Digital Foundry: Nintendo Overclocks Switch to Improve Load Time and Graphics

Nintendo seems to have started clocking the CPU and GPU of the Nvidia Tegra X1 soc in the Switch higher to improve loading times and performance when used in handheld mode. That only happens in certain games so far, Digital Foundry says.

Nintendo has lowered the Switch’s clock speeds in handheld mode, presumably to save battery. Recent updates show that the Japanese console maker has begun testing higher clock speeds in Mortal Kombat 11, Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, Digital Foundry says.

In addition, the processor cores go from 1020MHz to 1785MHz during loading, reducing Super Mario Odyssey’s loading time from 29 seconds to 20 seconds. During the three Nintendo games, the GPU can go to 460MHz, 20 percent higher than the 384MHz that was possible until now. That is still less than the 768MHz that is possible in the dock, but the GPU must also control the screen of a TV, often with a higher resolution than on the screen of the Switch itself.

Digital Foundry tested the clock speeds with sys-clk to keep an eye on the clock speeds. Nintendo has not confirmed the tests. It is also unknown if and when the higher clock speeds for other games will be available.

In the dock Handheld (in many games) Handheld (new mode) Handheld while loading

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