The internet is abuzz following a series of leaks concerning all things Nintendo Switch 2. Following this flood of information, the console’s alleged specifications have also since come to light. While it appears that the hardware inside the upcoming handheld won’t be particularly powerful nor new, support for Nvidia DLSS could make all the difference.
In an X post, user Zuby_Tech shares what they claim are the Switch 2 specifications. Some details remain unknown such as storage options and USB ports, but we now have some notion of what CPU, GPU, and RAM the console will sport. A ‘Triforce’ of components, if you will.
| Switch 2 | Switch | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | ARM Cortex A78C (8 cores) | ARM Cortrex-A57 (4 cores) |
| GPU | Nvidia T239 (Ampere) | Nvidia GM20B (Maxwell) |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
In the table above, I’ve populated fields for both the current generation Switch and its successor. Placing the two devices’ specifications side-by-side, it’s clear that every component category should receive a welcome upgrade. CPU cores double, from four to eight, and RAM triples from 4GB to 12GB. This is to say nothing of the advantages promised by more modern instruction sets (ARMv8.2-A vs. ARMv8-A) and memory type (DDR5 vs. DDR4).
However, the most exciting change to my eyes is the shift from Maxwell to Ampere. Putting aside the codenames, we’re essentially talking about shifting from GeForce GTX 700/900 Series GPUs to GeForce RTX 30 Series. This should theoretically open the door to DLSS upscaling, making Switch 2 the first console to support the technology.
It’s important that Nintendo Switch 2 will likely boast custom-made silicon, making it impossible to predict the console’s performance with pin-point accuracy. Nonetheless, Digital Foundry did attempt to provide an educated best guess towards the end of 2023, following prior leaks that line up with Zuby_Tech’s list.
Switch 2 has missed the boat on being the first console to run with AI upscaling following the debut of Sony’s PSSR for PS5 Pro. Regardless, the prospect of seeing Nvidia DLSS running on a handheld excites me. Nintendo consoles aren’t famous for prioritising graphical horsepower but I’m intrigued to see what kind of resolutions and frame rates the likes of Metroid Prime 4 or future Zelda and Mario games run at with the tech.
Expect an official word from Nintendo on all things Switch 2 imminently if rumours hold water. Here’s hoping it comes with a beautiful OLED screen and a price that isn’t too far away from current generation offerings.
