NVIDIA’s Tegra239 SoC Confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2; First Chip Image Emerges

Nintendo has always had a knack for integrating impressive technology into their gaming consoles, and their latest release, the Switch 2, is no exception. Thanks to some revealing online images, it’s now confirmed that NVIDIA’s magic touch, which was evident in the original Switch, continues with the Switch 2.

The engine behind the Switch 2’s performance is the NVIDIA Tegra239 chip, an ARM-based dynamo that delivers a considerable boost. While we’ve marveled at the system’s ability to push 4K resolution at 60 FPS while docked, curiosity about the chip itself persisted. It was widely suspected that Nintendo stuck with NVIDIA’s custom-made Tegra system-on-chips (SoCs), and recent evidence backs up this theory. Enthusiast @Kurnalsalts recently shared a snapshot of the chip, clearly labeled as “T239,” confirming its presence in the new console.

While this social media post didn’t give us a comprehensive look at the chip’s specifications, prior insights paint an impressive picture. The Tegra239 chip features eight Arm Cortex-A78C cores, an advanced GPU that combines elements from both Ada Lovelace and Ampere architectures, and a beefy 1536 CUDA cores count. Its CPU speeds vary from 1.1 GHz up to 1.5 GHz when the device is docked. Supporting a 128-bit memory interface, it utilizes the speedy LPDDR5 technology.

There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Tegra239, particularly when you dive deep into the specific features. However, one standout aspect is its integration of DLSS upscaling technology, which significantly boosts the console’s performance standards. We’ve covered more on these technical details in another post, so check it out if you want a deeper dive into the specifications. NVIDIA continues to push boundaries with its custom ASICs, maintaining a strong collaboration with Nintendo, thanks to its ongoing partnership with ARM.

The tech world is keenly watching NVIDIA, wondering when they’ll introduce a chip geared toward the AI PC market. Rumors have swirled since last year, hinting at a collaboration between Team Green and MediaTek to produce an ARM-focused SoC, potentially branded the N1X or N1 series. Yet, updates have been sparse, keeping tech enthusiasts on their toes for NVIDIA’s next big reveal.