Gateron EF Fast Silver

Quick Summary

The Gateron EF Fast Silver is a budget speed linear from Gateron’s Ever Free sub-brand, built for fast actuation rather than a deep, deliberate keystroke. A short 1.2mm pre-travel and a light 45g spring make it register early and effortlessly, while a factory lube keeps the stroke smooth in the box. It is a strong, cheap pick for gamers who want quick triggers, and a poor fit for anyone who rests their fingers on the keys.

Specs and Feel

This is a true linear with no bump or click, but the defining trait is geometry: actuation lands at just 1.2mm into a 3.45mm total travel, so the switch fires noticeably sooner than the usual 2.0mm-deep linear. The 45g spring keeps the press light and fast, and the shortened bottom-out means less finger movement per keystroke. The POM stem riding in a polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing gives a clean, slightly muted glide; thanks to the factory lube, stock smoothness is good with only minor scratch on a slow press, and stem wobble stays within normal range for a stock Gateron. Sound leans clean and unobtrusive rather than deep or marbly. The one thing to internalize is the trade-off of any speed switch: the line between resting and actuating is razor-thin.

Tuning

There’s little you need to do. The factory lube is competent, so most builders can run these stock. If you want the last few percent, a thin coat of 205g0 on the rails clears the residual scratch and a dab of oil on the springs tames any ping. Films are optional given the modest wobble, and worth more on a quieter build than a twitch-gaming board.

Verdict

Buy the EF Fast Silver if you specifically want a fast, light speed linear for gaming and you’ve made peace with the early actuation. It’s cheap, smooth for the money, and does its one job well. Skip it if you’re a heavy-handed typist or want a deeper, more deliberate feel. A standard-travel 50g linear like the Gateron EF Curry will serve daily typing better, while this one is the dedicated speed option.