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[Draugoth]

Transcript via IGN

Sources have reportedly told Digital Foundry that the custom Nvidia T239 chip rumored to be in the next iteration of the Nintendo Switch does not include deep learning accelerator (DLA) capability, which may have a big impact on its DLSS upscaling capabilities. With DLA, DLSS upscaling would effectively be "free," or at least require quite a bit less CPU power. Without it, the Switch 2 may be limited to 1080p, or "possibly 1440p if you're lucky, depending on the game."

These estimations are based on broadly equivalent hardware and remains far from confirmed. However, it potentially puts a dent in the Switch 2's capabilities, which have been rumored to be in the range of the Xbox Series S.

DLSS (which stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling) has been at the center of the rumors swirling around a potential Switch 2 for over a year now, with the first references to DLSS and the Tegra 239 graphics chip as potential Switch 2 features popping up in the massive NVIDIA hack that occurred in March 2022. Earlier this month, Digital Foundry published a detailed deep dive into the rumored custom processor and its likely capabilities.

Woopah is right. You guys are talking about DLA without even knowing what it is. DLSS runs on the Tensor Cores (which the T239 for Switch 2 has (48 of them to be precise)). DLA is a fixed-function hardware that is only present on the Orin/Xavier SoC's Nvidia has for automotive/AI edge/Robotics etc. It's not present on Nvidia GPUs for desktop or mobile...

Someone wrongly told Rich that Nvidia kept the DLA hardware from the Orin SoC (and thus why he cited the DLA possibility on his video testing PC specs for switch 2), but we know that the T239 is a very customized SoC, with many blocks from the Orin SoC (T234) being removed, and we already knew for a long time now that the DLA block wasn't present.

So, just to be clear, DLSS runs on Tensor Cores, which the Switch 2 will have, and normal nvidia GPUs don't even have DLA hardware. Also, there's absolutely no evidence that DLA could even help with DLSS. Maybe it could, we just don't know.

With all that said, with switch 2 having 48 Tensor Cores, there probably will be compromises. DLSS isn't free. But for that we can only wait and see.

 

[64bitmodels]

what the actual fuck is that mockup

 

[Deft Beck]

what the actual fuck is that mockup

It's based off of recent patent images.

 

[64bitmodels]

It's based off of recent patent images.

who let the nintendo interns cook

 

[Woopah]

I don't remember any of the main rumours mentioning DLA. Just that it will have DLSS.

 

[bender]

Good. The weaker the better.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

Tempered expectations.

 

[Beechos]

Anyone who thought those earlier switch 2 rumors were true were delusional.

 

[Dacvak]

Anyone expecting a Nintendo platform to have any semblance of cutting-edge technology is likely to be disappointed. I’m hopeful that the T239 is a serious enough chip to feel like a generational upgrade, but there’s no way it’s gonna blow people away.

 

[salva]

by the time this thing releases DLSS will be obsolete

 

[R3TRO]

Meh just like most of Nintendo's output.

 

[Closer]

what the actual fuck is that mockup

who let the nintendo interns cook

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Face it: no matter the power level of the actual Switch 2, it won't be enough for the traditional console and PC fans, so who cares what it ends up being as long as it plays multiplats better than Switch does now?

 

[ReBurn]

People really think the next Nintendo box is going to be some kind of powerhouse? We'll be lucky to get antialiasing.

 

[Sleepwalker]

by the time this thing releases DLSS will be obsolete

So you reckon DLSS will be obsolete next year?

who let the nintendo interns cook

i'm ready for the Nintendo Switch Slide, or SS for short.

 

[Azelover]

I think we might be focused on the wrong things. We don't know what it's gonna look like. What if the horsepower is similar to a Switch 1's? Maybe they will bring something else to the table. We really don't know..

 

[nemiroff]

I don't remember any of the main rumours mentioning DLA. Just that it will have DLSS.

There is no DLSS without tensor cores/ai hardware acceleration.

 

[hepfom]

Why do Nintendo fans always do this to themselves?

 

[lachesis]

Every little bit helps. Keeping the expectations real - as I think they won't go above $399. $449 maximum.

 

[chromhound]

Good. The weaker the better.

 

[Sleepwalker]

Good. The weaker the better.

I agree they should just re release the gamecube again

 

[bender]

 

[diffusionx]

I don't remember any of the main rumours mentioning DLA. Just that it will have DLSS.

DLSS is an algorithm that runs in specialized hardware on Nvidia’s chips. Without the hardware, no DLSS.

 

[StereoVsn]

Every little bit helps. Keeping the expectations real - as I think they won't go above $399. $449 maximum.

$399 Switch 2 U with no hardware tensor cores and 256gb storage.

$499 Switch 2 U Pro with Tensor cores, 512GB storage and OLED. Lets go!

 

[Generic]

$399 Switch 2 U with no hardware tensor cores and 256gb storage.

$499 Switch 2 U Pro with Tensor cores, 512GB storage and OLED. Lets go!

Anything above $300 is too much. The Switch 2 will have weaker hardware than the Series S.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

People expecting a very powerful Nintendo console are going to be sorely disappointed. Sure, it will be considerably more powerful than the Switch, but I feel it will be on par with the XBOX One or PS4 power-wise. I’m keeping my expectations in check.

 

[StereoVsn]

Anything above $300 is too much. The Switch 2 will have weaker hardware than the Series S.

Realistically I can see $399. Perhaps followed by Switch 2 Lite for like $300. We aren’t in 2017 anymore. More than that is dubious though.

 

[AJUMP23]

What if it is stronger. And the games are like being on the holodeck. But none of us can play them because we are out of shape.

 

[marjo]

What if it is stronger. And the games are like being on the holodeck. But none of us can play them because we are out of shape.

This might be my favorite post of the year.

 

[salva]

So you reckon DLSS will be obsolete next year?

I was being sarcastic ... we've been waiting forever for the Switch 2

 

[jorgejjvr]

Maybe on switch 3 or 4

 

[Fake]

Near to base PS4 with DLSS will do good on my book.

 

[LordOfChaos]

Not having DLA would be a big bummer, DLSS would be a godsend for a portable of this power

 

[CS Lurker]

I don't remember any of the main rumours mentioning DLA. Just that it will have DLSS.

There is no DLSS without tensor cores/ai hardware acceleration.

DLSS is an algorithm that runs in specialized hardware on Nvidia’s chips. Without the hardware, no DLSS.

Woopah is right. You guys are talking about DLA without even knowing what it is. DLSS runs on the Tensor Cores (which the T239 for Switch 2 has (48 of them to be precise)). DLA is a fixed-function hardware that is only present on the Orin/Xavier SoC's Nvidia has for automotive/AI edge/Robotics etc. It's not present on Nvidia GPUs for desktop or mobile...

Someone wrongly told Rich that Nvidia kept the DLA hardware from the Orin SoC (and thus why he cited the DLA possibility on his video testing PC specs for switch 2), but we know that the T239 is a very customized SoC, with many blocks from the Orin SoC (T234) being removed, and we already knew for a long time now that the DLA block wasn't present.

So, just to be clear, DLSS runs on Tensor Cores, which the Switch 2 will have, and normal nvidia GPUs don't even have DLA hardware. Also, there's absolutely no evidence that DLA could even help with DLSS. Maybe it could, we just don't know.

With all that said, with switch 2 having 48 Tensor Cores, there probably will be compromises. DLSS isn't free. But for that we can only wait and see.

 

[mhirano]

what the actual fuck is that mockup

It’s the Switch 2 DS (pun intended)

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

Maybe it will lean more on FSR 3 instead?

 

[Esppiral]

I hope it is at least as powerful as a Steam deck

 

[kiphalfton]

Why do Nintendo fans always do this to themselves?

It is truly a sight to behold.

Brb "it's not about the graphics, but the artstyle"
Brb "the next Nintendo console is going to be a powerhouse"

 

[mckmas8808]

People really think the next Nintendo box is going to be some kind of powerhouse? We'll be lucky to get antialiasing.

Exactly!

 

[mckmas8808]

Near to base PS4 with DLSS will do good on my book.

This is the best they could ask for. Nothing more!

 

[Mister Wolf]

DLSS on the Super Switch will be better than any other temporal upscaler available on consoles including FSR, Insomniac's Temporal Injection, and Unreal's TSR. Monolith Soft already use temporal upscaling in Xenoblade 3 so I already know they will be all over DLSS.

 

[alucard0712_rus]

Literally every single time

 

[Robb]

Sure, not sure what people are expecting. I’m personally just happy that Nintendo is seemingly adapting DLSS at all.

 

[sinnergy]

Literally every single time

Yup.. from the beginning of time .. every new generation of people think Nintendo is about hardware power like dodo

 

[alucard0712_rus]

Yup.. from the beginning of time .. every new generation of people think Nintendo is about hardware power like dodo

Also DLSS is ineffective at 1080p or lower but still consumes die space. Why they should do this when FREE FSR exist? It's not Nintendo way

 

[StueyDuck]

While we'll only really actually know anything when the console is announced.

Those who were expecting mini PS5s playing the RT matrix awakens demo at 60 were always way off base.

Temper expectations as one always should, anything stronger than current switch is a big upgrade and that's how we should all be viewing it

 

[freefornow]

 

[cireza]

Transcript via IGN

People expecting Series S level on Switch 2 ? Reaching One S will already be an incredible achievement for Nintendo.

 

[Alexios]

I mean, if it comes next year can people really expect it to be so much better than say, the Steam Deck (1) yet cost less? Gotta temper those expectations folks, true next gen games will probably still have "miracle ports" with huge concessions if at all, but games made primarily for it will look great.

 

[Barakov]