Thanks to the removal of this component, the Nintendo Switch 2 can be completely silent

In a new YouTube video, a Moore’s Law Is Dead leaker has claimed that the Nintendo Switch 2 should be fanless in handheld mode. This could result in a silent gaming experience on the go, a departure from its predecessor. To achieve this, the console’s ARM chip will reportedly work in the following way: a modest 5 watts of power in portable mode. It’s a real improvement in efficiency over the original Switch, which Nintendo says consumed around 7 watts when docked.

The leaker still suggests that Nintendo could use a combination of Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and a simpler upscaler to achieve 4K image quality on TVs. Fortunately, The console will have everything it needs to improve its performance once it is docked.

Nintendo Switch 2 will be much faster when docked

When docked, the Switch 2 should be able to flex its muscles, potentially increasing GPU clock speeds from under 800MHz to over 1.2GHz. This increase could be Increasing energy consumption by 15 to 30 watts, this will likely require a fan to be installed in the dock. The increased performance will enable 4K output, albeit through upscaling technologies.

The Switch 2 offers an interesting contrast when compared to the popular Steam Deck. While it can’t match Valve’s handheld in terms of raw processing power, Nintendo’s offering may pull ahead in terms of definition and potentially ray tracing capabilities thanks to its GPU and DLSS support. The trade-off appears to be in frame rates, though, with the Switch 2 likely targeting lower frame rates than the Steam Deck. Compensated by higher resolution and perhaps smoother performance thanks to VRR technology (Variable Refresh Rate).

For existing Switch owners, this will be a significant upgrade. While it’s not a huge leap forward compared to all of its competitors, specific rumors suggest it’s a significant step forward that should please Nintendo’s loyal fan base. As for when we’ll see the Switch 2 on shelves, Nintendo has confirmed that it will be unveiled in March 2025 at the latest.