Durock Mamba vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, both offer a smooth typing experience with a linear feel. The Mamba switches are praised for their tribute to Kobe Bryant and provide a gliding typing sensation with a rich and creamy auditory experience. They are categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switches do not have a specific reputation or theme but offer a quiet typing experience. Due to their silent operation, they are favored in noise-sensitive environments. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the Outemu Silent Yellow, we can see clear differences in both top and bottom housings. The Mamba uses a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend for its top housing, resulting in a bright and pleasant sound profile that is not particularly sharp. In contrast, the Silent Yellow utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for RGB lighting, giving it an aesthetic edge over the Mamba's blend.
On the other hand, the bottom housing materials of the two switches also showcase distinct characteristics. The Mamba's POM bottom housing produces a deeper and more muted sound profile, providing a unique typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Yellow's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. These differences in bottom housing materials highlight the importance of material choice in creating a desired typing experience.
While the Durock Mamba and Outemu Silent Yellow may have different housing materials for their top and bottom housings, both switches aim to provide a unique typing experience. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings result in distinctive sound profiles, with the bottom housing impacting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when letting go of a key. Ultimately, whether using a blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE or polycarbonate for the top housing, and POM or nylon for the bottom housing, both switches offer a range of options for users seeking a specific sound and feel in their typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, it is evident that there are differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Durock Mamba boasts an actuation force of None grams, making it a lighter option compared to the Silent Yellow, which has an actuation force of 65 grams. On the other hand, the bottom out force of the Mamba is 60 grams, while the Silent Yellow requires 80 grams to bottom out, indicating that the latter is a heavier option. The lighter actuation force of the Mamba may appeal to those who prefer a gentler typing experience for extended periods, such as during work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the heavier Silent Yellow may be more suitable for users who prefer a more substantial push feel while typing. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it a shorter option compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Mamba offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers who prioritize speed and efficiency. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch provides a deeper key press, which may be more comfortable for those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Both switches offer unique benefits depending on individual preference, with the Mamba being the shorter option and the Silent Yellow being the longer option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
The Outemu Silent Yellow 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Mamba linear switch is known for its neutral and thocky characteristics, providing a moderate actuation force requirement with a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch's sound profile is unknown. It's important to note that the sound of a switch also depends on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Mamba linear switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, providing a gentle feel and a smooth key travel. This makes typing on the Mamba switches approachable and comfortable for most users. Unfortunately, the feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is unknown at this time.
Overall, if sound and feel are important factors for your mechanical keyboard switch selection, the Durock Mamba linear switch would be a solid choice with its gliding typing sensation, rich and creamy auditory experience, mild feel, and polished finish. While the qualities of the Outemu Silent Yellow switch remain unknown, it is likely that you would get similar results to the Mamba switch if smooth and quiet typing experience is your priority.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and enjoy a gliding typing sensation with a rich and creamy auditory experience, opt for the Mamba switch. It is also versatile in both sound and feel, offering a neutral sound profile and a mild typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and require a silent typing experience, the Silent Yellow switch may be the better choice for you. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound, and force requirements. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and needs.
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