Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Gazzew U4Tx
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Gazzew U4Tx switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Gazzew U4Tx both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade is praised for its quiet, tactile typing experience with a distinct "thocky" sound, thanks to its translucent jade yellow housing and punchy tactile bump. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4Tx combines the deep, resonant "thock" of the U4T with the whisper-quiet stealth of the U4, resulting in a refined sound profile. While the Silent Yellow Jade is more known for its tactile feedback, the U4Tx offers a balance of sound and tactility. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Gazzew U4Tx both offer a deep and full sound profile due to their softness and ability to absorb sound. The Silent Yellow Jade features a classic nylon top housing which creates a duller and rounder sound when typing, while the U4Tx utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing referred to as "boba plastic" for a rich and deep sound profile. Both switches deliver a similar typing experience with their top housing materials, providing a satisfying sound when pressing down on the keys.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Silent Yellow Jade and the Gazzew U4Tx continue to showcase their similarities in sound quality. The nylon bottom housing of the Silent Yellow Jade complements the top housing, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Similarly, the U4Tx's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, also known as "boba plastic," contributes to the rich and deep sound experience of the switch. Both switches offer a consistent typing experience with their bottom housing materials, enhancing the overall sound profile of the keys when pressed.
While the top and bottom housings may differ in material for some switches, the qualities each housing material brings to the switch are evenly distributed between the top and bottom of the switch for the Silent Yellow Jade and the Gazzew U4Tx. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing influences the sound when a key is released. Overall, the similarities in housing materials between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Gazzew U4Tx result in a consistent and satisfying typing experience for users seeking a deep and full sound profile.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Yellow Jade has a slightly lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the U4Tx, which has a force that is unknown. However, the bottom out force of the Silent Yellow Jade is heavier at 65 grams, while the U4Tx has a bottom out force of 62.5 grams. This means that the Silent Yellow Jade offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force, while the U4Tx falls somewhere in the medium range. Both switches provide a tactile typing experience, but those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Silent Yellow Jade, while those seeking a bit more resistance may opt for the U4Tx for a slightly heavier typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch is 3.3 mm, while the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. Gamers may find the Silent Yellow Jade more appealing due to its slightly shorter travel distance, providing a quicker keypress. On the other hand, those who prefer a deeper keypress may opt for the Gazzew U4Tx with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of keypress depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade comes in at $3.10, whereas the Gazzew U4Tx comes in at $6.50.
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 Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a quiet typing experience with a distinctive "thocky" sound, while the U4Tx switch provides a cleaner, refined sound profile with a deep, resonant "thock" when bottoming out and whisper-quiet topping out. When it comes to feel, the Silent Yellow Jade's tactile bump is described as punchy, while the U4Tx offers a sharp, satisfying tactile bump with intense feedback. Both switches provide a luxurious typing experience, but with slightly different sound and feel characteristics. Depending on your preference for sound (bassy and muted for U4Tx, thocky for Silent Yellow Jade) and feel (sharp for U4Tx, punchy for Silent Yellow Jade), you can choose the switch that best suits your typing style. Ultimately, both switches promise an enjoyable and tactile typing experience, making them great options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when it comes to choosing between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Gazzew U4Tx tactile switches, it really comes down to your personal preferences for typing experience. If you are looking for a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a quiet, thocky sound with a punchy tactile bump, then the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force with a cleaner, refined sound profile that combines a deep, resonant thock with a whisper-quiet topping out sound, then the Gazzew U4Tx switches would be more suited to your taste. Whichever switch you choose, both offer a luxurious typing experience that is both tactile and acoustically pleasing. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make based on what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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