Magnetic Switch Keyboard Upgrade: Pulsar x Gateron Guide

By Official Pulsar Gaming Gears - The Best Gaming Gears In the ... | Published: 2026-10-16

Category: How-to Guides

Turn a compatible hot-swap board into a magnetic-switch keyboard with the Pulsar x Gateron 95-pack. Follow seven steps to install, seat, and test every switch without bending pins.

Quick answer

A magnetic switch keyboard upgrade only works if your board has a magnetic-switch-compatible PCB and hot-swap sockets built for that mechanism. If it qualifies, pull the old switches, seat each Pulsar x Gateron Magnetic Switch straight into its socket, and confirm the board detects every key before you close the case. The 95-piece pack covers a full-size layout with spares, so you can replace a bent switch instead of reusing it.

Check compatibility before you pull a single switch

Magnetic switches are not a drop-in replacement for every hot-swap keyboard. The PCB has to support the magnetic sensing mechanism, and the socket has to accept the switch's pin layout. If your board was built for standard mechanical switches, the switches may physically fit but the board will not register them. Confirm compatibility with the keyboard manufacturer first; when a spec sheet does not state magnetic switch support, treat that as a no rather than a maybe.

This is the step where most failed upgrades start. People buy a switch pack, force the first switch into a standard socket, and either bend a pin or assume the board is broken when nothing types. If you are unsure, test one switch in one socket before removing the rest of your set.

What the 95-piece pack actually covers

The Pulsar x Gateron Magnetic Switch set includes 95 switches, a collaboration between Pulsar Gaming Gears and Gateron using a magnetic mechanism. That count matters for planning: a full-size board uses 104 switches, so a 95-pack is not enough on its own for a 100% layout, while a TKL, 75%, or 65% board leaves you with spares. Count your layout before ordering so you know whether you need one pack or two.

Spares are not padding. If a switch pin bends during installation or a switch fails a test, having a replacement on hand keeps the build moving instead of forcing you to reinstall a questionable switch.

Tools and prep that prevent damage

You need a switch puller, a keycap puller, and a clean, well-lit surface. A small tray for removed switches keeps them from rolling onto the floor, and a soft cloth under the board protects the case finish. Before you start, unplug the keyboard and, if your board has a battery, power it off completely.

Work in a dry, static-safe spot. Touching a grounded metal object before handling the PCB reduces the chance of static damage, and it costs you nothing.

Install steps

Step 1: Confirm magnetic-switch compatibility: Check your keyboard's spec sheet or manual for magnetic switch support and hot-swap socket type. If the board is not listed as compatible, stop here. Checkpoint: one test switch in one socket should register before you remove the rest.
Step 2: Remove keycaps and old switches: Pull keycaps with a keycap puller, then use a switch puller to remove each old switch straight up. Pulling at an angle bends pins and can crack the socket. Common mistake: rushing with a screwdriver instead of a proper puller.
Step 3: Inspect sockets and clear debris: Look into each hot-swap socket for bent contacts or debris. A blast of compressed air clears dust that can block a clean seat. Checkpoint: sockets should look symmetrical and undamaged before new switches go in.
Step 4: Seat each magnetic switch straight down: Align the pins with the socket and press firmly and evenly until the switch sits flush. Do not rock the switch side to side to force it in. Common mistake: forcing a misaligned switch, which bends pins and damages the socket.
Step 5: Work in rows and keep spares aside: Install one row at a time so you can spot a missed socket immediately. Keep the remaining switches from the 95-pack in the tray as replacements. Checkpoint: every socket in the row is filled before moving on.
Step 6: Test every key before reassembly: Connect the board and open a key tester or text editor. Press every key and confirm each one registers with a single press. Common mistake: closing the case first and discovering a dead key after full reassembly.
Step 7: Reinstall keycaps and verify feel: Press keycaps back on evenly, then type for a few minutes to check for wobble or sticking. If one key feels off, reseat that switch before calling the build done. Next step: keep the leftover switches labeled so future replacements are quick.

Product facts

Pulsar x Gateron Magnetic Switch 95pcs: The Pulsar x Gateron Magnetic Switch set includes 95 magnetic switches and is a collaboration between Pulsar Gaming Gears and Gateron. The 95 count suits TKL, 75%, and 65% boards with spares, but a full-size 104-key board needs more than one pack.