While Nintendo’s announcement leaves some areas vague, the overall picture is now much more complete. We now know what kind of processor, graphics unit, memory, and display technology power the system.
Let’s break down the final Nintendo Switch 2 specs based on confirmed information in an easy to read and understand way, without diving too deep into tech jargon.
CPU and GPU Overview: Faster, Smarter, and Still Power-Efficient
The Nintendo Switch 2 runs on a custom processor made by Nvidia, built specifically for Nintendo’s needs. Unlike the original Nintendo Switch, which used an off-the-shelf chip, this one—known as the T239—is fully tailored to the system.
For the CPU, the console features eight ARM Cortex A78C cores. Six of those are available for games, while two are used for the operating system. This is a step up from the original Switch, which only gave developers access to three cores.
Clock speeds vary depending on whether the system is docked or handheld. In handheld mode, the CPU runs at 1101 MHz, while docked mode uses a slightly lower 998 MHz. Nintendo also lists a higher 1.7 GHz ceiling, though it’s unclear how or when that top speed will be used.
The graphics side gets a major upgrade too. The original Switch used Nvidia’s Maxwell architecture. Now it’s moving to Ampere, the same architecture behind the RTX 30 series on PC. The Nintendo Switch 2 includes 1,536 CUDA cores and can reach up to 3.072 teraflops when docked. That number drops to about 1.71 teraflops in handheld mode.
This is a big leap over the original hardware, and while teraflop numbers don’t tell the full story, it means games can do more visually without compromising performance. The actual results will depend on how developers use the extra power.
Memory, Storage, and System Resources: More Room for Bigger Games
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X memory. That’s triple the total available on the original Switch. Of that, 9GB is available for games, while 3GB is reserved for system functions. That’s a noticeable increase from the Nintendo Switch, which gave developers just 3.2GB to work with.
Faster memory also means faster performance. Bandwidth reaches 102GB per second in docked mode and 68GB per second in handheld mode. These speeds should help with smoother gameplay, better visuals, and shorter load times.
Storage also gets a boost. The system includes 256GB of internal UFS storage, which is a big improvement over the 32GB offered by the original model. You’ll also be able to expand it with MicroSD Express cards, supporting up to 2TB.
A key addition to the Nintendo Switch 2 is the built-in file decompression engine, or FDE. Normally, compressed game data needs to be unpacked by the CPU, which can slow things down. On Nintendo Switch 2, the FDE handles this instead, helping games load faster and saving on battery life.
All these upgrades point to a system that’s built to handle bigger, more demanding games—without making sacrifices on portability or efficiency.
Display and Docked Mode Details: Sharper Screen, Limited HDMI Features
The Nintendo Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch LCD screen with a 1080p resolution, support for HDR10, and variable refresh rate (VRR) up to 120Hz. It’s also a 10-point multi-touch display, matching the touch capabilities of the Nintendo Switch.
While the built-in screen supports VRR, Digital Foundry notes that it doesn’t currently work over HDMI. This means docked play on a TV won’t benefit from VRR, at least for now. This means TV output won’t take advantage of VRR, at least for now. The likely reason involves the dock’s DisplayPort-to-HDMI converter, which may not support the required HDMI standard.
Aside from that, the system’s docked mode functions as a higher-performance mode. Developers aren’t required to use it, but most will, thanks to the added flexibility and improved specs when docked. Clock speeds, memory bandwidth, and thermal limits are all expanded in this mode.
Even with the missing HDMI VRR support, the handheld display improvements and added flexibility in docked performance show Nintendo’s focus on balancing clarity, battery life, and consistent output across both modes. Portability is still central to the experience—here’s why we think that matters.
DLSS, Ray Tracing, and Developer Notes: Smarter Upscaling, More Demanding Features
Nintendo has confirmed support for DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), a feature developed by Nvidia to improve visual quality while keeping performance stable. The Nintendo Switch 2 supports DLSS 1x, 2x, 3x, and DLAA for high-quality anti-aliasing.
DLSS helps the system output sharper images without relying on raw power. “That’s especially useful for a portable console, where power efficiency plays a big role. Some developers, like CD Projekt RED, have already confirmed they’re using it in games like Cyberpunk 2077.
The Switch 2 also supports ray tracing, another visual upgrade that simulates realistic lighting and shadows. The system is rated for 10 gigarays per second, or 20 when docked. However, ray tracing hasn’t appeared in any shown games yet, likely due to how demanding it is on resources.
One detail from Digital Foundry’s analysis highlights Game Chat as a new system-level feature that can impact performance. Nintendo even provides a testing tool so developers can simulate its effect without live chat sessions running.
Overall, these tools give developers more freedom—but they also need to be mindful of how system features use memory and processing power. What this means for you is potentially better-looking games that run smoothly across both modes, with some future titles likely pushing the visuals even further.
Closing Thoughts: A Balanced Upgrade Built for the Long Haul
Now that Nintendo has confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2’s specs, it’s clear this isn’t just a minor refresh. The upgrades to CPU, GPU, memory, and storage all point to a console that’s built to support larger, more technically ambitious games—both from Nintendo and third-party studios.
Digital Foundry’s breakdown highlights how the hardware strikes a balance between performance and power efficiency. While the system doesn’t aim to compete with PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X in raw specs, it gives developers modern tools like DLSS, ray tracing, and faster storage that weren’t possible on the original Switch.
Some limitations remain, like no HDMI VRR support and resource sharing with system-level features like Game Chat. But overall, this is a meaningful step forward—especially for a portable-first device. With launch set for June 5th, we’re close to seeing how this hardware performs in gamer’s hands. Nintendo already previewed several Switch 2 titles during Treehouse Live—check out our Day 1 recap and Day 2 coverage for a closer look.
Personally, I’m really excited for what’s ahead. The Nintendo Switch 2 feels like the right kind of upgrade—not just more power, but smarter features that could really change how games look and run. Between the confirmed tech and the possibilities with DLSS and ray tracing, I can’t wait to see what developers do with it. There’s a lot of potential here, and I’m counting down the days to launch on June 5th.
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