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[Raploz]

nVidia Orin is releasing this year, with Ampere arch. And it has 2048 cuda cores and 64 tensor units.
It's a 4 TFLOP SoC, that can also do DLSS.
Nvidia has already announced Atlan, in 2021, as it's next SoC.

By 2024-2025, any of these can be used by Nintendo, and still be more powerful than the Steam Deck.

It's highly unlikely a next-gen Switch would hit 4TF. Those chips can hit upwards of 60W at max clocks. If Switch 2 uses Orin, it will definitely use the cut-down NX version with significantly reduced clocks to hit 15W when docked. You can check Orin specs here: https://developer.nvidia.com/embedded/jetson-orin

The Jetson Orin NX 8GB version has:

1024 cuda cores
32 tensor cores delivering 70 tops
765 MHz max clocks (remember that at max clocks this chip still uses 20W as shown in the specs page, so it would be likely underclocked)
6-core Arm® Cortex®-A78AE v8.2 at a max clock of 2GHZ (likely underclocked as well)
102.4 GB/s LPDDR5

While theoretically Nintendo could also achieve 15w with the full versions of the chip, it's unlikely they would choose them, and even if they did, the clocks would have to be reduced A LOT to reach 15W, so there's no way in they could ever achieve 4TFs at 15W.

I don't know how many Tflops this NX chip would have theoretically, but even if it reached something like 2Tflops, we have to also remember that RDNA 2 compares favorably to Ampere flop for flop. For instance, 6900xt and 3090 have similar gaming performance, but the AMD card has 23 TFlops while the Nvidia card has 35.5 Tflops. Feel free to do the math on the difference.

I can see Nintendo coming up with something with similar performance that uses less power. The Steam Deck uses 25W for the whole unit, while Switch currently uses around 15W docked and around 9W portably. I highly doubt they would have something more powerful if they went with Orin, especially considering they absolutely would not release a console with a mere 1h:30m~ battery life like the Steam Deck, however, if they choose something newer, they might release something faster.

Also remember Ampere competes with RDNA2, so if Nintendo chooses it in the future, it will still be competing with similar tech to what the Steam Deck has right now.

 

[01011001]

While theoretically Nintendo could also achieve 15w with the full versions of the chip, it's unlikely they would choose them, and even if they did, the clocks would have to be reduced A LOT to reach 15W, so there's no way in they could ever achieve 4TFs at 15W.

The Steam Deck uses 25W for the whole unit, while Switch currently uses around 15W docked and around 9W portably. I highly doubt they would have something more powerful if they went with Orin, especially considering they absolutely would not release a console with a mere 1h:30m~ battery life like the Steam Deck, however, if they choose something newer, they might release something faster.

if Nintendo will stick with a 720p panel the portable mode could massively clock down the GPU and still use the full speeds in Docked mode to have good visuals on a big screen.

with DLSS, a possible Nvidia chip would also have a lot of help to enhance visuals beyond what the Cuda cores can push. DLSS has a way lower performance impact as well, making it a no-brainer for developers to use, which can not be said for FSR2.0 where people already showed that in some games using it is actually not really that great because it is just too taxing over simply running the game at a lower internal resolution without upsampling or with simply TAAU.

a 2TF Nvidia powered Switch 2 would deliver better visuals than the Steam Deck already imo even if we say that Nvidia GPUs can't quite reach the same performance TF for TF as an RDNA2 GPU
and imo to match the Deck the Switch 2 would simply need 1.5TF in portable mode + Tensor Cores. it would absolutely outperform the Deck in RT performance and it would have DLSS to push raster visuals beyond the Deck. (DLSS is planned to soon also improve RT, so even that could be a thing by then)

I think the Docked mode is something many also forget when talking about this. because in Docked mode Nintendo/Nvidia could go wild and not care about power usage as much. a modern USB-C dock with good power delivery should make this a non issue.
also targeting 720p in portable mode would make it possible to once again drastically reduce power usage when used as a handheld. it doesn't need a full 4TF in portable mode... or even 2TF.

I think all they really need is to make sure that ports of titles available on Series S are easily possible, even if the graphics will be cut down, and they're good. The Series S might highhandedly help Nintendo being more competitive again in the Third Party market funnily enough

 

[Owari]

Won’t matter, the eshop selection is garbage compared to Steam.

 

[Shakka43]

I’d laugh my ass off if Nintendo just release the 4DS as the successor to the Switch after all this.

That would be a best case scenario.

 

[op22]

The more powerful system usually loses. Sega Game Gear, Atari Lynx, TurboGrafx Express, NeoGeo Pocket, Sony PSP, and Sony Vita were all more powerful than the Nintendo's handhelds at the time. All are extinct now.

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

It could be. Theoretically I could end up with Rihanna.

 

[Sosokrates]

I expect

Amphere with some lovelace features

1tflop portable
2tflop docked
Tensor cores
DLSS (at least 2.0 support)
RT support
6/8 A78 Arm cores @ 1.5ghz
12gb @100GB/s RAM
128GB @1GB/s Internal Storage
SSD expansion of some kind.

I expect it will have gen9 ports.
With surprising results. We will see 360/480p DLSS'd to 720/1080p in portable and higher ranges for docked.

 

[spons]

I'm more interested in how the fuck they're going to put this into the market. It absolutely has to be a completely new device. We've seen what happened with the Wii U. Switch U? Switch Pro? "No thanks, I'll just keep my current Switch".

 

[Chronicle]

But so could be the other thread laid out.
"The Switch 2 could be less powerful".
No one ITT has any specific specs that are confirmed. We don't even know if it will be a Switch 2.
It all is speculation at this point.

Uhhh.... yeah. That's what I just said.

 

[SmokedMeat]

With Nintendo killing off access to your older digital game purchases, I could give a rat’s ass about Switch 2.

I’m about taking my library forward, and seeing performance improve across the board. That ain’t happening with Nintendo who kicks their fans in the balls, and expects them to give thanks.

 

[Panajev2001a]

The Steam Deck uses an SoC in N7 process node, with RDNA2 and Zen2.
By the time the Switch 2 comes out, in a couple of years, it can use the N3 process node. Or even the N3 Finflex, if Nintendo wants the vey best.
This means much higher transistor density, bigger chip, more units, more TFLOPs, etc.
And then it can use much more advanced CPUs and GPUs, than what the Steam Deck has today. Regardless of Nintendo sticking with nVidia or going AMD.

The idea that the Switch 2 can't be more powerful than the Steam Deck is complete non-sense from someone that doesn't understand tech.

Considering the cost of making and the cost of designing chips is increasing with each new node almost exponentially, I do not see Nintendo going for them. If they did it would be a die shrink optimised for cost of a bigger design in a previous node.

 

[Lucifers Beard]

I expect

Amphere with some lovelace features

1tflop portable
2tflop docked
Tensor cores
DLSS (at least 2.0 support)
RT support
6/8 A78 Arm cores @ 1.5ghz
12gb @100GB/s RAM
128GB @1GB/s Internal Storage
SSD expansion of some kind.

I expect it will have gen9 ports.
With surprising results. We will see 360/480p DLSS'd to 720/1080p in portable and higher ranges for docked.

This doesn’t actually seem too far fetched. Providing they work with Nvidia again, I can see something like this coming to fruition.

I’d hope for a little more power, but I’ll buy it regardless, because Nintendo…

 

[Panajev2001a]

This doesn’t actually seem too far fetched. Providing they work with Nvidia again, I can see something like this coming to fruition.

I’d hope for a little more power, but I’ll buy it regardless, because Nintendo…

Those specs would sound good, but I think we would see 3/4 of that for some specs and 1/2 of that for some others.

 

[Sosokrates]

Those specs would sound good, but I think we would see 3/4 of that for some specs and 1/2 of that for some others.

Those specs are pretty conservative.
In portable the steamdeck may actually be more powerful without DLSS and nvidias RT superiority.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Those specs are pretty conservative.
In portable the steamdeck may actually be more powerful without DLSS and nvidias RT superiority.

We shall see . Nobody expected Nintendo take an unmodified Tegra (well I think they did turn off some cores in software though, no big.LITTLE setup) and ship that, but…

 

[Sosokrates]

We shall see .

Yeah, who knows with Nintendo. Im curious what node they will even go with.

Im #team2024

 

[brian0057]

Can people please understand that the "Switch 2" won't be a thing until the original Switch stops printing money?

 

[Sosokrates]

We shall see . Nobody expected Nintendo take an unmodified Tegra (well I think they did turn off some cores in software though, no big.LITTLE setup) and ship that, but…

I think them using an Nvidia APU is pretty much a lock, they got good results with the switch and backwards compatibility.

I guess they could go with AMD because they now offer comparable portable hardware and most of the time AMD are cheaper.

 

[Panajev2001a]

I think them using an Nvidia APU is pretty much a lock, they got good results with the switch and backwards compatibility.

I guess they could go with AMD because they now offer comparable portable hardware and most of the time AMD are cheaper.

If they have a good way to allow BC with Switch software they may go with something else if it reduces costs. They dominate the space they are in so I do not think they care if devs have to change tooling, SDK, etc… but we will see.

AMD is cheaper and willing to customise the HW to Nintendo’s needs too, if Nintendo wants any changes.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Can people please understand that the "Switch 2" won't be a thing until the original Switch stops printing money?

You do not want to kill it when it is super successful, but you do not want to launch a successor when the current console is dead / forgotten / losing its popularity: part of the disastrous transition to the Wii U was that they waited to launch it until the Wii’s popularity had waned.

 

[Foilz]

I don't want it being as powerful. I want longer battery life. What's the point of a mobile gaming machine that lasts 1.5 hrs with some games (steamdeck)

 

[jorgejjvr]

i just want 1080p / 60fps

dlls in there would be a plus

but im prob asking for too much

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Sure if they prepared to take massive loss on getting the hardware into the hands of the masses. Doubt they'll be up for that.

 

[lovetalkgames]

Nintendo is better at making competent handhelds that people want to play. This doesn’t always equate to power as we can see with the game gear, psp, vita, etc.

 

[Razvedka]

Something OP should remember is that SteamDeck is RDNA2 and the base model PS4 most certainly isn't. Between the massive architectural advances and lower targeted resolution I'd be surprised if it is 'weaker' than PS4 in real world terms.

 

[STARSBarry]

I’d laugh my ass off if Nintendo just release the 4DS as the successor to the Switch after all this.

Only if each console comes with Nintendo 4D Chess preinstalled.

 

[Rykan]

No.

Look at Steamdeck form factor. Now look at Switch form factor. Look at Switch pricing. Now look at Steamdeck pricing.

Yeah that ain't happening.

If it comes within the next 2 years, it won't surpass Steamdeck.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Nintendo.

 

[drotahorror]

But will it have analog triggers.

 

[Deputy Moonman]

And sadly the original Switch will still cost $300 forever

 

[Soapbox Killer]

Nintendo Switch Advance.

Give me more bang for the buck. $299 base price no dock. Sell 2 docks and make it backwards compatible with the current dock. Standard and Pro Dock with the latter coming with USB 4.0 which would allow for an eGPU style of addon.

 

[MiguelItUp]

While it's possible from a technological standpoint, it's not because it's Nintendo. So, unless Nintendo completely changes the way they've been developing for so many years now, we're not going to see them attempt something that is graphically and technologically impressive. They're always leaning harder into being creative and innovative. I'd LOVE to see Nintendo return to more impressive tech and graphics some day.

 

[Varteras]

 

[01011001]

No.

Look at Steamdeck form factor. Now look at Switch form factor. Look at Switch pricing. Now look at Steamdeck pricing.

Yeah that ain't happening.

If it comes within the next 2 years, it won't surpass Steamdeck.

yeah but given the hardware Nvidia had available years ago, all we need is a 3x increase in performance to outpace the Deck and I think that's realistic.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

I love and hate the Internet at the same time for stupid stuff like this.

Every time Nintendo tried to compete on power they lost.
Every time Nintendo pursued maximum profit from the start by releasing old hardware they won.

What will Nintendo do next time?

 

[01011001]

I love and hate the Internet at the same time for stupid stuff like this.

Every time Nintendo tried to compete on power they lost.
Every time Nintendo pursued maximum profit from the start by releasing old hardware they won.

What will Nintendo do next time?

Nvidia has an old chip that can compete with the Steam Deck. we are not necessarily talking about brand new hardware here.
Nintendo and Nvidia could use a modified version of one of their already existing Tegra SoCs

 

[AndrewRyan]

There's already more powerful SoCs than what's in the Steam Deck. Efficiency is where the Deck really outperforms the competition, especially below 10 watts. That's where I'm looking to see how the Switch 2 competes. Have to admit after getting my Deck I went from salivating on every little crumb of Switch news to still being curious but not something I need day one or even revision one.

 

[bender]

I think the Docked mode is something many also forget when talking about this. because in Docked mode Nintendo/Nvidia could go wild and not care about power usage as much. a modern USB-C dock with good power delivery should make this a non issue.
also targeting 720p in portable mode would make it possible to once again drastically reduce power usage when used as a handheld. it doesn't need a full 4TF in portable mode... or even 2TF.

You still have to consider your thermal solution. It's not as simple as 15W in handheld mode and go crazy in docked.

 

[CuNi]

And sadly the original Switch will still cost $300 forever

That's the good and at the same time bad thing with nintendo.
Their hardware and games stay relatively static in terms of price.
Obviously you do have to include inflation etc. but those things rarely drop below 75% of what you bought them for.
I know some people who literally use Nintendo products to invest into and re-sell them later. Things like Amiibos (the limited ones) really skyrocket in price sometimes.

 

[MScarpa]

Does it matter though? Nintendo is in it's own ecosystem. It's big sellers are mostly 1st party games. It's always been this way. Last gen hardware + Nintendo 1st party. It's what they are, and they are usually successful with their strategy, so Nintendo doesn't have competition IMO.

 

[Kamina]

Wanted to post in the “should be” thread

/disappoint

 

[Kataploom]

I love and hate the Internet at the same time for stupid stuff like this.

Every time Nintendo tried to compete on power they lost.
Every time Nintendo pursued maximum profit from the start by releasing old hardware they won.

What will Nintendo do next time?

They wouldn't be competing with power BTW, they'd just be using the available tech which, by the time, will be powerful enough to put it on par at least with Deck.

I mean, it's not that Nintendo purposely reduce the power of their consoles, if there was a cheap enough PS5-like low consumption ARM-based mobile chip before the design phase finishes, they'd definitely go for that.

 

[Imtjnotu]

I can see Nintendo actually making a very powerful Switch 2 just as a big fuck you to some people.
Then they’ll lock the one specimen in their vault and proceed to release a barebones Switch 3 for the mass market.

they havent made a powerful anything since gamecube dropped. what makes you think they will try to give the industry a middle finger just cause lol

 

[SNG32]

It could be. But this is Nintendo we are talking about they will do the minimum on hardware. From Gamecube and up there path to consoles gens have been incremental in the graphics department and I don't expect that to change. Especially if they want switch games to be backwards compatible. The software sells Nintendo consoles and never the power. Nintendo has gotten away with selling a hot potatoe in terms of hardware for the last decade and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon.

 

[Tams]

We shall see . Nobody expected Nintendo take an unmodified Tegra (well I think they did turn off some cores in software though, no big.LITTLE setup) and ship that, but…

I think it was a chance meeting of convenience. Nintendo needed a cheap but relatively powerful SoC. Nvidia had a dud that no one wanted.

Considering Nvidia were, and quite frankly still are in no one's good books, I donct know if Nintendo will stick with them. Yes, they still have Tegra development going, but still no one else wants it.

And it's not like there isn't a large choice of SoCs out there. Almost certainly not x86 (though an AMD APU could certainly do well at low clocks), but plenty of ARM vendors. And Nintendo have plenty of experience with ARM in general.

 

[jshaver488]

Pretty stoked for this. Original Switch already has some lookers in Mario Odyssey, luigis mansion, Mario kart (with 2 of them 60fps). Xenoblade would be a looker if it weren’t for the 720p resolution.

I’m thinking of holding off on splatoon 3, xenoblade 3, and any future 1st party game in case they get performance/resolution boosts on a hypothetical Switch 2.

 

[Tams]

Pretty stoked for this. Original Switch already has some lookers in Mario Odyssey, luigis mansion, Mario kart (with 2 of them 60fps). Xenoblade would be a looker if it weren’t for the 720p resolution.

I’m thinking of holding off on splatoon 3, xenoblade 3, and any future 1st party game in case they get performance/resolution boosts on a hypothetical Switch 2.

I wouldn't hold off on Splatoon 3 considering it's a mostly a multiplayer game.

The best times to play it are going to be in the first few months. After that, it'll be full of sweats (as Splatoon 2 is now).

 

[01011001]

You still have to consider your thermal solution. It's not as simple as 15W in handheld mode and go crazy in docked.

we already know that the current Switch runs way cooler than it has to in docked. the hardware could handle way higher temps. maybe the fan would get a tiny bit louder if that was the case, but it wouldn't be an issue. Nintendo simply clocked the Switch really conservatively because they wanted to mitigate possible issues with drastic clock changes, but we now know that basically no game has issues with modded higher clocks

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Nintendo systems sell for $300 US or less. So when Switch 2 comes out, you got to take a guess how much specs they can do at that price and also make profit on it. Nintendo isn't a company that does loss leader or breakeven hardware sales. I think retailers breakeven in price. So that $300 is all on Nintendo.

 

[bender]

we already know that the current Switch runs way cooler than it has to in docked. the hardware could handle way higher temps. maybe the fan would get a tiny bit louder if that was the case, but it wouldn't be an issue. Nintendo simply clocked the Switch really conservatively because they wanted to mitigate possible issues with drastic clock changes, but we now know that basically no game has issues with modded higher clocks

Using modded Switches which is a fraction of one percent of the devices in the real world really doesn't tell us anything. It's doubtful the cooling solution is overengineered as that what come at a cost.