Gateron Oil King vs. Outemu Silent White
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Silent White switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Silent White both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Oil King is a linear switch that stands out for its smoothness and a sound profile that is often described as reminiscent of a snapping dark chocolate bar. With characteristics such as being low-pitched, creamy, silky, bassy, buttery, and polished, the Oil King is a popular choice for those who prioritize a tactile and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent White is also a linear switch but is known for its silent operation. With a lack of distinct characteristics mentioned and being categorized as noiseless, the Silent White is ideal for those seeking a quieter 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King features a nylon top housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Outemu Silent White's polycarbonate top housing. While the Oil King offers a duller and rounder sound due to the softer nature of nylon, the Silent White provides a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound thanks to the stiffer polycarbonate material. In terms of aesthetics, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent White is translucent, making it ideal for switches designed for RGB lighting.
On the other hand, the bottom housing of the Oil King is made of a proprietary INK blend, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that is described as clacky. Contrastingly, the Silent White utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile similar to the top housing on the Oil King. Both switches benefit from the unique qualities of their respective bottom housings when it comes to the impact of the bottom-out sound and feel when typing.
In summary, the housing materials of the Gateron Oil King and the Outemu Silent White play a crucial role in determining the sound profile of each switch. While the Oil King's nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, the Silent White's polycarbonate housing offers a sharper and crisper sound. Similarly, the proprietary INK blend bottom housing of the Oil King contributes to a unique clacky sound, while the nylon bottom housing of the Silent White complements the top housing for a more balanced sound. Overall, the choice of housing material can greatly influence the overall typing experience and sound characteristics of a switch.
Weight
The Gateron Oil King linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Silent White linear switch. The Oil King requires 55 grams of force to actuate a keystroke and 65 grams to bottom out, while the Silent White needs 45 grams to actuate and 60 grams to bottom out. This difference means that the Oil King provides a slightly more substantial typing experience with a bit more resistance, while the Silent White offers a lighter touch for smoother and potentially faster typing. Depending on personal preference, some may find the lighter force of the Silent White more comfortable for extended typing sessions, while others may prefer the heavier feel of the Oil King for a more satisfying keystroke. Ultimately, both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Oil King being on the heavier side and the Silent White being lighter.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Silent White linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Outemu Silent White switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Gateron Oil King switch. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Oil King provides a more traditional key press feel, while the 3.3mm travel distance of the Silent White offers a slightly shallower press. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Outemu Silent White for quicker response times, while those who prefer a deeper key press may opt for the Gateron Oil King. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of key press depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Oil King comes in at $6.50, whereas the Outemu Silent White comes in at $3.10.
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 Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy tone, providing a rich and mellow sound profile akin to snapping a dark chocolate bar. In contrast, information on the Outemu Silent White switch's sound profile is not available. Please note that the sound produced by a switch can be influenced by factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, users of the Gateron Oil King linear switch praise its creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience, resulting in smooth and effortless keystrokes reminiscent of gliding fingers across the keys. On the other hand, specific information regarding the tactile feel of the Outemu Silent White switch is not provided.
In conclusion, for those seeking a linear switch with a rich and mellow sound profile and a smooth, buttery typing experience, the Gateron Oil King linear switch may be the preferred choice. However, if a quieter typing experience is desired, the Outemu Silent White switch could also be a suitable option, even though detailed information on its subjective qualities is not readily available. Ultimately, when choosing between the two switches, consider your personal preference for sound and feel to ensure you achieve the desired typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the Outemu Silent White linear switch, consider your preference for the bottom out force. If you prefer a slightly heavier key press, the Oil King with a bottom out force of 65 grams may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter key press, the Silent White with a bottom out force of 60 grams may be more suitable. Additionally, consider the sound and feel of the switches. The Oil King offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile with a creamy, silky, buttery, or polished typing experience. Meanwhile, the Silent White does not have specific sound or feel characteristics mentioned. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for key press force, sound profile, and typing feel.
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