Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. SP-Star Yanyu
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the SP-Star Yanyu switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options in the linear switch category are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the SP-Star Yanyu switches. The Silent Ink Black is ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience, making it well-suited for environments that require reduced noise levels. With its cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch offers a pleasant and muted typing experience. On the other hand, the Yanyu switches are a great choice for individuals who spend prolonged periods typing or those looking for a gentler keystroke sensation. Known for its crisp sound profile, the Yanyu switch offers a delicate and subtle typing experience. However, let's delve deeper into the specifics of each switch to determine which one is the best fit for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Gold plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the SP-Star Yanyu switches offer different sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing provides a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, giving it a clacky feel. In contrast, the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing creates a sound profile that is pleasant and bright, without being overly sharp. While both switches offer unique sound profiles, the Silent Ink Black leans more towards a clacky sound, while the Yanyu provides a brighter and pleasing sound.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the Silent Ink Black and the Yanyu differ in their impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. The Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend bottom housing contributes to its pointed and high-pitched sound profile, enhancing the clacky feel on the bottom-out. On the other hand, the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing creates a unique sound profile that is not particularly sharp, adding to the overall pleasant tactile experience. Thus, the bottom housing of each switch brings distinct qualities to the switch's bottom-out sound and feel.
The top housing of a switch, whether it is the Silent Ink Black or the Yanyu, plays a crucial role in the sound when you release a key. The Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing emphasizes the thin and higher-pitched sound upon key release, enhancing the clacky nature of the switch. Similarly, the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing contributes to a sound profile that is not particularly sharp but brighter when you let go of a key. Although both switches provide a satisfying sound upon key release, the exact nature of the sound will vary between the Silent Ink Black's clacky effect and the Yanyu's brighter tonality.
In summary, the housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the SP-Star Yanyu switches showcase distinct characteristics. The Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend top housing results in a clacky sound profile, while the Yanyu's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing leans towards a brighter and pleasant sound. The bottom housings also contribute to the overall sound and feel, with the Silent Ink Black having a pointed and high-pitched sound on the bottom-out, while the Yanyu provides a unique and non-sharp sound experience. Despite their differences, both switches offer satisfying sound profiles upon key release, with the Silent Ink Black being clacky and the Yanyu having a brighter tonality.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Silent Ink Black has an actuation force of 60 grams, providing a medium-heavy push feel for keystrokes, while the Yanyu's actuation force remains unknown. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Ink Black requires 70 grams of force to fully press down, whereas the Yanyu only requires 43 grams, making it lighter.
Weight is an important consideration when choosing between these switches. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Yanyu switch, as its lower bottom out force allows for more extended periods of comfortable typing. This lighter weight is particularly beneficial for individuals using the keyboard extensively for work or prolonged gaming sessions.
On the other hand, some users prefer a more substantial typing experience and might prefer a switch with a stronger push feel. For these individuals, the Silent Ink Black switch with its higher actuation and bottom out forces would provide a more satisfying and tactile experience.
Overall, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offers a medium-heavy actuation and bottom out force, while the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch provides a lighter typing experience with an unknown actuation force and a 43-gram bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. Both switches offer a similar tactile experience in terms of the distance they travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results and feedback when typing on keyboards equipped with either the Gateron Silent Ink Black or the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
The SP-Star Yanyu has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yanyu for $5.40.
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 Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is designed to provide a muted typing experience. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, making it ideal for environments that require less noise. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switch has a neutral sound profile with a moderate sound level. However, it also offers a thocky sound, which is a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when the key is pressed and released. The choice of board and keycaps can also impact the overall sound of these switches. In terms of sound, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is known for being quiet, while the SP-Star Yanyu offers a balanced sound with a touch of satisfying thockiness.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is described as silky and polished. Silky switches provide an exceptionally smooth typing experience and minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, while polished switches have a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the SP-Star Yanyu switch offers a mild and feathery typing experience. It has a gentle typing feel that is approachable to most users and reduces finger fatigue due to its light actuation force. It also provides a subtle resistance, suitable for shared spaces. Additionally, the Yanyu switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that enhances the overall typing experience. Both switches offer a smooth and refined feel, with the Gateron Silent Ink Black focusing on silky smoothness and the SP-Star Yanyu providing a gentler and lighter experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the SP-Star Yanyu switches differ in their subjective qualities. The Silent Ink Black is known for its muted sound and silky, polished feel, making it suitable for quiet environments and those who prefer a cushion-like bottom-out feel. On the other hand, the Yanyu switch offers a neutral sound with a touch of thockiness, making it suitable for various typing preferences. Its feel is described as mild, feathery, and subtly polished, offering a gentle and light typing experience. Both switches provide smooth and refined typing experiences, ensuring comfort during extended typing sessions. Ultimately, depending on your individual preferences, you can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience and a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is a great choice. This switch offers a cushion-like bottom-out feel while minimizing audio feedback, making it ideal for environments that require quieter typing. Additionally, the Silent Ink Black switch has a muted sound profile, producing softer and quieter sounds compared to regular mechanical switches. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing experience and a lighter bottom out force, the SP-Star Yanyu linear switch is a perfect fit. These switches are designed for those who prefer a delicate typing experience or need to type for extended periods of time. The Yanyu switch has a crisp sound profile with a satisfying "thocky" sound when pressed and released. Furthermore, the Yanyu switch comes with a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the SP-Star Yanyu linear switches depends on your personal preference for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force.
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