Outemu Cream Yellow vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Cream Yellow, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Silent Yellow, a linear switch. The Cream Yellow switch is best known for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying bump as you press down the keys. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch is prized for its quiet operation, perfect for those who prefer a more stealthy typing experience. While the Cream Yellow offers a tactile response that some users find more satisfying, the Silent Yellow provides a smoother keystroke with less noise. 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
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 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 Yellow, a significant difference lies in their top housings. The Cream Yellow utilizes a softer nylon top housing, which absorbs more sound and produces a deeper, fuller sound profile, creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Yellow features a stiffer polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The polycarbonate top housing is also aesthetically beneficial for RGB lighting due to its translucency, emphasizing the visual aspect of the switch.
On the other hand, both the Cream Yellow and Silent Yellow switches share a commonality in their nylon bottom housing. Nylon, being a classic switch housing material, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The relatively softer plastic of the nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound on both switches. This similarity in bottom housing materials may result in a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel for users who prefer the qualities of nylon housing.
Overall, the differences in top housing materials between the Outemu Cream Yellow and the Outemu Silent Yellow play a significant role in the sound profile and aesthetics of the switches. While the Cream Yellow's nylon top housing produces a softer, more absorbent sound, the Silent Yellow's polycarbonate top housing results in a sharper, clearer sound. However, the shared nylon bottom housing provides a consistent deep and full sound profile for both switches, maintaining a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel at the bottom-out. Ultimately, the choice between these switches may come down to personal preference regarding sound and aesthetics.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Cream Yellow requires 60 grams, while the Silent Yellow requires 80 grams, showing that the Silent Yellow is heavier in both aspects. The actuation force affects the sensitivity and responsiveness of the keystrokes, while the bottom out force impacts the overall feel and feedback of typing. So, those looking for a lighter typing experience may prefer the Cream Yellow, while those who enjoy a more substantial push feel may lean towards the Silent Yellow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, it is clear that the Cream Yellow has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm compared to the 4 mm travel distance of the Silent Yellow. The Cream Yellow's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the Silent Yellow's longer travel distance could provide a more satisfying depth to the typing experience. Both switches offer different benefits depending on individual preferences, with the Cream Yellow providing a quicker keypress and the Silent Yellow offering a more deliberate keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
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 Yellow.
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 Cream Yellow switch is known for producing a satisfying tactile bump without any audible click, resulting in a quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch is designed to eliminate any noise during keystrokes, providing a silent typing experience that is ideal for shared workspaces or environments where noise is a concern. Depending on your preference for sound, the Cream Yellow offers a tactile feedback that can be felt without being heard, while the Silent Yellow ensures a completely silent typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Cream Yellow switch provides a tactile bump that can be felt with each keystroke, offering a responsive typing feel that some users may find more satisfying. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch is a linear switch that provides a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback, making it ideal for users who prefer a quieter and more linear typing experience. Depending on your preference for feel, the Cream Yellow offers tactile feedback for a more pronounced typing experience, while the Silent Yellow provides a smooth and consistent feel without any tactile bump.
Overall, the Outemu Cream Yellow and Silent Yellow switches offer distinct characteristics in terms of sound and feel. For a quieter typing experience with a tactile bump, the Cream Yellow is a great option, while the Silent Yellow is ideal for those looking for a completely silent and linear typing experience. Both switches provide quality and performance, so depending on your personal preferences for sound and feel, you can achieve similar typing results with either switch option.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Cream Yellow tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, you should consider the typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a medium bottom-out force and a more tactile feel, the Cream Yellow may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom-out force and a smoother, more quiet typing experience, the Silent Yellow could be the switch for you. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for you when typing. Choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and preferences.
Mentioned in this article
