These fibers are known for their exceptional strength and rigidity and are also extremely lightweight. Just keep in mind, once you solder the switches, the plate will be very difficult to remove. There are two types of surround sound, true and virtual.... Optical switches are quickly become more and more popular in both budget options and premium gaming keyboards alike. Hot-swap PCBs can either support 5-pin or 3-pin switches. So the only advantage is 200g weight reduction? I don't doubt it, problem is finding it and having it fit. The switches are soldered onto the PCB and send the electrical impulses when the keys are pressed. There are two metal pins that allow the switch to work, two plastic pins on the sides that provide stability, and a middle “pin” that looks more like a large circular knob. Polycarbonate plates allow flex and feels bouncy throughout the PCB. In many hot-swappable boards, they support primarily 3-pin switches. Figuring out the differences can be confusing, so we’ll explain what they both mean. The Carbon Fiber frame will flex quite a bit, especially if you're trying to fit your keyboard with MOD M Switches like in my case. We’ll dig into all of the differences between these switch types and tell you how to modify the switches fit your board. I'm trying to choose between brass, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber for my next keyboard. Jake has been an avid mechanical keyboard user for the past six years. It allows flex when typing/gaming, which provides a bouncy feel. The different switches and case materials will also affect the overall sound and feel of the keyboard. The plate also adds more rigidity to the keyboard and helps keep everything better secured. Like a motherboard on a computer, the operations of the keyboard start at the PCB. The switches also come with guiding pins to help install the switch to the PCB. There are many videos that you can watch and follow along as well. Although there are different plate materials, trying them out and seeing what works for you is the best way to go. The plate will stabilizer each switch and reduce side-to-side wobbling whenever the key is pressed (as shown below). Aluminium weigh 1.4kg CF weighs 1.2kg ie 200g less. It allows flex when typing/gaming, which provides a bouncy feel. Just keep in mind this configuration is typically more expensive due to the extra components and assembly. Let’s clarify some of the differences really quick. Aluminum plates are the most common and seen on prebuilt keyboards as well as custom. One downside of hot-swap sockets is that they can be damaged through excessive force when swapping out switches. They enable you to install switches without soldering or desoldering them. Many custom mechanical keyboards, after they are sold, put up the plate files online. Designed by JD-Carpe, this Full Size kit works with the GON NerD 108 PCB. Is Surround Sound Good For Gaming Or A Gimmick? Through our experience of hot-swapping many times, we have yet to damage our PCB or pull out the sockets. The two most common materials for plates are aluminum and brass. The number of pins do not make too much of a difference, however, because you can simply clip off the extra plastic pins if your PCB only supports the 3-pin mounting style. Let’s a take a closer look at 3-pin and 5-pin switches. If you are a heavy-handed typist or you enjoy of feel of a very stable keyboard, you may want to add a plate into your build. However, it also has a bassy sound. Plate-mounting involves installing the switches to a metal plate that is above the PCB. Polycarbonate is a plastic material. Plate-mounted switches are called so because they require a plate. If you are building a custom keyboard, this is less of a worry because you can pick and choose what PCB you end up using. I do not have this issue with aluminum, it takes way more force to bend it. It is widely available and easy to cut. This is for people who want to CNC or print their own plates to use on their keyboard. This plate … For a video comparison, see this video here. There a few different styles of PCBs and they all have their own benefits and features. If the description says nothing, it is most likely to be a solderable PCB. VANGUARD VEO 2 235 has both Aluminium as well as Carbon Fiber. These can come from various brands such as Gateron, Kailh, and Outemu. For a video comparison, see this video here. Yeah, if you want a lot of flex... go PCB only. The above picture shows the hot-swap sockets. It compares different materials of plates on the same keyboard to eliminate external variables such as different case material, different switches, different environment, different keycaps, etc. But overall, the PCB-mounted style of keyboards is cheaper to build because it does not require the additional reinforcement plate and some might find it easier to build. Our goal is to cut through the confusion and explain the truth. PCB-mounted switches have 5 pins, while plate-mounted switches have 3 pins. This Full Size kit comes with: Top and bottom plates Black 10mm standoffs with hex screws Bumpons (6 x clear) 1UP Transfer Sticker Add the rest of your build components from the drop down menus or check out our larger selection of switches. To look at the main difference between a PCB-mounted and plate-mounted switch, look at the number of pins on the bottom. Aluminum provides a sturdy plate that has no flex in the keyboard. Set your 60% keyboard apart with these Carbon Fiber plates. Beyond this, it is up to the customer to source materials and build their plate. He has a background in Mechanical Engineering and wants to apply his expertise to break down how mechanical keyboards and other tech work to show the world all of the cool aspects of the hobby. At 1.5 millimeters thick, they’re compatible with most keyboard layouts.Please pay attention: V2 2.25X Lshift Edition only can support XD64 2.25X Lshift Layout, V2 2X Lshift Edition only can support XD64 2X Lshift Layout. DragonPlate is a leading innovator in high-performance carbon fiber-reinforced composites. This does not sound right at all. If in doubt, there will be a picture of the plate itself. Load capacity, and other specs etc are same for both versions. However, if you mount switches without a plate, then there is less support for your switches. Through hole keyboards also come with in-depth build guides, so even if you are new and want to try it out, you can do so. Know more about our affliate disclosure terms. The two plastic pins go on either side. That flex will just cause you problems with overall stability with the board, as well as the switches not sitting properly in the frame. The switches can be soldered and mounted directly to the PCB, making for a relatively simple installation (as shown below). All of our carbon fiber plate is manufactured in the USA under ISO 9001 controls. The PCB mounting style is generally used with smaller keyboards as they tend to flex less and need less structure to hold together. When buying switches for your mechanical keyboard, there are two types of mounting sytles: PCB-mounted and plate-mounted. Having 3-pin switches may be beneficial in this regard. The large knob of each switch goes into the large hold. The two small holes underneath are for LEDs if you choose to solder them. I had a gut feeling of buying a GH60 frame on ebay, I wish I had stuck to my gut, and here's why. This is what the main difference between the two types of switch mounted configurations, whether or not they have this plate. The picture below shows a solder PCB that supports 5-pin switches. Be sure not to clip the metal pins off, as those are necessary for the switch to work and send signals to your computer. The plate mount is added on top of the PCB for extra support, this helps prevent the keyboard from flexing and provides some extra stability. In general, this type of installation has a lighter feel, and the keys will tend to bounce a bit more. Some users have noticed that brass is bassy and loud. The following list is all of the common materials. It is a moderately rigid material. By using either nail clippers, flesh cutters, cuticle cutters, or other common tools you may have around the house, you can clip off the two plastic side legs. We also explained the benefits of building a keyboard with a plate vs a PCB mounting system such as differences in feel, quality, and rigidness. It is a great option for beginners who are new to the mechanical keyboard world and do not want to invest in soldering equipment. link to Is Surround Sound Good For Gaming Or A Gimmick? You will need to remove the switches to take off the plate and re-solder each switch back to the PCB again. That flex will just cause you problems with overall stability with the board, as well as the switches not sitting properly in the frame. Will surround sound really benefit you or is it just for marketing? A through-hole PCB is a form of solderable PCB that requires more work on your end. I do not have this issue with aluminum, it takes way more force to bend it. So far, I've used keyboards with aluminum and stainless steel plates, and a plateless build. The switches have one major difference from the PCB mounted style, they do not need the additional guiding pins because they are installed into the plate instead of directly to the PCB. They most likely have 5-pin sockets to allow PCB-mounted switches. Press J to jump to the feed. It is possible to choose to build a keyboard without a plate, but the stability of the switches is determined by the soldering quality. For that reason, whatever you do, do not use carbon fiber, just use a black aluminum frame, function over looks, always. Over time, without being treated, brass will oxidize and tarnish over time. We went over all of the differences between plate-mounted and PCB-mounted switches in this guide. Carbon fiber is replacing aluminum in an increasing variety of applications and has been doing so for the last few decades. These builds are typically geared towards more advanced keyboard builders with experience soldering. Not every keyboard has this part. A soldered PCB means that you need to solder in your switches while building your mechanical keyboard. We’ll go over them briefly to give you a better understanding of how they work. From what I've read, I can see that there would be advantages for all three, depending on your preference. Carbon fiber strands are combined … These builds are typically 5-pin PCBs, and the plate is optional, although can usually be purchased along with the PCB in a kit. Except for tactilesspit roast me again reddit. The PCB is the foundation of your keyboard, everything starts here and is built off this part.