KTT Cream Yellow vs. Gateron New North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron New North Pole V2. The Cream Yellow switch is known for its distinct clacky sound, thanks to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem that provides resonant audio feedback. Additionally, the Cream Yellow switch offers a uniquely bouncy typing feel due to its lengthened spring. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 from Gateron provides a crisper typing experience without a rubber dampener. Despite the removal of the dampener, Gateron has managed to maintain the hallmark feature of the North Pole lineup, offering a frictionless typing feel that users have come to love. The New North Pole V2 is also praised for its polished and creamy key press, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. While these general pointers give a brief overview of the two switches, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
58g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Housing materials
The KTT Cream Yellow and the Gateron New North Pole V2 both utilize polycarbonate material for their top housings. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile when typing on these switches. Additionally, the polycarbonate's translucency allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, users can expect similar sound qualities and visual effects from both switches.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, the Cream Yellow features a nylon material while the New North Pole V2 utilizes polycarbonate. The nylon bottom housing of the Cream Yellow contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the New North Pole V2 emphasizes the sharper and crisper sound profile characteristic of polycarbonate. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced.
In terms of typing experience, the bottom housing of a switch has more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice of housing materials in the Cream Yellow and the New North Pole V2 allows for a nuanced typing experience, with the bottom and top housing qualities complementing each other to create a well-rounded sound profile. Overall, both switches promise solid performance and satisfying tactile feedback, with slight variations resulting from the differences in bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. Both switches have the same actuation force of 50 grams, which means that they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. This similarity ensures that users will experience a consistent and responsive typing experience regardless of the switch they choose.
However, when it comes to bottom out force, there is a slight difference between the two switches. The KTT Cream Yellow has a bottom out force of 58 grams, while the Gateron New North Pole V2 has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 62.5 grams. This means that when pressing the keys all the way down, users will experience a slightly more substantial typing feel with the Gateron New North Pole V2 switch.
The weight of the switches is another factor to consider. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the KTT Cream Yellow switch with its lower bottom out force might be the better choice. This lighter weight allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue. On the other hand, users who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Gateron New North Pole V2 switch with its slightly heavier bottom out force.
Overall, while the actuation force remains the same for both switches, the difference in bottom out force offers users the choice between a slightly lighter or slightly heavier typing experience. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier switch depends on personal preference and individual typing habits.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Cream Yellow has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the New North Pole V2 has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, the Cream Yellow is the shorter of the two switches. In terms of preferences, a 4.0 mm travel distance is considered more traditional, while a 3.0 mm travel distance is considered shallow. However, there is now a growing trend towards shorter travel distances, particularly among gamers who prioritize faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive feel, the Cream Yellow with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a deeper and more substantial keypress, the New North Pole V2's longer travel distance may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches boils down to personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Cream Yellow has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cream Yellow for $2.55.
The Gateron New North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the New North Pole V2 for $5.70.
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 Cream Yellow switch is best known for its distinctively clacky sound. When pressed, it produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. This is due to its shortened bottom-out distance and long-pole stem, which provide resonant audio feedback. Additionally, the lengthened spring of the Cream Yellow contributes to a uniquely bouncy typing feel. On the other hand, there is no specific information available about the sound profile of the New North Pole V2 switch. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. If you are looking for a clacky sound, the Cream Yellow switch is more likely to provide that desired auditory experience. If you prefer a different sound profile, further information may be needed.
In terms of feel, the Cream Yellow switch is described as offering a bouncy typing experience. Bouncy switches provide a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and rebound when pressed. This is a result of the switch's design, which includes a lengthened spring. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 switch is described as having a polished and frictionless typing feel. Polished switches have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Additionally, the New North Pole V2 may have a creamy typing experience, meaning it offers a smooth and buttery sensation when typing. It is important to note that the Cream Yellow and the New North Pole V2 both offer smooth and frictionless typing experiences, but they achieve this through different means.
In conclusion, the Cream Yellow and the New North Pole V2 switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Cream Yellow provides a clacky sound with a uniquely bouncy typing feel, thanks to its design features. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 offers a polished, frictionless, and potentially creamy typing experience. While the specific sound profile of the New North Pole V2 is unknown, both switches maintain smooth key travel and a lack of resistance or friction when pressing the keys, which is a desirable quality for many mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Depending on the desired sound and feel, one can choose between the clacky and bouncy qualities of the Cream Yellow or the polished, frictionless, and potentially creamy qualities of the New North Pole V2 for their mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the KTT Cream Yellow linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a distinctively clacky sound with a shortened bottom-out distance and a bouncy typing feel, then the Cream Yellow switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a crisper typing experience with a frictionless feel, the New North Pole V2 switch is worth considering. The New North Pole V2s still offer the seamless glide and smoothness that Gateron is known for, resulting in a polished and creamy typing sensation. In summary, both switches have their unique characteristics and it's important to consider factors such as sound, feel, and personal preference when making your decision. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that will enhance your mechanical keyboard setup.
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