Nintendo Switch 2 specs and performance compared to Steam Deck in new tech analysis
The April 2nd Nintendo Direct revealed essential Switch 2 specs, including a 7.9-inch screen, 256 GB of storage, and a docked 4K output. However, Nintendo has shared few details on its custom Nvidia processor. Nevertheless, Digital Foundry compared the handheld's performance to competing consoles, including the Steam Deck. The site based its findings on Switch 2 leaks that fill in the missing gaps, as well as by analyzing gameplay videos.
Relying on clues dating back to 2021, Digital Foundry believes the Switch 2 will employ the Nvidia T239 chip. Similar to the T234, the processor utilizes RTX 30-series Ampere technology, but it has some notable differences. CUDA Cores would drop from the T234's 2048 to 1536 with the T239. Also, a 256-bit memory bus would be halved to 128-bit, while the chip's die size falls from 455mm2 to 200mm2. Clock speeds are less clear, but the analysis suggests that the Switch 2 GPU will operate at 1 GHz with 561 MHz in mobile mode. Finally, the handheld's CPU would have a 1101 MHz frequency as a handheld, but strangely, 998 MHz when docked.
With the above Switch 2 specs, the Nintendo handheld would produce PS4-like visuals. The videos released so far show similar resolutions and frame rates as Sony's console can produce. Similarly, the Switch 2 performance looks relatively comparable to the Steam Deck, with some caveats. Like the original Switch, the Switch 2 should benefit from a higher power draw when docked. Digital Foundry expects that Nintendo's system may have an advantage over the Steam Deck in this mode. On the other hand, the Switch 2's lower power consumption may hinder it when portable.
Nvidia confirmed that the Switch 2 will offer DLSS, which could impact Steam Deck comparisons. Nintendo has been vague about the feature, and gamers may have yet to see this upscaling in action.
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