Looking for higher operating force version of TTC Frozen Silent V2 Switch

Learning and discussion Key switches
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Hey everyone. So I’ve had a few months now on my new Neo 80 keyboard with the SUPER silent TTC Frozen Silent V2 switches. Love the board! With the keycaps, switches and stabs I got, it’s a dream. But… I don’t love how easy it is to press the keys down. It’s just too easy to press a key by accident because of the insanely low operating force needed to depress the spring. I’m used to the Gateron Black switches on my old keyboard. Which are just a touch too heavy, but I like more than the insanely low 39g these TTC Frozen’s have. I think the Gateron Black Silents have a 60g operating force.

So I’m looking for suggestions of a switch that is the exact same, just in a heavier operating force of 50-60g. Same amazing silky smooth feel. CRAZY almost complete lack of sound. And high quality construction of the TTC Frozen Silent V2. And obviously Silent Linear. Thanks

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If you like those particular switches and just want a higher force, maybe try spring swapping? Extremely easy switch mod to do (but get one of the good MX switch openers like the Gateron ones).

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I remember experimenting with Silent Alpaca switches a few years back.

I found the stock 62 G [bottom-out] spring to feel a bit mild. So I replaced it with 63.5 G Spirit and 65 G 14mm TX. Doing so gave it a more “medium” weight.

If I wanted a more MX Black weight, or even a Gateron Black weight, I guess I’d go for 67-72 G 14mm springs. 72 G can be a nice heavy-feeling weight without being too heavy. The 80 G of MX Black is just too much.

Something you might look out for are springs that actuate around 60 G [like MX Black, I think] but bottom-out only a few grams heavier, such as 62-65 G. I accidentally installed those in Ergo Clears once, and they were very poppy switches. Very authoritative on the rebound, easily cleared that MX Clear bump, but also they weren’t too heavy to hold down either.

[Sadly, I don’t know where to find such springs. They were Chinese springs listed as “60 G” but that was actually the actuation! Not sure what kind of curve that is. So 67-72 G 14mm normal springs should work fine.]

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So my Gateron Blacks I bought years ago for my first keyboard were 60g. Not 67-80. I’m looking for something that is around 50-60g.

And to the post above, I appreciate the advice of replacing the springs, but that’s not something I want to get into. WAAAAY too much work for me. But thank you

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It’s my understanding that some Gateron Blacks, like Black Ink, have a 60 G actuation, and a 70 G bottom-out:

But I’m not familiar with all the Gateron Black spring weights.

In any case, replacing the springs might sound very involved. But it’s actually one of the easiest mods. You just need to open the switches and put a new spring in. No hand-lubing or filming.

Replacing the springs is also a great reason to bag-lube the springs, so that you can use lubed springs going forwards. It makes a difference.

But I can understand why someone wouldn’t want to do all that. In which case, a heavier silent linear would be the better option. I’m just not familiar with silent linears off-hand to know which heavier ones are good.

The closest thing I can think of off-hand would be the Gazzew Bobagum Silent Linear in 68 G. That’s pretty close to the weight of a Gateron Black Ink [70 G].

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Ok, well, maybe I will do that if you think it isn’t TOO bad of a project. If you had to guess, for someone that’s never done this before, ~ how much time would you expect for a project like this? 30-60 mins? A few hrs? A few hrs over a few days? And when you say it’s easy: you just take off the keycaps, open the keycaps and put in a new spring. Does that mean I can keep the switch IN the board? And not have to take out all the switches to do this spring replacement? If so, I’d be Ok putting in that amount of work.

I do like the idea of being able to lube the switches a bit more than they already are. Maybe give the even more of a viscous, oily smooth feel.

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For someone doing it the first time, it would probably be a few hours over a few days. [Being as pessimistic as possible, here.]

Day 1:

Remove the keycaps and then the switches [30 minutes.]

Day 2:

Open all of the switches with a switch opener, laying them out carefully so that the parts are together. You can use specialized trays for this purpose, but any stable surface will do. Put all of the old springs in a plastic bag for storage or disposal. [30 minutes]

Day 3:

Bag-lube the new springs in a plastic bag. Then, put the new, lubed springs in each individual switch base, putting the switches back together. [45 minutes]

Day 4:

Put the completed switches back in the keyboard. Then, put the keycaps back on. [30 minutes].

So, you could do it over a few days, or in a few sessions in one day, taking 2 - 3 hours.

You would need the following tools: switch puller, keycap puller, switch opener, spring oil, switch lubing tray (optional). These are all very common, and can be found at most keyboard stores and the like.

Customizing your switches is a great way to further tune your keyboard to your preferences.

Replacing the springs won’t require a lot of skill or practice. You just need to know how to disassemble / reassemble a switch, which can be found in on-line videos.

You would not be able to keep the switch in the board while doing this, as that is not the optimal way and could cause damage. The switches should be outside the board, laid-out somewhere [ideally a switch-lubing tray].

Now, if you also wanted to lube the switch housings themselves, that is also an option, but it requires more work and skill. All you really need to perform the spring-swap is a flat surface that won’t be disturbed for a couple of hours.

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In addition, I was reminded of the new Cherry MX Northern Light silent linears:

These switches came out earlier this year, I think. They are said to be ‘medium-weight,’ and relatively-smooth for a Cherry switch.

The review above is quite detailed. The sections to pay attention to are “Push Feel,” and “Comparisons to other Notable Silent Linear Switches.” The comparison includes the Gateron Silent Black Ink, which you may also wish to look into. The Gateron silent linear seems to have a similar or identical weight to regular Black Ink linears.

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Thank you for this. That’s a bummer I’d have to take all the switches out. That’s a PITA!!! I may or may not go this route, we’ll see. I need to gather a bunch more info on possible switches that could work before I go this route. And may not do either.

I already spent so much money and time on this keyboard and really don’t want to spend a lot more. If I can get some really nice switches that are just a bit heavier than the TTC Frozen Silent’s, then I’ll go that route. Or maybe sometime this winter if I’m really bored, I’ll do the spring replacement and lube. Or I might not do either. But thank you so much for explaining and doing the step by step! That really helps me understand what it entails.

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Read the important parts and they don’t seem like a good match for what I’m looking for or compare well to my TTC Frozen Silent’s. But thank you for the suggestion. The more suggestions I get the better chance I have of finding something that may work :slight_smile:

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