Gateron Mars vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mars and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to optimizing your typing experience, choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch is crucial, and two popular contenders are the Gateron Mars and the Outemu Silent White—both linear switches that offer distinct characteristics suited to different preferences. The Gateron Mars switches are celebrated for their innovative design, featuring a unique POK stem combined with a housing made from a blend of Nylon and POM, which contributes to their smooth actuation and responsiveness, making them ideal for gamers and typists who prioritize speed and precision. On the other hand, while the Outemu Silent White switches do not carry specific acclaim in their descriptions, their linear nature ensures a quiet typing experience that can be particularly appealing for those who work in shared spaces or during late-night sessions. Both switches cater to different needs, with the Mars emphasizing performance and responsiveness, while the Silent White focuses on delivering a discrete and hushed typing environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your specific requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials used in keyboard switches significantly influence their sound profiles and typing experience, and this is especially evident when comparing the Gateron Mars and the Outemu Silent White switches. The Gateron Mars features a nylon top housing, which is known for its ability to produce a deeper, fuller sound profile. This characteristic arises from nylon's relatively softer plastic composition, which helps to absorb sound and create a more muted acoustic experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent White uses a polycarbonate top housing that delivers a sharper and crisper sound due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. The clear translucency of this material also makes it ideal for RGB lighting, as it enhances the visual aesthetics of the switch. While both switches have distinctive sound signatures due to their top housing materials, they showcase how different plastics can shape the auditory experience of typing.
Examining the bottom housings of the two switches reveals further contrasts. The Gateron Mars is equipped with a POM bottom housing, delivering an incredibly unique and pleasing sound profile that leans toward the deeper side, thereby complementing its nylon top housing's sound characteristics. POM, being a dense thermoplastic, provides a more muted acoustic response that works well with the overall sound profile the Mars aims to achieve. In comparison, the Outemu Silent White features a nylon bottom housing, akin to the Mars's top section, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This similarity in bottom housing yet again emphasizes how the combined materials of a switch can create an intricately balanced auditory experience, with varying impacts depending on whether you’re pressing the key down or releasing it.
Ultimately, the differences and similarities in the housing materials of the Gateron Mars and Outemu Silent White create a complex auditory experience that can be somewhat comparable in feel despite their distinct sound profiles. The Mars, with its nylon top and POM bottom, offers a unique sound combination that prioritizes depth, while the Silent White features a sharper acoustic touch due to its polycarbonate top paired with a nylon bottom. While the Mars might provide a more rounded and muted experience with a focus on deep sounds, the Silent White would stand out in delivering clear and resonant acoustics. Therefore, whether users select one switch over the other, they can expect to experience rich sound quality, dependent on the interplay between top and bottom housing materials that ultimately define their typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, we find that both have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. This consistent actuation force can lead to a similar typing experience in terms of effort needed to register a keypress, which benefits users who prefer a lighter feel for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. However, the contrast appears in their bottom out forces: the Silent White switch has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the bottom out force for the Mars is unavailable. This suggests that the Silent White will provide a more substantial feeling when fully pressed down, making it heavier overall in this respect. Therefore, those who favor a heavier, more pronounced typing experience might lean towards the Outemu Silent White switch, while the Gateron Mars offers a lighter touch, suitable for users looking for ease during extended use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, there is a notable difference between the two. The Mars switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent White measures at 3.3 mm. This makes the Silent White the shorter travel option, which might appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times for a more efficient typing experience. Conversely, the longer travel distance of the Mars switch is likely to provide a more substantial feel while typing, catering to those who prefer a deeper keystroke. Thus, if one values responsiveness and speed, the Silent White would be the preferable choice, whereas those who appreciate a more pronounced key press might lean towards the Mars switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
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
When comparing the sound profiles of the Gateron Mars and Outemu Silent White linear switches, the Gateron Mars is noted for its unique acoustic characteristics, primarily shaped by its POK stem and the materials used in its construction. However, specific sound descriptions for the Mars are not provided. In contrast, the Silent White’s sound profile is also not explicitly defined, but it is important to recognize that the audible quality of any switch will be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycap material, which means both switches will likely deliver a different auditory experience depending on the overall setup.
Regarding the feel of the two switches, the Gateron Mars offers a specific tactile experience that has garnered attention, though detailed descriptions of how it feels during use are lacking. On the other hand, the Silent White linear switch’s feel also remains unspecified, which makes it challenging to draw direct comparisons. Without explicit feedback on the sensation of typing or actuation force for both switches, one can only surmise that they may both deliver smooth keystrokes typical of linear switches, allowing for a seamless typing experience.
In conclusion, while both the Gateron Mars and Outemu Silent White linear switches offer their unique characteristics, the lack of detailed sound and feel descriptions for both means that users may need to explore further or experience the switches in person to truly appreciate how they differ or align. Ultimately, if you are looking for a linear switch experience, both options could provide similar results in terms of smooth keystrokes, but the nuances in sound and tactile feedback will likely define your preference once you delve deeper into personal usage.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between Gateron Mars linear switches and Outemu Silent White linear switches, it's essential to consider your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you value a smooth keystroke with a unique design and are looking for an engaging typing experience, the Gateron Mars switch may be the better option for you. Its innovative construction offers a distinctive feel that can enhance your overall enjoyment and satisfaction while typing or gaming. On the other hand, if you need a reliable switch that prioritizes noise reduction, the Outemu Silent White switch would be your best bet. With a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, it provides a stable feel while significantly minimizing sound, making it an excellent choice for quiet environments or shared workspaces. Ultimately, your decision should be guided by how these characteristics align with your typing preferences and intended use, ensuring you select the switch that best enhances your keyboard experience.
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