Nintendo Switch Possibly Underclocked; Dock to Improve Performance: Report

With information on the Nintendo Switch release date and price almost a month away, another report is making the rounds on what to expect when its finally out. It appears that console will perform better when connected to the Nintendo Switch Dock, but not due any additional processing power tacked on to the peripheral.

“When the system is connected to the dock by USB-C, the system’s components will run at a higher clock speed to facilitate 1080p resolutions on the TV. Both video and power will be transferred over USB-C when docked,” reads a post from serial Nintendo Switch leaker LetsPlayVideoGames. “Plugging the system into the dock will also activate a small additional fan to help with cooling when run at that higher clock speed. This fan is in the rear of the dock, and there is a gap in the back of the dock to allow the system’s inbuilt fans to vent when docked.”

(Also see:  Nintendo Switch Price Listed by UK Retailer)

According to the site, the dock is meant to be cheap to produce and will be offered separately, allowing you to use the Nintendo Switch in different rooms if you have multiple TVs. What this means is, unlike the Wii U tablet controller that was locked to your console, you should be able to use the Nintendo Switch handheld with any Nintendo Switch Dock.

This also means that the Nintendo Switch, when used as a handheld is possibly underclocked to maintain ideal operating temperature. Nothing new considering devices like the PSP resorted to such a practice.

Prior to this, several reports pegged the price of the Switch to be on the higher side.

(Also see:  Nintendo Switch Release Date Said to Be March 17)

"A long-in-the-works revamp to the company's consoles -- the NX, with reveal coming next week -- is liable to come at a price that will result in a "major" disappointment for volume sales, the firm Macquarie says," according to a post on investor website Seeking Alpha. "Speculation is putting the price of the new console between $300 and $350, in line with competing consoles, vs. the Wii's former discount to rival boxes from Sony and Microsoft."