Gateron Mountain Top vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Mountain Top and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear are two options that stand out. The Gateron Mountain Top is designed for office environments, offering a quiet typing experience with a light actuation. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear boasts a unique semi-silent feature that combines whisper-quiet topping-out sounds with clacky bottom-out sounds. Both switches provide a smooth typing experience, but the Mountain Top leans towards being bouncy and easy-to-press, while the Semi-Silent Linear is described as buttery and polished. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences and needs. 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
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
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
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear, one can see a stark contrast in the materials used. The Mountain Top utilizes a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Semi-Silent Linear features a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper and crisper sound profile with its stiffer plastic composition. While both materials have their own unique qualities, the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top offers a more dulled and rounder sound, whereas the polycarbonate top housing of the Semi-Silent Linear delivers a clear and resonant sound, especially beneficial for RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing comparison, both switches utilize nylon as their material of choice. As a classic switch housing material, nylon provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. This consistency in bottom housing material between the Mountain Top and the Semi-Silent Linear ensures a similar sound profile when typing on either switch. The duller and rounder sound produced by the nylon bottom housing contributes to a satisfying typing experience for users of both switches.
While the top and bottom housing materials differ between the Gateron Mountain Top and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches, the overall impact on sound and feel remains cohesive. The qualities brought by each housing material are distributed between the top and bottom of the switch, with the bottom housing having a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. Conversely, the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Despite the contrast in materials used, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience with unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch, it is evident that the Mountain Top is the lighter of the two. The Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, providing a light typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear has an unknown actuation force and a bottom out force of 62 grams, giving it a medium typing feel. The lighter actuation force of the Mountain Top makes it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the heavier bottom out force of the Semi-Silent Linear offers a more substantial typing experience for users who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer unique typing experiences, catering to different preferences based on actuation and bottom out force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. In this case, the Jwick switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Gateron switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those who prefer faster response times, such as gamers. However, the slight difference in travel distance may result in the Jwick switch feeling slightly more substantial when pressed compared to the Gateron switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a neutral profile that strikes a balance between actuation force and sound level, making it versatile for various settings. On the other hand, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch provides a subdued sound that is dampened and subtle, creating a more discreet typing experience. Both switches aim to reduce noise, with the Semi-Silent Linear having a slightly quieter sound signature due to its semi-silent design. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired level of sound moderation.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, offering a mix of feedback sensations suitable for different typing preferences. Conversely, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch is characterized as mild, snappy, buttery, and polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with a super responsive feel. While both switches offer a gentle typing experience, the Semi-Silent Linear's buttery and polished attributes give it a more luxurious and effortless keystroke sensation compared to the lively and rebounding feel of the Mountain Top.
Considering the information provided, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience with their unique sound and feel profiles. If you are looking for a switch that provides a balance between actuation force and sound level, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch could be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a quieter switch with a smooth and refined typing feel, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch might be more to your liking. Ultimately, trying out both switches on different keyboards with various keycaps will give you a better understanding of how they perform in your specific typing environment.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using your mechanical keyboard. If you work in an office setting where discretion is key, the Mountain Top switch may be the better option with its light actuation force and neutral sound profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a more innovative switch that offers a semi-silent experience with a silky smooth feel, the Semi-Silent Linear switch could be the right choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and the specific requirements of your typing environment.
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