Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Outemu Yellow Silver. These switches both fall under the linear category, providing a smooth keystroke experience without any tactile bump. The Gateron Silent Ink Black is beloved for its ability to provide a quieter typing experience, making it ideal for environments where minimal noise is desired. With its pillow-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch offers a comfortable and muted typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is a favorite among gamers and typists who prioritize speed and responsiveness. With its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, this switch allows for fast and precise keystrokes. However, when it comes to choosing the best switch for you, it's important to dive deeper beyond these generalities and consider factors such as personal preferences and specific usage requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Outemu Yellow Silver have distinct differences in their housing materials. The Silent Ink Black utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both the top and bottom housing. This blend creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, giving it a satisfying and clacky feel. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver's top housing is made of polycarbonate, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate allows for a clearer and more resonant sound. If you're looking for a switch with RGB lighting, polycarbonate's translucency makes it a useful material for the top housing.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Silent Ink Black and the Yellow Silver differ once again. The Silent Ink Black maintains its proprietary INK blend for the bottom housing, resulting in the same pointed and high-pitched sound profile as the top housing. However, the Yellow Silver utilizes a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This leads to a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housing.
While the top and bottom housings have their own unique characteristics, it's important to note that the impact of each housing material can vary depending on the action of the switch. The bottom housing has a greater influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when you press down on the switch. Conversely, the top housing has more impact on the sound when you release a key. Although the Silent Ink Black and the Yellow Silver differ in their specific housing materials, they both offer satisfying sound profiles, making them suitable options for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it becomes clear that the Silent Ink Black requires a higher force for both actuation and bottom out. With an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, the Silent Ink Black falls into the medium-heavy category. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a lighter touch, with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, putting it in the medium-light range.
For individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Yellow Silver would be a suitable choice. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces make it ideal for those who may need to type for extended periods, such as when using a keyboard at work or engaging in long gaming sessions. The lighter weight allows for a more effortless and comfortable typing experience, reducing strain on the fingers and wrists.
On the contrary, users who prefer a stronger push and a more substantial typing experience might lean towards the Silent Ink Black. Its higher actuation and bottom out forces provide a tactile feedback, giving a satisfyingly firm keystroke. This can be advantageous for individuals who prefer a more pronounced and deliberate typing sensation, enhancing their overall typing accuracy and precision.
In summary, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch requires a heavier force for both actuation and bottom out, providing a more robust and tactile typing experience. The Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, on the other hand, is lighter in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, making it a preferred choice for those who prioritize prolonged typing comfort. Regardless of the choice, both switches offer their unique characteristics, allowing users to find the perfect fit for their typing preferences.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches provide a consistent tactile experience with their identical travel distance, ensuring that users can expect similar results when typing or gaming.
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 Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is best known for its muted sound. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Silent Ink Black switch minimizes the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making it ideal for environments that require quieter typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound, neither too loud nor too quiet. It is suitable for most purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the choice of board and keycaps. Overall, if you prefer a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch would be the better choice, while the Outemu Yellow Silver switch offers a more neutral sound.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is described as offering a silky and polished typing experience. A silky switch refers to a switch that provides an exceptionally smooth typing feel, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, a polished switch indicates a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. This smoothness can be achieved through materials used and/or factory lubrication, reducing friction and enhancing the overall typing feel. However, there is no information available regarding the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch. Based on the available information, it can be concluded that the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch provides a smoother and more polished feel compared to the Yellow Silver switch.
Taking into consideration the provided subjective qualities, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offer different experiences. The Silent Ink Black switch is best known for its muted sound and silky, polished feel, making it suitable for those who prefer a quieter typing experience with enhanced smoothness. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch has a neutral sound profile but lacks information regarding its feel. If you are looking for a quieter and smoother typing experience, the Silent Ink Black switch would be the recommended choice. However, if you are prioritizing a neutral sound profile and do not have specific preferences in terms of feel, the Yellow Silver switch could still provide similar results. Ultimately, it is important to consider individual preferences and requirements when choosing between these two switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you value a quieter typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is the way to go. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, this switch offers a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. Its muted sound profile makes it perfect for environments that require quieter typing. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and responsiveness, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is the better choice. With a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams, this switch has a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it ideal for gamers and typists who prefer a speedy and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, your decision between these two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a quieter typing experience or speed and responsiveness. Both switches offer their own unique benefits, so consider your preferences and needs before making your choice.
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