r/MechanicalKeyboards • u/ThereminGoat Switch Collector : Prototype Hoarder • Oct 16 '22
Review Novelkeys Dream Cream Switch Review
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u/CCO812 Oct 16 '22
Yup, the switch does live up to the name
It's accurately colored to say the least
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u/ThereminGoat Switch Collector : Prototype Hoarder Oct 16 '22
Hey all,
Continuing along a year of innovation in switch design by Kailh in 2022, how could I not take a (slightly belated) look at the new Novelkeys Dream Switches. Broken in 600,000 times before even leaving the factory, have Novelkeys and Kailh found a new switch which lives up to the dreamy title their name inspires, or have they actually uncovered a costly nightmare instead?
Website: https://www.theremingoat.com/
Article: https://www.theremingoat.com/blog/novelkeys-dream-cream-switch-review
Scorecard Repository: https://github.com/ThereminGoat/switch-scores
Force Curve Repository: https://github.com/ThereminGoat/force-curves
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theremingoat
As always, hope you all enjoy the review and thank you for continuing to support me week in and out. The collection is continuing to grow and I've got some awesome new additions on the horizon I can't wait to share with you all.
Cheers,
Goat
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u/_Administrator Model M | 6Gv2 | fnatic miniSTREAK | GMMK | FL F12 | ylw BLADE60 Oct 16 '22
Legend himself. I used to read you alot during cold winter nights. Thank you!
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u/ThereminGoat Switch Collector : Prototype Hoarder Oct 16 '22
Appreciate the kind words but I've not gone anywhere! Still posting more content and adding more stuff to reviews with time.
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u/_Administrator Model M | 6Gv2 | fnatic miniSTREAK | GMMK | FL F12 | ylw BLADE60 Oct 16 '22
Point is that during summer I was busy, and during spring found my intermittent switch (simple Gateron Pro Silver prelubed).
I will definitely be back to reading once I will find a new board to build.
Keep up the highes levels of quality work! Once again, thank you!
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u/uwango Oct 17 '22
Regarding the stem wobble, would there be merit to NK tightening the tolerance of the housing or stems by a few micrometers to better account for the break-in phase?
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u/Thurlan Oct 16 '22
Using these switches currently, I love them. I did make the mistake of using these switches for my first attempt at lubing. They came out great but the color definitely made it more challenging.
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u/BKachur Oct 17 '22
The second set of switches I ever tried to hand lube were Everglide aqua kings, that are totally transparent. My eyes were bugging out trying to keep track of everything but at least I could see that I applied lube to each part before putting it back together. I bet these were even worse.
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u/FreeFeez Oct 16 '22
This review is like one of the recipes you find online. Read the whole page and nothing was about the actual switch in question.
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u/ThereminGoat Switch Collector : Prototype Hoarder Oct 16 '22
Betty Crocker x Goat Collab coming soon
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u/ajitama once you go split, your posture’s not shit Oct 16 '22
If FreeFeez is talking about what I'm seeing, I have the same issue. The page for the review has all the pictures for the Cherry MX LP scissor-type switch .. and the text also looks like it too:
Cherry’s brand new Ultra Low Profile switches, some of which were snipped directly off of the factory line, itself. Marked as MX6C K3NB for the clicky variants and MX6C T3NB for the tactile variant
The URL is correct though, says dream cream
Looks like something went wrong in the upload
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u/ThereminGoat Switch Collector : Prototype Hoarder Oct 17 '22
First two sentences of the article:
"Historically, this pre-background background section has always been an area where I share meta-level updates about the collection, my life, or whatever else that comes to mind when I sit down to write reviews week in and out. While this certainly does its fair share in buffing out the word count on each review (even though I don’t get paid at all, nor by the word), I quite enjoy these sections as it offers me a chance to document additions to the collection that I may not have another reason to write about for some time. "
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u/ajitama once you go split, your posture’s not shit Oct 17 '22
Oh! Haha skimmers beware, all is as it should be. Thanks!
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u/codexcdm Oct 16 '22 edited Oct 16 '22
Whipped Cream definitely sounds like a better option for a name....
Edit: Downvoted for reading the article and agreeing with a term used for worn-in Creams?
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u/flashcats TGR Jane v2 CE Oct 18 '22
https://rndkbd.com/products/whipped-nk-creams
Would be confusing since RND has been selling them with that name for a while.
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u/n0ahhhhh Oct 16 '22
Do you have a particular tactile switch you recommend? I'm currently using Glorious Pandas, but after your scorecards, I'm inclined to try the U4T 62g's. :)
I guess I just want to build another keyboard, ha.
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u/Daftpunk67 Boba U4T Oct 17 '22
I recommend the U4T, in fact I use a spare one as like a fidget toy and I click it so much I have to hide it sometimes as it’s also distracting lol
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u/ODA__NOBUNAGA Keychron Q1 | Preonic Oct 17 '22
This is a link to ThereminGoat's scorecard where he ranks the switches he's reviewed. Looks like Boba U4T and Durock Penguins are up there for tactiles.
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u/BKachur Oct 17 '22
Depends on the sound you want, both switches are nice. I have a board with the U4Ts and just tuned a buddy's board with glorious pandas. The U4Ts, while a great feeling switch, are loud as shit, even after lubing them. When I play games online people frequently comment on how fucking loud the U4Ts, my favorite is "hey man, can you bang out that email later, we are trying to beat this raid boss." I eventually built another board with aqua kings and can't go back to bobas because they are downright disruptive when working/gaming long periods of time compared to the relatively silent aqua kings.
So the question you need to answer is how loud do you want your keyboard to be. Also, are your pandas lubed or unlubed? If they are lubed (not sure about the factory job, I handlubed with 2304), they are relatively quiet so the U4Ts will be a huge change in sound. If they are stock, then it will be comparable, but the bobas will still be louder. After I lubed a set of pandas, I ended up liking them better in terms of usability than my U4Ts. Sure they didn't feel as nice, but the sound was just better IMO. You should also consider the new Drop Holy Panda Xs, which are quite nice (and reviewed favorably by Goat as well). I got a set of them and they are indeed nicer than Glorious Panda (also expensive), and IMO have a really nice muted clacky profile when lubed. I'm currently lubing a full set of the Drop X to replace the U4Ts in my tactile board. But I tend to like a quieter switch over mega thok, which is why my favorite overall switch is the boba u4 (silent tactile) they retain 90% of the feel of the U4Ts and are quieter than anything discussed previously. I have U4s on my work board, and just build my GF a keyboard with them as well, although they lack the nice sounds from the other switches, it's all about the tactility.
So my recommendations, from lots of trial, error, and wasted money, are (1) to go for the U4Ts if you are a thok slut, (2) go for Drop X if you want to upgrade to your current setup, (3) if you want nice quiet clack either hand lube your pandas or hand lube the drop X and (4) go the U4s if you want a silent board.
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u/n0ahhhhh Oct 17 '22
Oh man, thank you for mentioning the sound! I love quieter thocc's personally. I have lubed and filmed my pandas with Krytox 205G0. They're acceptable in terms of volume, but I really like the quieter, more subtle tactile sound.
I used to have these DSA PBT keycaps that made the most amazing sound ever - but I couldn't stand the profile, and it was very frustrating trying to type on it. I haven't been able to find a nice PBT keycap set (that I like), so I've been using the DCX Cyber set from Drop. Much nicer feel, but the sound is still a bit too loud for what I want.
Based on your write up, it sounds like BobaU4's are the answer?
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u/BKachur Oct 17 '22
That's funny you mention that, the keyboard I mentioned in my post with the pandas was a GMMK Pro with Mito Lazer, so very similar to what you are using, so very familiar with what you are working with.
If you are going to for a silent switch, the U4s is definitely your best bet, and would definitely check the boxes in terms of quiet switches. The only thing I'll note is that they are truly a silent switch, even quieter than my buddy's Filco with silent reds. This means there is minimal thock, if any, to really speak of. Now, this is perfect for a work keyboard, but I wonder if it maybe goes too far, so you aren't even getting the "subtle tactile sound" you are looking for. Typing on them atm, its basically nonexistent because it's so good as a silent switch. I think you may be happy with the lubed Drop X, they are quieter than the lubed pandas but still retain that nice tactile sound. But, they aren't exactly cheap.
I'm personally not a fan of sound tests online since there are always way too many variables to consider, but that may be helpful if you are on a tight budget. You may want to consider ordering at least some U4s to see if they fit the bill before you invest in a full set, but if you are ever going to be in the market for a work keyboard, they basically cannot be beaten, so I don't think you'd regret your purchase regardless.
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u/n0ahhhhh Oct 18 '22
Eyyy, I have my pandas & Mito Cyber on a GMMK Pro too! A "work keyboard" is a great way of describing what I'd like. I do enjoy satisfying thocks and all that.. but that really quiet, almost bass-y, slightly muted thock sound... *chef's kiss*. I'll have to research the Drop X and the Boba's some more for sure.
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u/PsyOmega Oct 17 '22 edited Oct 17 '22
In my experience, Keychon low profile Mint is currently my end game. But since you're already on panda's that might be moot.
Switch history being: MX brown, Kailh PG1280 Red, Kailh Choc White OG's, Kailh Box reds, Kailh box heavy pale blue, kailh box navy, MX Black retools, logitech's kailh choc blue, now keychron mint.
Edit: cool,, downvote people for sharing opinions. Real non-toxic community behavior of y'all.
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u/parad0x00_ Oct 17 '22
downvoted for using cheap switches
ah, what a reddit moment
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u/pandaboy22 Oct 17 '22
Probably for recommending a lo pro switch when talking about regular tactiles
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u/PsyOmega Oct 17 '22 edited Oct 17 '22
This subreddit has basically turned in to egoist snobbery of who can spend the most $$$ on an input device.
If i'd posted that ~2017 when this sub was still chill, it'd have gotten upvoted.
The only sub that's worse is the headphone subreddit.
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u/plotinmybackyard Oct 17 '22
Hypebeast culture is a hell of a drug, and a good portion of the community can't get enough of it.
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u/Yojimbo4133 Oct 16 '22
Tldr?
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u/reasimoes Oct 16 '22
They are smoother than cream out of factory due to break-in, with little to no spring ping. A bit scratchy but can be almost eliminated with decent lubbing. The stem woble is huge and the spring has a bottom-out force of 71.9gf and scored 72/100
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u/SuperLuigiOnTheXBOX1 Oct 17 '22
I cannot look at this with a straight face. Out of ALL the names, they went with DREAM CREAM. It’s like if I were to name an all yellow switch “Piss Yellow Switches” except this is like 5x more sexual because dream cream sounds like a goofy way of saying wet dream. Saying “I’m going to lube and film Dream Creams” sounds like you’re going to film an adult video. At this point I won’t be surprised if there’s a new one soon and they decide to go all in and just call it Novelkeys Cum.
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u/DirtyGingy Big A$$ Enter Oct 17 '22
The key take away here: these are less scratchy
Not "not scratchy"
Not "smooth"
They are less scratchy. Kailh could have just made smoother molds. I'd just recommend other switches for cheaper that perform better.
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u/SKGA_ODD Oct 17 '22
My chick gunna be raising eyebrows when I say I'm going to be "lubing a dream cream switch"
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u/Pinkisacoloryes Dec 12 '22
But if a mechanical switch is rated at 50 million actuation lifespan , and it's factory actuated 600,000 times, would it only be rated for 49,400,000 actuation lifespan?
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u/maesterroshi Lubed Linear Mar 27 '23
i think the switch would not know whether it is being actuated by a human finger or a machine.. so yes
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u/hey_vmike_saucel_her Topre Oct 16 '22
NovelKeys Dream Creams AKA NovelKeys Nocturnal Emissions