Nintendo Switch Power May Be Doubled When Docked

Perhaps what could be the biggest selling point for the Nintendo Switch is the fact that it is a hybrid console. That is, the console can be played either as a living space gaming console or a handheld device on the go.

However, when it comes to the speed and power that is available for both play options, one may actually be a less advantageous way of using the Nintendo Switch. Eurogamer's Digital Foundry has found that players who are concerned with upscaled games may have to keep their Nintendo Switch consoles docked to get the most out of its performance, graphics-wise, compared to when it is played on-the-go.

According to the report, the CPU power is the same for both play modes. However, the GPU speeds are essentially more than halved at 307.2 MHz of what the docked 768 MHz capacity can bring.

"As things stand, CPU clocks are halved compared to the standard Tegra X1, but it's the GPU aspect of the equation that will prove more controversial. Even while docked, Switch doesn't run at Tegra's X1's full potential."

Perhaps what's even more controversial is the fact that developers can reportedly "hobble" the performance of the Nintendo Switch even while on dock mode, just so it would be the same as the handheld's performance—depending on the developer's choice of action.

The apparent drawback here is that it may be similar to developing two games for two very different platforms. Think of it as developing a title for the PS4 and the PS4 Pro, wherein one can enable access to higher performance compared to its other counterpart.

More details are expected of the Nintendo Switch at the January event.

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