Tag: Nvidia T239

  • Nintendo Switch 2 Shortages to Ease with Nvidia’s 8nm Chips

    Nintendo Switch 2 Shortages to Ease with Nvidia’s 8nm Chips

    Key Takeaways

    1. Nintendo has chosen Samsung’s 8nm chips for the Switch 2, opting for a more established technology over a faster but less accessible 5nm process.

    2. The use of Samsung’s 8nm technology provides a significant performance boost compared to the previous 14nm Tegra X1 chipset.

    3. Nintendo is facing high demand for the Switch 2, with 2.2 million preorders in Japan, and is working with Samsung to increase chip production.

    4. Samsung’s 8N technology offers a production yield of up to 80%, avoiding potential bottlenecks that could arise from using TSMC’s advanced processes.

    5. Nintendo aims to increase Switch 2 production to around 20 million units, up from an initial estimate of 15 million, to address anticipated shortages before its US release.

    The Nintendo Switch 2 will indeed utilize Samsung’s silicon, as the Japanese gaming company is said to have turned to its foundry for additional 8nm chips.

    Previous Rumors

    Earlier reports suggested that Nintendo planned to introduce a faster Switch 2 model featuring a chipset manufactured on Samsung’s 5nm processor technology, similar to the OLED version currently priced at $335 on Amazon. However, it appears that for the initial version, Nintendo has opted for Samsung’s 8nm process, which is more established and readily accessible. This choice still represents a significant performance boost from the 14nm Tegra X1 chipset found in the previous version, without stepping into the competitive territory of TSMC’s 7nm nodes and lower.

    Manufacturing Choices

    Although TSMC is more advanced in production capabilities, it serves many clients with larger budgets, including Apple and Qualcomm. Consequently, Nintendo would likely have faced delays and higher costs if they had chosen TSMC instead of Samsung.

    Nintendo has already announced that it won’t be able to meet the demand for Switch 2 preorders, having received 2.2 million orders just in Japan for the more affordable local model. The company expressed regret to its fans and is exploring options to boost production by asking Samsung to increase output of a custom chip created in partnership with Nvidia.

    Production Yield

    Samsung’s 8N production technology is mature enough to achieve a yield of up to 80%, eliminating the possible bottleneck that Nintendo might have encountered if it had used a more advanced TSMC process. Additionally, the Nvidia T239 chip powering the Switch 2 is designed on the Ampere GPU architecture, which has been optimized for production in Samsung’s facilities from the start.

    The Switch 2 represents a significant victory for Samsung, which has lagged behind TSMC in production yield for advanced nodes. This partnership will enable Nintendo to ramp up manufacturing more swiftly and at a more favorable cost.

    After announcing the Switch 2, Nintendo indicated that it could only reach the original Switch production level of 15 million units by March 2026, which is nearly 2 million units below what analysts had anticipated. This modest production target is also dependent on the outcome of ongoing tariff disputes, which could lead to a price increase for the console in the US.

    By securing more 8nm chips from Samsung for the Switch 2, Nintendo appears to be aiming to boost production to around 20 million units, a significant rise from its earlier estimate of 15 million. This increase should help alleviate the anticipated shortages of the Nintendo Switch 2 ahead of its US release on June 5.

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  • Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Specs and Performance Analysis

    Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Specs and Performance Analysis

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch display, 256 GB of storage, and supports 4K output when docked.
    2. It is suggested that the console may use the Nvidia T239 chip, with fewer CUDA cores and a smaller memory bus compared to its predecessor.
    3. The Switch 2’s performance is expected to be similar to the PS4 and comparable to the Steam Deck, particularly when docked.
    4. Nvidia confirmed that the Switch 2 will support DLSS, which may enhance its performance compared to the Steam Deck.
    5. Digital Foundry’s analysis provides insights into the Switch 2’s capabilities, though real-world performance remains to be fully seen.

    The April 2nd Nintendo Direct presented important specifications for the Switch 2, which features a 7.9-inch display, 256 GB of storage, and a 4K output when docked. However, details regarding its custom Nvidia processor remain scarce. Still, Digital Foundry has made a comparison of the handheld’s performance against other consoles, such as the Steam Deck. The analysis is based on leaks about the Switch 2 that help fill in the gaps and includes gameplay video assessments.

    Processor Insights

    Drawing on hints from 2021, Digital Foundry suggests that the Switch 2 might use the Nvidia T239 chip. While it shares similarities with the T234, this processor has several key differences. The number of CUDA Cores is expected to decrease from 2048 in the T234 to 1536 in the T239. Additionally, the memory bus, which is 256-bit in the T234, will be reduced to 128-bit in the T239. The chip’s die size also shrinks from 455mm2 to 200mm2. Although the clock speeds are not entirely clear, the analysis hints that the Switch 2’s GPU may run at 1 GHz, with 561 MHz in mobile mode. Interestingly, the CPU is expected to operate at 1101 MHz in handheld mode but drop to 998 MHz while docked.

    Performance Comparisons

    With these specifications, the Nintendo handheld is anticipated to deliver visuals similar to the PS4. The released videos showcase resolutions and frame rates that align closely with what Sony’s console can achieve. Additionally, the Switch 2’s performance appears to be quite comparable to the Steam Deck, although there are some exceptions. Like its predecessor, the Switch 2 should experience an increase in power draw when docked, which Digital Foundry believes could give it an edge over the Steam Deck in this mode. Conversely, the Switch 2’s lower power usage might pose challenges when used in portable mode.

    Nvidia has confirmed that the Switch 2 will support DLSS, which could change the landscape of comparisons with the Steam Deck. Nintendo has been somewhat ambiguous about this feature, and gamers might not have experienced this upscaling technology in action yet.

    Conclusion

    Digital Foundry’s insights, shared on their YouTube channel, provide a glimpse into what players can expect from the upcoming handheld console. As more details emerge, fans are eager to see how the Switch 2 will perform in real-world scenarios.

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  • Switch 2 Launch Could Feature One of the Best RPGs Ever

    Switch 2 Launch Could Feature One of the Best RPGs Ever

    Key Takeaways

    1. The announcement of the Switch 2 is expected at the Nintendo Direct on April 2, with high anticipation for pricing, release date, and launch titles.
    2. Mario Kart 9 is nearly confirmed, and there are rumors about a remake of Final Fantasy IX and a new Super Smash Bros. spin-off.
    3. Elden Ring, released in February 2022 and praised as one of the greatest games, may be getting a port for the Nintendo Switch 2.
    4. A Spanish YouTuber, eXtas1s, claims that a port of Elden Ring is in development, although the source of this information is not disclosed.
    5. The Switch 2 is expected to use Nvidia’s T239 processor, which should allow it to run Elden Ring smoothly with good graphics.

    With the forthcoming announcement of the Switch 2 anticipated at the Nintendo Direct on April 2, excitement is building as people await details about its pricing, release date, and launch titles. Speculation is high regarding the games that may be available on Nintendo’s new platform. Mario Kart 9 seems nearly confirmed, and there are whispers about a remake of Final Fantasy IX, along with a fresh spin-off of Super Smash Bros. Now, the idea of a port for the highly praised action RPG Elden Ring has also been brought up.

    About Elden Ring

    Elden Ring, crafted by the Japanese team FromSoftware, debuted in February 2022 and is often regarded as the spiritual successor to the Dark Souls franchise. Similar to its predecessors, it focuses on demanding combat where timing and quick reflexes are crucial. Among enthusiasts of this genre, Elden Ring is viewed as one of the greatest games ever created. It received a remarkable score of 96 from critics on Metacritic, while the User Score is 8.2, which is somewhat lower due to some technical glitches at its launch.

    The Rumor Mill

    Spanish YouTuber eXtas1s has claimed that a port of Elden Ring is currently being developed for the Nintendo Switch 2. He made this announcement during a recent video around the 20-minute mark, although he did not disclose his source. Nevertheless, this rumor doesn’t appear to be too far-fetched. The Switch 2 is anticipated to incorporate Nvidia’s T239 processor, which should offer the capability to run Elden Ring smoothly with good graphics. eXtas1s has established himself as a trustworthy figure in the gaming community, having accurately forecasted other announcements previously. He also alluded to the possibility of ports for Tekken 8 and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero being in the pipeline.

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