Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1: A Massive Hardware Upgrade Explained

Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1 A Massive Hardware Upgrade Explained

March 25, 2025 | By FlashpointNews Team

The Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be a true generational leap over its predecessor, with major upgrades to its CPU, GPU, and memory. In this breakdown, we compare the leaked specs of the Switch 2 against the original Switch to show just how big the improvements are—and what this means for gaming performance, third-party support, and future Nintendo exclusives.


🔍 TL;DR – Key Upgrades at a Glance

ComponentNintendo Switch (2017)Nintendo Switch 2 (2025)Improvement
CPU4-core ARM Cortex-A57 (1 GHz)8-core ARM Cortex-A78C (1.1 GHz)2x cores, 50%+ IPC gain
GPU256-core Maxwell (0.4 TFLOPS)1536-core Ampere (3.1 TFLOPS docked)~8x raw power + DLSS & Ray Tracing
RAM4GB LPDDR4 (25.6 GB/s bandwidth)12GB LPDDR5X (102.4 GB/s docked)3x capacity, 4x bandwidth
Display6.2″ 720p (OLED: 7″ 720p)8″ 1080pBigger, sharper screen

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🚀 CPU: A Major Boost for Performance & Game Design

The Switch 2’s 8-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU is a huge upgrade over the Switch 1’s aging 4-core A57.

✔ Doubled core count (8 vs. 4) = Better multitasking & modern game optimization.
✔ 50%+ higher IPC (Instructions Per Clock) = More efficient processing.
✔ Closer to Xbox Series S CPU performance (though clocked lower for efficiency).

🔹 Why This Matters:

  • Smoother gameplay in open-world & physics-heavy games.
  • Easier third-party ports (since most modern consoles & PCs use 8-core CPUs).
  • Future-proofing for next-gen Nintendo exclusives.

🎮 GPU: Ray Tracing, DLSS & Nearly 8x More Power

The Switch 2’s Ampere-based GPU is a game-changer, bringing modern gaming tech to a Nintendo handheld:

✔ 1536 CUDA cores (vs. 256 in Switch 1) = 3.1 TFLOPS docked (vs. 0.4 TFLOPS).
✔ DLSS support = AI upscaling for smoother 1080p/1440p gaming.
✔ Hardware Ray Tracing = Better lighting, reflections, and realism.

🔹 Real-World Comparison:

  • Roughly on par with an RTX 2050 laptop GPU (but optimized for efficiency).
  • Not competing with PS5/XSX, but a massive jump from Switch 1.
  • Enables Cyberpunk 2077-level ports (with optimizations).

💾 RAM: Triple the Capacity, Quadruple the Speed

The Switch 2’s 12GB LPDDR5X RAM (vs. 4GB in Switch 1) is critical for:

✔ Larger, more detailed game worlds (Breath of the Wild 2 could look even better).
✔ Stable performance in AAA ports (no more heavy downgrades).
✔ Higher resolutions (targeting 1440p docked, 1080p handheld).

🔹 Limitations?

  • Not enough for native 4K (expect DLSS-upscaled 4K in lighter games).
  • Still behind PS5/XSX, but way ahead of Switch 1.

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🎯 What Does This Mean for Gamers?

✅ Better Nintendo Exclusives – More ambitious Zelda, Mario, and Metroid games.
✅ More Third-Party Games – Easier ports of AAA titles (Elden Ring, GTA VI?).
✅ Modern Gaming Features – Ray Tracing, DLSS, and smoother performance.

❌ Not a PS5 Killer – Nintendo focuses on fun & portability, not raw power.

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🎮 Final Verdict

The Switch 2 isn’t just a minor upgrade—it’s a massive leap that will enable bigger, prettier, and smoother games while keeping Nintendo’s signature portability.

What do YOU think? Will you upgrade? Let us know in the comments!

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