Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts often discuss the differences between “plate mount” and “PCB mount” switches. But what do these terms actually mean, and what practical differences do they make when building or using a mechanical keyboard? This in-depth guide explains it all.
The Basics: What Are Plate Mount and PCB Mount Switches?
Plate mounted switches are secured to the keyboard’s metal backplate or bottom housing. The backplate features large cutouts that allow the switch housings to drop in and establish stability laterally. There are also smaller holes that line up with each switch’s two plastic pegs or clips to hold the switch vertically.
PCB mounted switches, in contrast, have their housing clipped directly onto the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) itself. The PCB utilizes smaller cutouts and specially placed holes tailored specifically to a particular switch’s housing and plastic pegs.
Plate Mount Switches
- Secured to keyboard’s metal backplate or bottom housing
- Larger backplate cutouts allow free switch housing positioning
- Plastic pegs/clips drop through backplate to stabilize vertically
PCB Mount Switches
- Clipped directly onto the PCB
- More precise PCB cutouts match switch housing
- Plastic pegs/clips clip onto PCB for stability
So in summary:
- Plate mount attaches switches to the keyboard case itself
- PCB mount attaches switches directly to the electronics
Reasons for the Two Different Mounting Styles
If PCB mounting attaches switches more securely, why use plate mounting at all? As with most things in keyboard design, both options have their tradeoffs and use cases.
Benefits of Plate Mounting
Easier switch swapability – Plate mount keyboards allow enthusiasts to pop switches in and out for easy modding and switch testing since they aren’t clipped tightly to the PCB. This also supports switch top removal.
Case compatibility – Plate mount works with most 60% cases on the market since cutouts just need to allow free positioning. PCB mount requires very precise case construction matched to the PCB.
Thicker integrated plates – Many custom keyboards utilize thick integrated plates (normally >1.5mm) which provide rigid typing feel. Thick steel and aluminum plates can’t have proper PCB mount cutouts.
Cost savings – Plate mounting saves money since the PCB doesn’t need customized mount points for every switch placement.
Benefits of PCB Mounting
Superior stability and rigidity – With plastic pegs/clips gripping the PCB itself, there is less horizontal key wiggle during aggressive typing compared to resting in a backplate.
PCB protection – Clipping switches directly to the PCB prevents them from putting torque force on solder joints which may over time damage the connection or PCB traces.
Compact keyboards – For ultrasmall form factors like 40% keyboards, directly mounting to the PCB allows tighter spacing and integration not possible with plates.
LED/SMD support – Many keyboard PCBs now utilize surface mounted LEDs, resistors, and controllers which take up space under switches. Plate mounting restricts integration of these components.
What Are the Physical Differences Between the Switches?
Now that we understand the broad concepts of mounting styles, what are the actual physical differences between plate and PCB mount switches?
There are 3 key areas that may differ:
Housing Box and Base
Plate mount boxes often feature slightly more rounded corners since they don’t need to conform to sharp PCB cutouts. Early PCB designs also sometimes had interference issues between switch pins and housing which prompted small physical tweaks.
Modern PCB mount housings are essentially standardized across brands, with very sharp and consistent box corners.
Number and Placement of Plastic Pegs
Plate mount switches universally feature 2 pegs on the bottom of the housing located at the front/back midpoint of the left and right side.
PCB mount switches may have 2 or 5 pegs in various configurations:<div class=”datatable-begin”></div>
| PCB Mount Style | Peg Number | Peg Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry/Gateron style | 2 pegs | Front/back midpoints |
| Kailh style | 5 pegs | 4 pegs in each corner, <br>1 center peg |
<div class=”datatable-end”></div>
This assists compatibility with different PCB mount hole patterns.
Pin Shape and Length
PCB mount switches often have thicker pins designed for inserting and soldering directly into the PCB holes. Plate mount pins are longer to extend through both the PCB and backplate.
Here is a close up example comparing 60g Gateron plate mount vs PCB mount yellow switch pins:
Gateron yellow switch: Plate mount (silver pins – left) vs PCB mount (gold pins – right)
You can see slightly more rounded pin tips on the plate mount version as they are designed to drop cleanly through mounting holes.
Does Mounting Style Affect Feel, Sound, or Performance?
A common question is whether one mounting style provides an actual performance, sound, or feel advantage compared to the other.
The short answer is: usually not in a perceptible way, assuming the rest of the keyboard is manufactured properly.
This because plate vs PCB mounting primarily provides stability/support once a keypress is actuated rather than changing the switch mechanism itself. Subtle differences may be perceived in these areas:
Keystroke Feel
Some claim PCB mounting offers superior rigidity and crispness on key downstrokes versus potential micro-movement or vibration when striking keys hard on a plate mount board. In practice, this comes down to case construction, plate material used, switch choice, and technique. Well-executed boards of both styles provide excellent response.
Sound Profile
Clipping switches firmly to the PCB can reduce metallic pinging noises from spring reverberations. But many other factors contribute more significantly to keyboard acoustics than just the mount style.
Switch Longevity
Over many years of aggressive typing, PCB mounting may yield marginally improved switch lifespan since plastic pegs absorb stress instead of solder points. But switch ratings are extremely long these days regardless of mounting approach.
So while the mounting system itself has little effect, you cannot isolate it fully from the rest of the design. A cheap plastic plate mount board may feel inferior to a premium gasket mount PCB board – but that tells us more about materials and case mounting than anything inherent to plate vs PCB style on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some lingering questions? Here are answers to a few of the most common inquiries around plate mounts and PCB mounts.<details> <summary>Can you convert a PCB mount switch to plate mount?</summary>
Yes! PCB and plate mount versions of switches have identical internals – only the housing shape varies. So you can carefully pry/clip off the extra PCB mount pegs to fit a plate mount board. The pins themselves remain intact and functional.</details> <details> <summary>What if my PCB mount switch won’t fit my plate’s cutout?</summary>
This may happen with custom keyboards or switch swap experiments. You can safely use diagonal flush cutters to trim the corners of PCB mount housings slightly until they slip into plate holes cleanly. Go slowly and test fit regularly to avoid over trimming. Pins remain functional.</summary> <details> <summary>Do PCB mount keyboards feel “stiffer” than plate mount?</summary>
In theory PCB mounting offers the ultimate solidity by rigidly affixing switches to the board itself. But real world typing feel depends vastly more on case construction, mounting system, plate material, and switch choice rather than just mount style alone. A well-designed plate keyboard with thick aluminum and tight tolerances may even feel firmer than a low end plastic PCB mount board!</summary> </details> <details> <summary>Can you use 5 pin switches on a plate mount keyboard?</summary>
Definitely! 5 pin switches like those used on most hot swap boards from vendors such as Drop still work perfectly fine with plate mounting. The extra plastic pegs may extend slightly below the PCB but cause no issues – you get the same functionality by utilizing just the two pins that correspond with backplate holes.</summary> </details> <details> <summary>Is either mounting style inherently better for customization/modding?</summary>
Plate mounting is generally more customizeable since it places fewer restrictions on switch placement. Need a switch nudged slightly left to allow case closure? No problem. Want to add switch film or try a different brand? Easily swappable. This flexibility makes plate mount a popular choice for keyboards centered around DIY experimentation and regular modification.</summary> </details>
So in summary – both mounting approaches are great options depending on priorities. Plate mount offers hackability and customization freedom. PCB mount provides ultimate structural stability. And real world typing experience depends much more on materials, design, and manufacture than this element alone!
Conclusion
We covered a lot of ground explaining the core differences between plate mounted and PCB mounted mechanical keyboard switches!
To recap the key points:
- Plate mounting secures switches to the keyboard case/plate itself, while PCB mounting attaches them directly to the circuit board
- Both offer certain advantages that suit different priorities and use cases
- The main physical differences are in the housing and peg design rather than the switch internals
- In most cases, the mount style itself contributes minimally to overall typing feel and acoustic performance
- You can often safely convert between mount types for customization experiments
Still hungry for more keyboard knowledge? Be sure to check out my other in-depth mechanical keyboard guides here!
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