Nintendo Switch Thermals, Noise, & FPS Drops

Thermal Noise Analysis of the Nintendo Switch: A Closer Look

The Nintendo Switch has been a topic of discussion among gamers and tech enthusiasts alike, with many wondering how this portable console would hold up to heavy use. In our quest to provide an honest review, we decided to conduct a thermal noise analysis on the Switch, exploring its performance under various conditions.

Our test setup involved placing the Switch in a relatively small enclosure, which we used as a makeshift anechoic chamber to reduce external noise interference. We then connected the console to a power source and began our experiment. To provide a baseline for comparison, we started by observing the fan noise output of the device under normal conditions. The decel output increased as the load ramped up, with dips corresponding again with loading screens or menu popups.

Interestingly, the device was muted for this test, allowing us to focus on the sound output without any distractions. We observed that the fan RPM increased steadily as the temperature and memory temperature climbed, resulting in a DBA output of around 33-35 dB(A) when under heavier loads, including combat workloads. While this may seem loud, we found it to be completely bearable, especially assuming you're setting up the console at a TV where you're approximately 5 to 10 feet away and have likely got game audio playing.

However, the noise becomes more noticeable in handheld mode, particularly when the device is spitting out heat out of the back of the unit. This is also true for temperature, although depending on your head's position, you might not feel it as much. The type of noise produced by the Switch is of a high frequency nature, generally producing an annoying whine that falls within the 1400 Hz to 600 Hz range.

To better understand this behavior, we logged the tone output of the Switch fan with relative accuracy using our limited test equipment. We observed how the temperature and noise ramped up alongside each other as the fan RPM climbed steadily. This chart shows us that there's some sort of clock management going on based on thermals, which is further supported by observing gameplay and seeing clear stutters or frame dips in popular games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

We noticed that these poor performance periods often corresponded with the 59°C temperature threshold. This led us to believe that there's a clock reduction mechanism at play, possibly due to optimization issues or excessive polygon count on the scene at once. To validate this theory, we would need to improve cooling, but for now, it remains an option.

In our exploration of the Switch's thermal noise characteristics, we've learned that while it may approach or hit a throttle temperature under heavy loads, it's not a major concern when using it in normal conditions. Our testing showed that the device is relatively quiet compared to other gaming consoles, and with proper use, you shouldn't have any issues.

If you're interested in learning more about our findings and exploring this topic further, be sure to check out our upcoming case reviews on the website. We'll also be posting a review of the 1700X soon, which will give you an idea of how it compares to the Switch's performance under heavier loads.