As teased by Nintendo, Nvidia has now shed light on the custom GPU powering the Nintendo Switch 2, though the level of detail provided may not fully satisfy tech enthusiasts. In a recent blog post, Nvidia confirmed what IGN had reported earlier from Nintendo: the GPU supports AI upscaling via DLSS and ray tracing capabilities.
Nvidia's DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is a cutting-edge AI technology that leverages machine learning to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, significantly enhancing both performance and visual quality in games.
Nvidia provided a bit more insight into the Switch 2's GPU, describing it as a "custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements." They emphasized the extensive development effort, stating, "With 1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element — from system and chip design to a custom GPU, APIs, and world-class development tools — the Nintendo Switch 2 brings major upgrades."
These upgrades include the ability to play games in up to 4K resolution in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. The Nintendo Switch 2 also supports HDR and AI upscaling "to sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay."
The new RT Cores enable real-time ray tracing, which Nvidia says delivers "lifelike lighting, reflections, and shadows for more immersive worlds." Meanwhile, Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like DLSS, "boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality."
Interestingly, Nvidia highlighted that the Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat scenarios, "enhancing social gaming and streaming." This feature ties into the new C button introduced by Nintendo during their Direct presentation, which utilizes an external camera and the Switch 2's built-in microphone for enhanced chat functionality. Nintendo emphasized that this technology is smart enough to focus on the player's voice while filtering out background noise.
Nvidia boldly claimed that the Nintendo Switch 2 offers "10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch," promising smoother gameplay and sharper visuals. However, the specifics of how this performance is measured were not disclosed. It's anticipated that experts like Digital Foundry will analyze these claims in detail once the Switch 2 launches in June.
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Nvidia further noted that the Tensor Cores "boost AI-powered graphics while keeping power consumption efficient," and the RT Cores "enhance in-game realism with dynamic lighting and natural reflections." Additionally, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) via Nvidia G-SYNC in handheld mode "ensures ultra-smooth, tear-free gameplay."
During a hardware-focused roundtable Q&A in New York, attended by IGN, Nintendo representatives confirmed the use of DLSS in the Switch 2 but did not specify the version or any customizations made for the console. They also confirmed the GPU's ray tracing capabilities, but remained vague on the details.
Tetsuya Sasaki, General Manager at Nintendo's Technology Development Division and Senior Director at its Technology Development Department, explained Nintendo's approach to hardware specifications, stating, "Nintendo doesn't share too much on the hardware spec. What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner Nvidia will be sharing some information."
AnswerSee ResultsIn January, a patent filed in July 2023 and published earlier this year caught the internet's attention. It described AI image upscaling technology designed to keep video game download sizes manageable for physical game cartridges while offering up to 4K textures.
For more information, explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and see what the experts have to say about the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World's $80 price tag.
