Outemu Cream Yellow vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Ocean offer unique features to cater to different preferences. The Cream Yellow is a tactile switch, providing a satisfying tactile bump upon actuation, making it ideal for typists who enjoy the tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean is a linear switch, offering a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback, suitable for those who prefer a more linear typing experience. Both switches are known for their durability and reliability, but the Cream Yellow is favored for its pronounced tactile bump, while the Silent Ocean is lauded for its smooth and silent operation. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Ocean, it is clear that they both have unique characteristics that contribute to the sound profile of the switches. The Cream Yellow's nylon top and bottom housing create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound and results in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer nature, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. While the Cream Yellow's nylon bottom housing mirrors the qualities of the top housing, the Silent Ocean's nylon bottom housing provides a similar deep and full sound profile, emphasizing the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel.
Despite their differences, both the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Ocean utilize nylon in their bottom housing, which ensures a consistent deep and full sound profile that is characteristic of switches using nylon housings. This shared material choice results in a similar typing experience for users of both switches, as the nylon absorbs sound and creates a duller and rounder sound, enhancing the overall typing experience. However, the differentiation in the top housing materials between the Cream Yellow and Silent Ocean, with nylon in the Cream Yellow and polycarbonate in the Silent Ocean, leads to distinct sound profiles with the Cream Yellow offering a deeper sound and the Silent Ocean providing a crisper and louder sound.
In summary, the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Ocean significantly impact the sound profiles of the switches. The Cream Yellow's nylon top housing creates a deep and full sound with a duller and rounder quality, while the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches share a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a consistent deeper and fuller sound profile that enhances the typing experience for users. Ultimately, the choice between the Cream Yellow and Silent Ocean will depend on personal preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, meaning they will require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires 60 grams while the Silent Ocean requires 65 grams. This makes the Silent Ocean the heavier option out of the two. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Cream Yellow, as it has a slightly lower bottom out force. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Silent Ocean for its heavier bottom out force. Both switches offer a medium actuation force, ensuring a balanced typing experience for users.
Travel distance
The Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Cream Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Ocean. The Cream Yellow's 3.3 mm travel distance is ideal for those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers who prefer a shorter distance for faster keystrokes. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean's 4 mm travel distance offers a bit more depth for a more satisfying keystroke, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial feeling when typing. Overall, both switches offer different travel distances to cater to different preferences, with the Cream Yellow being shorter and the Silent Ocean being longer.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Cream Yellow and Silent Ocean.
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 Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch is known for providing a satisfying yet quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch is designed to produce minimal sound, perfect for those who prefer a silent typing environment. Both switches are versatile and can be customized with different keycaps and keyboard configurations to further enhance or reduce sound levels.
In regard to feel, the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch offers a smooth and tactile feedback with a noticeable bump during typing, providing a satisfying and responsive typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch offers a consistent and smooth keystroke without any tactile bump, allowing for a linear and quiet typing experience. The choice between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of tactile feedback and typing style.
Overall, both the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have their own unique qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. Whether you prefer a quieter typing experience with the Silent Ocean or a more tactile response with the Cream Yellow, both switches offer solid performance and reliability. With proper customization and pairing with a quality keyboard, you can achieve a satisfying typing experience with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch or the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you prioritize in a keyboard switch. If you prefer a tactile feedback with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, the Cream Yellow may be the better option for you. However, if you prefer a smoother typing experience with a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, the Silent Ocean may be more suitable. Additionally, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience, the Silent Ocean may be more appealing due to its silent operation. Ultimately, consider your typing style, preferences, and environment to make the best decision for your keyboard setup.
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