TTC Silent Frozen (V2) vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two standout options are the TTC Silent Frozen, a linear switch, and the Gazzew U4T, a tactile switch. The Silent Frozen is renowned for its incredibly quiet sound profile, offering a near-silent typing experience. Along with its quietness, these switches are also exceptionally smooth and provide a pillowy feel to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T showcases a remarkable combination of thockiness and sharp tactility. With a deep "thock" sound profile and a satisfying tactile feedback, typing on the U4T delivers both auditory and tactile satisfaction. While both switches offer unique qualities, the Silent Frozen emphasizes quietness and smoothness, while the U4T focuses on a harmonious blend of thockiness and tactile feedback. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best switch choice for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
39g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Silver white spring
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Silent Frozen and the Gazzew U4T, it can be observed that both switches incorporate different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Silent Frozen utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, while the U4T boasts a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing. Despite these differences, both materials aim to enhance the sound profile of the switches. The polycarbonate top housing in the Silent Frozen produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, while the Gazzew blend top housing in the U4T contributes to a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. Therefore, both switches provide distinct sound characteristics, catering to different preferences.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the TTC Silent Frozen and the Gazzew U4T differ in material composition. The Silent Frozen features a polycarbonate bottom housing, which also contributes to its sharper and clearer sound profile. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T incorporates a proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, resulting in a softer sound profile. The bottom housing influences the sound and feel of the switch when it bottoms out, highlighting the significance of the material used. While the Silent Frozen offers a crisper bottom-out sound, the U4T provides a more cushioned and smooth feel.
Overall, the similarities between the TTC Silent Frozen and the Gazzew U4T lie in their focus on enhancing sound profiles through distinct housing materials. The top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key, with the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate delivering a sharp and resonant sound, while the U4T's Gazzew blend creates a deep and rich tonality. Moreover, the bottom housing material influences the sound and feel when the key is pressed down, with the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate offering a clear and sharp bottom-out sound and the U4T's Gazzew blend providing a softer and more cushioned experience. Therefore, users can achieve similar sound results with these switches while enjoying unique qualities inherent to their respective housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch to the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, there are notable differences in both the actuation force and bottom out force. The Silent Frozen has a relatively light actuation force of 39 grams, meaning that a gentle push is all that's needed to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the U4T is unknown, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Silent Frozen requires 43 grams of force to fully depress the key, while the U4T is noticeably heavier with a bottom out force of 62 grams.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches as it allows for longer typing sessions without tiring the fingers. This is particularly beneficial for those who bring their keyboards to work or engage in lengthy gaming sessions. Conversely, there are those who prefer a stronger push feel for a more robust typing experience, and they may opt for switches with heavier forces.
In summary, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch offers a lighter actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Gazzew U4T tactile switch. However, since the actuation force of the U4T is unknown, it is difficult to determine whether they offer similar results in that aspect. Nonetheless, those seeking a lighter typing experience may be more inclined towards the Silent Frozen, while those desiring a more substantial and forceful keystroke may find the U4T to be a more suitable choice.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, it is clear that there is a difference in their respective distances. The Silent Frozen has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is slightly shorter than the more traditional 4 mm travel distance of the U4T. For those who prefer a faster response time, the shorter travel distance of the Silent Frozen may be more appealing, as it allows for quicker key presses. Gamers, in particular, often opt for shorter travel distances to enhance their gameplay experience. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper key press and a more satisfying feel when typing may favor the Gazzew U4T with its slightly longer travel distance. While both switches offer different travel distances, it ultimately comes down to personal preference on whether one prefers a shorter or longer distance for their typing or gaming needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Silent Frozen (V2) has an MSRP of $8.61 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Frozen (V2) for $5.55.
The Gazzew U4T 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
The TTC Silent Frozen linear switch is best known for its extremely quiet sound profile, producing a deep and satisfying "thock" sound when pressed and released. It offers a low-pitched and muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. This switch also provides a super smooth and pillowy type feel, offering a creamy and buttery typing experience. With little exertion required, the Silent Frozen switch feels feathery and reduces finger fatigue, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. Its polished finish and lubrication result in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch offers a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. It produces a bassy "thock" sound profile, characterized by a deep and rich tone similar to bass tones. The U4T has an assertive tactile feedback, providing a strong and crisp tactile bump with each keypress. However, there is no further information available on the overall feel of the U4T switch.
To summarize, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch excels in providing an extremely quiet sound profile with a deep and satisfying "thock" sound. It offers a super smooth and pillowy type feel, with a creamy and buttery typing experience. The Gazzew U4T tactile switch, on the other hand, is known for its bassy "thock" sound profile and sharp tactility, but further information about its overall feel is unavailable. If you're looking for a similar quiet and smooth experience as the Silent Frozen, the U4T may offer comparable results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience and prefer a lighter keypress, the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. Its extremely quiet sound profile, coupled with its smooth and pillowy feel, will provide a satisfyingly muted typing experience. Additionally, the Silent Frozen switch offers a range of descriptors such as thocky, low-pitched, and muted, ensuring a pleasant auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prioritize a more tactile typing experience and prefer a medium keypress, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch would be the better option. With its harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility, the U4T switch offers a bassy thock sound profile and assertive tactile feedback. This combination ensures each keystroke provides both auditory and tactile satisfaction. Overall, your choice between the Silent Frozen and U4T switches ultimately depends on your preference for quietness and lightness or tactile feedback and medium keypress. Consider your desired typing experience and make your decision accordingly.
Mentioned in this article
