logo
Switch 2 specs have finally been confirmed after Nintendo spent months playing coy, and it's running a "miniaturised version" of a 30-series GPU

Switch 2 specs have finally been confirmed after Nintendo spent months playing coy, and it's running a "miniaturised version" of a 30-series GPU

Yahoo20-05-2025
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
While Switch 2 is putting a bigger emphasis on technical power than we've seen from Nintendo in years, the publisher has still been oddly reticent to reveal the platform's actual technical specifications. Now we're finally getting some clarity on the system's specs.
Switch 2 leaks have actually intensified in recent weeks as the supply chain for the console moves forward, and the folks at Digital Foundry have confirmed the specs. In short, the system features a custom Nvidia system on a chip called a T239, which features a GPU built on the same Ampere architecture that powered the RTX 30-series GPUs first released in 2020.
Notably, this specification of a custom Nvidia chip called T239 featuring an Ampere-based GPU had been leaked as far back as 2021, and if the past four years of leaks have had some element of truth to them, it's clear that Switch 2 has been in the works for a long, long time. Nintendo released a Switch 2 spec sheet alongside the console's initial reveal in April, but that only mentioned a "custom processor" from Nvidia, with no accompanying specs.
According to DF's rundown, we're looking at a CPU clock of 998MHz while docked or 1101MHz in handheld mode, with six cores available to game developers and two reserved for system resources. There's a theoretical maximum clock of 1.7GHz, but it's unclear in what circumstance that additional performance headroom might be unlocked.
On the GPU side, it's rated for 1007MHz in docked mode, 561MHz in handheld, and a theoretical maximum of 1.4GHz. Digital Foundry suggests thinking "of it as a miniaturised version of a consumer GPU," similar to how the Switch 1 made use of a variant of the GTX 900 series. Here, though, we're dealing with something similar to an RTX 30-series card.
Exactly what all this means in terms of concrete performance for Switch 2 is still difficult to measure without actually seeing games in action, and it's going to be doubly tough to compare the system's raw performance against other hardware when it's making use of Nvidia's performance-boosting DLSS tech.
In more concrete reveals, DF says that VRR – which helps match the screen refresh rate to the in-game frame rate for smoother video when performance fluctuates – is only supported for the built-in handheld screen. There's no support for VRR-enabled televisions over HDMI.
Switch 2 also features a custom file decompression engine, which can offload some of the burden from the CPU, which "should be a lot faster and more power-efficient" when loading your games.
GameChat also seems to be quite a serious part of the platform in Nintendo's eyes, though it's one that apparently eats quite a bit of system resources, to the point where "Nintendo actually provides developers with a GameChat testing tool" to measure the performance impact of the feature. DF notes that GameChat's impact on performance "does seem to be an area of developer concern."
We're now just a few weeks out from the launch of Switch 2, so the answers to many of these questions will be clear soon enough. Here's hoping that the long, long wait for the new hardware proves worthwhile.
If you're keeping up with all the Nintendo Switch 2 news, here are all the Switch 2 launch games and other upcoming Switch 2 games you need to know about.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Has Big Potential and a Surprisingly Low Price
This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Has Big Potential and a Surprisingly Low Price

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Has Big Potential and a Surprisingly Low Price

Key Points Artificial intelligence (AI) spending could reach $4.8 trillion by 2033, and this company stands to benefit. It's a major AI player and still trading at an attractive valuation for long-term investors. 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia › If you're looking for massive growth potential, check out artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. According to the U.N., the AI market is set to explode from a $189 billion valuation in 2023 to nearly $5 trillion by 2033. However, despite these massive projections, one of the most popular AI stocks on the market today remains surprisingly cheap. This popular AI stock is cheaper than you think Looking for an AI stock that can directly benefit from a massive jump in demand over the next decade and beyond? Check out Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). While many investors are already familiar with the company, you may not realize how cheap the stock actually is. Fortunes have already been made with Nvidia stock. But there's still plenty of room left to run. Before we jump into Nvidia's surprisingly cheap valuation, let's quickly review what makes this stock so special. Nvidia is the largest GPU stock in the world. Its hardware powers data centers worldwide -- data centers that AI developers rely on to build, train, and deploy their models. End users, too, rely on data centers to use AI services, putting Nvidia's GPUs at the center of the AI value chain. Recent estimates suggest that the company may have a market share of 90% or more for GPUs designed for AI use cases. How did Nvidia get so dominant? According to William Blair analyst Sebastien Naji, Nvidia invested heavily to develop "the broadest ecosystem" of software tools and developers, which essentially allows it to control both the hardware and software components of its GPUs. "And so it's just so much easier to build an application, build an AI model on top of those chips," Naji adds. Nvidia got a lead on the AI GPU market through early investment. Its software focus, meanwhile, allowed users to customize their chips, creating a "stickiness" to its products. Switching to a competing chip isn't just a matter of hardware, but also software integration, providing Nvidia with a durable moat around its business model. Nvidia's sales have grown in the heavy double digits for years. And its gross margins lead the industry. And yet, as we'll see, shares remain surprisingly cheap. Is now the time to invest in Nvidia? On the surface, Nvidia stock looks expensive. Shares trade at nearly 30 times sales -- a huge premium for a multitrillion-dollar stock. But on a profit basis, the situation improves dramatically. Yes, Nvidia shares are trading at 54 times trailing earnings. But because sales are growing so quickly, it's important to look at the company's forward valuation. Based on what the company is expected to earn over the next 12 months, shares trade at just 39 times forward earnings. Meanwhile, Intel, another chipmaker, is struggling to remain profitable. Its revenues are expected to fall by around 5% over the next fiscal year. The firm failed to invest in the AI opportunity, and the company is struggling to remain relevant in the next-gen GPU space. By comparing Intel and Nvidia on some key metrics, we can easily ascertain Nvidia's core strengths. Nvidia is positioned well for the near term and the long term. Intel's fate, meanwhile, remains uncertain for both time frames. Compared to competitors like Intel, Nvidia is doing quite well. But is 39 times earnings actually a "bargain" valuation? It is if you keep doing the math. The AI market is expected to continue growing by 20% to 30% annually for nearly a decade. With the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) trading at 30 times earnings, it won't be long until Nvidia stock trades below the general market based on today's trading price. The key here is patience. If you're willing to hold Nvidia stock for the long term, high sustained growth rates will quickly eat into the up-front valuation premium, making the stock a bargain in hindsight. As with any high-multiple stock, expect plenty of volatility along the way. But if you're betting on AI stocks for the long haul, Nvidia remains surprisingly cheap for patient shareholders. Do the experts think Nvidia is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did Nvidia make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,041% vs. just 183% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 858.71%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intel and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: short August 2025 $24 calls on Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Has Big Potential and a Surprisingly Low Price was originally published by The Motley Fool

I bought the Switch 2 Pro Controller for its remappable back buttons — but this feature makes them an absolute game changer
I bought the Switch 2 Pro Controller for its remappable back buttons — but this feature makes them an absolute game changer

Tom's Guide

timean hour ago

  • Tom's Guide

I bought the Switch 2 Pro Controller for its remappable back buttons — but this feature makes them an absolute game changer

From the moment I first laid hands on it, I knew I had to get the new Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Back in April, I was one of the first people to go hands-on with the Switch 2 at an event in New York. While it was awesome finally getting to see the new console up close, I couldn't believe that Nintendo had finally added the feature I always wanted to its pro controller: remappable back buttons. As someone who's been playing video games with a controller for over 30 years, my right thumb has certainly taken a beating. That's why, when possible, I prefer to play on a controller with remappable back buttons or rear paddles. This lets me avoid putting unnecessary strain on my thumb but I've also found that it makes playing certain games a lot easier for me. While plenty of the best Nintendo Switch controllers have remappable back buttons, this is the first time that Nintendo has added them to one of its first-party controllers. Likewise, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is one of the most comfortable gamepads I've ever held with plenty of refinements over the original. After picking up a Switch 2 and the new pro controller at a midnight launch though, I quickly realized that Nintendo didn't just add remappable back buttons to the controller, it completely changed how you use them. If you're like me and use remappable back buttons in every game you play, here's why you should definitely consider picking up a Switch 2 Pro Controller for the Nintendo Switch 2. This new and improved pro controller for the Switch 2 features Nintendo's HD Rumble 2, a C button for GameChat, remappable GL/GR buttons and a 3.5mm headphone jack along with support for motion controls and scanning amiibos. It's very comfortable to hold in hand and can last for up to 40 hours on a single retailers: Target, Best Buy, GameStop Normally on a controller with remappable back buttons, there's often an extra button on the back like with the PowerA OPS v3 Pro or on the front like with the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller. You press this button first to go into remapping mode before assigning inputs to either controller's back buttons. You'll notice though that the Switch 2 Pro Controller doesn't have a button like this on the this is the case, like on the Xbox Elite Series 2, you usually go into your console's settings menu to assign inputs to your controller's back buttons or rear paddles. However, when I opened up the Switch 2's settings menu and went to Controllers & Accessories and then GL/GR Button Settings, there was only a video explaining how they worked but not an option to map them to different buttons right then and there. The reason for this is surprisingly simple. Unlike with the remappable buttons on other pro-style controllers, you can't program the GL/GR ones unless you're in a game. While I wish Nintendo would let me do this as I like using a controller's back buttons to navigate through a console's menus and user interface, I quickly came to appreciate the company's unique and novel approach to assigning buttons. In fact, I now wish both Sony and Microsoft would follow suit. So how do you remap the GL/GR buttons on the Switch 2 Pro Controller? Well, to do so, you first have to open a game. From there, you hold down the controller's Home button to bring up the Switch 2's Quick Settings menu. Underneath the option to toggle Airplane Mode on or off, you'll see a section for the Switch 2 Pro Controller's GL/GR Buttons. Then you just select which one you want to remap and press the button you want to map it to on the controller and you're done. Not only does Nintendo make it quick and seamless to remap these GL/GR buttons but the best part is that how you configure them is saved on a per game basis. This means that while you might have them set up a particular way for Mario Kart World, you can have them mapped completely differently in another game. Then when you switch between games, the Switch 2 automatically reconfigures the controller's back buttons exactly how you had them. No other controller nor console does it this way. In the picture above, you can see I have the GR button mapped to A to make my cart go in Mario Kart World while the GL button is mapped to X so that I can quickly look behind me during the middle of a race. I had my Switch 2 Pro Controller's button remapped this way until earlier today when the idea struck me to map GL to the controller's right trigger so that I can drift as well as perform tricks without having to take my thumbs off the analog sticks. I've mainly been playing my Switch 2 in docked mode with the Switch 2 Pro Controller, so I've been using its remappable back buttons in every game I've played so far. For instance, in Donkey Kong Bananza which I recently reviewed, I have the GR button mapped to A for jump and the GL button mapped to Y to punch. If you've seen any gameplay footage, then you know Donkey Kong does a ton of punching in this game. With punch set to the GL button, this has made it a lot easier for me to not only defeat enemies but to also destroy the world around me as I'm hunting for gold and Banadium Gems. Before Donkey Kong Banaza came out, I was working my way through the end of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which runs and looks even better on the Switch 2. Here, I also have the GR button mapped to A since you use it for everything from jumping to climbing to talking to in-game characters and interacting with the world around you. However, you also frequently make use of Link's new abilities which you select from a wheel after pressing the left bumper or L button on your controller. To make it easier to pull up this wheel and switch between abilities, I mapped the GL button to L when I restarted playing Tears of the Kingdom on the Switch 2. The remapping possibilities are really endless on the Switch 2 Pro Controller as you can remap its GL/GR buttons to anything from the face buttons (A,B,X,Y) to the triggers and bumpers to the D-pad. Surprisingly, you can also remap the controller's new C button which brings up GameChat to either one of them as well. The same is true with the Capture button as well as both the Plus and Minus buttons. At $85, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is certainly an investment, especially as it costs more than the console's most expensive game so far. However, if you prefer playing in dock mode, have larger hands or use its remappable back buttons as much as I do, then I'd say it's definitely worth it. Pictures definitely don't do the Switch 2 Pro Controller justice either. Instead, this is the type of controller you need to hold in your hands to truly appreciate. It's slightly lighter than Nintendo's first Pro Controller for the original Switch but it also feels slimmer and more balanced in your hands. At the same time, it now also comes with a headphone jack and its two-tone gray and black design looks a lot sleeker too. If you don't have $85 to spend on a new controller but still want the experience of using remappable back buttons on the Switch 2, there is another option. Nintendo's Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip costs less than half the price at $40 but after buying one and testing it out myself, the way you remap and use its GL/GR buttons works exactly the is worth noting that the GL/GR buttons on the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip — just like the buttons on the Joy-Cons themselves — are significantly smaller than the ones on the Switch 2 Pro Controller. This wasn't a deal breaker at all for me though, as I found them just as easy to press and use. If you're on a tight budget or even if you just have smaller hands, this might be the better option. Either way, it's great that Nintendo has finally added remappable back buttons to its first-party controllers. Still, what impresses me even more is how it came up with a novel new way to remap them on the fly and how you don't have to configure them all over again every time you switch between games. This accessory lets you attach your Switch 2 Joy-Cons to use them like a standard controller but it also features a USB-C port to charge them. Like the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it has remappable GL/GR buttons that can be mapped to whatever buttons you retailers: Target, BestBuy, GameStop

Better Nuclear Energy Stock: NuScale Power vs. Oklo
Better Nuclear Energy Stock: NuScale Power vs. Oklo

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Better Nuclear Energy Stock: NuScale Power vs. Oklo

Key Points NuScale's small modular reactors are challenging traditional nuclear plants. Oklo's microreactors are well-suited for smaller remote deployments. But only one of these companies is generating meaningful revenue. 10 stocks we like better than NuScale Power › Over the past few years, the explosive growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) market drove many investors toward chipmakers like Nvidia and software giants like Microsoft. However, that secular trend is also stirring up strong tailwinds for nuclear power companies that are addressing the soaring energy needs of those big cloud and AI data centers. Two smaller nuclear energy companies often associated with the AI market are NuScale Power (NYSE: SMR) and Oklo (NYSE: OKLO). Let's see why these two companies could benefit from the AI boom -- and which stock is the better buy right now. The differences between NuScale and Oklo NuScale and Oklo both produce smaller and scalable nuclear reactors. NuScale develops small modular reactors (SMRs), which each generate up to 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe). It chains together those modules in flexible configurations that are easier to deploy than traditional nuclear reactors. Its VOYGR-6 configuration connects six of its 77 MWe modules to generate 462 MWe, while its top-tier VOYGR-12 configuration connects 12 modules to generate 924 MWe. NuScale is the only company that holds Standard Design Approvals from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its SMRs. The NRC approved its 50 MWe design in January of 2023 and its 77 MWe design this May. Its 77 MWe design takes up 1% of the space of a traditional nuclear reactor but generates the same amount of power. Oklo's flagship product, the Aurora, is a much smaller microreactor that only generates 1.5 MWe of power. These tiny microreactors can be chained together in bigger deployments that generate 15 to 100 MWe, and that flexibility makes them well-suited for remote and off-grid deployments. Oklo's microreactors run on metallic uranium fuel pellets -- which are denser, more thermal resistant, and cheaper to make than the standard uranium dioxide fuel pellets used by NuScale and other reactor makers. Its fabricated metallic pellets are also easier to reprocess and recycle in a closed loop that can operate for about a decade without being refueled. NuScale's SMRs need to be refueled every two years, but their modular design allows them to be fueled in stages so the entire plant doesn't go offline. Which company is growing faster? The density, scalability, and power efficiency of SMRs and microreactors are attracting a lot of attention from energy companies and power-hungry data center operators. However, both of these companies could struggle with growing pains over the next few years. In 2023, NuScale suffered a major setback when its soaring expenses forced it to cancel its plan to build six nuclear reactors in Idaho. Today, it generates most of its revenue in Romania, where it serves as a subcontractor for Fluor's planned construction of a 462 MWe plant. That project is still in the front-end engineering and design phase, but it's expected to receive a final investment decision in 2026. The NRC's recent approval of its 77 MWe design also opens the door for NuScale's stateside comeback. It has already been holding active discussions with five hyperscale data center operators in the U.S. to support that return. In 2024, NuScale's revenue rose 62% to $37 million, but its net loss more than doubled to $137 million. In 2025, analysts expect its revenue to rise 34% to $50 million as it narrows its net loss to $69 million. That growth could be driven by the final investment decision in Romania, which would pave the way toward the construction of its first plants, and new domestic data center contracts. But with a market capitalization of $6.7 billion, NuScale already looks richly valued at 135 times this year's sales. Oklo isn't expected to generate any revenue until it deploys its first reactors in Idaho in late 2027 or early 2028. Analysts expect it to rack up net losses of $66 million in 2025 and $78 million in 2026. Yet its market value sits at $10.2 billion -- which is more than 762 times the $13 million in revenue it's expected to generate in 2027. The shares probably trades at that frothy valuation because Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, previously served as its CEO and chairman. Altman remains one of the company's top investors. The better buy: NuScale The SMRs from NuScale might not be as forward-thinking as Oklo's microreactors, but they're well-suited for building big nuclear plants that could replace older fossil fuel plants. They can also be used to directly power data centers and factories. Microreactors are ideal for small deployments in remote areas, but they're not economical for larger-scale power plants. NuScale is still a speculative investment, but it's on firmer ground than Oklo -- which still looks grossly overvalued and hasn't generated a dollar of meaningful revenue yet. That's why I expect NuScale's stock to remain a better play on nuclear power than Oklo for the foreseeable future. Should you invest $1,000 in NuScale Power right now? Before you buy stock in NuScale Power, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and NuScale Power wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $634,627!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,046,799!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,037% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends NuScale Power and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Better Nuclear Energy Stock: NuScale Power vs. Oklo was originally published by The Motley Fool

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store