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bomblord1 · May 25, 2017

Compared to wiiU
In handheld mode the GPU is like a wiiU plus (think 3DS > NEW 3DS) but has the benefit of 3x the usable ram, a significantly stronger CPU, and an architecture about 5-10 years newer (yes I realize that's a wide gap but the architecture on the wiiU was a weird hodgepodge of older and newer).

In docked mode its about 4x the wiiU's GPU with the previous benefits.

Compared to the Xbox One
On paper it's GPU (docked) is a bit under 1/3rd the Xbox One (which actually isn't a huge gap) but it once again benefits from a newer architecture (about 5 years newer), a CPU that is weaker but not signficantly, and about 64% of the usable ram (3.2GB vs 5GB)

Compared to the PS360
10+ year advantage on GPU architecture
About 4-5x the GPU power (docked)
A significantly better CPU than the 360 but not the Cell (the Cell can still outperform the PS4 CPU in some tasks)
6.4x the usable RAM

In practice what you'll probably see is PS360 era graphics running at 1080p 60fps and a few improved effects.
Or 1080p 60fps PS4/Xone games running at 720p 30fps.

Examples we can point to are
Snakepass
sub 900p 30fps PS4
Switch Sub 720p 30fps with a few effects removed

Lego City Undercover
PS4 1080p 30fps/60fps
Switch 1080p 30fps

The Switch also managed to get a full Physically Based Lighting system over the wiiU version, higher resolution shadows, longer draw distance, increased texture resolution, 1080p docked, and a more consistent framerate in this game.

OrbitalBeard · May 25, 2017

Jawbreaker said:
It has the power to create NeoGAF marketing threads.

It shares this great power with the PlayStation Vita.

SinCityAssassin · May 25, 2017

Mikey Jr. said:
Seriously, I love that people are overestimating the power of the switch.

People, it ain't getting Destiny 2.

I sure as hell ain't thinking it's getting that game.

massoluk · May 25, 2017

Mechazawa said:
Using International Standards:

Xbox 360/PS3 - Yamcha
Wii U - Tien
Switch - Piccolo
Xbox One - Vegeta
PS4 - Goku
PC - Bruce Banner

Too many things unaccounted for, what if Switch is docked/undocked

Infernal Monkey · May 25, 2017

It doesn't have Klax, so it's less powerful than the Lynx.

NewGame · May 25, 2017

Torgo said:
This helps

LordKasual · May 25, 2017

About 2/10 ports per revolution

notaskwid · May 25, 2017

Five unicycling midgets and one talking bear levels of fun.

Jawbreaker · May 25, 2017

OrbitalBeard said:
It shares this great power with the PlayStation Vita.

Haha, though it was all downhill for Vita marketing once SmokyDave was banned.

mothball · May 25, 2017

OrbitalBeard said:
It shares this great power with the PlayStation Vita.

Though since it has a Nintendo logo it, now people are suddenly interested in console games on a handheld.

nogoodnamesleft · May 25, 2017

Docked its basically a Wii U pro.

KingBroly · May 25, 2017

It's Yamcha+Krillin

Tien's still stronger, though.

MaximumSpider · May 25, 2017

massoluk said:
Too many things unaccounted for, what if Switch is docked/undocked

Piccolo fused with Kami?

MetalliCabombination · May 25, 2017

nostalgia

Huge Succeeded · May 25, 2017

mothball said:
Though since it has a Nintendo logo it, now people are suddenly interested in console games on a handheld.

I want you to think really hard about why that might be the case.
It's obvious you haven't actually read any of the threads on that exact subject, or you might not be so reductive

psyfi · May 25, 2017

HAH, as if its true power could be comprehended by a mortal

Hexa · May 25, 2017

ahm998 said:
Between 1-1.3 teraflop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ZHu3wHecM

That's not how this works. The X1 GPU at full speed 1GHz is 1024 gflops FP16 and 512 gflops FP32. In docked mode switch is 768MHz and portable it is 307.2MHz. Hence, if you're just trying to make comparisons based on being based on X1, the switch is 384 gflops while in docked mode and 153.6 glfops in portable mode. Note the last numbers at in FP32 because that's what's generally used for comparisons as that's what is generally used while programming at this point and so while FP16 does provide performance advantages FP32 is best for comparisons. Otherwise you end with weird numbers like the PS4 Pro being 12 TF and Scorpio being 6 TF that don't tell you anything.

breakfuss · May 25, 2017

gameongreggy said:
Its as powerful as it needs to be. It's an awesome machine design wise and fun wise.

lol, yikes!

no, but this is actually a question i've had as well. Obviously it's n a smaller form factor than a Wii U...but currently I've only played Wii U ports on it lol (albeit at improved resolutions). Sooo yeah.

L Thammy · May 25, 2017

The Switch's power is that it has every power that you haven't thought of yet.

DeuceGamer · May 25, 2017

Simple answer is it's between PS360 and current gen. Regardless of whether it's possible, I wouldn't expect a lot of Western AAA multi plats.

Mihael Mello Keehl · May 25, 2017

Trace said:
And this is why I dislike certain Nintendo fans. You realize that's not what he asked in any way, shape, or form right?

Can he put in his 2 cents? Sheesh

He wasnt saying thats the defining moment of the OPs question. Some yall got issues

Dr_LucienSanchez · May 25, 2017

The Nintendo Switch is just as powerful as any modern console needs to be. Any extra power is just extraneous and makes developers flustered.

VariantX · May 25, 2017

AmyS said:
It's more powerful than Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii U, but nowhere near PS4 or Xbox One.

Best answer here without going into technical details.

If it could run on last gen hardware, it can run on switch, but probably better.

Oresama · May 25, 2017

Torgo said:
This helps

Hahaha

the top result is this very thread.

Mind Blown!

Gator86 · May 25, 2017

Nickle said:
I've heard it's like Gohan.

The Switch can only unlock its full potential if the PS3's processor kills the Android OS.

Maxey · May 25, 2017

I'm sure the Switch could handle most ports if publishers were willing to spend the resources necessary for it.

Don't forget that there used to be a time when it wasn't uncommon for big profile games to get ports on massively inferior hardware in relation to the current gen of the time.

It's mostly dependent on business decisions.

Caelus · May 25, 2017

Not powerful enough to get a lot of current-gen ports, but the hardware is more 'modern' so there might be a few surprises here and there. Waiting on that Dark Souls duology.

evil monkey · May 25, 2017

Mikey Jr. said:
Seriously, I love that people are overestimating the power of the switch.

People, it ain't getting Destiny 2.

If it makes you feel any better, it wasn't going to get that game no matter how powerful it was. Gamecube is proof of that.

Skittzo0413 · May 25, 2017

bomblord1 said:
Compared to wiiU
In handheld mode the GPU is like a wiiU plus (think 3DS > NEW 3DS) but has the benefit of 3x the usable ram, a significantly stronger CPU, and an architecture about 5-10 years newer (yes I realize that's a wide gap but the architecture on the wiiU was a weird hodgepodge of older and newer).

In docked mode its about 4x the wiiU's GPU with the previous benefits.

Compared to the Xbox One
On paper it's GPU (docked) is a bit under 1/3rd the Xbox One (which actually isn't a huge gap) but it once again benefits from a newer architecture (about 5 years newer), a CPU that is weaker but not signficantly, and about 64% of the usable ram (3.2GB vs 5GB)

Compared to the PS360
10+ year advantage on GPU architecture
About 4-5x the raw power on paper (docked)
A significantly better CPU than the 360 but not the Cell (the Cell can still outperform the PS4 CPU in some tasks)
6.4x the usable RAM

Quoting because you actually attempted quite well to answer OP's question. This seems about right from what I recall too.

Mechazawa · May 25, 2017

massoluk said:
Too many things unaccounted for, what if Switch is docked/undocked

That's just Pre and Post Kami fusion.

Come on now, this is implied, I thought we were scientists here.

RootCause · May 25, 2017

Caelus said:
Not powerful enough to get a lot of current-gen ports, but the hardware is more 'modern' so there might be a few surprises here and there. Waiting on that Dark Souls duology.

I need this so bad.

Hexa · May 25, 2017

bomblord1 said:
Compared to wiiU
In handheld mode the GPU is like a wiiU plus (think 3DS > NEW 3DS) but has the benefit of 3x the usable ram, a significantly stronger CPU, and an architecture about 5-10 years newer (yes I realize that's a wide gap but the architecture on the wiiU was a weird hodgepodge of older and newer).

In docked mode its about 4x the wiiU's GPU with the previous benefits.

Compared to the Xbox One
On paper it's GPU (docked) is a bit under 1/3rd the Xbox One (which actually isn't a huge gap) but it once again benefits from a newer architecture (about 5 years newer), a CPU that is weaker but not signficantly, and about 64% of the usable ram (3.2GB vs 5GB)

Compared to the PS360
10+ year advantage on GPU architecture
About 4-5x the raw power on paper (docked)
A significantly better CPU than the 360 but not the Cell (the Cell can still outperform the PS4 CPU in some tasks)
6.4x the usable RAM

What are you basing your 'raw power' on? Doesn't match what I have at all so I'm wondering if I'm mistaken.

Kthulhu · May 25, 2017

The Tegra X1 in the Switch is essentially built for tablets, and can currently be found in the Nvidia Shield console and the Google Pixel C tablet.

It's powerful from that perspective, but it still isn't quite as powerful as a PS4 or an Xbox One, while being a step above the Wii U.

It is however, much more powerful than the PS3 and the Xbox 360.

NewGame said:

Lol.

JordanN said:
So what are developers waiting for then?

Games being downported instead of going up means there's a gen difference in power.

No it doesn't. It just means the Switch isn't on the same level as the other 8th gen systems (besides the Wii U obviously).

BlackBanditSho · May 25, 2017

bomblord1 said:
Compared to wiiU
In handheld mode the GPU is like a wiiU plus (think 3DS > NEW 3DS) but has the benefit of 3x the usable ram, a significantly stronger CPU, and an architecture about 5-10 years newer (yes I realize that's a wide gap but the architecture on the wiiU was a weird hodgepodge of older and newer).

In docked mode its about 4x the wiiU's GPU with the previous benefits.

Compared to the Xbox One
On paper it's GPU (docked) is a bit under 1/3rd the Xbox One (which actually isn't a huge gap) but it once again benefits from a newer architecture (about 5 years newer), a CPU that is weaker but not signficantly, and about 64% of the usable ram (3.2GB vs 5GB)

Compared to the PS360
10+ year advantage on GPU architecture
About 4-5x the raw power on paper (docked)
A significantly better CPU than the 360 but not the Cell (the Cell can still outperform the PS4 CPU in some tasks)
6.4x the usable RAM

In practice what you'll probably see is PS360 era graphics running at 1080p 60fps and a few improved effects.
Or 1080p 60fps PS4/Xone games running at 720p 30fps.

Examples we can point to are
Snakepass
sub 900p 30fps PS4
Switch Sub 720p 30fps with a few effects removed

Lego City Undercover
PS4 1080p 30fps/60fps
Switch 1080p 30fps

The Switch also managed to get a full Physically Based Lighting system over the wiiU version, higher resolution shadows, longer draw distance, increased texture resolution, 1080p docked, and a more consistent framerate in this game.

Thank you! This put it into perspective!

renzolama · May 25, 2017

Edit: Am I too late? Are we past the joke responses phase? Can I get an exception because Bowie?

bomblord1 · May 25, 2017

Hexa said:
What are you basing your 'raw power' on? Doesn't match what I have so I'm wondering if I'm mistaken.

393gflops docked 157gflops handheld. This is based on the leaked clocks by digital foundry and the known architecture/sm's.

Jaded Alyx · May 25, 2017

nogoodnamesleft said:
Docked its basically a Wii U pro.

You mean undocked.

Darklor01 · May 25, 2017

gameongreggy said:
Its as powerful as it needs to be. It's an awesome machine design wise and fun wise.

So, this is what "fun size" candy bars were shooting for.

miller.skippins · May 25, 2017

Now you are playing with Nintendo Power

Storm Kyleis · May 25, 2017

Better question: can it run the PC version with low/medium settings of a AAA game?

Kataploom · May 25, 2017

bomblord1 said:
Compared to wiiU
In handheld mode the GPU is like a wiiU plus (think 3DS > NEW 3DS) but has the benefit of 3x the usable ram, a significantly stronger CPU, and an architecture about 5-10 years newer (yes I realize that's a wide gap but the architecture on the wiiU was a weird hodgepodge of older and newer).

In docked mode its about 4x the wiiU's GPU with the previous benefits.

Compared to the Xbox One
On paper it's GPU (docked) is a bit under 1/3rd the Xbox One (which actually isn't a huge gap) but it once again benefits from a newer architecture (about 5 years newer), a CPU that is weaker but not signficantly, and about 64% of the usable ram (3.2GB vs 5GB)

Compared to the PS360
10+ year advantage on GPU architecture
About 4-5x the raw power on paper (docked)
A significantly better CPU than the 360 but not the Cell (the Cell can still outperform the PS4 CPU in some tasks)
6.4x the usable RAM

In practice what you'll probably see is PS360 era graphics running at 1080p 60fps and a few improved effects.
Or 1080p 60fps PS4/Xone games running at 720p 30fps.

Examples we can point to are
Snakepass
sub 900p 30fps PS4
Switch Sub 720p 30fps with a few effects removed

Lego City Undercover
PS4 1080p 30fps/60fps
Switch 1080p 30fps

The Switch also managed to get a full Physically Based Lighting system over the wiiU version, higher resolution shadows, longer draw distance, increased texture resolution, 1080p docked, and a more consistent framerate in this game.

.

MartyStu · May 25, 2017

Trace said:
And this is why I dislike certain Nintendo fans. You realize that's not what he asked in any way, shape, or form right?

His post was about as helpful as yours and several posted others before this.

Get off of it.

Hexa · May 25, 2017

bomblord1 said:
393gflops docked 157gflops handheld. This is based on the leaked clocks by digital foundry and the known architecture/sm's.

OK. So we match in how powerful the Switch is. Where did you get your Wii U and PS3360 numbers? AFAIK PS3 is 192 gflops and 360 is 240 gflops.

bomblord1 · May 25, 2017

Hexa said:
OK. So we match in how powerful the Switch is. Where did you get your Wii U and PS3360 numbers? AFAIK PS3 is 192 gflops and 360 is 240 gflops.

But they were outperformed by the wiiU's 176gflops. I was just giving rough estimates so I went with PS360 < 176 and rounded up.

_Clash_ · May 25, 2017

bomblord1 said:
Compared to wiiU
In handheld mode the GPU is like a wiiU plus (think 3DS > NEW 3DS) but has the benefit of 3x the usable ram, a significantly stronger CPU, and an architecture about 5-10 years newer (yes I realize that's a wide gap but the architecture on the wiiU was a weird hodgepodge of older and newer).

In docked mode its about 4x the wiiU's GPU with the previous benefits.

Compared to the Xbox One
On paper it's GPU (docked) is a bit under 1/3rd the Xbox One (which actually isn't a huge gap) but it once again benefits from a newer architecture (about 5 years newer), a CPU that is weaker but not signficantly, and about 64% of the usable ram (3.2GB vs 5GB)

Compared to the PS360
10+ year advantage on GPU architecture
About 4-5x the raw power on paper (docked)
A significantly better CPU than the 360 but not the Cell (the Cell can still outperform the PS4 CPU in some tasks)
6.4x the usable RAM

In practice what you'll probably see is PS360 era graphics running at 1080p 60fps and a few improved effects.
Or 1080p 60fps PS4/Xone games running at 720p 30fps.

Examples we can point to are
Snakepass
sub 900p 30fps PS4
Switch Sub 720p 30fps with a few effects removed

Lego City Undercover
PS4 1080p 30fps/60fps
Switch 1080p 30fps

The Switch also managed to get a full Physically Based Lighting system over the wiiU version, higher resolution shadows, longer draw distance, increased texture resolution, 1080p docked, and a more consistent framerate in this game.

Everyone just link to this post

Hexa · May 25, 2017

bomblord1 said:
But they were outperformed by the wiiU's 176gflops. I was just giving rough estimates so I went with PS360 < 176 and rounded up.

Wii U's gpu had a better architecture, which often matters more than pure flop count. In raw FP performance I think PS3 360 still beat it, though Nintendo never reveals numbers so we'll never know for sure. Regardless, I don't suppose it matters much at this point so whatevs. Comparisons of raw power across architectures that far apart doesn't really make much sense.

ZOONAMI · May 25, 2017

It has HD rumble, so more powerful than any console. All the other consoles only have SD rumble.

Polygonal_Sprite · May 25, 2017

1/3 Xbox One when docked.

bomblord1 · May 25, 2017

Hexa said:
Wii U's gpu had a better architecture, which often matters more than pure flop count. In raw FP performance I think PS3 360 still beat it, though Nintendo never reveals numbers so we'll never know for sure. Regardless, I don't suppose it matters much at this point so whatevs. I'd put it at about same as PS3 360 in raw power portable and about 2.5x docked but comparisons of architectures that far apart doesn't really make much sense.

Yea that's fair the distance between their architectures is also a good point to make as well it makes even comparing flop counts pretty much pointless.

Nick_C · May 25, 2017

Dr_LucienSanchez said:
The Nintendo Switch is just as powerful as any modern console needs to be. Any extra power is just extraneous and makes developers flustered.

Lock it up, ladies and gents. This so the best answer we're likely to receive.

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What is the actual power of the Nintendo Switch?

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