I don't understand why people thought otherwise. Being able to do both only could have dragged console mode down, and being able to do both always meant a beefed up handheld rather than a true home console.
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Digital Foundry: Nintendo Switch CPU and GPU clock speeds revealed
- Thread starter Vashetti
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I don't understand why people thought otherwise. Being able to do both only could have dragged console mode down, and being able to do both always meant a beefed up handheld rather than a true home console.
Corrected that for you.
PdotMichael
Banned
Rumors are rumors.
And the fact that third parties didn't realy want to confirm Sykrim and NBA2K17 for Switch after the announcement trailer is quite telling in several ways.
Interestingly enough, in portable mode the GPU should be a pretty close match specs-wise.
LordOfChaos
Member
Maybe the smaller chassis would have led to a higher than allowable skin surface temperature. Or maybe it's just that Android tablets don't really care about perfect game framerate consistency and the fans are to make sure the clock doesn't falter a bit.
It's not just a little below. CPUs are at half clocks and GPU is at 76.8% while docked compared to TX1. That's quite a lot.
Unless there is something unknown about the no. of CPU cores and SMs. But with it rumoured to be Maxwell based thus maybe 20nm I very much doubt they could add more.
That's pretty much what it comes down to. At this point, I'm wondering what third parties are even gonna do with this thing, if anything at all.
Anyone honestly thinking that Nintendo was going to release a console with a more powerful CPU than either the PS4 or the Xbone hasn't been paying attention the last 10 years. It was never, ever going to happen.
With all the tweaks to Windows 10 and the Bios the GPD Win is reaching very good performances with a lot of games. I'm curious too honestly!
Linkstrikesback
Member
Yeah, seriously. If accurate, this is somewhat worrying. A console hybrid that's too weak to basically be guaranteed third party ports feels to me like it should have just gone all in and stuck to being a handheld, and keep that market happy. It now feels to me like a step down in both cases from what I want: I like the dual screen setup for handhelds, and I like a powerful* console for plugging in my tv. This has neither
*at least relatively. Obviously a console is never going to be both affordable and capable of a fraction of what a good PC can do.
Nydius
Member
It's the part in bold that makes me laugh the most because I remember reading threads here (and elsewhere) after the official Switch reveal and people were losing their MINDS over the brief glimpses of Skyrim. The hyperbole was high, Nintendo was going to be saved and third parties were back, baby! Switch was going to be at least close to the current gen and all would be right with the world.
Anyone (myself included) who mentioned that there had to be some serious technological limits to make the Switch function in that form factor with all of it's announced features, or who mentioned that Nintendo did the exact same third party dog and pony show with Mass Effect 3 for Wii U, were pretty much scoffed at and dismissed as haters.
VistraNorrez
Member
Nintendo should still be courting 3rd party PC developers and having them target Low Preset versions of their games. I'm sure they could get them to run at 30 FPS if Nintendo works with them. I think most hardcore gamers will understand this system to be truly a portable device and the people that see it as a home console won't really care about the lesser graphics.
lwilliams3
Member
Right. The most we got from the clockspeed alone that it is a close to the Wii U in GPU power with a more powerful CPU and much more RAM in portable mode, and the GPU is boosted by a crazy 2.5x when docked.
So, it is probably at least 3x in actual performance while docked, That doesn't include using fp16 and the CPU could be A72s instead of A57 which wouldn't need to be clocked as high.
So, it could run Overwatch nicely ?
'cause I would really like some portable Overwatch.
It always kind of feels like that at launch. Remember the unprecedented partnership with EA? We'll have to wait and see.
I'm just saying that, when a new Mass Effect is released or some other big third party title, you probably shouldn't expect it on Switch.
Still unknown.
Skittzo0413
Member
I figured that went without saying given the context of my post.
Jesus, that's a surprise. Raw power isn't everything but it can certainly be an enabler in hardware like this.
I'm still annoyed about this including a screen. For me, the Gamepad is by far the worst first party controller the console manufacturers have released and it's annoying that Nintendo are following that model again as the screen is an additional expense for something that I have no interest in using.
I'd much rather be giving Nintendo the same money for increased specs and no screen.
Maybe the Switch will only be £100 to £150 range though? I'd feel far more tempted to hand over money the console at that price point and buy one of the Pro controllers.
I'm still annoyed about this including a screen. For me, the Gamepad is by far the worst first party controller the console manufacturers have released and it's annoying that Nintendo are following that model again as the screen is an additional expense for something that I have no interest in using.
I'd much rather be giving Nintendo the same money for increased specs and no screen.
Maybe the Switch will only be £100 to £150 range though? I'd feel far more tempted to hand over money the console at that price point and buy one of the Pro controllers.
JetSetRadio
Banned
I always wanted to be an ambassador.
Much stronger. Mine can run Fallout 4 too.
Yeah, that's not going to happen. Unless you like more Mario Party games.
chillybright
Banned
"This isn't a typo..."
Lmao that they even have to write that.
Lmao that they even have to write that.
Man, it's going to be interesting to see how Switch does in the current market. The handheld aspect might keep it afloat in Japan but portables don't really have a leg to stand on in the west and the console aspect may be too weak to really be competitive.
The excuse of people buying Nintendo hardware for Nintendo games isn't even a safe bet anymore as evidenced by how the Wii U has performed. It'll be fascinating to see how this does for Nintendo.
I was considering buying one at launch which would have been a first in a long time for me as far as Nintendo HW goes but I think I'll wait to see what kind of support it gets.
The excuse of people buying Nintendo hardware for Nintendo games isn't even a safe bet anymore as evidenced by how the Wii U has performed. It'll be fascinating to see how this does for Nintendo.
I was considering buying one at launch which would have been a first in a long time for me as far as Nintendo HW goes but I think I'll wait to see what kind of support it gets.
Yup, Nintendo would rather tank their launch and handicap their momentum out of the gate than not get their cut., When this thing launches at 250 or 300 and hits that post-launch drought, it's going to be fucking grim.
Isn't it obvious? Moneyhats. Once those run out, they'll bail without a second thought.
Risk Breaker
Member
How legit are CPU benchmarks like this? https://browser.primatelabs.com/android-benchmarks
If the Shield at 1.9GHz is 876 points and already middle of the list, dividing by 2 would make it be near the bottom.
Just how bad would 4 A57 at 1GHz be for running something like Witcher 3, a new Assassin's Creed or Fallout 4?
That's without accounting for any OS reservations, taking 1 core or something.
If the Shield at 1.9GHz is 876 points and already middle of the list, dividing by 2 would make it be near the bottom.
Just how bad would 4 A57 at 1GHz be for running something like Witcher 3, a new Assassin's Creed or Fallout 4?
That's without accounting for any OS reservations, taking 1 core or something.
Relaxed Muscle
Member
My guess is that Nintendo is trying to get specs to a minimum to avoid the inevitable raise of software costs. At this point it must be intentional, since the power draw dosn't make sense anymore.
This is done at the expense of third party support, which they clearly don't care anymore.
GhostTrick
Banned
Milly Osworth
Member
We are of course going to jump to conclusions instantly so no hope there.
It does seem worrying though.
Maybe Nintendo is going to double down on cheap this round?
It does seem worrying though.
Maybe Nintendo is going to double down on cheap this round?
So the WiiU is Krillin and the switch is still Krillin but with a bit more power?
Kssio_Aug
Member
You keep saying that... but you know people buy Nintendo consoles mostly for Mario, Pokemon and Zelda, right?
Still would just be portable in your house only
Of course, it would be still cool to play Overwatch in my bed or somewhere like that
Darkstorne
Member
You have to go back to the Gamecube gen to find a Nintendo console that does that.
This is a new handheld, multiple times more powerful than the Vita, that can be docked for full HD gameplay on your TV, where it becomes multiple times more powerful than the Wii U.
If you were looking forward to a new Nintendo handheld, this should be really exciting news.
If you were looking forward to a new Nintendo home console, and expecting it to compete with the PS4/XB1... well then history has taught you nothing.
Garrett Hawke
Member
A little disappointing but not surprising. I don't know who is still buying Nintendo hardware for multiplats.
It's not going to be playing call of duty black ops 6 but the 3DS had plenty of third party support.
Like the 3DS?
It's not going to be playing call of duty black ops 6 but the 3DS had plenty of third party support.
(Considering this is true
People also laughed at my initial cynicism.
GhostTrick
Banned
PandaShake
Member
I'm guessing you can't plug an ac adapter while undocked for it to run like it is. Would like to play that way in bed or on the couch.
dampflokfreund
Banned
The thing is, playing third party games like GTA 6 or Battlefield 1 on the go could be a HUGE selling point to many, many people. With specs like that however, that huge marketing opportunity is gone.
So yeah, this is indeed very worrying.
Wii U was Krillin, but in todays market the Switch is Yamcha.
PdotMichael
Banned
The problem is less for what people are buying Nintendo consoles but the plain fact that they are a shrinking group.
I think if Nintendo wants this to be seen as a home console they really arent trying to compete with Sony and MS. I think they want to be seen as a secondary home console company. Like how some companies in smartphone land were always seen as making low, mid range phones. Some recently started trying to get into the high end side but still...
But handhelds, they remain king.
Nintendo, might be time to focus on your hardware strengths. Handhelds. No shame in leaving the home console market.
But handhelds, they remain king.
Nintendo, might be time to focus on your hardware strengths. Handhelds. No shame in leaving the home console market.
The dream is dead, damn.
The downclock is too aggressive. I'd much rather a handheld with less battery life (but then rechargeable with a battery pack) than constrained to Wii U levels. Ugh.
Nintendo gonna Nintendo alright.
Here's hoping it was all due to Nintendo being able to get a tonne of Tegra X1s dirt cheap, and they can reach a RRP close to 200.
This.
The downclock is too aggressive. I'd much rather a handheld with less battery life (but then rechargeable with a battery pack) than constrained to Wii U levels. Ugh.
Nintendo gonna Nintendo alright.
Here's hoping it was all due to Nintendo being able to get a tonne of Tegra X1s dirt cheap, and they can reach a RRP close to 200.
Forget it.
wonderful103
Member
The hyperbole vs fact separation in this thread reminds me of the US election fake news cycle for some reason.
Probably still can handle most titles seen on other platforms. The clock speeds are lower than excepted though.
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Yes. One absolutely does not have to do with the other.
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