Nintendo has officially revealed the technical details for the Switch 2. This portable gaming device is powered by a custom system-on-chip (SoC) that leverages Nvidia’s Ampere architecture.
The Switch 2 features a GPU with 1536 CUDA Cores, functioning at a clock speed of 561MHz in standard mode and 1007MHz when docked. It is capable of outputting resolutions up to Full HD 1080p, 1440p (2K), and 2160p (4K) via HDMI. Additionally, the console includes an octa-core ARM Cortex A78C CPU that operates at 1101MHz in handheld mode and 998MHz while docked. It comes with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded through a MicroSD Express card.
The development kit from Nintendo includes NVDIA’s DLSS upscaling technology, which will be utilized in games such as Cyberpunk 2077. The Switch 2 reportedly uses DLAA to render titles at their native resolution, with support for DLSS at levels 1x, 2x, and 3x, similar to performance, balanced, and quality modes found on PCs.
According to the company, a portion of the console’s resources—such as storage, RAM, and processing power—will be reserved for the operating system. As highlighted by Eurogamer, the Switch 2 allocates 2 CPU cores and 3GB of RAM for system functions, making 6 CPU cores and 9GB of RAM available for developers. Nintendo claims that the Switch 2’s 5220mAh battery can offer up to 6.5 hours of gameplay, depending on the title being played.
Nintendo Switch 2 Technical Specifications
- Display: 7.9-inch LCD, 1080p, HDR10, 120Hz variable refresh rate
- Storage: 256GB UFS + support for up to 2TB MicroSD Express card
- CPU: Octa-core ARM Cortex A78C, 1101MHz, 998MHz (docked)
- GPU: NVIDIA T239 Ampere, 1536 CUDA Cores, 561MHz, 1007MHz (docked), outputs 1080p, 1440p, 2160p 4K via HDMI
- Audio: Built-in microphone, speakers, linear PCM output 5.1ch
- Ports: 2 USB-C Ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Memory: 12GB LPDDR5 128-bit, speeds of 68GB/s, 102GB/s (docked)
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyroscope, and mouse sensor in Joy-Con 2 controllers, brightness sensor in the console
- Connectivity: Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
- Battery: 5220mAh Lithium-ion, approximately 2 – 6.5 hours of playtime, around 3 hours charging time in sleep mode
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 10.7 x 0.55 inches (length, width, thickness with controllers)
- Weight: Approximately 0.88 lbs, 1.18 lbs with controllers
The Nintendo Switch 2 is anticipated to launch on June 5, with a starting price of $449. However, there are growing concerns among enthusiasts worldwide regarding its pricing and the increasing cost of video games.
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