Digital Foundry’s benchmarks of Cyberpunk 2077 reveal that the upcoming Switch 2 offers GPU performance better than the base PS4 but falls short of the PS4 Pro and Xbox Series S, with DLSS helping to enhance its visual quality despite lower resolutions and frame rates. CPU performance on the Switch 2 is close to last-gen consoles like the PS4, making it suitable for current-gen ports at adjusted settings, though it may struggle to match higher frame rates without optimization.
The video from Digital Foundry delves into benchmarking Cyberpunk 2077 across multiple consoles, focusing on the upcoming Switch 2, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 4, and PS4 Pro. While initially hesitant to do deep comparisons between last-gen consoles and Switch 2, new insights from developer Black Shamrock’s Owen O’Grady provide valuable context. According to O’Grady, the Switch 2’s GPU performs slightly below the Series S, especially in handheld mode, but benefits from DLSS technology, making overall GPU performance comparable. CPU-wise, the Switch 2 is closer to the PlayStation 4, with a CPU just a bit more powerful than the PS4’s, which impacts performance depending on game optimization and target frame rates.
The benchmarking methodology used sequences embedded in the PC version of Cyberpunk 2077, ported across consoles using cross-save data. The official PC benchmark was run on all consoles, revealing dynamic resolution scaling (DRS) differences. The PS4 ran at 864p, PS4 Pro and Switch 2 in docked mode at 1080p, with the Series S pushing up to 1440p via upscaling. However, in more demanding scenes or in 120Hz mode, Switch 2’s resolution dropped significantly compared to Series S, which maintained higher pixel counts and frame rates. DLSS on Switch 2 adds computational load but enhances image quality, contrasting with the less demanding TAA used on PlayStation consoles.
The Kabuki streaming test stressed both CPU and GPU, showing consistent 30fps performance across consoles, although Switch 2 experienced minor drops early in the sequence. Switch 2 and Series S streamed assets and city structures more aggressively than PS4 and Pro, benefiting from faster storage. Pixel counts varied, with Series S often delivering higher resolutions, especially in performance modes targeting 60fps compared to Switch 2’s 40fps. While Switch 2 generally outperformed the base PS4 in GPU terms, it lagged behind the PS4 Pro and Series S, highlighting its position between last-gen and current-gen hardware.
CPU performance analysis revealed that Switch 2’s ARM Cortex A78C CPU, clocked around 1.1 GHz, delivers performance close to or slightly better than the PS4 but falls short of the PS4 Pro and significantly behind the Xbox Series S’s Zen 2 cores. Streaming and AI vehicle processing caused CPU bottlenecks on Switch 2 and PS4, while Series S handled these tasks smoothly at 30fps and 60fps modes. The data supports developer comments that while 60fps Series S games can be ported to Switch 2, matching frame rates is not guaranteed and depends heavily on optimization and game complexity.
In conclusion, Cyberpunk 2077 benchmarks suggest that Switch 2 offers GPU performance superior to the base PS4 but generally falls short of PS4 Pro and Xbox Series S, especially in terms of resolution and frame rates. DLSS on Switch 2 helps it punch above its weight in visual quality despite lower raw pixel counts. CPU performance aligns with developer claims of last-gen parity, with Switch 2’s CPU being a limiting factor in some scenarios. Overall, Switch 2 appears viable for current-gen ports at adjusted frame rates and resolutions, with future titles like Star Wars Outlaws providing further testing grounds for its capabilities.