Gazzew U4T vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Gazzew U4T and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gazzew U4T and the Outemu Yellow Silver are two popular mechanical keyboard switches with distinct characteristics. The U4T is widely recognized for its unique fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility, offering a satisfying bassy 'thock' sound profile and a pronounced tactile feedback. This makes it a great choice for individuals who appreciate auditory and tactile satisfaction while typing. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu is renowned for its light actuation force and neutral sound profile. This switch is particularly favored by gamers and typists who prefer a swift and responsive typing experience. Both switches possess their own set of qualities that appeal to different preferences and needs. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to determine the best switch for your specific requirements.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
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
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 17.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gazzew U4T and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches have different housing materials, leading to distinct sound profiles and feel. The U4T utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, often referred to as "boba plastic," which delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switches have a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting effects. While the U4T's bottom housing is also made of the Gazzew blend, providing a soft and deep sound profile, the Yellow Silver switches feature a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition, creating a duller and rounder sound.
The variation in housing materials between the Gazzew U4T and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches affects not only the sound profile but also the tactile feel. The Gazzew U4T's soft Gazzew blend bottom housing contributes to a rich and deep sound when pressing down on a key. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Yellow Silver switches absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Conversely, when releasing a key, the top housing material plays a more significant role. The U4T's Gazzew blend top housing adds to the sound profile when letting go of a key, providing a unique auditory experience. Similarly, the polycarbonate top housing of the Yellow Silver switches delivers its own distinct sound profile when keys are released.
While the Gazzew U4T and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches differ in their housing materials, they both provide unique sound profiles and tactile feedback. The Gazzew U4T's blend of soft Gazzew plastic creates a rich and deep sound, while the Yellow Silver switches with their polycarbonate top housing produce a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches offer a pleasing auditory experience, albeit with slight variations. Similarly, the U4T's Gazzew blend bottom housing and the Yellow Silver switches' nylon bottom housing both contribute to a deeper sound profile when pressing down on keys. Thus, despite the differences in housing materials, users can expect comparable results from these switches in terms of sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew U4T tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force of the U4T is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare to the 45-gram actuation force of the Yellow Silver. However, both switches have a medium bottom out force, with the U4T requiring 62 grams and the Yellow Silver requiring 55 grams. In terms of weight, the Yellow Silver is lighter with its actuation force but heavier with its bottom out force compared to the U4T. This makes the Yellow Silver a good choice for those who prefer a lighter typing experience, as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing. On the other hand, the U4T would be better suited for users who prefer a more substantial push feel during typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation force and their desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gazzew U4T tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4 mm of travel distance. Both switches offer a satisfying tactile feedback, with the U4T providing a tactile bump and the Yellow Silver offering a smooth linear feel. In terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both switches, making them suitable choices for those who prefer a medium key travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gazzew U4T 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
When it comes to sound, the Gazzew U4T switches offer a unique combination of deep bassy thocks and a satisfying tactile feedback. The bassy sound profile of these switches creates a rich and deep sound during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the U4T switches are described as thocky, producing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed and released. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switches are known for their neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate sound profile, suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. It's worth noting that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Gazzew U4T switches are described as having a sharp tactile feedback. Sharp tactile switches are known for their high feedback intensity, and the U4T switches deliver just that. They have a strong and crisp tactile bump that can be distinctly felt with each keypress. On the other hand, there is no specific information provided regarding the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switches.
Taking all the available information into account, the Gazzew U4T switches are best known for their combination of a bassy thock sound profile and sharp tactile feedback. They provide a satisfying auditory and tactile experience with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switches are known for their light actuation force and neutral sound profile, making them suitable for gamers and typists who prefer speediness and responsiveness. While there may be similarities in terms of sound and feel between these switches, it would be best to try them out in person to determine which one suits your preferences and typing style the most.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are seeking a switch that offers a harmonious blend of thockiness and sharp tactility, the Gazzew U4T would be the ideal choice for you. With its bassy 'thock' sound profile and assertive tactile feedback, every keystroke will provide both auditory and tactile satisfaction. On the other hand, if you prioritize a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch would suit your needs. This switch is particularly favored by gamers and typists who prefer a speedy and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, when it comes to sound, the U4T offers a deep and rich bassy thock, while the Yellow Silver provides a neutral and moderate sound profile. In terms of feel, the U4T delivers a sharp and intense tactile feedback, whereas the Yellow Silver does not have a specific feel descriptor mentioned. Ultimately, the choice between the Gazzew U4T and the Outemu Yellow Silver will depend on your personal preferences and the specific qualities you value in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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