Gateron Mountain Top vs. Gazzew U4Tx RGB

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the differences between linear and tactile options, and two noteworthy choices are the Gateron Mountain Top and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB. The Mountain Top is particularly tailored for office environments, offering a discreet yet responsive typing experience with its light actuation and subtle sound signature, making it ideal for those who need to maintain focus without disturbing others. This switch is characterized by qualities such as being bouncy, easy to press, and snappy, all of which contribute to a seamless typing experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB switches deliver a rich, tactile feedback combined with a distinct "thock" sound at the bottom, allowing users to enjoy a luxurious typing experience that is both satisfying and somewhat quiet. While the U4Tx excels with its pronounced tactile bump, making it an excellent choice for typists who appreciate physical feedback, the Mountain Top's design emphasizes unobtrusiveness, perfect for shared spaces. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Mountain Top Linear

Gazzew U4Tx RGB Tactile

$6.00 per 10

$6.50 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top switches and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB switches, both utilize softer plastic materials that have a significant impact on the auditory and tactile experiences they provide. The Mountain Top's nylon housing, known for its classic attributes, delivers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its inherent softness, which allows for better sound absorption. Similarly, the U4Tx RGB switches use a proprietary Gazzew blend, often referred to as "boba plastic," which also emphasizes a rich sound quality owing to its soft nature. This similarity in material properties suggests that users can expect comparable auditory results, particularly when it comes to the overall sound profile produced during key presses and releases.

Delving deeper into the specific components, both types of switches feature nylon as the material for their bottom housing, yielding a consistent experience in terms of sound and feel when the key is bottomed out. Since both switches employ similar nylon materials, they create a duller and rounder acoustic effect during this action, enhancing the overall typing experience. Conversely, the top housings differ, with the Mountain Top utilizing traditional nylon compared to the Gazzew U4Tx's unique proprietary blend. The effect of this distinction becomes apparent when releasing the keys—while both switches maintain a soft sound profile, the subtleties of sound may vary slightly, with the Gazzew's top housing perhaps providing a different tonal quality due to its unique formulation.

In summary, the contributions of the housing materials are significant for both the Gateron Mountain Top and Gazzew U4Tx RGB switches, yet differ in their compositions. The nylon bottom housings ensure a unified sound experience when bottoming out, while the switch tops dictate the release sound and feel. Users interested in a muted, full-bodied sound will find that both switch types meet this criterion effectively, thanks to their soft plastic materials. However, the nuanced differences in the top housing may lead to distinct auditory experiences when the keys are released, revealing the clever engineering behind each switch's design. Ultimately, even though the materials vary slightly, the overall typing experience remains focused on delivering a satisfying auditory feedback loop.

Weight

The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB tactile switch present noteworthy differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to varied typing preferences. The Mountain Top boasts a light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it an excellent choice for users who favor a less strenuous typing experience, ideal for long periods of use. In contrast, the U4Tx RGB features an unknown actuation force but has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, indicating a more substantial feel that some typists might prefer for better tactile feedback. Consequently, while the Mountain Top is clearly the lighter switch, the U4Tx RGB stands out as the heavier option. If one values a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, the Mountain Top is the way to go, whereas those seeking a stronger push feel may find the U4Tx RGB preferable due to its heavier bottom out force.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB tactile switch, we find that the Mountain Top measures 3.4 mm, while the U4Tx RGB has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Mountain Top the shorter option, catering to users who favor quicker response times, which can be advantageous for gaming. On the other hand, the U4Tx RGB, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to those who appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback and a deeper keystroke, providing a more satisfying feel when typing or gaming. Thus, your choice between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize responsiveness or a more robust keystroke experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron Mountain Top switch has a neutral profile that caters well to both office and home environments. Its balanced sound signature ensures that key presses are neither overly loud nor too muted, providing a moderate auditory feedback that's agreeable for most users. In contrast, the Gazzew U4Tx RGB switch is characterized by the deep "thock" sound when bottoming out, complemented by a quiet topping out phase. This results in a refined sound profile, creating a luxurious and satisfying acoustic experience that's still discreet enough for professional settings. While both switches maintain a level of discretion, the U4Tx RGB offers a richer auditory experience.

In terms of feel, the Mountain Top is designed to be bouncy, offering a lively rebound sensation that engages the typist. It also features a light actuation force that makes it comfortable for prolonged typing, with mild resistance that is welcoming to both beginners and more experienced typists. The switch provides a snappy and subtle feel, enhancing responsiveness without overwhelming the user. On the other hand, the specifications for the tactile feel of the U4Tx RGB are not provided, making it difficult to draw precise comparisons. However, one can assume that its tactile feedback, paired with the unique auditory qualities, creates a different, yet potentially satisfying typing experience.

In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is particularly suited for environments where both sound discretion and typing comfort are paramount, thanks to its neutral sound profile and light, bouncy feel. The Gazzew U4Tx RGB switch, while potentially providing a richer auditory experience with its deep thock, may offer a tactile quality that remains unclear due to insufficient information. Each switch presents its own unique characteristics that may appeal to different users based on their typing preferences and environment, leading to a subjective experience that can be quite enjoyable.

Conclusion

To wrap up, your choice between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Gazzew U4Tx RGB tactile switch should primarily depend on your typing preferences and environment. If you find yourself often working in shared spaces or prefer a quieter typing experience, the Mountain Top is an excellent option. With its lighter actuation force of 50 grams and a bouncy, easy-to-press feel, it allows for prolonged typing sessions with minimal finger fatigue. Its neutral sound profile strikes a fine balance between expressiveness and discretion, making it ideal for professional settings where noise reduction is crucial. Conversely, if you are looking for a more tactile experience with a deeper sound and don’t mind a bit more resistance, the U4Tx RGB is designed to deliver that luxurious “thock” with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams. The tactile bump provides satisfying feedback with each keystroke, appealing to those who appreciate a more pronounced typing sensation. In essence, select the Mountain Top for efficiency and subtlety in a busy office, and opt for the U4Tx RGB for a more immersive and tactile typing experience at home or in a quieter environment.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Mountain Top Linear

$6.00 per 10

Learn more

Gazzew U4Tx RGB Tactile

$6.50 per 10

Learn more