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Ck1x on 14 April 2020
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Bofferbrauer2 said:
Ck1x said:

Anyone throwing out TDP's must also state that the chip could be on a smaller node than the theoretical numbers given for Orin, there's just not enough info given about that chip to understand why it needs 65-70w. The only difference with Switch is that its not just one thing or the other, so it needs a chip design that allows it flexibility to provide decent performance in handheld but also ramp up for dock mode.(The idea of Switch is much closer to a laptop than a phone)

There are mobile chips currently on the market that eclipse the PS4, but Switch 2 will definitely be challenged on memory bandwidth and storage read speeds. Back during the GC days Nintendo put up a 1 billion dollar multi-year deal with IBM for processors, so they aren't completely against spending out for technology. Especially with something like this where they have a clear vision of where their platform should continue to go...(Not saying they will ever spend out like that again, but now makes more sense to.)

Well, no node is mentioned, but considering it's only supposed to come out next year, 7nm would be pretty much the minimum, if not even 5nm or any variation of and in between those two.

On the other hand, it's pretty clear why the TDP is so large: 12 core CPU based on the A77, and while no clock speed or GPU details apart from being next gen are detailed, the bandwidth target of 200 GB/s is 50% higher than on Xavier's top-end chip, which means the GPU will get even bigger and probably reach close to 1650 size - and performance.

For comparison's sake, what's in Xavier is pretty much right in between the MX250 and MX350, both in size and performance, and those draw already about 20W, which leaves 10W for the 8-core Carmel CPU if it stays within it's 30W target.

@bolded: yeah, in Laptops, which have a much higher TDP as they can dissipate heat easier through the keyboard and have more space for a larger battery. And even then, to hold those clock speeds necessary to beat the PS4, they still need to use H chips, the 15W U chips are not enough. Ryzen 4000 U-series could change this, but we'll have to wait for tests of those.

Well I think realistically in docked mode a Switch 2 could possibly get away with pulling 20-30watts if they actually go with a magnesium alloy frame(which would help dissipate heat). The current Switch is about as thick as the new Suface Pro-X and that sports the SQ1 putting out 2.1 Tflops @ 20w max. So the possibilities are there but many factors would determine what they could put into this system, such as the consoles material build.

But of course it wouldn't need max power draw in handheld mode and something closer to current Switch's pull of 7-8w total would be more than enough. Especially with techniques like DLSS and VRS on a smaller 1080p screen, image quality would look pretty amazing and most wouldn't notice the visual imperfections and artifacts as much since they aren't blown up in size...