Switch Las Vegas 10 Explained: Why This Data Center Actually Matters

Switch Las Vegas 10 Explained: Why This Data Center Actually Matters

You’ve probably seen the massive, fortress-like buildings while driving through the southwest part of the valley. Those aren't secret government bunkers. Well, not exactly. They’re part of Switch’s Core Campus, and specifically, Switch Las Vegas 10 (often called LAS10) is one of the heavy hitters in that lineup. Honestly, if you use the internet for literally anything—from streaming movies to checking your bank balance—there’s a decent chance your data has passed through this specific facility.

What is Switch Las Vegas 10?

It's basically a 350,000-square-foot digital vault. When Switch opened LAS10 a few years back, it was a massive deal because it added 40 megawatts of power to their already giant footprint. Think of it as a "MOD 250" design. That’s Switch-speak for their modular, hyper-efficient building style that founder Rob Roy patented. It’s located at 7375 South Lindell Road, tucked away in that cluster of tech infrastructure near the 215 and Jones.

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People talk about the "cloud" like it’s some magical mist in the sky. It’s not. It’s rows of servers in places like LAS10.

The Tier 5 Standard (And Why It’s a Big Flex)

Most data centers aim for Tier III or Tier IV. Switch decided to invent their own category: Tier 5® Platinum. Critics sometimes roll their eyes at "proprietary standards," but the specs are hard to argue with.

To hit this level, Switch Las Vegas 10 has to meet crazy requirements that the Uptime Institute doesn't even always track. We’re talking about:

  • Zero roof penetrations: Most buildings have vents or AC units on the roof. Not here. They use a "Switch SHIELD" which is two independent roof decks. If a literal 200-mph hurricane hit Las Vegas, the servers would keep humming.
  • 100% Green Power: Every bit of electricity used in LAS10 comes from renewable sources. They’ve been doing this since 2016.
  • PUE of 1.28 or lower: Power Usage Effectiveness is a big metric in tech. LAS10 is incredibly efficient at cooling servers without wasting juice.

Why Everyone Is Obsessed With LAS10 Right Now

It isn't just about storage anymore. It’s about AI. In late 2025, Switch started leaning hard into "AI Factories." Because AI chips (like those from Nvidia) run incredibly hot and suck up massive amounts of power, older data centers just can't handle them. Switch Las Vegas 10 was built with the backbone to support these high-density loads.

They use a hybrid cooling system that can handle over 2MW per cabinet. That is a staggering amount of heat. If you tried that in your home office, you’d melt the floorboards in seconds.

The Connectivity Secret: The Superloop

If you’re a business running out of LAS10, you aren't just stuck in Vegas. You’re plugged into the "Superloop." This is a 500-mile fiber optic network that hits Los Angeles and San Francisco in milliseconds.

  • 7ms to Los Angeles.
  • 4ms to Silicon Valley.
    That kind of speed is why companies like eBay, Fox, and even NASA choose to house their hardware here.

Is It Actually Secure?

Kinda feels like an understatement. You can't just walk up to the door and ask for a tour. The facility is guarded by 24/7 on-site security teams—many of whom are former military. There are biometric scanners, "man-traps" (entry rooms where you get locked in until your ID clears), and 20-foot concrete perimeter walls.

Honestly, your data is probably safer in LAS10 than your physical wallet is in your pocket on the Strip.

The Business Side of the Desert

In late 2022, a firm called DigitalBridge took Switch private in an $11 billion deal. Since then, the expansion has only accelerated. They’ve recently been snapping up even more land near Apex in North Las Vegas, but the Core Campus—where LAS10 lives—remains the crown jewel.

The tax perks in Nevada are a huge part of the "why." No personal state income tax and massive reductions in property tax make it a no-brainer for giant corporations to dump their servers in the desert. Plus, there are no earthquakes or hurricanes here. The worst thing that happens is a really bad dust storm or a 115-degree Tuesday.

Misconceptions to Clear Up

  • "It’s just a warehouse." No. It’s an "exascale" ecosystem. The tech inside LAS10 is more complex than the planes flying over it at Harry Reid International.
  • "It uses too much water." Actually, Switch uses a proprietary water processing technology that allows for massive reuse and zero chemicals. They’re weirdly obsessed with water sustainability because, well, it’s a desert.

Actionable Takeaways for Tech Pros

If you're looking at colocation or cloud services, here’s how to weigh the Switch Las Vegas 10 option:

  1. Audit your density needs. If you’re running standard web servers, Tier 5 might be overkill. If you’re doing LLM training or heavy AI workloads, you need this specific type of power density.
  2. Check the Superloop latency. Map your users. If your primary audience is on the West Coast, the millisecond-level connection from Vegas is often cheaper and faster than being physically located in expensive San Francisco data centers.
  3. Sustainability reports. If your company has "Net Zero" mandates, moving your stack to a 100% green facility like LAS10 checks that box instantly without you having to buy separate carbon offsets.

The landscape is changing fast. With the new 2026 expansion projects already breaking ground in the valley, LAS10 is no longer the "new kid," but it remains the blueprint for how high-density, sustainable data centers are supposed to function in a world obsessed with AI.


Next Steps for Deployment:
To get the most out of a Switch environment, start by auditing your current "ping" times to the Vegas gateway. If you are seeing more than 20ms of lag from your primary hub, a migration to a Core Campus facility like LAS10 could significantly boost your application performance. Reach out to their sales team for a "MOD" spec sheet to see if your hardware racks fit their high-density cooling requirements.