Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Silent White mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between a tactile and a linear switch comes down to personal preference and typing style. The Ice King Tactile is celebrated for its exquisite tactile typing experience, offering a blend of smoothness and a pronounced bump that creates a satisfying touch with finesse. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White remains silent during operation but lacks the tactile feedback that some users prefer. While the Ice King Tactile is silky, frictionless, subdued, stepped, and polished, the Silent White does not have such distinct characteristics. Ultimately, choosing between these switches boils down to whether you value an impressively tactile typing experience or prefer a quieter, linear switch. 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
58g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
68g
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 Tactile and the Outemu Silent White both use nylon for their bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon's softer plastic absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to harder plastics. This means that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. However, the Ice King Tactile uses a nylon top housing, while the Silent White utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, leading to a distinction in sound profiles.
The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Outemu Silent White creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound compared to nylon. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, as it allows light to shine through the housing. In contrast, the Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing will provide a deeper and fuller sound profile, due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Silent White will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. The Nylon bottom housing in both switches will provide a similar typing experience with a deep and full sound. However, the top housing material will determine whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound profile with polycarbonate or a deeper, fuller sound profile with nylon. Both switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Outemu Silent White switch, it's evident that the Ice King Tactile switch has a heavier actuation and bottom out force compared to the Silent White switch. The Ice King Tactile requires 58 grams of force to actuate and 68 grams to bottom out, while the Silent White switch only needs 45 grams to actuate and 60 grams to bottom out. The Ice King Tactile can provide a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy force, appealing to users who prefer a stronger push feel. On the other hand, the Silent White switch offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming. Regardless of the weight variances, both switches provide reliable performance and satisfying tactile feedback for users seeking a quality typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly longer than the Outemu Silent White switch with a travel distance of 3.3 mm. While both switches fall within the shorter end of the spectrum for travel distance, the Ice King Tactile offers just a bit more depth for those who may prefer a more substantial feel when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Silent White switch provides a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for keypress feel and response time. Both switches offer a modern approach to travel distance that caters to different user needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Tactile 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 Tactile 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 Tactile switch offers a subdued sound, providing a dampened and subtle sound signature when pressed. This creates a more refined and less intrusive typing experience compared to many switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White switch's sound quality is unknown. It is important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch is lauded for its silky and frictionless typing experience, offering exceptional smoothness and effortless keypresses. Additionally, it is described as a stepped switch, providing a two-stage tactile feel with distinct pre-travel and post-travel sensations. The polished finish of the switch further enhances the typing experience by reducing friction and ensuring a sleek key travel. Contrarily, the tactile and feel characteristics of the Outemu Silent White switch are not specified.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile and Outemu Silent White switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ice King Tactile provides a subdued sound with silky, frictionless, and stepped tactile feedback, the Outemu Silent White's characteristics remain unknown. If you are seeking a tactile switch with a unique tactile experience and refined sound, the Ice King Tactile may be the superior choice. However, if you are unsure about the tactile and feel qualities of the Silent White switch, it is recommended to explore further information or consider trying out the switches personally to determine the best fit for your preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch or the Outemu Silent White linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference for typing experience. If you value a medium-heavy tactile switch that offers a unique blend of smoothness and pronounced tactile feedback, the Ice King Tactile would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium linear switch with a lighter bottom out force and a silent typing experience, the Silent White may be more suited to your preferences. Consider your typing style, sound preference, and desired feel when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer their own distinct advantages, so choose the one that aligns best with your preferences for an optimal typing experience.
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