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A loose mechanical switch does not improve Counter-Strike by itself; it changes the force and distance your fingers feel before the keyboard sends an input. Most players considering a switch replacement start with a linear model because it has no tactile bump, but the better choice is the spring weight and travel you can press repeatedly without accidental inputs. Confirm that the keyboard has MX-compatible mechanical hot-swap sockets before ordering. A soldered board needs desoldering, while optical, Hall-effect, and proprietary switches are not drop-in MX replacements. Check pin count too: Some MX-compatible switch housings have extra locating legs; compare the underside of the switch with the holes in the board before buying a full set. Prices below state the exact current pack or unit listing.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherry MX2A Red | $1.95 per switch | Amazon |
| 2 | Cherry MX2A Speed Silver | $27 per 36-switch pack | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Cherry MX2A Black | $3 per 10-switch pack | Amazon |
| 4 | Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow | $8.37 per 35-switch pack | Amazon |
| 5 | Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow Pro | $4.20 per 18-switch pack | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Gateron Oil King | $72 per 110-switch set | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | Kailh Speed Silver | $36.99 per 120-switch pack | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Kailh BOX Red | $8.99 per 15-switch set | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Cherry MX2A Red
Cherry MX2A Red keeps the familiar 45 cN, 2.0 mm actuation geometry in Cherry’s newer factory-lubed MX2A construction. SparkFun sells the exact COM-31671 switch individually, making it practical for replacing a few failed keys or trying the traditional medium-light linear feel before buying a full set.
- Cherry MX2A Red variant
- 45 cN spring with 2.0 mm actuation
- 2.0 mm actuation point
- 4.0 mm full stroke in the Red variant
- Factory-lubricated; gold crosspoint contacts
- SparkFun lists COM-31671 in stock at $1.95 each
- Plate and PCB mounting compatibility is stated by the seller
- Individual pricing becomes expensive for a complete keyboard
- Requires an MX-compatible mechanical socket or soldering work
Cherry MX2A Speed Silver
MX2A Speed Silver is the short-pretravel Cherry option: 1.2 mm before actuation and 3.4 mm total travel, while retaining a 45 cN linear spring. It makes sense only for someone deliberately seeking a shallower trigger point, since the reduced distance may make unintended presses more likely during ordinary typing.
- Cherry MX2A Speed Silver variant
- 45 cN at the 1.2 mm Speed actuation point
- 1.2 mm pre-travel
- 3.4 mm total travel
- Factory-lubricated; rated over 100 million keystrokes
- Cherry Xtrfy sells a 36-switch pack for $27
- Short 1.2 mm pre-travel is explicitly specified by Cherry
- Short travel is a preference rather than an in-game performance guarantee
- A 36-pack is not enough for most full-size boards
Cherry MX2A Black
MX2A Black is the heavier Cherry linear, with a 60 g operating force, 2.0 mm pre-travel, and 4.0 mm total travel. UniKeys sells the current 10-switch pack, so it is a sensible candidate for a player who finds 45 g linears too easy to trigger but still wants a bump-free stroke.
- Cherry MX2A Black variant
- 60 g operating force
- 2.0 mm pre-travel
- 4.0 mm full stroke with a 60 g spring
- Nylon housing and POM stem
- UniKeys lists a 10-switch pack in stock for $3
- Heavier spring distinguishes it from the 45 cN Cherry Red
- 60 g force can feel tiring if a light switch is preferred
- Ten switches only cover repairs or a small switch test
Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow
Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow is a factory-lubed five-pin linear sold in a 35-switch pack by Walmart. Gateron specifies a 4.0 mm maximum travel for this generation. It is the economical path for a compatible five-pin hot-swap board, but cannot be inserted into a three-hole PCB without modifying the locating legs.
- G Pro 3.0 Yellow five-pin housing
- Five-pin SMD RGB version
- Factory pre-lubed
- Gateron specifies 4.0 mm maximum travel for G Pro 3.0
- Walmart pack contains 35 switches
- Current Walmart price is $8.37 per 35-switch pack
- Five-pin base offers stable PCB mounting when the board accepts it
- Five-pin legs may need clipping for a three-pin board
- Thirty-five switches do not populate a TKL or full-size keyboard
Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow Pro
The KS-3 Milky Yellow Pro uses a 50 plus or minus 15 gf spring, 2.0 mm pre-travel, and 4.0 mm maximum travel. Its milky nylon housing, POM MX stem, and five-pin PCB mount are documented by Gateron. Buy it for the stated five-pin fitment and moderate spring, not merely because another Yellow switch has a similar name.
- KS-3 Yellow with milky nylon shell
- 50 plus or minus 15 gf operating force
- 2.0 plus or minus 0.6 mm KS-3 pre-travel
- 4.0 mm maximum travel for the Milky Yellow Pro
- POM MX stem with nylon PA66 housing
- Kinetic Labs currently lists 18 switches for $4.20
- Gateron states it is lightly pre-lubed from the factory
- No SMD LED support is stated on Gateron’s product page
- Five-pin fitment requires a compatible hot-swap PCB or custom build
Gateron Oil King
Oil King is Gateron’s 55 plus or minus 5 gf linear with a 20 mm spring, POM stem, nylon PA66 top housing, and proprietary Ink-blend bottom housing. The official store currently has the 110-switch set at $72 with one unit left. Its five-pin construction suits an MX-compatible PCB rather than a stock optical keyboard.
- Oil King with 20 mm spring
- 55 plus or minus 5 gf operating force
- Oil King pre-travel: 2.0 plus or minus 0.6 mm
- 4.0 mm maximum travel
- 20 mm spring; POM stem and Ink-blend bottom housing
- Official Gateron listing identifies the exact material stack
- Factory-lubed version is specified by the manufacturer
- $72 for 110 is a much higher outlay than budget linears
- Official listing showed only one 110-switch unit remaining
Kailh Speed Silver
Kailh Speed Silver is a three-pin linear with 40 gf actuation, 1.1 mm pre-travel, and 3.5 mm total travel. The three-pin layout is useful where a keyboard plate supports the switch but the PCB lacks five-pin locating holes. It remains a mechanical MX-style component, so it cannot replace an optical or magnetic switch.
- Kailh Speed Silver three-pin chassis
- 40 gf operation force
- 1.1 mm pre-travel
- 3.5 mm total travel
- 120-switch Walmart pack
- Walmart lists the 120-switch pack at $36.99
- Three-pin mount avoids the five-pin leg issue on many plate-mounted boards
- Very light 40 gf force may not suit users who rest heavily on keys
- 120 switches leave substantial extras for compact layouts
Kailh BOX Red
Kailh BOX Red uses the sealed-box-style housing and a 45 plus or minus 10 gf linear spring, with 1.8 plus or minus 0.4 mm pre-travel and 3.6 plus or minus 0.3 mm total travel. EPOMAKER currently sells a 15-switch set for $8.99. Its medium-short geometry sits between a full-travel Red and a speed-focused Silver.
- Kailh BOX Red sealed housing
- 45 plus or minus 10 gf operating force
- 1.8 plus or minus 0.4 mm pre-travel
- 3.6 plus or minus 0.3 mm total travel
- Kailh specifies up to 80 million cycles
- EPOMAKER lists a current $8.99 15-switch set
- BOX design is a distinct housing format from standard MX-style Red switches
- Fifteen switches are only enough for a tester or limited repair
- Confirm keycap compatibility if reusing older or tight-fitting caps
Buying tips
- Check whether the board is MX mechanical and hot-swappable before buying loose switches; optical and Hall-effect boards use different parts.
- Match the switch pin count to the PCB: five-pin switches need two extra locating holes unless their plastic legs are clipped.
- Buy enough switches for the layout plus spares; a 60 percent board, TKL, and full-size board require very different counts.
- Choose spring force and pre-travel for comfort and control. Neither specification creates an automatic Counter-Strike advantage.
- Use a switch puller only on a hot-swap board and support the plate/PCB so sockets are not pulled loose.
- Verify the keycap stem is MX cross compatible before changing a whole board.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.