that Nintendo Switch 2 It was finally released and it was greatly improved than the original console, but it does not exist in a vacuum like the original handheld. By introducing the same device Steam Deck and ASUS ROG ALLY XThere are numerous handheld game systems that can play AAA PC games on the go.
Therefore, Switch 2 is automatically a niche market carved into a niche market. Mario Cartworld, Anyone who buys Switch 2 to play a multiplatform game must consider the same device as the STEAM DECK, especially the $ 449 price tag of Switch 2.
Luckily, Nintendo is able to get a glimpse of the hardware that runs a new console, so you can see how it runs exactly and whether the 4K promise is more than an empty word.
NVIDIA’s custom chip
The SOC (system of the chip) running Nintendo Switch 2 is probably the most important part of the console. But it is what we know best. We know that it is a “custom nvidia processor.” It supports DLS and ray trackingBut more than that, Nintendo and NVIDIA did not reveal any details. Luckily, there are many leaks that suggest that Nintendo Switch 2 is using Aging Ampere graphic architecture. RTX 3080.
Go back to 2023 Leaks suggesting that Nintendo Switch 2 will use NVIDIA TEGRA T239 SOC. This APU uses eight ARM A78C core and combines with NVIDIA AMPERE GPUs with 1,536 CUDA cores. Napkin math is much smaller than the smallest Amper GPU (RTX 3050 of Laptop) in 12 streaming multi -processors. However, assuming that NVIDIA did not interfere with the Ampair SMS in T239, each SM has four tensor core and RT core, respectively, and creates a total of 48 and 12, respectively.
Fairly, Steam Deck uses a custom AMD APU made in the 8 AMD RDNA 2 GPU Core, which is smaller than Nintendo provided. However, it is important to keep in mind that Steam Deck has a low resolution display and pumps more power. Added, AMD Z2 processor The Z2 EXTREME will be available next year with 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, which will be a big upgrade. But the system with that chipset will be many It is more expensive than Switch 2.
Among those GPUs, the work is basically impossible for 4K games. However, since there is a tensor core, DLSS will be a major factor in how the Nintendo switch is performed during docking. This is actually a SOC in the system. However, if there is almost no tensor core, it will increase everything except the lightest game to improve to 4K.
Instead, most games will be aimed at 1080p, even if they are not rendered by default in that resolution. There is a game like Donkey Kong Bananza. Digital Foundry’s practice demo. However, third -party games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, seem to rely heavily on upscaling as a result of low 540P. I don’t expect Nintendo Switch 2 to handle Cyberpunk 2077 to 4K in 4K, but Nintendo will be better lucky to all games, but it can run at 1080p by default.
The Ampercore of T239, which is rumored, has an RT core and theoretically requires ray training in the Nintendo Switch 2 game. Again, this will be greatly limited by the 12 RT core of the processor. Ray tracing is possible, but we don’t expect to implement the jaw of technology, especially in the game. Cyberpunk 2077.
Even with the RT core, the Ray Tracing is a very expensive workload of the GPU and the T239 is limited to more than the small SM number. Power is also a big restriction. I said together Richard Leadbetter in Digital FoundryThe entire system says that there is a possibility of consumption of 10W, including displays, SOCs and motherboards. We don’t know exactly what T239’s actual TDP (THERMAL DESIGN POWER) is until someone finds a way to measure, but we will leave only 5-6W for SOC itself. One -third of the AMD APU of Steam Deck.
However, Nintendo Switch 2 Handheld game PC Like ASUS ROG ALLY X, it does not mean that a gorgeous game does not run on the system. After all, games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are amazing. Nintendo developers show how to make the most of the hardware on the switch.
Eventually, the original nintendo switch was driven by Nvidia Tegra X1. Current Maxwell Graphics Architecture And only 256 Kuda Core packed. AMPERE is more efficient than Maxwell on the best day, and the GPU of Switch 2 has six times more cores. Nintendo Switch 2 must be method Legend of Zelda: Faster than the original console suitable for generational ports, such as the tears of the kingdom.
Battery life
The total system power budget of 10W means that the system is not as fast as possible, but it means that the battery can have much better time to maintain. Nintendo said it should come out and last for at least two hours. It is not surprising because it is less than cited about the original switch, but the high -resolution display and more powerful processors.
Nintendo Switch 2 has a 5,220mAh battery and has a big step on the 4,310mAh battery of the original console. It is a significant jump, and if the battery has the same voltage as the original switch, it is the same as about 19 whr. It is a battery smaller than the battery. Steam DeckPerhaps the reason Nintendo quotes a battery life similar to the Steam Deck despite the processor that the power is supplied.
Nintendo was probably able to put a more powerful battery in the switch 2, but the decision would have been lowered under size constraints. In the end, there are too many batteries that are suitable, while maintaining the same thickness as the original Nintendo switch.
display
At first glance, the most noticeable difference 2 between the switch and the switch Perhaps it will be a display. There is no OLED screen OLED switch These amazing displays are bigger and higher resolution. Nintendo Switch 2 is a 7.9 -inch LCD display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 with 10 HDR support. The display also quickly supports 120Hz variable refreshing speeds. Honestly, considering that Silicon is powering it, it’s a bit overwhelming, but it will be very smooth when the old game or indie title is unlocked. The 120Hz is also a useful new refresh ratio of games targeting 40fps, which has a clean ratio, which does not cause excessively stuttering.
Nintendo did not disclose information about the brightness of the display, but it means that HDR 10 certification is necessary. at least There is a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, so it will be a bright screen. We do not know exactly how color performance will come out, but Nintendo insists that it supports the WCG or a large color area.
The display is probably to increase Nintendo Switch 2 than its competitors. After all, Steam Deck LCD has an 800p display with 400 knit peak brightness and does not support WCG. Steam Deck OLED offers a much cooler display, but it’s still 800p display. The Nintendo Switch 2 is upgraded than the original with a 6.2 -inch 720p LCD display.
Is Nintendo Switch 2 a reasonable upgrade?
In vacuum, Nintendo Switch 2 is larger than the original Nintendo switch. The league has a faster, bigger, brighter, sharp screen, and has a joy that you don’t need to wrestle for disconnection. The only problem is that the switch no longer exists in a vacuum cleaner.
There are currently numerous handheld game systems, most of which are more expensive than $ 449 Nintendo Switch 2, but you can provide a better gameplay experience in multi -platform games. The true attraction of Switch 2 will be Nintendo’s First Party Game Catalog, just like the original console. Nintendo is famous for creating a great game that makes the most of relatively weak hardware. Nintendo Switch 2 means a lot of gamers in love with Nintendo games. But I will do this to play cyberpunks or Elden Ring on the train. Better game handheld options Outside.
Jackie Thomas is an editor of hardware and purchasing guide in IGN and PC components. You can follow her @jackiecobra
