Nintendo Switch 2: Digital Foundry Reveals Insights on the Enigmatic Nvidia SoC
Nintendo has finally revealed the long-awaited successor to its hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch 2. The event featured thrilling game announcements and showcased the console’s improved capabilities, yet one vital detail was left unclear: the precise specifications of the system-on-a-chip (SoC) that powers the device. Nintendo has only officially stated that the Switch 2 employs a “custom processor from Nvidia,” prompting fans and tech analysts to seek further information.
Now, Digital Foundry’s technology experts, along with contributions from community forums like Famiboard and Linux kernel documentation, have begun to outline a more detailed understanding of what’s inside the Switch 2.
The Core of the Console: Nvidia Tegra T239
Based on the analysis from Digital Foundry, the Nintendo Switch 2 is driven by the Nvidia Tegra T239 SoC, codenamed “Odin.” This chip is a tailored variant of the Tegra T234 (Orin), part of Nvidia’s automotive and embedded system offerings. The T239 is reportedly produced using Samsung’s 8-nanometer process, providing enhanced efficiency and performance compared to the original Switch’s 16nm chip.
CPU: A Significant Upgrade
The CPU in the Switch 2 marks a noteworthy advancement from its predecessor. It features eight ARM Cortex-A78C cores, a contemporary architecture tailored for high-performance computing. Although Nintendo has not revealed official clock speeds, Digital Foundry suggests the CPU operates at:
– 998 MHz in docked mode
– 1,101 MHz in handheld mode
This indicates a major enhancement over the original Switch’s quad-core Cortex-A57 CPU, which functioned at 1.02 GHz.
GPU: Ampere Architecture Delivers Power and Capability
The graphics processing unit (GPU) found in the Switch 2 is built on Nvidia’s Ampere architecture, the same generation used in the GeForce RTX 30-series desktop GPUs. The SoC consists of:
– 12 Compute Units
– 1,536 CUDA cores (128 per CU)
Projected GPU clock speeds are:
– ~1,000 MHz in docked mode
– 561 MHz in handheld mode
This represents a considerable improvement from the original Switch’s Maxwell-based GPU, which had merely 256 CUDA cores and lower clock speeds (768 MHz docked, 307 MHz handheld).
Performance Projections: On Par with RTX 3050?
With these specs, the Switch 2 is anticipated to provide performance comparable to a desktop RTX 3050 GPU, achieving up to 3.1 teraflops (TFLOPS) of computing power. This is a notable upgrade from the original Switch, which delivered less than 0.5 TFLOPS.
A Comparative Overview: Switch vs. Switch 2
| Specification | Nintendo Switch (2019) | Nintendo Switch 2 |
|———————-|———————————–|————————————|
| SoC | Nvidia Tegra T210 (“Erista”) | Nvidia Tegra T239 (“Odin”) |
| CPU | 4x ARM Cortex-A57 | 8x ARM Cortex-A78C |
| CPU Clock Speed | 1.02 GHz | 998 MHz (Docked), 1,101 MHz (Handheld) |
| GPU | Maxwell GM21B, 256 CUDA cores | Ampere, 1,536 CUDA cores |
| GPU Clock Speed | 768 MHz (Docked), 307 MHz (Mobile)| ~1,000 MHz (Docked), 561 MHz (Mobile) |
| Manufacturing Process| 16nm TSMC | 8nm Samsung |
DLSS and AI Upscaling: A Potential Game-Changer?
One of the most thrilling possibilities for the Switch 2 is its potential support for Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS). As an Ampere-based GPU, the SoC features Tensor Cores capable of AI-driven image upscaling. This could enable the console to render games at lower native resolutions and upscale them to higher outputs with little performance impact, a vital attribute for a hybrid system that balances power and portability.
While DLSS 2.0 seems to be the most feasible option, the hardware theoretically could support even DLSS 3 or 4, depending on how Nvidia and Nintendo decide to proceed. Nonetheless, the actual effectiveness of DLSS on the Switch 2 remains to be evaluated, as the computational demands of upscaling may still pose challenges for a mobile-oriented GPU.
Conclusion: An Exciting Advancement for Nintendo
Though Nintendo remains discreet about the specific specifications of the Switch 2, examinations by Digital Foundry and other tech experts strongly indicate that the console signifies a major technological progression over its predecessor. With a modern CPU, a robust Ampere-based GPU, and the potential for