Gateron Oil King vs NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow
The Gateron Oil King and the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow is lighter to actuate (45g versus 55g); stock they sound different: deep, oily thock versus smooth, muted; the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow costs less per switch ($0.30 versus $0.60).
- Cheaper per switchNovelKeys NK Silk Yellow$0.30 versus $0.60
Choose the Gateron Oil King if
- you want a switch popular for thocky builds.
- you want a switch popular for stock-ready linears.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (55g).
Choose the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow if
- you want a switch popular for no-mod builds.
- you want a switch popular for typing.
- you want a lighter keystroke (45g).
- you want to spend less per switch.
Gateron Oil King vs NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow, spec by spec
| Gateron Oil King | NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 55g | 45g |
| Bottom-out force | 65g | 63.5g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | black nylon | PC |
| Bottom housing | black INK blend | nylon |
| Spring | single-stage | n/a |
| Factory lube | full | full |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.60 | $0.30 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | deep, oily thock | smooth, muted |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
70% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Oil King; 22% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Oil King; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow.
83% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Oil King; 24% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow.
Where to buy the Gateron Oil King
Where to buy the NovelKeys NK Silk Yellow
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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