similar to the Ice King Linear due to its linear nature. Depending on personal preferences for sound and typing feel, users can choose between the two switches to enhance their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you prioritize a silky smooth typing experience with a medium bottom out force and a subdued sound profile, then the Ice King Linear may be the best choice for you. Alternatively, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a neutral sound profile, favoring speediness and responsiveness, then the Outemu Yellow Silver switch could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and whether you prioritize smoothness, actuation force, or sound profile in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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