Nintendo Switch 2 is not yet out but many fans speculate that the upcoming console will be as powerful as Sony's PlayStation 5. If that's the case, it should have reliable hardware—strong enough to run PS5-exclusive games.
According to Digital Foundry as spotted by Eurogamer, not much information is revealed for the gaming machine at the moment. However, an interesting part about the next-gen system could hint that it will come with a T239 chip.
Nintendo Switch 2 Touted to Have T239 Processor
Back in 2021, kopite7kimi, a prominent hardware leaker, posted an image of the T234 processor. This Nvidia-made chip is allegedly coming to Switch 2. However, since it won't be slotted to PC and it's coming to handheld, T239 might be the name of the game.
Digital Foundry claims that this custom variant might be at the core of the highly anticipated Switch 2. The claim is based on a combination of leaks, LinkedIn posts, information from an Nvidia hack, and logical reasoning.
Evidence from the Nvidia Hack
One compelling piece of evidence comes from the Nvidia hack. According to leaked data, Nvidia is using an NVN2 API, the second iteration of the API used to test the original Nintendo Switch, to emulate the behavior of the T239 processor.
The T234 processor was originally created for automotive and robotics applications, making it too large for a mobile gaming console like the Switch. Therefore, it's likely that the T239 will be a scaled-down version of the T234, eliminating features intended for use in vehicles.
For instance, while the T234 boasts a CPU architecture with 12x ARM A78AE, projections suggest that the T239 will feature an 8x ARM A78C architecture. Additionally, the T239 is said to include a File Decompression Engine, a feature absent in the T234. This component could lead to fast loading times on the Switch 2, provided that the rest of the system's hardware can keep up.
Can Switch 2 Handle High-Graphics Games With This Chip?
To assess the potential performance of a Switch 2 with similar specs, Digital Foundry attempted to build a PC and tested various games on the hardware. The results indicate performance levels that are on par with or even surpass last-generation consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, aligning with previous reports.
For example, it managed to run Death Stranding at 1080p with an average frame rate of 34.9fps. While not confirmed, there's speculation that the Switch 2 may incorporate DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), depending on certain hardware elements of the T234 not being omitted from the less intensive variant.
Rumors also suggest that the Switch 2 might run The Matrix Awakens demo, indicating a potential leap in capabilities compared to previous generations.
While it's intriguing to hear more about T239, GameSpot reports that there haven't been any clues that might tease the physical look of the Switch successor. At the moment, we only need to wait for further information from a reputable source such as Nintendo.
According to an earlier report, the Switch 2 is expected to make its debut in 2024. Nintendo's Doug Bowser also assured a smoother transition to the new console compared to previous launches.
The gaming industry is already excited about the news about Switch 2, but let's break for a moment and take this report with a grain of salt.
