The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the most anticipated gaming consoles of the next generation—and now, thanks to a comprehensive teardown, we have a detailed look under the hood. A massive leak sheds light on its CPU, GPU, memory, and storage architecture, along with an emulation-based estimate of its real-world performance. The information gives gamers and developers a clearer view of what to expect from Nintendo’s next-gen hybrid console.
Inside the Tegra T239: The Heart of the Nintendo Switch 2
A well-respected chip analysis expert, Kurnalsalts, has provided a deep dive into the Tegra T239 system-on-chip (SoC) that powers the Switch 2. With a die area of 207 mm², the T239 is nearly double the size of the original Switch’s Tegra X1 chip, reflecting its increased complexity and performance ambitions.
No Cortex-X1 Core – Just Pure Multicore Power
Initial rumors suggested a tri-cluster CPU design with a Cortex-X1 core for high performance. However, the actual architecture features eight Cortex-A78c cores, designed for efficient, scalable performance. These cores work together to deliver balanced performance across a range of gaming and system tasks. Clock speeds remain undisclosed, but the A78c architecture ensures a significant leap over the Cortex-A57 cores used in the original Switch.
A Closer Look at the GPU: Nvidia Ampere with 1,536 CUDA Cores
On the graphics side, the Switch 2 leverages Nvidia’s Ampere architecture, confirming it’s not using a down-clocked version of newer Lovelace GPUs. The SoC features 1,536 CUDA cores arranged across 6 Texture Processing Clusters (TPCs). Built on Samsung’s 8N manufacturing node, it matches the process used for desktop Ampere GPUs, debunking earlier speculation about a 5nm die-shrunk variant.
This GPU setup positions the Switch 2 for a serious boost in rendering capabilities, ray tracing support, and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) performance—a game-changer for hybrid handheld gaming.
Memory, Storage, and Additional Hardware Details
Another teardown, this time by YouTuber and tech analyst Geekerwan, reveals further details about the Switch 2’s internal components:
- RAM: The console houses two 6 GB LPDDR5X modules from SK Hynix, totaling 12 GB of system memory. Rated for 8,533 Mbps, these modules are cutting-edge but will reportedly run at lower speeds in the final product to balance power efficiency and thermal performance.
- Storage: A 256 GB UFS 3.1 module from SK Hynix provides fast read/write speeds for seamless game loading and background processes.
- Wireless and Audio: Connectivity is handled via a MediaTek Wi-Fi antenna, and audio is driven by a Realtek chip, ensuring modern wireless standards and quality sound output.
How Does the Nintendo Switch 2 Perform? Emulated Benchmarks Offer a Clue
Since the actual Switch 2 hardware isn’t yet available for public testing, Geekerwan simulated its performance by underclocking a GeForce RTX 2050 laptop GPU to mimic the Switch 2’s T239 chip. The results offer a compelling peek into its capabilities:
Cyberpunk 2077 Hits 40 FPS with DLSS
When running Cyberpunk 2077 using DLSS in performance mode, the emulated setup achieved roughly 40 frames per second. That’s an impressive feat for a handheld device and demonstrates the power of DLSS and optimized rendering.
Synthetic Benchmarks: Comparable to GTX 750 Ti
In synthetic tests, the emulated GPU’s performance matches the legacy GeForce GTX 750 Ti, a once-popular desktop card. While this may not sound groundbreaking, the combination of DLSS and optimization for mobile form factors makes this performance more relevant than raw specs suggest.
CPU Performance Mirrors the Apple A12
On the CPU side, performance aligns closely with Apple’s A12 chip, which powered devices like the iPhone XS. This places the Switch 2’s CPU in the upper mid-range of mobile chips—not the fastest in raw power, but sufficient for gaming and multitasking, especially when paired with software optimization.
What This Means for Gamers and Developers
The leaked specs paint a promising picture for the Nintendo Switch 2:
- Enhanced graphics through a modern Ampere GPU
- Improved multitasking and performance from its 8-core CPU
- More memory and faster storage, enabling smoother gameplay and faster load times
- DLSS integration, bringing next-gen upscaling to mobile hardware
While the performance doesn’t rival next-gen consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X, the Switch 2 is set to offer a significant leap over its predecessor. More importantly, it maintains Nintendo’s signature hybrid experience, now with modern capabilities that can handle demanding titles with respectable frame rates and fidelity.
