Which switch is best for gaming?

When it comes to general computer use, the best keyswitch is simply the one you like the feel of the most, however, if we’re talking PC gaming, then there is more at play here.

So, we’re going to go over which switch is best for gaming and take a closer look at which switch characteristics make for a better gaming experience. We’ll also give a brief overview of the different switch types available in case you need a refresher on that, too.

To 99% of us: No. Linear, tactile, and clicky will have no obvious impact on your gaming performance, aside from maybe some being noisier than others. This means that you’re pretty much free to continue using, or switch to, any type of switch you want.

Despite this, there are still gamers willing to go to extreme lengths to optimize their performance, and the best way to do that is to shift over to linear switches.

Linear switches have no tactile ‘bump’. The bump is caused by a small outcropping in the stem that needs a tiny bit of additional force to overcome, typically at the actuation point. Linear switches, by comparison, have a smooth stem, so no additional force is needed.

Additionally, linear switches typically come with lighter springs, meaning less force is needed to press the key and thus actuate it. This allows you to actuate the switch faster, essentially allowing you to react faster to in-game events.

So yes, linear switches are preferable over clicky and tactile ones, in theory at least. There are performance gains to be had elsewhere though: Enter the Corsair OPX optical-mechanical keyswitch.

This particular keyswitch combines the classic feel of a mechanical keyswitch, with higher-performing optical actuation design, allowing the actuation point to be just 1mm below the starting position. This is because the OPX optical-mechanical keyswitch uses lasers.

Lasers are cool enough that we could leave it right there, however, it bears explaining because it’s a novel technology that really does reduce the time between your fingers moving, and the corresponding input in-game.

Standard keyswitches work by pressing two copper plates together, known as leaves, to complete a circuit and send the signal that the key has been pressed. In theory, you could place the copper leaves super close together to get a similarly small actuation distance, but the tolerances would be minute, and it would be difficult for mass manufacturing.

So, the OPX switches work without leaves, instead using an infrared laser to open the circuit. Now, when the key is pressed the bottom of the stem comes down and blocks this laser, which completes the circuit, sending the signal.

This is why the actuation distance can be so small. The spring keeps the stem just above the laser at its default position, so just 1mm of movement needs to happen to register the keystroke. Again, keeping copper leaves that close to each other would be a reliability nightmare, and that nightmare would get worse over time as the copper wears away, but the OPX switches are more reliable for two reasons.

The first is that the spring will always keep the stem away from the laser unless the key is pressed. The second is that two pieces of copper aren’t being slapped together for every keystroke, just a piece of plastic blocking a laser. This results in the OPX switches being guaranteed for 150,000,000 keystrokes. 150m being double the amount of a traditional keyswitch.

All this clever engineering means that the actuation distance can be as low as possible, shortening the time between you making a decision, and that decision being reflected in-game. If you want the best switches for gaming, the Corsair OPX optical-mechanical switches won’t let you down.