Unveil the workings of a revived Nintendo Switch 2 chip in this captivating video. Discover the underlying factors contributing to the anticipated Steam Deck GPU performance of the fresh console.

Unveil the workings of a revived Nintendo Switch 2 chip in this captivating video. Discover the underlying factors contributing to the anticipated Steam Deck GPU performance of the fresh console.

Get the Scoop on the Nintendo Switch 2's Silicon Heart

Jump right in as Geekerwan, the ever-energetic tech detective, dissects the guts of the rumored Nintendo Switch 2. With a six-figure investment in a battered motherboard from Xianyu, China's eBay doppelganger, he gets his hands dirty.

In this tantalizing video exposition, Geekerwan takes viewers on a deep dive, slicing the chip down the middle with a razor-thin ion beam for a detailed cross-section. This meticulous analysis reveals the Nvidia T239 chip, long speculated to power the upcoming Nintendo handheld.

The intriguing finding: this chip was taped out in 2021, hinting at a delayed release – possibly due to reason Nintendo keeps under wraps. With the chip now defunct, there was nothing to lose by drilling down to examine Ampere-generation Nvidia hardware nestled beneath the logo'd heatspreader.

Comparing the T239's GPU layout to that of an RTX 30-series die, Geekerwan observed differences; the design appears closer to the Ada SM architecture than Ampere's. This suggests potential elements shared between the two GPU generations on this chip, making it quite unique.

With 12 Streaming Multiprocessors (each with 128 CUDA cores) and a process node sharing characteristics of both Samsung’s 10 nm and 8 nm nodes, the Switch 2 GPU promises powerful performance, rivaling the Steam Deck. Eight Arm A78C cores – each with 256 kB L2 cache and a shared 4 MB L3 – comprise the CPU segment.

Taking cues from similarly equipped hardware, Geekerwan simulated the potential gaming performance of the Switch 2. In handheld mode, the Switch 2 performed comparably to the Steam Deck, with docked mode simulating 53% higher performance. However, the Radeon 780M, powering most handheld gaming PCs, remains a leader in the pack.

Takeaways include hints of a later-than-anticipated Switch 2 release – and a less-than-10x performance leap compared to Nvidia’s touted estimates, suggesting improved performance with the aid of DLSS and Frame Gen. For a closer look, be sure to check out Geekerwan's video – an exciting testament to the joy of diving deep into tech.

Dave James (PC Gamer Staff Writer)Diving into the digital realm since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug, Dave built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 16. After drops, bugs, and a taste of near-future tech, he's back with his take on the wild world of gaming gadgetry. Follow him on his journey as he unravels the secrets of the industry's latest advancements.

1. In the realm of gaming, Geekerwan, known for his energy, dives into the guts of the rumored Nintendo Switch 2.
2. Armed with a $100,000 investment from Xianyu, the Chinese counterpart of eBay, Geekerwan reveals the Nvidia T239 chip in the Switch 2.
3. The chip's design seems to be a unique blend of Ada and Ampere GPU generations, hinting at potential shared elements.
4. With 12 Streaming Multiprocessors and a CPU composed of 8 Arm A78C cores, the Switch 2 promises powerful performance, comparable to the Steam Deck.
5. Simulations suggest that in handheld mode, the Switch 2 matches the Steam Deck's performance, while docked mode offers nearly 50% more power.
6. Despite these promising figures, the Switch 2 trails behind the Radeon 780M powering most handheld gaming PCs.
7. Dave James, a PC Gamer staff writer, dives into the tech world, unraveling the secrets of the industry's latest advancements, just as he did since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug.

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