Gateron Oil King (V2) vs. TTC Silent Brown
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King (V2) and the TTC Silent Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Oil King, a linear switch, and the TTC Silent Brown, a tactile switch, are both popular options in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches. Each switch offers its unique features and benefits, making it crucial to understand their differences and similarities. The Oil King is renowned for its incredibly smooth keystrokes and a sound profile reminiscent of snapping a dark chocolate bar. It is categorized as having a low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, buttery, and polished feel. On the other hand, the Silent Brown provides users with a comfortable typing experience due to its light-medium level of resistance and satisfying rounded tactile bump. Additionally, its muted sound profile is highly appreciated by users. While these general descriptions provide a great starting point for choosing the right switch, it is essential to explore each switch further to determine which one aligns best with your preferences and requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Oil King and the TTC Silent Brown switches have notable differences. The Oil King features a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, creating a sharper and higher-pitched sound. As polycarbonate is stiffer than nylon, it produces a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for incorporating RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Oil King boasts a proprietary INK blend bottom housing. This blend generates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky yet not overly sharp. On the other hand, the Silent Brown employs a nylon bottom housing, similar to the Oil King's nylon top housing. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile again, thanks to nylon's sound-absorbing properties. Both switches benefit from nylon's softer plastic in terms of creating a more satisfying sound experience.
When considering the overall impact of the different housing materials, it's important to note that the bottom housing primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed. Comparatively, the top housing has a greater influence on the sound produced when a key is released. Despite these differences, both the Oil King and the Silent Brown switches offer their own unique sound characteristics due to their housing materials, enhancing the user's typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Oil King has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Silent Brown has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams but a similar bottom out force of 63.5 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy category. Both switches require a considerable amount of force to actuate and bottom out, providing a substantial typing experience.
For those who prefer a lighter feel, the Silent Brown may be a better choice with its lower actuation force. This lighter force allows for comfortable typing over long periods of time, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Oil King offers a slightly heavier actuation force, providing a stronger push feel for those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience. This heavier force may be preferred by individuals who appreciate the tactile feedback and prefer a bit more resistance in their keystrokes.
In terms of bottom out force, both switches have comparable weights. While the Oil King is slightly heavier, with a bottom out force of 65 grams compared to the Silent Brown's 63.5 grams, the difference is minimal. This means that users can expect similar results when it comes to bottoming out, regardless of the switch they choose.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Oil King and the TTC Silent Brown will ultimately come down to personal preference. Those who prioritize a lighter typing experience may find the Silent Brown more suitable, while individuals who prefer a heavier and more substantial feel may opt for the Oil King. Regardless of the choice made, both switches offer a medium-heavy actuation and bottom out force, ensuring a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch and the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch have different travel distances. The Oil King has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Brown has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The 4.0mm distance of the Oil King is more traditional, while the 3.8mm of the Silent Brown is slightly shallower. However, both distances are relatively close and fall within the range of what is considered standard. Gamers, in particular, tend to prefer shorter travel distances as it allows for faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the shorter 3.8mm travel distance of the Silent Brown may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper key press may find the 4.0mm travel distance of the Oil King more satisfying. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific feel that the individual desires in their keyboard.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Brown for $3.68.
The Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 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 Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. This means that the sound produced during key presses will have a deeper and richer tone, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch provides a muted sound profile. This means that the sound produced will be softer and quieter compared to regular or clacky switches, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, both the Gateron Oil King and TTC Silent Brown switches offer a buttery and polished typing experience. This implies that both switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, resulting in a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. The creamy and silky feel of the Oil King switch is achieved through lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials, allowing your fingers to glide across the keys with ease. Similarly, the Silent Brown switch also has a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Oil King linear switch and TTC Silent Brown tactile switch have some similarities in subjective qualities. Both switches provide a satisfying and comfortable typing experience with smooth and fluid keystrokes. They also share a buttery and polished feel, resulting in reduced friction and effortless keystrokes. However, they differ in terms of sound. The Oil King offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, while the Silent Brown provides a muted sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal sound preferences and the desired level of noise reduction.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, then the Gateron Oil King linear switch is the one for you. These switches offer medium-heavy bottom out force and provide a silky, creamy, and polished feel when typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a muted sound profile and a comfortable typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance and a satisfying rounded tactile bump, then the TTC Silent Brown tactile switch is the better choice. These switches also have a buttery and polished feel, along with a mild sound and gentle typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to your preference for sound and typing feel. So, choose the Gateron Oil King if you want a smoother and deeper sound, or go for the TTC Silent Brown if you prefer a quieter and more tactile typing experience.
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