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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: tr1cky49 on Thu, 05 April 2012, 06:03:10

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: tr1cky49 on Thu, 05 April 2012, 06:03:10

Long time lurker, first time poster etc. etc.

Been looking for some info on how a mech keyboard being PCB or Plate mounted would affect the response/feel of the switches.  Ripster mentions it in his wiki but only briefly so I wondered if any of you experts had any thoughts on the matter.  Do you care whether it's plate or PCB?  Does one infer that it's better than the other or is it just like switches where everyone has their own preference?

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: limmy on Thu, 05 April 2012, 07:48:04

It feels different, yes. As with many things that feel different, it is mostly matter of preference.

Here is how I describe the difference in feel though.
Plate mounted switches feel more solid when you type because metal plate flexes less compared to PCB when you press switches.
Plate mounted switches sound more metallic(it means there is more metallic sound component, not that the sound is entirely metallic) when you bottom out. Ping sound tend to be pronounced on plate mounted switches too. (probably related with resonance and natural frequency of springs and plate)

PCB mounted ones are easier to mod because plate mounted switches require soldering to open the switches up.

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: Typhaeon on Thu, 05 April 2012, 08:29:02

I don't know of any widely-available PCB mount models aside from the Poker and its newer, shinier cousins.  I think the Cherry-make ones too?

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: Human on Thu, 05 April 2012, 09:33:18

Quote from: Typhaeon;567541

I don't know of any widely-available PCB mount models aside from the Poker and its newer, shinier cousins.  I think the Cherry-make ones too?

Apart boards from Cherry, I only knew KBT(pure and race), KBC and Neo Zelia 87 having PCB mounted switches.

BTW, IMO, PCB mounted RED feel softer and less painful to bottom out.

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: Squelos on Thu, 05 April 2012, 12:08:14

Is the BW plate mounted ? From the weight of it, I would say yes

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: lucidlts on Thu, 05 April 2012, 15:14:26

Quote from: Squelos;567810

Is the BW plate mounted ? From the weight of it, I would say yes

yes, the so called gaming mechanical keyboards nowadays are all plate mounted. rage proof LOL

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 05 April 2012, 15:27:08

Quote from: Human;567589

Apart boards from Cherry, I only knew KBT(pure and race), KBC and Neo Zelia 87 having PCB mounted switches.

BTW, IMO, PCB mounted RED feel softer and less painful to bottom out.

Painful really??? the plate causes you pain.. wow... How little I knew of pain before your informative post.

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: limmy on Thu, 05 April 2012, 15:47:05

Repeatedly slamming your fingers on a hard surface may cause you pain, especially if you play games.

Try to tap your fingers on a soft wood vs granite for instance. On a hard surface, you would feel tingling sensation which could turn into pain.

You may think the hardness may not matter that much, but imagine banging your head on a concrete vs wood. What would hurt more?

Title: PCB vs. Plate mounted?
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 05 April 2012, 16:18:25

Quote from: limmy;568063

Repeatedly slamming your fingers on a hard surface may cause you pain, especially if you play games.

Try to tap your fingers on a soft wood vs granite for instance. On a hard surface, you would feel tingling sensation which could turn into pain.

You may think the hardness may not matter that much, but imagine banging your head on a concrete vs wood. What would hurt more?

the fingers,, theys hurtz..