Nintendo Switch 2 is 10 times more powerful than original console says Nvidia
Nvidia has confirmed details about the Switch 2's capabilities, including the use of DLSS and ray-tracing technology.
Nvidia has confirmed details about the Switch 2’s capabilities, including the use of DLSS and ray-tracing technology.
Nintendo highlighted a surprising amount of technical specifications during its Switch 2 Direct, but it still left some hanging questions around the console’s capabilities.
The company posted detailed specifications on its official website after the presentation, with the Switch 2 possessing a larger 7.9 inch LCD screen, HDR10 support, a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz, 256GB of storage, and a battery life comparable to the original console.
One area Nintendo is being vague about though, is the power of the Switch 2’s CPU/GPU, which it describes vaguely on its website as being a ‘custom processor made by Nvidia’. However, we now have a better idea thanks to a post from Nvidia itself.
In a blog on Nvidia’s website, it states the Switch 2’s custom-made processor features an Nvidia GPU ‘with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores’ for ‘AI-driven enhancements’.
According to Nvidia, the Tensor Cores ‘boost AI-powered graphics while keeping power consumption efficient’. The RT Cores, meanwhile, ‘bring real-time ray tracing’ and ‘enhance in-game realism with dynamic lighting’.
The post confirms the Switch 2 utilises Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), a technology which uses AI to upscale images from lower to higher resolutions. Nintendo also confirmed this in an interview with IGN, although it was somewhat vague about the minutiae behind it.
Elsewhere, Nvidia boldly claimed the Switch 2 has ’10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch’ overall, boasting ‘smoother gameplay and sharper visuals’. While this sounds impressive, the Switch 2’s actual performance is likely less of a leap – and highly dependent on the game you’re playing.
Nintendo Switch 2 specs Size: 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x 0.55 inches thick (with Joy-Cons attached) Weight: 1.18lbs (with Joy-Cons attached) Screen: 7.9 inch LCD screen, 1920×1080 pixels, HDR10 support, variable refresh rate (VRR) up to 120Hz CPU/GPU: Custom made processor by Nvidia, with DLSS and ray-tracing support Storage: 256GB, microSD Express card support Video output: Maximum 3840×2160 (4K) resolution at 60 fps when docked. Supports 120 fps when 1920×1080/2560×1440 resolutions. Maximum 1920×1080 resolution in handheld mode Audio output: Supports linear PCM output 5.1ch. Stereo speakers and audio jack Two USB-C ports, on bottom and top of console Battery life: approximately 2-6.5 hours (dependent on the game you play)For example, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond supports 4K and 60fps with HDR in quality mode when docked, and 1080p/120fps with HDR in performance. Cyberpunk 2077, meanwhile, is targeting 30-40fps and 1080p docked on Switch 2, while reports suggest Hogwarts Legacy is similarly not quite up to par with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions.
As a lower-priced hybrid system, the Switch 2 was never going to match the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in terms of power, but the system is more impressive on a technical level than many anticipated. In some areas, like its handheld screen resolution and variable refresh rate support, it surpasses Valve’s Steam Deck.
More details about the Switch 2’s specifications will likely emerge as we get closer to launch, with the console set to arrive on June 5, 2025.
Metroid 4 takes full advantage of the Switch 2 (Nintendo)Email [email protected], leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
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