Durock Mamba vs. TTC Silent Frozen (V2)
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Frozen (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Frozen both offer unique features that make them appealing options to consider. The Mamba, a linear switch, is best known for its tribute to Kobe Bryant. Typing on the Mamba switches provides a gliding sensation and a rich, creamy auditory experience. Categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Thocky', and 'Polished', the Mamba switches are a great choice for those who value a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Frozen, also a linear switch, stands out for its extremely quiet sound profile. These switches are incredibly smooth, giving a pillowy feel while typing. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Buttery', 'Muted', 'Feathery', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', the Silent Frozen switches provide a unique typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
39g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Silver white spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Mamba and the TTC Silent Frozen switches differ in several key aspects. The Mamba features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, which offers a pleasant and slightly brighter sound profile. In contrast, the Silent Frozen utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate material is particularly beneficial if RGB lighting is to be used due to its translucency. Therefore, while both switches provide a unique sound experience, the Mamba's blend creates a milder tone compared to the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate, which delivers a more pronounced and vibrant sound.
Turning our attention to the bottom housings, the Mamba employs a POM material, resulting in a pleasing and unique deeper sound profile. The POM bottom housing contributes to a relatively more muted sound when compared to the sharper and crisper sound produced by the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Silent Frozen. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing of the Silent Frozen enhances the clear and resonant sound profile, ultimately adding to the overall sensory experience of typing on the switch. While both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the Mamba's POM housing results in a deeper and slightly less emphasized sound, while the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate housing brings forth a sharper and highly resonant sound.
Considering the impact of the housing materials when typing, the bottom housing of each switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel upon pressing down a key. The Mamba's POM bottom housing contributes to a unique and deeper sound sensation, allowing for a slightly muted bottoming-out experience. In contrast, the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate bottom housing adds to the sharper and crisper sound while providing a stiffer feel upon bottoming-out. On the other hand, the top housing plays a more prominent role in the sound when releasing a key. Here, the Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing provides a pleasant, not particularly sharp, but brighter sound upon key release. Similarly, the Silent Frozen's polycarbonate top housing results in a sharper and higher-pitched sound when letting go of a key. Overall, while both switches showcase unique sound profiles based on their top and bottom housing materials, the Mamba and Silent Frozen offer distinct characteristics when it comes to the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Mamba's actuation force is unavailable, while the Silent Frozen requires a gentle actuation force of 39 grams. This means that the Silent Frozen switch is lighter and easier to trigger with less effort. In terms of bottom out force, the Mamba requires a medium 60 grams of force, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. In contrast, the Silent Frozen has a lighter bottom out force of 43 grams, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions or marathon gaming sessions. Overall, these switches offer different experiences based on the weight preferences and typing styles of the user. If one desires a lighter typing experience, the Silent Frozen switch would be the better choice, while those who prefer a more substantial feel may find the Mamba switch more appealing.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Silent Frozen linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key. Whether you choose the Mamba or the Silent Frozen, you can expect a consistent tactile feedback and a satisfying keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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 $5.33.
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 Durock Mamba switch is best described as having a neutral and thocky sound profile. The neutral profile means that it has a moderate sound that is suitable for various uses, whether you are a beginner or advanced user and whether you use it at home or work. The thocky characteristic adds a deep and satisfying sound similar to a "thud" or a soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Frozen switch also has a thocky sound, but with the addition of being low-pitched and muted. The low-pitched nature gives it a more bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the muted characteristic reduces the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. Both switches provide a rich auditory experience, but the Silent Frozen switch offers a quieter and more subdued sound due to its low-pitched and muted qualities.
In terms of feel, the Durock Mamba switch offers a mild and polished typing experience. The mild characteristic means that it provides a gentle typing sensation that most users will find approachable and comfortable. The polished nature of the switch results in a smooth and refined finish, reducing friction and providing a sleek typing experience. Similarly, the TTC Silent Frozen switch offers a creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished typing feel. The creamy and buttery characteristics give it a smooth and effortless typing experience, while the feathery characteristic makes it exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue. The subtle nature maintains a light typing feel without being overly delicate, and the polished finish ensures smooth key travel. Both switches offer a pillowy type feel, providing a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience.
Overall, the Durock Mamba and TTC Silent Frozen switches have different characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Mamba switch offers a neutral sound profile with a thocky sound and a mild and polished typing experience. Meanwhile, the Silent Frozen switch provides a thocky sound with low-pitched and muted qualities, along with a creamy, buttery, feathery, subtle, and polished typing feel. Although they have their distinct qualities, both switches deliver a smooth and satisfying typing experience. Depending on personal preferences, one can choose between a richer and more neutral sound with the Mamba switch or a quieter and more low-pitched sound with the Silent Frozen switch. In terms of feel, both switches offer a gliding sensation and a pillowy type feel, ensuring comfort and smoothness in typing.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, a gliding typing sensation, and a rich and creamy auditory experience, the Durock Mamba switch is a great choice. It offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. Its mild feel and polished finish provide a gentle and sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with a bottom out force of 43 grams, an extremely quiet sound profile, and a pillowy typing feel, the TTC Silent Frozen switch is the one to go for. It produces a thocky and low-pitched sound, offering a deep, rich, and satisfying typing experience. The Silent Frozen switch is also described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, making it ideal for minimizing noise in shared spaces.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Mamba and TTC Silent Frozen switches comes down to personal preference. Consider factors such as typing force, sound profile, and typing feel to determine which switch aligns with your desired typing experience. Whether you prioritize a medium-bottom out force with a rich auditory experience or a lighter switch with an extremely quiet and pillowy feel, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your mechanical keyboard experience. In the end, choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
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