Gateron Melodic vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to compare are the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch. The Gateron Melodic stands out for its reinvigoration of the clicky switch category, offering a smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems for a satisfying tactile feedback and clicky sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is known for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making it ideal for gamers and typists seeking speediness and responsiveness. While the Melodic is lauded for its buttery and invigorating feel, the Yellow Silver is praised for its neutrality. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Yellow Silver both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the translucent nature of polycarbonate is ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, the difference lies in their nylon bottom housings. The Melodic's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound compared to its polycarbonate top.
While both switches share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, the differences in their nylon bottom housings provide unique characteristics to the typing experience. The Melodic's combination of polycarbonate top and nylon bottom creates a balance between sharpness and depth in sound, offering a versatile typing experience. In contrast, the Yellow Silver's nylon bottom housing may cater to those seeking a softer and more muted typing sound. The split between the top and bottom housings allows users to feel the impact of each material when pressing down and releasing a key.
In conclusion, the choice between the Gateron Melodic and the Outemu Yellow Silver ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound and feel. Both switches offer distinct qualities due to their different housing materials, with the Melodic providing a balance between sharpness and depth, while the Yellow Silver offers a softer and more muted sound profile. Whether you prioritize a crisp and resonant typing experience or a deeper and fuller sound, both switches can deliver satisfying results depending on your preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, we see that the Melodic has an actuation force of None grams, which means it requires very little force to trigger a keystroke. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it slightly heavier in comparison. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Melodic has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Yellow Silver has a bottom out force of 55 grams. This makes the Melodic slightly heavier when it comes to fully pressing the key all the way down. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Outemu Yellow Silver may be the better choice, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may lean towards the Gateron Melodic. Ultimately, both switches offer a medium to medium-light typing experience, making them suitable for various preferences.
Travel distance
The Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of how far the keys travel when pressed. Both switches offer a standard travel distance, which may provide a consistent feel across different keyboards. Therefore, whether you choose the Gateron Melodic clicky switch or the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, you can expect to get similar results in terms of travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch offers a resonant and crunchy typing experience, with a higher-pitched and clean sound profile that immerses users in their typing sessions. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch provides a neutral sound profile, suitable for a wide range of users, from beginners to advanced typists or gamers. Both switches offer different auditory experiences, catering to individual preferences based on the desired sound output.
Looking at the feel of the switches, the Gateron Melodic switch is known for its buttery and invigorating keystroke experience, offering a smooth and fluid typing sensation with pronounced feedback and a reactive feel. Conversely, the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is unknown. It is important to note that the feel of a switch is a crucial factor for many users, as it greatly impacts the overall typing experience and comfort level during extended typing sessions.
In conclusion, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Melodic switch provides a resonant and crunchy sound with a buttery and invigorating feel, the Yellow Silver switch offers a neutral sound profile, with the feel being unspecified. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. However, users can expect differing yet satisfying results based on their selection, as each switch caters to specific needs and preferences within the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a medium bottom out force and a distinctive clicky sound, the Gateron Melodic would be a great choice for you. With its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, this switch offers a classic clicky experience without sacrificing smoothness. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a neutral sound profile for a speedy and responsive typing or gaming experience, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between the Gateron Melodic clicky switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch comes down to your preference for either clicky or linear switches, as well as the weight of the bottom out force that feels most comfortable to you.
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