Outemu Gold vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Outemu Gold and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Gold and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offer distinctive typing experiences. The Outemu Gold is best known for its clicky sound, providing tactile and audible feedback with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade is recognized for its quiet and tactile typing experience, offering a subtle yet satisfying "thocky" sound. While the Gold switch may appeal to those who prefer a louder and more pronounced typing experience, the Silent Yellow Jade switch is perfect for those who value a quieter operation with a tactile bump. 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
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Gold and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches differ significantly in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Gold's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound, while the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound. This contrast is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate versus the softness of nylon, leading to unique auditory experiences for users of each switch. However, both switches offer unique benefits in terms of sound quality, with the Gold providing a clear and resonant profile, and the Silent Yellow Jade offering a more rounded and absorbent sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Outemu Gold and Silent Yellow Jade switches feature nylon materials. This commonality results in a similar deep and full sound profile when typing on the switches. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows for sound absorption and contributes to a duller sound, enhancing the overall typing experience for users of both switches. While the bottom housing may not be as immediately noticeable as the top housing in terms of sound profile, it still plays a crucial role in determining the overall sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the use of different housing materials in the Outemu Gold and Silent Yellow Jade switches showcases how material composition can significantly impact sound quality and typing experience. The contrasting characteristics of polycarbonate and nylon result in distinct sound profiles for each switch, with the Gold offering a sharper and crisper sound, and the Silent Yellow Jade providing a deeper and fuller sound. Whether you prefer a more resonant and clear sound or a rounded and absorbent sound, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch both fall under the medium to medium-heavy range in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Gold has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Silent Yellow Jade's 50 grams, while their bottom out forces are 60 grams and 65 grams, respectively. This means that the Gold switch may feel slightly lighter to type on compared to the Silent Yellow Jade. However, both switches offer a similar typing experience due to their relatively close actuation and bottom out forces. For those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming, the Outemu Gold clicky switch may be the better option, while those looking for a more substantial typing feel may gravitate towards the heavier Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Outemu Gold clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Gold switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow Jade switch. The Gold switch may provide a more traditional typing experience with a deeper key press, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which can result in a faster response time. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches depends on personal preference for key press depth and response speed. Both switches offer unique typing experiences, but the Gold switch may be better suited for those who prefer a deeper travel distance, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch may be preferred by those who prioritize a faster response time.
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 Gold and Silent Yellow Jade.
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
The Outemu Gold clicky switch is known for providing a satisfying audible click with each keystroke, making it ideal for those who enjoy the sound feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offers a quiet typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, producing a "thocky" sound that is subtle and minimizes noise disturbances. When it comes to sound, the Gold switch will provide a more audible click compared to the Silent Yellow Jade switch, which focuses on reducing noise levels for a quieter typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Gold clicky switch provides a responsive and tactile typing experience with a noticeable tactile bump, allowing for precise feedback with each key press. The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch also offers a tactile bump, but with a focus on providing a quieter typing experience. The feel of the Silent Yellow Jade switch is smooth and refined, allowing for comfortable prolonged typing sessions without the distraction of excessive noise. Both switches prioritize tactile feedback, but the Gold switch may have a more pronounced tactile bump compared to the Silent Yellow Jade switch.
Overall, while the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch differ in terms of sound and feel, they both offer high-quality mechanical keystrokes that cater to different preferences. The Gold switch is ideal for those who enjoy a more audible and clicky typing experience, while the Silent Yellow Jade switch is perfect for users who prefer a quieter typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump. Regardless of your choice, both switches offer reliable performance and durability, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a medium bottom out force and a clicky typing experience, the Outemu Gold clicky switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a quiet, tactile typing experience with a "thocky" sound, then the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is the way to go. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of typing feel and sound. Both switches have their own unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience depending on what you prioritize.
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