The video compares the handheld performance of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck, focusing on how to accurately measure and analyze their frame rates. Testing the Steam Deck is straightforward due to its video output capabilities, allowing for easy frame capture at 60 or 120 Hz. However, the Switch 2 lacks video output in handheld mode, complicating performance measurement. To overcome this, the creator used the Switch 2’s internal capture system at 1080p and 30 fps, aligning the game’s capped frame rate with the capture rate to provide a reasonable, if not perfect, performance snapshot. The Steam Deck footage was then subjected to similar frame rate decimation to ensure a comparable temporal resolution.
The first test involved running a CD Projekt Red streaming benchmark in Night City’s Kabuki district. Both devices showed similar performance with minor frame rate instability on the Switch 2. The Steam Deck maintained a more stable 30 fps lock except when collision detection occurred, which caused brief drops. This suggests that the Steam Deck may have a CPU performance edge. However, the most striking difference was power consumption: the Steam Deck averaged around 24.5 watts, while the Switch 2 used just 8.9 watts, delivering nearly comparable performance at roughly one-third of the power draw. Additionally, the Switch 2 benefits from DLSS, providing cleaner image quality.
A more demanding test in the Beast in Me City Center area revealed greater frame rate drops on both devices. The Switch 2, capped at 30 fps, sometimes dipped as low as 23 fps, whereas the Steam Deck experienced fewer drops, rarely falling below the high 20s. Despite this, the Switch 2’s power efficiency and DLSS upscaling remain significant advantages. Adjusting the Steam Deck’s power limit to 5 watts to better match the Switch 2’s consumption led to a severe performance hit, with frame rates plummeting to around 9 fps, effectively making the game run in slow motion. This further highlights the Switch 2’s superior efficiency at delivering playable frame rates on low power.
The video also discusses the impact of resolution and upscaling on performance. The Steam Deck was initially tested using FSR3 upscaling to 900p to approximate the Switch 2’s 810p output, but this introduced unnecessary overhead since the Deck’s native screen resolution is lower. Running the Steam Deck at native 720p with a full 15-watt power draw resulted in smoother performance than the Switch 2 in the Kabuki test, though occasional frame rate dips still occurred. Similarly, in the Beast in Me City Center test, the Deck maintained a slightly more stable frame rate overall. These results underscore that the Steam Deck is not a 1080p device and performs best when matched to its native resolution.
In summary, the Nintendo Switch 2 impresses with its remarkable power efficiency and decent performance at 30 fps capped gameplay, aided by DLSS for superior image quality. The Steam Deck, while generally more powerful and capable of smoother frame rates, consumes significantly more power and struggles when its TDP is lowered to match the Switch 2’s efficiency. Resolution and upscaling choices have a notable impact on performance, with the Steam Deck performing best at native 720p. Ultimately, the Switch 2 offers a compelling balance of efficiency and performance, while the Steam Deck provides more raw power at the cost of higher energy consumption.
