Switch 2 uses custom Nvidia chip with Ampere GPU

While Nintendo has not fully detailed the hardware inside of the Switch 2, we are finally starting to get details on the chip powering the system. According to Digital Foundry, the Switch 2 utilises a custom Nvidia T239 processor, which means it uses graphics technology similar to what we can find in RTX 30 series GPUs.

In a new report focused on the deep technical specifications for the Switch 2, Digital Foundry reveals that the system is powered by a custom T239 chip, which is thought to be a tweaked version of the Nvidia T234 SoC, used in autonomous cars.

Here are the specs based on what Digital Foundry has been able to uncover:

Processor	Nvidia T234	Nvidia T239 (Switch 2)
CPU cores	12x ARM A78AE	8x ARM A78C
CPU clock speed	1.43GHz	Up to 1100MHz (estimate)
CUDA cores	2048	1536
Memory Interface	256-bit / LPDDR5	128-bit / LPDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	204GB/s	Up to 102GB/s (estimate)

The clock speeds and memory bandwidth figures for the T239 are estimates based on what is already known about the Switch 2 processor and how it compares to its closest public equivalent, the Nvidia T234.

So far with these specs, it is expected that the Switch 2 will offer performance equivalent to the PlayStation 4. However, with access to features like DLSS, developers should be able to squeeze a bit more out of it, allowing for games to run at up to 4K resolution, with frame rates up to 120 frames per second.

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KitGuru Says: It is going to be a very interesting Summer with the Switch 2 dropping. We'll no doubt see an increase in third-party AAA support in the second half of the year too. 

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