Nintendo and Nvidia have officially unveiled the custom GPU powering the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, though they've kept the details tantalizingly vague, leaving tech enthusiasts hungry for more. In a recent blog post, Nvidia confirmed the exciting news first reported by IGN: the Switch 2's GPU supports AI upscaling through Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and includes ray tracing capabilities.
For those unfamiliar, Nvidia DLSS leverages AI to upscale lower-resolution images in real-time, enhancing both performance and visual quality in games. This technology, combined with ray tracing, promises to elevate the gaming experience on the Switch 2 to new heights.
Nvidia's description of the Switch 2's GPU as a "custom Nvidia processor featuring an Nvidia GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores" hints at powerful visual enhancements and AI-driven features. They emphasized the immense effort behind the console's development, 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 at up to 4K resolution in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. The Switch 2 also supports HDR and AI upscaling to enhance visuals and ensure smooth gameplay. Nvidia's new RT Cores enable real-time ray tracing, which promises to deliver lifelike lighting, reflections, and shadows, creating more immersive gaming worlds. Meanwhile, Tensor Cores power AI features like DLSS, boosting resolution without compromising image quality.
Interestingly, Nvidia noted that Tensor Cores also support AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat scenarios, enhancing social gaming and streaming experiences. During the Nintendo Direct, Nintendo showcased the new C button, which facilitates chat functionality using an external camera and the Switch 2's built-in microphone. The technology is designed to focus on the player's voice while filtering out background noise.
Nvidia made a bold claim about the Switch 2's capabilities, stating, "With 10x the graphics performance of the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers smoother gameplay and sharper visuals." However, they did not provide details on how this performance was measured, leaving it to experts like Digital Foundry to analyze once the console launches in June.
Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories Gallery
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Nvidia also highlighted the efficiency of the Tensor Cores in boosting AI-powered graphics while maintaining low power consumption, and the RT Cores in enhancing in-game realism with dynamic lighting and natural reflections. Additionally, the Switch 2 supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) via Nvidia G-SYNC in handheld mode, ensuring ultra-smooth, tear-free gameplay.
During a hardware-focused Q&A in New York, attended by IGN, Nintendo representatives confirmed the use of DLSS on the Switch 2 but remained vague about the specific version or any customizations for the console. Similarly, they acknowledged the GPU's ray tracing capabilities without delving into specifics.
Tetsuya Sasaki, General Manager at Nintendo’s Technology Development Division, emphasized Nintendo's focus on providing value to consumers rather than sharing detailed hardware specs. He noted, "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 revealed AI image upscaling technology aimed at maintaining small game download sizes while offering 4K textures on physical game cartridges.
For more information, explore everything announced at the Switch 2 Nintendo Direct, and delve into what the experts have to say about the Switch 2 price and Mario Kart World’s $80 price tag.
