Nintendo Switch release date, news, specs rumors: Graphics expected to be better when console is docked

The release of Nintendo Switch is coming closer, and there are already a lot of speculations about its performance, specifically with its gaming display and graphics-processing technology.

Nintendo will be releasing a new gaming console called Nintendo Switch. The Switch is similar to Wii that it comes in the form of a gaming tablet with its control buttons located on the side. But the Switch can be docked to a TV, which allows the user to continue their game from the tablet on a bigger display. Aside from this, the controllers from the Switch are detachable, making the user have the option of letting the tablet on a stand while players use the controllers at a comfortable position.

Eurogamer reports that the Nintendo Switch has the potential to perform double in terms of graphics processing when on dock mode, as compared to its standalone gaming tablet.

Based on the spec sheet that was leaked on Twitter, it was revealed that while the CPU speed maintains the same on both modes, the GPU speed varies. When undocked, GPU runs at 307.2 MHz and 307.2 to 768 MHz when on dock mode.

This means that Nintendo can still tweak the Nintendo Switch to have a higher graphics processing when on dock mode and provide as high as a 1080p resolution. There has been no confirmation if the developers of Nintendo Switch are going in this direction as they can also opt to level the graphics processing of both the dock mode and tablet.

Meanwhile, it is suggested that the Nintendo Switch is already carrying the new NVIDIA Tegra X2 or Tegra Parker. But according to VentureBeat, Nintendo has multiple reasons why having Tegra X2 on the Switch is not plausible.

The main reason is the time constraint. Nintendo Switch is using Tegra X1 because Nintendo needs to introduce the new gaming console sooner rather than later. It is because Nintendo already wants to phase out the Wii U, which is not performing well in the market, and that they are anticipating that a competitor will take the advantage of introducing a better product if they wait too long.

If Nintendo opts to use Tegra X2, they will need more time to adjust the Nintendo Switch to house the new graphics chip because it was originally designed for desktops and laptops.

Nintendo Switch is expected to be released in March 2017.