Key Takeaways
1. Some Switch 2 development kits may not support 4K output, despite earlier mixed reports.
2. The Switch 2 dock features a DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 converter and may support 4K gaming at 60Hz using DSC technology.
3. The Realtek RTD2175N-CG chip in the dock could potentially enable 4K/120Hz output, but only when the console is docked.
4. Software and games for the Switch 2 will need to support 4K resolutions, and upscaling may be necessary unless the console has more power than expected.
5. Anticipation builds for the upcoming Nintendo Direct, where the hybrid nature and advancements of the console might be showcased, including a possible upgraded dock.
Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson has recently disclosed that some Switch 2 development kits do not feature a 4K output. This revelation has caught the attention of gamers, especially since earlier leaks contained mixed specifications. While the upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2nd may clarify these issues, there is already some encouraging information for fans. A user on Famiboards has pointed out that the Switch 2 dock incorporates a DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.1 converter. The Realtek chip used supports 4K gaming at 60Hz, along with enhanced settings using DSC (Display Stream Compression).
Realtek Chip Details
The Realtek chip in question is known as RTD2175N-CG. Although specific details about this chip are not widely available, there is a similar model called RTD2173. If the newer version can at least equal its features, the Switch 2 dock could potentially support 4K/120 Hz output with DSC. This capability would only apply when the console is docked, but earlier speculations mentioned a handheld mode running at 120Hz with VRR, probably at lower resolutions. While the information regarding the Realtek chip does not confirm VRR support, it does indicate compatibility with HDR.
Gaming Requirements
It’s important for gamers to understand that software and games for the Switch 2 would need to offer support for 4K resolutions. Additionally, unless the console boasts more power than anticipated, upscaling would be essential to achieve this resolution. Still, the latest leak regarding the Switch 2 eases some of the concerns raised by Henderson’s insights about dev kits. If the dock is indeed utilizing the RTD2175N chip, it could mean that the development kits do not fully represent the final specifications of the Switch 2.
Anticipation for the Future
Considering previous reports, a dock capable of 4K output shouldn’t come as a shock. At the 2023 Gamescom, there were whispers that the Switch 2 was able to run The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at 4K and 60 fps. Now, it seems Nintendo is gearing up to demonstrate the advancements the console has made. If the upcoming Nintendo Direct highlights the hybrid nature of the console, an upgraded dock might well take center stage.
Source:
Link
