Nintendo Switch 2: YouTuber Reveals Crucial Hardware Insights Before June Launch
As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the Nintendo Switch 2’s official arrival in early June, an unexpected turn of events has granted fans a look into the console’s core components. A tech-focused YouTuber named Geekerwan has successfully obtained what appears to be an authentic motherboard from the forthcoming console, providing an early look at the machinery driving Nintendo’s next-gen hybrid system.
What’s Beneath the Surface of the Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo has been characteristically tight-lipped about the Switch 2’s specifications, pushing fans and analysts to speculate on the level of performance enhancement the new console might bring. However, Geekerwan’s latest video illuminates several critical elements, with the custom Nvidia system-on-chip (SoC) being the most notable component at the core of the device.
According to the YouTuber, the motherboard was sourced from the Chinese secondhand platform Xianyu for around $150. Although the board is non-functional—either due to damage or missing parts—it still offers valuable insights into the Switch 2’s design.
Confirmed Chip: Nvidia T239
At the heart of the motherboard lies the Nvidia T239 chip, a bespoke SoC crafted specifically for Nintendo. This chip has been the subject of rumors for a while, but Geekerwan’s disassembly confirms its presence and details its technical outline:
Key Technical Details:
– SoC: Nvidia T239, codename validated, initially taped out in 2021.
– Manufacturing Process: Samsung 10nm/8nm hybrid node.
– Die Size: 207 mm²—larger than Apple’s M2, AMD’s Ryzen 7840H, and Nvidia’s RTX 3050 Ti.
– CPU: 8-core ARM Cortex-A78C, featuring 4 MB of L3 cache and 256 KB L2 cache per core.
– RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5X, 128-bit interface, operating at 8533 MT/s.
– Storage: 256 GB UFS 3.1 flash memory from SK Hynix.
– Additional Chips: MediaTek Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module, Realtek audio processor, and a PMIC capable of delivering up to 34.4 watts of energy.
Performance Projections: Just How Robust Is the Switch 2?
Even though the motherboard isn’t operational, Geekerwan endeavored to emulate the Switch 2’s performance by assembling a comparable system. He used a significantly downclocked Nvidia RTX 2050 GPU to mimic the T239’s potential, especially concerning graphics performance.
Here’s what his analysis uncovered:
TV Mode Performance:
– Comparable to Nvidia’s GTX 1050 Ti.
– Employs DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) to boost visual quality and frame rates.
– In some instances, outperforms Apple’s M1 chip.
– Slightly lesser than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in raw competitive performance.
Handheld Mode Performance:
– Roughly equivalent to the GTX 750 Ti.
– Comparable or slightly superior to Valve’s Steam Deck in portable usage.
– DLSS is crucial for sustaining playable frame rates.
CPU Performance:
– Projected to be six times more powerful than the original Nintendo Switch’s Tegra X1 processor.
Game Testing and Practical Consequences
Geekerwan also experimented with a few contemporary games using his simulated Switch 2 setup. While these tests aren’t conclusive, they provide a general idea of what gamers might anticipate from the new device:
– Cyberpunk 2077: Anticipated to operate at 30 fps in both TV and handheld modes, albeit at lower resolution settings.
– Black Myth: Wukong: Playable in TV mode, but handheld performance might drop below 30 fps.
– Monster Hunter: Wilds: Not playable in the current simulated setup.
– Call of Duty: Warzone: Expected to run seamlessly, based on Geekerwan’s evaluations.
DLSS: A Revolutionary Aspect for the Switch 2
One of the most noteworthy aspects highlighted in the video is the critical role of DLSS in the Switch 2’s performance approach. Utilizing AI-driven upscaling, the console can produce superior visuals without necessitating the raw processing power of more demanding systems like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
This innovation could enable the Switch 2 to exceed expectations, offering visually striking games in both docked and handheld modes while preserving energy efficiency and battery longevity.
Conclusion: A Promising Advancement Ahead
Although Nintendo has yet to officially validate the hardware specifications of the Switch 2, Geekerwan’s discoveries present a compelling preview of what lies ahead. The T239 chip, improved RAM and storage, and the inclusion of DLSS indicate a notable enhancement over the original Switch, potentially allowing the console to tackle more ambitious modern games.
With the official launch just weeks away, fans will soon witness how these specifications translate into performance.