Looks like the magic touch of NVIDIA is still a key ingredient in Nintendo’s Switch 2, just as it was in the previous generation, with the first look at its chip emerging online.
NVIDIA’s Tegra239 Chip Underpins the Nintendo Switch 2: A Solid Blend of Performance and ARM-Based Design
When the latest Nintendo Switch 2 was unveiled, fans were treated to impressive features like 4K output at 60 FPS when docked. However, specifics about the powerhouse chip inside remained elusive. We knew Nintendo had teamed up with NVIDIA to use its specially crafted Tegra SoCs, sparking speculation that this new console would boast the advanced Tegra239 chip. Well, now it’s official! Thanks to a tweet from @Kurnalsalts, we finally set eyes on what seems to be that very chip, labeled "T239."
thats ture… pic.twitter.com/2j9ZJ6x6YI
— Kurnal (@Kurnalsalts) April 23, 2025
The tweet is a bit light on details, so we’re leaning on earlier information for a deeper dive into the chip. It’s said to house eight Arm Cortex-A78C cores and features a blend of GPU elements from both Ada Lovelace and Ampere architectures, along with a robust 1536 CUDA cores setup. The CPU’s processing speeds vary between 1.1 GHz and 1.5 GHz, depending on whether the device is docked. On top of this, the design includes a 128-bit memory interface using LPDDR5 technology.
Details on the Tegra239 are still scant, so deep dives into the specifics will have to wait. But what stands out is its support for DLSS upscaling, giving the console a notable performance edge. If you’re keen on specs, we’ve got a detailed discussion in another post worth checking out. With the Tegra239, NVIDIA once again highlights its keen interest in custom ASICs and maintains its exclusive partnership with Nintendo under the ARM umbrella.
The intriguing bit is when NVIDIA might roll out a chip targeting the AI PC market, a prospect that’s been circulating since last year. Rumors suggested Team Green might join forces with MediaTek for an ARM-centric SoC series, N1X and N1, but we’ve yet to see any movement on this front.
