Report: Switch 2 dock supports HDMI 2.1 for 4K 60Hz+ output

The Nintendo Switch 2 dock is expected to support HDMI 2.1, potentially indicating at 4K gaming that exceeds 60FPS.

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Nintendo's new Switch 2 system is expected to deliver upscaled 4K gaming when it's docked--similar to the first device, the Switch 2 should get a hefty power boost when docked, enabling higher GPU clocks and power profiles to supercharge gameplay performance.

The "switch" is made possible by a built-in video converter chip that takes the tablet's video signal and translates it to a TV screen. The chip is included in the Switch's dock--when you slot the device in, the signal automatically switches over to the TV. New reports suggest that the converter chip in the Switch 2's dock has been identified, which potentially gives us an idea on what to expect from the Switch 2's internal horsepower.

A new post on Famiboards suggests that the RealTek RTD2175N-CG will be in the Switch 2, and that the chip supports HDMI 2.1 output, a standard that supports 4K 120FPS gaming (among many other things, but those targets are out of the Switch 2's performance league).

As per the post:

The chipset in the dock is specifically the Realtek RTD2175N-CG. Unable to find this precise model on the web, but I assume the RTD2173 is a predecessor. It's being used in this adaptor.

• Chipset: RTD2173
• Compliant with DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI HDCP 2.2/1.4, HDR 10
• Video resolution: 720p, 1080p, 4K30Hz, 4K60Hz,4K120Hz (w/DSC), 8K30Hz and 8K60Hz (w/DSC)
• Audio Support: 7.1-ch PCM
• Bandwidth: Up to 32.4Gbps

This suggests that the Switch 2 could support 4K 60FPS+ gaming when docked, but that doesn't necessarily mean that this will happen.

Our findings show that the Switch OLED dock also technically supports 4K 60FPS gaming, but the OLED obviously isn't capable of outputting 4K resolution. The Switch OLED dock uses a very similar Realtek RTD2172N IC adapter that's rated for HDMI 2.0 output, which caps out at 4K 60FPS.

So even if the Switch 2 does utilize such a chip, there's no guarantee that the theoretical limits will be reached. Then again, if the Switch 2 were to target 4K 60FPS, it probably utilizes a very similar IC as the OLED model.