Gazzew U4 vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gazzew U4 and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the world of mechanical keyboards, two popular switches that often come up in discussions are the Gazzew U4 and the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Gazzew U4 is a tactile switch that is best known for its sharp and exhilarating tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience. Additionally, it offers a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation, making it a comfortable choice for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver is a linear switch that is favored by gamers and typists who prioritize speed and responsiveness. It features a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, making it ideal for those looking for a swift and quiet typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.60 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 Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14mm Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gazzew U4 and the Outemu Yellow Silver have different housing materials, resulting in distinct sound profiles. The U4 utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, often referred to as "boba plastic." This soft material creates a rich and deep sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience. In contrast, the Yellow Silver features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound. However, both switches offer the benefit of RGB lighting compatibility through the use of translucent top housings.
Similarly, the Gazzew U4 and the Outemu Yellow Silver differ in their bottom housing materials. The U4 adopts the same proprietary Gazzew blend, resulting in a soft and deep sound profile during typing. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver employs a nylon bottom housing, a classic material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile. Each switch's bottom housing plays a significant role in the overall sound and feel when pressing down on a key.
While the Gazzew U4 and the Outemu Yellow Silver showcase contrasting housing materials, it's important to note that these differences are distributed between the top and bottom of the switches. The bottom housing primarily contributes to the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing a key, while the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. It is through this combination that the switches offer their unique typing experiences, whether it be the U4's soft and deep sound or the Yellow Silver's sharper and crisper profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew U4 tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are a few distinct differences to consider. Starting with the actuation force, the U4 requires 43 grams to trigger a keystroke, while the Yellow Silver requires slightly more at 45 grams. Both of these forces can be considered medium in terms of weight. Moving on to the bottom out force, the U4 requires 62 grams to fully press the key, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a lower bottom out force of 55 grams, making it lighter and potentially better suited for longer typing sessions. Overall, while both switches have similar actuation forces, the U4 offers a heavier bottom out force, providing a more robust typing experience, while the Yellow Silver offers a lighter bottom out force for those who prefer a lighter touch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gazzew U4 tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that the U4 has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, whereas the Yellow Silver has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This slight difference in travel distance may not seem significant to some, but it can have an impact on the overall typing or gaming experience. In terms of traditional standards, the Yellow Silver falls within the regular range of 4.0 mm, while the U4 offers a shallower travel distance. This shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers seeking faster response times, as the key is pressed with less distance to travel. On the other hand, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance of the U4 to be too abrupt and prefer the more substantial depth provided by the Yellow Silver. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference, with the U4 offering a quicker and more responsive typing experience, while the Yellow Silver provides a deeper and potentially more satisfying keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gazzew U4 comes in at $6.50, whereas the Outemu Yellow Silver comes in at $3.40.
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
In terms of sound, the Gazzew U4 tactile switch is known for its muted and low-pitched sound profile. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches, with a bass-heavy and mellow tone. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, which means it has a moderate sound level and is suitable for most purposes. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Gazzew U4 tactile switch is described as having a sharp tactile bump. This means that you'll experience a high feedback intensity, with a distinct and prominent bump felt with each keypress. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch.
In conclusion, the Gazzew U4 tactile switch offers a silent and plush typing experience with a sharp tactile bump. It provides the user with a muted sound and a felt-like bottom-out sensation. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it favorable for gamers and typists who prefer speed and responsiveness without a significant tactile feedback. While there is limited information on the feel of the Yellow Silver switch, it can be inferred that it may provide a smoother and linear keystroke without a noticeable tactile bump. Overall, these switches offer different qualities and cater to different preferences, but both can provide a satisfying typing experience based on individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a switch that offers a sharp and exhilarating tactile bump accompanied by a plush, felt-like bottom-out sensation, the Gazzew U4 switch is the way to go. The U4s provide a unique typing experience with a whisper quiet sound profile, making them ideal for those who prioritize a quieter and more tactile typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch would be a great choice. This switch is favored by gamers and typists who value speediness and responsiveness in their keystrokes. Overall, both switches have their own distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, so it ultimately depends on what type of typing experience you're looking for.
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