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For those wondering what the GPU equivalent of the Nintendo Switch is, you’ve come to the right place.
Graphics cards are very different to gaming consoles – particularly handheld gaming consoles. Whereas a graphics card supports a monitor and PC, and has a priority on frame rate and resolution, a console has a lot more to consider in a smaller package. The gaming console is the whole package in one meaning that there are going to be certain restraints on its hardware that a GPU just doesn’t have to contend with. This means that generally speaking in a question like this, you’re going to be looking at an older GPU, definitely something more entry level.
Let’s get into it.
What GPU is equivalent to the Switch?
The closest GPU we could find to the Switch in terms of output performance and power was the Nvidia GTX 1650. The hardware is surprisingly similar – with the 4GB DDR4 Switch memory integrated as part of the APU, matching 4GB VRAM of the 1650.
However , the 1650 operates at clock speeds between 1.4GHz and 1.6GHz, whereas the Switch is limited to 384 – 768MHz. There’s such a huge difference here, so why are we comparing the two?
While the Nintendo Switch doesn’t offer great performance by modern standards – it can reach 60FPS in some games – and that’s respectable feat to be commended.
What GPU does the Nintendo Switch have?
The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have a GPU! Instead, it makes use of an APU, which combines processing, graphics, and memory into one. This is the same kind of technology seen in the Nvidia Shield, which coincidentally features the a similar GPU to the one found in the Nvidia Shield.
The Nintendo Switch uses the Nvidia GM20B GPU, built on a 20nm process size. For reference, the recently announced Apple M3 chip is rumoured to feature a 3nm process size. What could the Nintendo Switch 2 feature?
For more investigations like these, check back to the site regularly. We keep it updated with the latest gaming queries and news, and you don’t want to miss anything.
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