Digital Foundry: Nintendo Switch CPU and GPU clock speeds revealed

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Do you really think this as simple as 2 + 2 = 4?

In this case Nintendo wouldn't have already built a strong Nintendo console and destroy the competition? With standard consoles losing their "generation" aspect to keep up with PC technology as well as Playstation, Microsoft and PC (wich includes Steam) fighting each other in the same battlefiled, is not something Nintendo will necessarily handle well if they bring a new strong console to the market (just one more among other several estabilished and strong options).

If they do not bring something different they have little chances against these estabilished companies, and that may not be a risk they want to assume. Most players looking for a strong hardware and standard console will, nowadays, buy a Playstation, a Xbox or a new graphic card instead of a Nintendo console doesn't matter how strong it is.
The Xbox One was a joke of a console to the point where I'm playing Forza, Halo, and Gears on my PC. Ninty could have that marketshare in heartbeat.

This is a deeply embedded philosophy Nintendo has put in place since the N64 and the driving force behind their hardware: Force out or inhibit 3rd-party development and create a Nintendo 1st-party system. This will repeat until they've "forced" themselves into heavier 3rd-party phone and tablet development.

Corporate mismanagement at its best.
 
the Switch ( a 'home console' only by name ), is first and foremost a portable system.

Nintendo would never be able to put out a home console after Switch. Nintendo has fallen too far behind in terms of hardware technical knowhow.

We are entering a new era, Nintendo is going exclusive portable.

I fear for Nintendo. Mobile / tablet gaming is ultra competitive with very low profit margin.
Android / iOS has already taken most of NDS/PSP market share. With advances like Vulcan API, mobile will only grow stronger.
 
The active cooling is pretty disappointing in handheld mode unless it's proven the device has more SMs, yeah.

But Vita was also notably thicker than a tablet - the Vita-1000 especially (19mm thick). Switch is thinner than a Vita-2000 (13-14mm, Vita-2000 was 15mm).

Good point about the thickness. Forgot about that.

The cooling is really my main beef. I thought the device was so big and had a fan because it was going to pack as much punch as possible but that isn't the case. If we were talking about a smaller device without a fan this level of power would be brilliant.
 
The Xbox One was a joke of a console to the point where I'm playing Forza, Halo, and Gears on my PC. Ninty could have that marketshare in heartbeat.

This is a deeply embedded philosophy Nintendo has put in place since the N64 and the driving force behind their hardware: Force out or inhibit 3rd-party development and create a Nintendo 1st-party system. This will repeat until they've "forced" themselves into heavier 3rd-party phone and tablet development.

Corporate mismanagement at its best.

It's actually been their philosophy since the Famicom. Nintendo will always make a device for themselves first.
 
So if digital foundry published this does it basically mean it's confirmed?

Likely yes, but reminder that Digital Foundry never implied that the clocks were representative of the final power, like a lot of people are assuming here. We're still missing pieces of information that could led to the final specs.
 
So if digital foundry published this does it basically mean it's confirmed?
No. They have sources just like any other reporter, whether those sources are reliable or not we won't know until we get a hands on with the system.

Why would just being Digital Foundry make it true? They specialise in tech but they don't know the future.

Just for the record I think what they're reporting is true.
 
I wish this transition would happen faster.
I know people here don't like these kind of comments, but I agree that Nintendo's strength is their software, and I believe it is gimped by their hardware.

Moving their games to other hardware manufacturers who actually know what they are doing in this industry and are selling loads (Sony and Microsoft) would probably translate to a lot more sales for Nintendo's first parties.
Nintendo sold more hardware so far this generation than either Sony or MS. Sony will lap them eventually but hasn't yet and is still about 10m behind. MS will never catch them though, they're not even to the halfway point yet.

A software only Nintendo would be a much different Nintendo. And most likely a mobile only Nintendo too.
 
Good point about the thickness. Forgot about that.

The cooling is really my main beef. I thought the device was so big and had a fan because it was going to pack as much punch as possible but that isn't the case. If we were talking about a smaller device without a fan this level of power would be brilliant.

Agreed. With Iwata saying the "number of form factors might increase" with Nintendo's next generation, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo releases a handheld-only Switch without the hybrid stuff to act as this generation's 2DS. Maybe it'll come after a Volta-incorporating upgrade to the main system.
 
Nintendo sold more hardware so far this generation than either Sony or MS. Sony will lap them eventually but hasn't yet and is still about 10m behind. MS will never catch them though, they're not even to the halfway point yet.

A software only Nintendo would be a much different Nintendo. And most likely a mobile only Nintendo too.

What is this generation?

I guess you mean since the release of the 3DS.

Then Sony sold more hardware than Nintendo in the same timeframe
 
I wish this transition would happen faster.
I know people here don't like these kind of comments, but I agree that Nintendo's strength is their software, and I believe it is gimped by their hardware.

Moving their games to other hardware manufacturers who actually know what they are doing in this industry and are selling loads (Sony and Microsoft) would probably translate to a lot more sales for Nintendo's first parties.
I want them to lose enough money that they must sell their IPs. Its the only way we will start to get a real metroid or fzero back.
 
The best evidence in my eyes would be that the Switch should have no problem running a standard Tegra X1 at significantly higher clock speeds than this, and Thraktor mentioned that the battery life would not be impacted a lot. So why downclock so aggressively (especially considering the docked mode is also throttled below standard Tegra X1).

Yields. Gotta go cheaper.
 
The Xbox One was a joke of a console to the point where I'm playing Forza, Halo, and Gears on my PC. Ninty could have that marketshare in heartbeat.

This is a deeply embedded philosophy Nintendo has put in place since the N64 and the driving force behind their hardware: Force out or inhibit 3rd-party development and create a Nintendo 1st-party system. This will repeat until they've "forced" themselves into heavier 3rd-party phone and tablet development.

Corporate mismanagement at its best.

Xbox One may be a joke of a console for you. Still it has sold pretty decently besides much behind the Playstation 4. Nintendo doesn't have much greater chances than Xbox (if any).
 
I wish this transition would happen faster.
I know people here don't like these kind of comments, but I agree that Nintendo's strength is their software, and I believe it is gimped by their hardware.

Moving their games to other hardware manufacturers who actually know what they are doing in this industry and are selling loads (Sony and Microsoft) would probably translate to a lot more sales for Nintendo's first parties.

Why would they go to Sony or Microsoft? This is the argument of pro-third party Nintendo I will never understand. If Nintendo is forced to abandon hardware they're not going to another console. Not when consoles audiences are aging and younger gamers are going to mobile and PC. Nintendo would go to mobile almost exclusively, which is selling far better than Sony and Microsoft and has an audience more attractive to them.
 
So if digital foundry published this does it basically mean it's confirmed?

They had the PS4 Pro specs like 6 months early, and they were exactly on point, so I'd be stunned if this wasn't equally accurate

I knew it would be an underpowered device, it kind of had to be, but if these specs are to be believed than I'm a little concerned this thing won't even be able to output a rock solid 1080/30. Seems crazy given ps4 did it 3 years ago, but here we are
 
I don't think there's a single rumor talking about FFXV or FFVIIR ? Or I just missed something. But DQXI is confirmed, such as DQX and Square has probably a bunch of other stuff for the console, as they always support a lot Nintendo handleds.

Tabata only said he finds the idea of Switch interesting, I doubt he knew anything about the specs of the console.
Because there is no way FFXV will work on Switch if it is what it is claimed to be in this thread.

SE will probably support Switch but it'll most likely be newer tittles.

Right. For some reason I was under the impression FF XV and Remake were expected to come to the switch
 
Nintendo sold more hardware so far this generation than either Sony or MS. Sony will lap them eventually but hasn't yet and is still about 10m behind. MS will never catch them though, they're not even to the halfway point yet.

A software only Nintendo would be a much different Nintendo. And most likely a mobile only Nintendo too.

What is this generation?

I guess you mean since the release of the 3DS.

Then Sony sold more hardware than Nintendo in the same timeframe

Yeah that surprised me too.
Nintendo is irrelevant in both the home console market by being inexistent this upcoming generation for them, and by the poor sales of Wii U for the past one, and also in the handheld market, because they are losing rapidly to the mobile market.

I want them to lose enough money that they must sell their IPs. Its the only way we will start to get a real metroid or fzero back.

That would only be nice if they bought the studios too though.

Why would they go to Sony or Microsoft? This is the argument of pro-third party Nintendo I will never understand. If Nintendo is forced to abandon hardware they're not going to another console. Not when consoles audiences are aging and younger gamers are going to mobile and PC. Nintendo would go to mobile almost exclusively, which is selling far better than Sony and Microsoft and has an audience more attractive to them.

I don't feel like console gaming is losing market shares to be honest, especially in the last year or so. Console gaming feels strong, which is why Microsoft is planning the Scorpio, and Sony iterated on their PS4 too.
 
OMG, I cant believe this only just beats current smartphones
that cost twice as much, have smaller screens and totally different computational demands

I get it - I was disappointed when I saw this too - I also had bought into the idea we were getting a top spec nvidia chip that could run scaled down ports of current gen games. Part of me still thinks that's possible - ROTR was ported to 360. But that dream is dead

But the more I think about it I think I high price and poor battery will gimp the machine much more so than a more sensible lower spec. I bought a shield portable, at launch, and it sits gathering dust for this very reason. Came with a gorgeous looking version of HL2 and Portal. But they remain uncompleted, because I only got about 3 hours of playtime, plus it got hot and was heavy as hell.

You know what I use every day? My 3ds xl, with its long lasting battery and awesome Nintendo games

And yeah yeah, I know it's supposed to be a home console as well - and it is? Just not a top spec one, and im fine with that - I have a PC and PS4 for that.

So just take the money you save by not having a £500 portable ps4 (because thats what it would cost) and just...buy a PS4?
 
We probably won't even get Zelda in 60fps, unless it's in 720p in docked mode very probably.

What in the hell is Nintendo thinking ?
How can Nintendo fans not feel disappointed ?

Are you guys looking forward to the Switch living in 2016 too ?
 
Guess the honeymoon for Switch is over, back to "man I wish Nintendo would go third party."
This has been my thinking since the WiiU. I want everyone to be able to enjoy Nintendo's games but, being locked behind hardware not as many people in the gaming space by sucks.

The Switch is the first Nintendo console I'm thinking of getting since the Gamecube. I used to buy everything on Nintendo first until the Wii. People can disagree cause opinions and such but, Nintendo going 3rd party wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Your opening up 30+ years of gaming history to a new generation of kids and adults in a wider space and taking the bloat of consoles off your hands. The IP's they own and can sell will make tons more profit than another 8-10 million sold console.

I love Nintendo and as a kid it's what got me into games but, since 2007 excluding the handhelds I just have not supported Nintendo. They didn't need my sale with how great the Wii did but, they lost a loyal fan of many years.
 
Yeah that surprised me too.
Nintendo is irrelevant in both the home console market by being inexistent this upcoming generation for them, and by the poor sales of Wii U for the past one, and also in the handheld market, because they are losing rapidly to the mobile market.



That would only be nice if they bought the studios too though.



I don't feel like console gaming is losing market shares to be honest, especially in the last year or so. Console gaming feels strong, which is why Microsoft is planning the Scorpio, and Sony iterated on their PS4 too.

The reasoning that this is happening because the market is "strong" isn't really accurate at all. It's because they want to adopt the apple business model, and allow for some leeway in their profit margins. They got shafted pretty hard at the start of 7th gen.
 
We probably won't even get Zelda in 60fps, unless it's in 720p in docked mode.

What in the hell is Nintendo thinking ?
How can Nintendo fans not feel disappointed ?
Was this ever an expectation? I've seen it posted a few times but it was always met with a range of "that won't happen" replies.
 
So if digital foundry published this does it basically mean it's confirmed?
It will never be confirmed until somebody physically does a tear down or hot chips like the Wii U. Nintendo is not dumb to talk about the specs on this system considering it's much lower than the xb1 and that console came out in 2013.
 
We probably won't even get Zelda in 60fps, unless it's in 720p in docked mode very probably.

What in the hell is Nintendo thinking ?
How can Nintendo fans not feel disappointed ?
They thought, how they could realise there concept of a mobile console without a high-price point, short battery time and the device overheating. And we got the Switch.
 
I just want fucking gorgeous knock-your-socks-off Nintendo 1st party games for once in my lifetime. Imagine Zelda matching Horizon:ZD pixel for pixel. I know a lot of people will say its all about art style, but how fucking amazing would it be to run around in a stunning Zelda game again?
 
Was this ever an expectation? I've seen it posted a few times but it was always met with a range of "that won't happen" replies.

It was already an incredible archivement that Zelda was framerate stable in that Jimmy Fallon show while they were only playing in like the most boring and ugliest enviroment I have seen in all Zelda gameplay videos.
 
We've never gotten a console Zelda in 60fps. I think we'll live.

Was this ever an expectation? I've seen it posted a few times but it was always met with a range of "that won't happen" replies.

We would have never got Zelda in 60fps, even if this thing was a PS4 Pro.

See ?
Exactly what I was describing.

Nintendo fans have been so used to playing on weak hardware that they can't even fathom improvement.

Is it asking much for a game developped for the previous generation (Wii U) to run at 60fps with the same graphical fidelity on the next one (Switch) ?
 
We probably won't even get Zelda in 60fps, unless it's in 720p in docked mode very probably.

What in the hell is Nintendo thinking ?
How can Nintendo fans not feel disappointed ?

Are you guys looking forward to the Switch living in 2016 too ?
The overwhelming majority of people who won't buy a Switch because of the graphics probably already own a PS4/XBOX1 and probably wouldn't have bought the Switch anyway because of it.

Nintendo fans who this news might affect will of course be mildly disappointed for a while but eventually won't care, along with millions of everyday people who will love the cheaper price.
 
We probably won't even get Zelda in 60fps, unless it's in 720p in docked mode very probably.

What in the hell is Nintendo thinking ?
How can Nintendo fans not feel disappointed ?

Are you guys looking forward to the Switch living in 2016 too ?

Nintendo fans never really care about specs,only software?

In fact most gamers don't care about specs.They want to play games.
 
I see a ton of people on this very forum being anal about battery. It's a lose-lose, you can't make everybody happy.

While I agree, battery issues could be solved by using a standard power bank, and that's assuming nobody made an actual battery accessory for the Switch, which would be easy given its shape and lack of something like the Vita's rear touch. Computing power issues cannot be fixed later in the same way.
 
See ?
Exactly what I was describing.

Nintendo fans have been so used to playing on weak hardware that they can't even fathom improvement.

Is it asking much for a game developped for the previous generation (Wii U) to run at 60fps with the same graphical fidelity on the next one (Switch) ?


This can't be a serious post? So now 30 fps Zelda is just garbage?
 
I guess this blows out the water massive third party support, I can't count how many posts around the internet saying screw Xbox and ps if switch has third party support having titles on the go etc, well I just can't see how this system now supports those big third party titles any better than the wii did the power just isn't there and the cost to down port these titles just won't be viable.
 
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