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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The old Nintendo Switch 2 leak got one important detail almost exactly right: the console’s handheld GPU reportedly runs at about 561 MHz, close to the leaked claim of 560 MHz or higher. But the report was published before Switch 2 launched on June 5, 2025, so it should no longer be described as a current leak. The new C button also has a confirmed purpose: it opens GameChat, not screenshots.
This is the updated answer to what the pre-release report claimed, what the final hardware delivered, and what those details mean for buyers in 2026.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Switch with Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con - Handheld Gaming Console | $323.72 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $617.98 | Buy on Amazon |
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Update: The report discussed here predates Nintendo Switch 2’s June 5, 2025 launch. The claims below are now being checked against released hardware and Nintendo’s official information.
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The original Tom’s Guide report described claims attributed to dataminer ZachyCatGames. The most significant was that Switch 2’s GPU could reach or exceed 560 MHz in portable mode.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
The report also discussed the console’s unexplained C button and earlier theories about what it might do, including the possibility that it could be used for screenshots. Neither claim was an announcement from Nintendo at the time. They were pre-release reporting and speculation.
The article compared the rumored clock speed with the Steam Deck’s much higher approximate GPU clock, while also noting that clock speed alone does not determine performance. That qualification matters: comparing MHz between different GPU architectures is not a reliable way to rank two devices.
Was the 560 MHz GPU claim accurate?
Broadly, yes. Specialist reporting on the final hardware gives Switch 2 a handheld GPU clock of approximately 561 MHz, making the original “560 MHz or higher” claim remarkably close.
Reported final figures also put the GPU at approximately:
| Operating mode | Reported GPU clock | Reported theoretical performance |
|---|---|---|
| Handheld | Approximately 561 MHz | Approximately 1.71 TFLOPs |
| Docked | Approximately 1,007 MHz | Approximately 3.072 TFLOPs |
These numbers come from specialist hardware reporting, including Nintendo Life’s reporting on the final specifications, rather than a complete consumer-facing specification sheet published by Nintendo. The docked and handheld figures should not be merged into one universal “Switch 2 GPU speed”: the console uses different operating targets depending on its power and thermal conditions.
What the numbers do—and do not—tell you
TFLOPs describe theoretical floating-point throughput. They do not guarantee a game’s frame rate, resolution, image quality, loading performance, or battery life. Real results depend on the CPU, memory bandwidth, cooling, power limits, game engine, developer optimization, rendering resolution, and features such as NVIDIA DLSS.
That means a game running at 60 frames per second on one platform cannot be predicted from a TFLOP comparison alone. The 561 MHz figure confirms that the old leak was close on one technical detail; it does not, by itself, prove that Switch 2 performs like a particular PC or competing console.
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What GPU does Nintendo Switch 2 actually use?
Nintendo officially describes Switch 2 as using a custom processor made by NVIDIA. Its consumer technical-specification page does not fully list the architecture, CUDA-core count, clock rates, or TFLOP figures. Nintendo’s official description is available on the Switch 2 technical specifications page.
Teardown and specialist reporting identifies the system-on-chip as NVIDIA’s Tegra T239, with a custom GPU based on NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture. Reports describe a configuration of 12 streaming multiprocessors and 1,536 CUDA cores, alongside 12GB of LPDDR5X memory on a 128-bit interface. Those detailed figures should be treated as reported technical analysis, not as a full Nintendo-published specification list. See TechSpot’s teardown reporting and Tom’s Hardware’s GPU analysis.
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- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
The GPU also supports hardware ray tracing and DLSS according to developer-oriented reporting. Nintendo says the improved CPU and GPU enable experiences that were not possible on the original Switch; the most useful evidence is how modern first-party games and demanding third-party ports perform in practice.
How powerful is Switch 2 in practical terms?
Switch 2 is a major generational upgrade over the original Switch. It combines a newer NVIDIA GPU architecture with substantially more memory, higher performance targets, DLSS support, and hardware ray tracing. Those features can help developers deliver higher resolutions, more detailed worlds, better lighting, and more stable frame rates than the original hardware could typically provide.
Some specialist coverage compares aspects of the GPU with mobile RTX 2050- or RTX 3050-class hardware. That is an approximate architectural or performance analogy—not proof that Switch 2 contains a retail RTX 2050, and not a guarantee that it matches a laptop using one. Switch 2 operates within a console-specific portable power and thermal envelope, with its own memory system, drivers, software stack, and docked mode.
It is therefore misleading to present Switch 2 as equivalent to a current desktop gaming PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X. Its performance target is a portable console that can enter a higher-performance docked mode. Game-by-game results remain more meaningful than a single GPU-clock or TFLOP comparison.
What does the new C button do?
The C button is on the right Joy-Con 2 and launches GameChat. Nintendo’s support documentation describes GameChat as supporting voice communication and, depending on the setup and compatible equipment, video chat and screen sharing.
That makes the early screenshot theory incorrect or, at minimum, superseded by the button’s final confirmed role. The C button is not principally a screenshot shortcut.
GameChat features can depend on Nintendo Switch Online requirements, account and age settings, parental controls, region, Nintendo policies, and compatible hardware. Video chat requires a compatible camera; the console package should not be assumed to include one unless a specific bundle says so. Readers should check Nintendo’s current support information for the exact requirements in their region.
Why the Steam Deck comparison is misleading
The original report’s Steam Deck comparison is useful only as a warning about how easily specifications can mislead. A Steam Deck GPU clock of roughly 1.6 GHz is not directly comparable with Switch 2’s approximately 561 MHz handheld figure because the devices differ in:
- GPU architecture and efficiency
- Shader and compute-unit configuration
- Memory capacity and bandwidth
- Power limits and cooling
- Operating-system and driver overhead
- Game engines, resolution targets, and developer optimization
A lower clocked GPU can still be competitive in a particular workload if its architecture, software, memory system, and power profile suit that workload. Conversely, a higher clock does not guarantee better performance.
Rank #3
- 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
- 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
- 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
- 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
Other hardware details that put the leak in context
The GPU and C button are part of a broader hardware update. Joy-Con 2 controllers add mouse-like operation on suitable surfaces, while the console has a larger, higher-resolution display and supports newer display and rendering features. Nintendo estimates battery life at approximately 2–6.5 hours, illustrating the trade-off between stronger hardware and portability. See Nintendo’s launch announcement for the official system overview and release date.
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Accessory compatibility also matters. An original Switch AC adapter can charge Switch 2 directly, but it is not sufficient to provide the required functionality for the Switch 2 dock. Original Switch controllers may remain useful in supported games, but they do not automatically provide the new Joy-Con 2 features.
What this means for buyers in September 2026
If the GPU upgrade is the reason you are considering Switch 2, the old leak is a useful historical clue but not the buying decision. The released system’s practical benefits come from the complete platform: its Ampere-based NVIDIA GPU, more memory, DLSS, ray tracing support, docked performance mode, and the games that use those capabilities.
The reported U.S. launch price was $449.99. Reporting indicated that Nintendo would raise the U.S. price to $499.99 beginning September 1, 2026; because prices can vary by region, retailer, bundle, and date, check Nintendo’s live product page before purchasing rather than relying on an undated price claim.
For the C button and GameChat, the practical checklist is:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- GameChat: Check Nintendo Switch Online and regional/account requirements.
- Video chat: Add a compatible camera if you want video functionality.
- Traditional controls: A Switch 2 Pro Controller has its own C button and GL/GR rear buttons, but it is not necessary just to access GameChat—the included right Joy-Con 2 already has the button.
- Digital storage: Buy a supported microSD Express card if your library will include large digital games; do not assume every original Switch microSD card is suitable.
Nintendo’s official Nintendo Switch Online page and Switch 2 support hub are the appropriate places to confirm current service and accessory requirements.
Verdict: one accurate leak, one wrong theory
The old report was a genuine pre-release leak story, not a current 2026 revelation. Its central GPU-clock claim was broadly accurate: the final handheld figure was reported at approximately 561 MHz, close to the rumored 560 MHz or higher. But clock speed is only one part of performance, and handheld and docked figures must be considered separately.
The C-button speculation did not survive contact with the finished product. The button’s confirmed purpose is to open GameChat for voice communication, video chat, and screen sharing where the required service and hardware are available.
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