120 Gateron KS-3 Mechanical MX type Key Switch - clear top [ Brown 45g Tactile]

These Gateron switches are drop in replacements for Cherry MX switches. Some people prefer them as they use a different kind of plastic that makes the switch action feels smoother. The difference is quite subtle. These Gateron Browns also feel just slightly lighter than a Cherry MX Brown to me.PCB mount key switches have two extra prongs to the side of the large center plastic nub at the bottom for anchoring better to a PCB. The switches I receive lack them, making them suitable for plate mounting only (keyboards that have both a plate and PCB are plate mounted). Note that PCB mount switches can be used for plate mount simply by sniping off those plastic prongs, but if you use plate mount key switches on PCB without a plate, they lack mechanical stability.

I've owned a Razer BlackWidow Ultimate keyboard with cherry blue switches for about 5 years. Many of the switches were no longer functioning correctly, so I decided to refurb the keyboard by pulling off every one of the blue keys and replacing them with these Gateron browns. The switches are fantastic and gave my old keyboard a completely new feel! They don't feel exactly like Cherry switches, but at half the price and the convenience/speed of Amazon, the Gaterons are now my first choice of switch.

Can be used as full replacements or as partial replacements. Easy to remove the innards of a cherry mx and replace it with the innards of this one. works perfectly either way. Props to Gateron during this Cherry MX shortage.