Key Takeaways
1. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a Tegra T239 chip with eight Cortex-A78c cores, rather than a tri-cluster CPU as previously reported.
2. The GPU utilizes an Nvidia Ampere SKU with 1,536 CUDA cores and is built on Samsung’s 8N node technology.
3. The motherboard includes two 6 GB LPDDR5X-8,533 modules, a 256 GB SK Hynix UFS 3.1 module, a MediaTek Wi-Fi antenna, and a RealTek audio chip.
4. Initial performance tests suggest the Switch 2’s GPU is similar to a GeForce GTX 750 Ti, while the CPU performance is comparable to an Apple A12.
5. Real-world performance assessments are still pending, as the console has not yet been released.
Kurnalsalts, a prominent expert in semiconductor teardowns, has revealed insights about what drives the Nintendo Switch 2. A detailed image of the die shows what powers its Tegra T239 chip. The die area measures 207 mm², which is nearly double that of the Nvidia chip in the original Nintendo Switch. Contrary to previous reports, it does not come with a tri-cluster CPU featuring a prime Cortex-X1 core.
CPU Configuration
Instead, the chip is equipped with eight Cortex-A78c cores that work together. Currently, the maximum clock speed is not known. As for the GPU, it utilizes an Nvidia Ampere SKU with 1,536 CUDA cores distributed across 6 TPCs. This chip is constructed on Samsung’s 8N node, the same technology used to manufacture Ampere GPUs. This effectively disproves earlier assertions that the Switch 2’s T239 is a 5 nm die-shrunk version.
Motherboard Insights
Geekerwan also took apart the Nintendo Switch 2 motherboard to uncover its key components. It includes two 6 GB LPDDR5X-8,533 modules from SK Hynix, although the console won’t operate them at full capacity. Other components consist of a 256 GB SK Hynix UFS 3.1 module, a MediaTek Wi-Fi antenna, and a RealTek audio chip.
Performance Expectations
Since the Switch 2 hasn’t been released yet, it’s challenging to assess its real-world performance. Geekerwan attempted to simulate it by underclocking a GeForce RTX 2050 laptop CPU, discovering that the results matched previously observed performance numbers. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077 ran at around 40 FPS with DLSS performance mode enabled.
In synthetic benchmarks, the GPU of the Nintendo Switch 2 is comparable to a GeForce GTX 750 Ti from previous generations. On the CPU side, it competes with a six-generation old Apple A12. However, it’s important to note that these tests were conducted on entirely different hardware, not the actual Nintendo Switch 2.
Social Media Buzz
Kurnalsalts shared updates on X, while Geekerwan provided more details on YouTube.
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