Nintendo fans and tech enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, and recent leaks regarding its potential chipset have sparked excitement. While the exact details of the Switch 2’s design and features remain shrouded in mystery, a comprehensive report from Digital Foundry sheds light on the rumored chipset, hinting at significant performance enhancements that could redefine the gaming experience when the console is expected to launch in 2024.
In June 2021, Twitter user kopite7kimi, now known as X, shared an image of Nvidia’s T234 processor, speculating that Nintendo would utilize a customized version of the chip called T239. Two years later, Digital Foundry is increasingly convinced that the T239 will power the next-generation Switch. If this proves true, the Switch 2 could potentially deliver a major leap in performance.
In their in-depth analysis, Digital Foundry’s Richard Leadbetter delves into the T234, a substantial chip primarily designed for automotive and robotics applications. Consequently, the T239 is likely to be a scaled-down variant of the T234. Based on various leaks, Nvidia hacks, LinkedIn posts, and logical deductions, Leadbetter suggests that the T239 may incorporate 8 ARM A78C CPU cores, a 128-bit interface coupled with LPDDR5 RAM, and a maximum memory bandwidth of 102GB/s.
Comparing this to the Tegra X1 that powers the original Switch, which featured 4 Cortex-A57 CPU cores, 4 Cortex-A53 CPU cores, 32-bit LPDDR4 RAM, and a maximum bandwidth of just 25.6 GB/s, it becomes evident that the Switch 2’s processor could bring about substantial improvements. Additionally, the Tegra X1 was manufactured using TSMC’s 20nm process, whereas the T239 is expected to be built on an 8nm process, further emphasizing the technological advancements.
Digital Foundry also highlights a noteworthy discovery regarding the T239—an apparent inclusion of a new File Decompression Engine (FDE). This component could significantly accelerate asset decompression, potentially leading to vastly reduced loading times on the Switch 2, a feature reminiscent of the lightning-fast loading times seen on the PS5.
For those who may find the technical details somewhat bewildering, the report takes an exhilarating turn as it explores the real-world implications. Digital Foundry identifies a laptop that closely approximates the anticipated performance of the Switch 2 based on the T239’s characteristics. Dell’s Vostro 5640, equipped with an RTX 2050 4GB GPU, provides a fascinating insight into what the Switch 2’s gaming experience might resemble. Impressively, despite some hardware limitations compared to gaming consoles, the laptop delivers “convincing 1080p gameplay” for demanding titles like Control, Cyberpunk 2077, A Plague Tale: Requiem, and Death Stranding. It’s worth noting that the Switch 2 is expected to boast more than 4GB of RAM, potentially up to 12GB, and games will be further optimized by developers for the console.
While these revelations are undoubtedly tantalizing, it’s important to bear in mind that nothing has been officially confirmed yet. The original Nintendo Switch continues to enjoy strong sales, and several major first-party titles are on the horizon. As a result, official news about the Nintendo Switch 2 is unlikely to surface before at least the next spring. Nevertheless, the pieces of the puzzle are slowly falling into place as anticipation builds for the inevitable announcement.
