It seems like Nintendo’s Switch 2 has indeed harnessed some of NVIDIA’s technological prowess, much like its predecessor, as an online image of the chip suggests.
NVIDIA’s Tegra239 Chip Powers Up Nintendo Switch 2 with ARM-Based Architecture and Promising Performance
Upon the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, some details emerged about its impressive capabilities, including the ability to output 4K at 60 FPS when docked. However, specifics about the chip inside remained elusive. We were aware that Nintendo had partnered with NVIDIA to use its custom Tegra SoCs, leading to the assumption that their latest device would feature the up-and-coming Tegra239 chip. Now, it’s been confirmed thanks to an image shared by a user, @Kurnalsalts, showcasing what appears to be NVIDIA’s Tegra239 chip, bearing the label "T239."
thats ture… pic.twitter.com/2j9ZJ6x6YI
— Kurnal (@Kurnalsalts) April 23, 2025
Unfortunately, the tweet doesn’t reveal much beyond the image itself, so we must rely on previous knowledge about this SoC’s specs. What we know is that the chip is designed with eight Arm Cortex-A78C cores and a hybrid GPU blending elements from Ada Lovelace and Ampere, alongside 1536 CUDA cores. The CPU speed is anticipated to range between 1.1 GHz and 1.5 GHz, adjusting based on whether the device is docked. Furthermore, the system features a 128-bit memory interface utilizing LPDDR5 technology.
The specifics surrounding the Tegra239 might still be scarce, but what’s clear is its support for DLSS upscaling technology, which significantly bolsters the console’s performance. For those hungry for a detailed breakdown of the specifications, we delve deeper into the device in another post available here. Through the Tegra239, NVIDIA demonstrates its steadfast ambition in crafting custom ASICs, keeping its strategic alliance with Nintendo firmly intact in tandem with ARM’s architecture.
The lingering question, however, revolves around when NVIDIA will finally reveal its chip designed for the AI PC market, a move that had been rumored since last year. Reports suggested a collaboration with MediaTek to launch an ARM-focused SoC, potentially named the N1X and N1 series, though updates on this initiative remain pending.
