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Nintendo Switch 2: 4K, 30 FPS, and the DLSS Upscaler

5/21/2024
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of the Nintendo Switch 2 and its potential capabilities. 🎮

Nintendo Switch 2: 4K, 30 FPS, and the DLSS Upscaler

The gaming community has been buzzing with excitement about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Rumors and leaks have painted a picture of a powerful handheld console that could rival even the likes of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Switch 2 is its potential for 4K gaming with NVIDIA’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology.

The Upscaling Dilemma

According to tech experts at Digital Foundry, the Nintendo Switch 2 might be capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30 frames per second using DLSS. However, this scenario is unlikely to be widespread, as it would be a “misuse” of the upscaler. Here’s why:

  1. Costly Upscaling: Upscaling to 4K resolution is more resource-intensive than upscaling to 1080p or 1440p. The computational cost of converting lower resolutions to 4K is significant, especially for a handheld device.

  2. Frametime Impact: When a game spends a large portion of its frametime on upscaling, it affects overall performance. Achieving a smooth 60 FPS experience becomes challenging when the GPU dedicates substantial time to upscaling.

  3. Nintendo’s 60 FPS Philosophy: Nintendo has a reputation for prioritizing 60 FPS gameplay in its titles. Sacrificing frame rate to achieve 4K resolution might not align with their design philosophy.

The Viable Alternative: 1440p

Digital Foundry’s tests revealed that upscaling to 1440p is more feasible. It adds only 7.7 milliseconds of frametime over native 720p resolution. While 4K at 30 FPS could be achievable, it would still be a misuse of the upscaler, consuming a significant portion of GPU resources.

Ray Tracing and DLSS

The Switch 2 is rumored to support Ray Reconstruction alongside NVIDIA DLSS. This combination could make it the best ray tracing-capable gaming console to date. Imagine exploring Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with stunning visuals and efficient performance.

Conclusion

While the Nintendo Switch 2’s 4K potential is exciting, developers will need to strike a delicate balance between resolution and frame rate. As we eagerly await its official release, let’s hope Nintendo leverages DLSS wisely to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. 🌟