As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, new insights into its hardware capabilities have emerged, confirming long-standing rumors about its power and performance. Recent analyses have revealed that the next-generation handheld will utilize the NVIDIA T239 chip, promising significant enhancements over its predecessor.
The NVIDIA T239 chip was first mentioned in June 2021 by reliable leaker Kopite7kimi, sparking speculation about the hardware that would power the new console. Fast forward to May 7, 2025, and detailed chip analysis, including PCB images and simulated performance data, has surfaced, substantiating those early claims.
YouTuber Geekerwan, known for his in-depth hardware breakdowns, recently acquired a motherboard featuring the T239 chip from a second-hand market in China, often referred to as "Chinese eBay." This motherboard, purchased for approximately 1,000 RMB (around $138), is non-functional but provides ample data for analysis, confirming critical specifications about the Switch 2.
The T239 SoC, manufactured in week 36 of 2024, is a substantial 207mm squared and incorporates NVIDIA's Ampere architecture. It boasts eight ARM Cortex-A78C cores, 4MB of L2 cache, and 1536 CUDA cores, making it a formidable upgrade from the Tegra X1 chip used in the original Switch. The board also features two 6GB Hynix LPDDR5 chips on a 128-bit memory bus, rated at 8533 MT/s, although the retail version of the Switch 2 is expected to operate at lower speeds.
In a simulation conducted by Geekerwan using an RTX 2050 GPU, which shares the same architecture as the T239, it was suggested that the Switch 2 could deliver GTX 1050 Ti-level performance while docked, and GTX 750 Ti-level performance in handheld mode. This marks a performance improvement of approximately 7 to 7.5 times over the current Tegra X1 chip, although it falls short of NVIDIA's earlier claims of a tenfold increase.
In addition to the hardware advancements, 2K and Firaxis Games have confirmed that their upcoming title, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, will be tailored for the Nintendo Switch 2. Behaviour Interactive has led the porting efforts, and an Upgrade Pack will be available for those who previously purchased the game on the original Switch for £8.99 ($9.99). Notably, save states and game progression will carry over to the new version.
The Switch 2 edition of Civilization VII will feature enhanced graphical fidelity, increased frame rate performance, larger map sizes, and support for more players in multiplayer modes. Players can expect to engage in multiplayer sessions with up to eight players in the Modern Age, a significant upgrade from the original version.
Moreover, the Switch 2 will support GameChat functionality and mouse controls through the new Joy-Con 2, providing a more immersive gaming experience. The game is set to launch both at retail and digitally on the Nintendo eShop on June 5, 2025, coinciding with the anticipated release of the Switch 2 itself.
As the June release date approaches, excitement continues to build around the Switch 2's capabilities. The console is expected to compete closely with other handheld gaming devices, such as the Steam Deck, due to its impressive hardware specifications and the promise of supporting advanced technologies like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) for enhanced graphical performance.
With its powerful NVIDIA T239 chip and a lineup of exciting games like Civilization VII, the Nintendo Switch 2 aims to redefine portable gaming. As more details emerge, fans are left wondering just how well the new console will perform in real-world scenarios, and whether it can truly deliver on the lofty expectations set by its predecessors.
In conclusion, the Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be a significant leap forward in gaming technology, combining robust hardware with innovative features that cater to both casual and hardcore gamers alike. With its launch just around the corner, the gaming community is buzzing with anticipation, eager to see if the Switch 2 can live up to the hype and deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.
