Mechanical Keyboard Switches Explained — Which One Is Right for Gaming?

You've decided you want a mechanical keyboard. Good call. The difference between a mechanical keyboard and a membrane one is immediately noticeable — more responsive, more satisfying, more precise. But then you hit the switch section and the options multiply fast: Red, Brown, Blue, Silent Red, Speed Silver, Optical... what does any of it actually mean?

Don't worry. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what each switch type does, who it's designed for, and which one you should be putting under your fingers depending on how you play.

What Even Is a Mechanical Switch?

A mechanical switch is the physical mechanism under each keycap that registers a keypress. Unlike membrane keyboards, which use a single rubber sheet across the whole board, mechanical keyboards give each key its own individual switch. This means more precise actuation, longer lifespan (usually 50-100 million keypresses), and a much more customisable feel.

Every switch has three key characteristics you need to understand before buying:

•      Actuation force — how hard you need to press the key (measured in grams)

•      Actuation point — how far down the key needs to travel before it registers

•      Tactile bump / audible click — whether you get physical feedback, sound feedback, both, or neither

The Three Switch Types

Linear Switches — Smooth All the Way Down

Linear switches have no bump and no click. You press the key and it travels smoothly from top to bottom with consistent resistance the whole way. They're fast, quiet (relative to clicky switches), and predictable.

Why gamers love them: In fast-paced competitive games like Valorant, CS2, Fortnite, and Warzone, you need to actuate keys quickly and repeatedly. Linear switches let you tap keys rapidly without any tactile resistance slowing you down or causing finger fatigue over long sessions.

Popular examples: Cherry MX Red, Gateron Red, Razer Yellow, Corsair Red. Speed variants (like Cherry MX Speed Silver) have a shorter actuation point, making them even faster and popular with esports players.

If you're primarily a competitive FPS or battle royale player, linear switches are almost certainly the right choice. They're the most popular switch type among professional gamers for good reason.

Linear switches let you tap keys rapidly without any tactile resistance

Power Draw & UK Energy Costs

This matters more in the UK than most regions.

GPU
Typical Gaming Draw
PSU Required
RTX 5060
~145W
500–550W
RTX 5060 Ti
~160–175W
600–650W
RTX 4070
~200W
650–750W
Lower wattage = lower monthly electricity costs, quieter cooling, and cheaper full systems.

 

Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials

You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.

1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)

Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.

Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.

Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.

Tactile switches are brilliant if you do a mix of gaming and typing

Tactile Switches — Feedback Without the Noise

Tactile switches have a noticeable bump partway through the keypress that tells you the key has actuated – but no audible click. You feel it more than you hear it. This means you can lift your finger immediately after the bump rather than pressing all the way down, which can improve typing speed and reduce fatigue.

Why gamers like them: Tactile switches are brilliant if you do a mix of gaming and typing. The feedback helps with typing accuracy, and the actuation is still fast enough for most games. They're also a more considerate choice for shared spaces – noticeably quieter than clicky switches.

Popular examples: Cherry MX Brown (the most popular switch in the world), Razer Orange, Corsair Brown, Gateron Brown. Higher-end tactile switches like the Holy Pandas or Boba U4 are popular in the enthusiast community for a more pronounced, satisfying bump.

Cherry MX Brown often gets a bad rep in enthusiast circles for having a subtle bump, but for gaming it's perfectly capable and genuinely the best all-rounder if you switch between gaming and work.

Clicky Switches — Loud, Proud, and Precise

Clicky switches combine a tactile bump with an audible click sound at the actuation point. There's no ambiguity about whether you've pressed the key; you hear it and feel it every single time.

Why some gamers love them: The audio and tactile feedback can feel deeply satisfying and help some gamers feel more locked in. They're also great for typing. Many people who spent years on clicky switches find it genuinely difficult to go back.

The catch: They are loud. In a shared space or with an open mic during a gaming session, clicky switches will be heard by everyone in the room and potentially everyone in your Discord call. This is the main reason they're less popular for gaming setups despite the satisfaction factor.

Popular examples: Cherry MX Blue (the iconic clicky switch), Razer Green, Corsair Blue, Kailh Box White.

The audio and tactile feedback can feel deeply satisfying and help some gamers feel more locked in

What About Silent Switches?

Most major switch manufacturers now offer silent versions of their linear and tactile switches. These use dampening material inside the switch to muffle the sound of the key hitting the bottom of its travel. You still get the mechanical feel and precise actuation, but at a much lower noise level.

Silent linears (like Cherry MX Silent Red or Gateron Silent Red) are a fantastic option for open-plan offices, people who stream with desk mics, or anyone who shares a bedroom. The performance is identical to standard linears, you're only losing the sound, not the feel.

Switch Comparison at a Glance

• Linear (e.g. Red): No bump, no click. Smooth, fast, quiet. Best for competitive gaming.

• Tactile (e.g. Brown): Bump, no click. Balanced feel. Best for gaming and typing.

• Clicky (e.g. Blue): Bump + click. Loud and satisfying. Best for typing or solo gaming sessions.

• Silent Linear: No bump, no click, quieter. Best for shared spaces or streaming setups.

• Speed (e.g. Silver): Shorter actuation point. Even faster than standard linear. Best for competitive FPS.

GTA 6 GPU Comparison Table (RTX 50 Series)

GPU Model
Performance Tier
Best Resolution
VRAM (Expected)
GTA 6 Settings
Ideal User Type
RTX 5060
Entry-Level
1080p
8–12GB
Medium–High
Budget gamers looking for smooth GTA 6 gameplay
RTX 5070
Mid-Range
1440p
12–16GB
High–Ultra
Best value for most UK gamers
RTX 5070 Ti
Upper Mid-Range
1440p / 4K
16GB
Ultra
High FPS + future-proofing
RTX 5080
High-End
4K
16–20GB
Ultra + Ray Tracing
Enthusiasts & high-performance gaming builds
RTX 5090
Ultra Enthusiast
4K+ / 8K
24GB+
Max Settings + Full Ray Tracing
No-compromise, ultimate GTA 6 experience

Gateron switches are widely praised for being smoother than Cherry out of the box at a lower price point

Does Switch Brand Matter?

Cherry MX is the original mechanical switch manufacturer and remains the industry benchmark, but they're far from the only option worth considering. Gateron switches are widely praised for being smoother than Cherry out of the box at a lower price point. Razer and Corsair both make their own proprietary switches (and optical switches in Razer's case) that are specifically tuned for gaming performance.

Optical switches used by Razer register via a light beam rather than a physical contact point. They're extremely fast, highly durable, and resistant to debounce issues. Whether you feel the difference in real gameplay is debatable, but optical keyboards are genuinely excellent for gaming.

Which Switch Should You Choose?

You play competitive FPS games (Valorant, CS2, Warzone, Apex)

Go linear. Cherry MX Red, Gateron Red, or Razer Yellow. If you want to go faster, look at Cherry MX Speed Silver. Actuation speed is the priority and tactile feedback will only slow you down.

You play a mix of games and do a lot of typing

Tactile all the way. Cherry MX Brown or Gateron Brown are the safest picks. If you want a more pronounced bump, look at higher-end tactile options from Kailh or Gateron's upgraded lines.

You game solo and love a satisfying feel

Try clicky. Razer Green or Cherry MX Blue will give you the most feedback-rich experience. Just make sure you're not mic'd up or sharing a wall with a light sleeper.

You stream, share a desk, or use an open mic

Silent linear is your friend. Same gaming performance as a standard linear but dramatically reduced noise. Cherry MX Silent Red or Gateron Silent Red are solid starting points.

When browsing AWD-IT's keyboard range, you'll usually find the switch type listed in the product spec — look for the switch name and whether it's linear, tactile or clicky if you're unsure.

Why AWD-IT Still Offers Affordable Gaming PCs

Despite these industry-wide challenges, AWD-IT continues to deliver some of the best value gaming PCs in the UK.

Here’s how we keep prices competitive:

✅ Direct Partnerships with Suppliers

We work closely with top brands like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Corsair to secure great deals on components.

✅ Efficient In-House Builds

All our custom gaming PCs are built and tested in-house, helping us reduce overhead costs and pass savings directly to you.

✅ Wide Range of Budget Gaming PCs

Whether you’re after an entry-level gaming PC, mid-range build, or high-end RTX gaming rig, we have options for every budget.

✅ Regular Deals and Discounts

We frequently run gaming PC deals, seasonal sales, and bundle offers, ensuring you always get maximum value for your money.

We frequently run gaming PC deals, seasonal sales, and bundle offers, ensuring you always get maximum value for your money.

find your perfect gaming PC at a price that works for you

Get the Best Gaming PC for Your Budget

While gaming PC prices may be rising across the industry, that doesn’t mean you need to overspend. At AWD-IT, we’re committed to offering:

  • Affordable gaming PCs UK
  • High-performance prebuilt systems
  • Custom gaming PC builds
  • Fast delivery and reliable support

Browse our latest deals today and find your perfect gaming PC at a price that works for you.

High-End 4K Powerhouse

  • RTX 5080 / 5090
  • Intel i7-14700K
  • 32GB DDR5 RAM

Built for 4K ultra gaming with zero compromises

Who Should Buy in the UK (Clear Advice)

✅ Buy an RTX 5060 if you:

  • Game at 1080p
  • Want a quiet, efficient PC
  • Have a £800–£1,000 budget
  • Prefer a brand‑new UK‑built PC

✅ Buy an RTX 5060 Ti if you:

  • Use or plan to move to 1440p
  • Want longer lifespan
  • Play larger AAA titles

❌ Skip both if you:

  • Only care about 4K gaming
  • Already own a strong RTX 4070‑class GPU

Tips for Getting the Most Out of MSFS 2024 on PC

•      Enable DLSS 4 (RTX cards) or FSR 4 (AMD cards) — these upscaling technologies make a massive difference to frame rate with minimal visual cost

•      Set your LOD (Level of Detail) sliders carefully — these have the biggest individual impact on performance

•      Use an NVMe drive for the MSFS install folder specifically, even if your OS is on a different drive

•      Keep your GPU drivers up to date — Nvidia and AMD both release MSFS-specific optimisations regularly

•      Consider a wired internet connection — the sim streams live weather and terrain data, and Wi-Fi packet loss shows up as in-sim stutters

Final Thoughts

Mechanical keyboard switches are one of those things that feel complicated until you understand the three core types, and then it all clicks into place (pun intended). Linear for speed, tactile for balance, clicky for satisfaction. Silent options exist for every noise-conscious setup.

Browse AWD-IT's range of mechanical gaming keyboards to find your perfect match from entry-level boards to full RGB flagship models from Corsair, Razer, and ASUS.