Nvidia is providing the core technology that powers Nintendo's next generation NX console. Multiple sources have confirmed that the new machine is based around Nvidia's mobile-orientated Tegra processor, with development kits currently using the Tegra X1 chip found in the Shield Android TV console and the Google Pixel C tablet.
The news is bound to come as some surprise to those - including ourselves - who suspected that AMD would provide the technology guts to the new Nintendo machine, but what's clear is that the firm is planning to go into a completely new, potentially revolutionary direction. Right now, it is simply not interested in providing hardware that directly competes with PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It has its own ideas on where to take next-gen gaming.
With that in mind, we can't help but wonder whether X1 is the final hardware we'll see in the NX. Could it actually be a placeholder for Tegra X2? It's a new mobile processor Nvidia has in its arsenal and what's surprising about it is how little we actually know about it. Information on X2 is very limited, to the point where all the technical info we have on it is condensed into one presentation you can read here - 'Embedded Supercomputing at Nvidia' by Alex Ramirez of Nvidia Research. What we do know is that it is a core component of Nvidia's new Drive PX2 system for the automotive industry, where two Tegra X2s are paired with a brace of the firm's discrete GPUs based on the cutting-edge Pascal architecture.
Since it is being discussed elsewhere, I can say with confidence that Nvidia will announce a Pascal Tegra chip for NX.
Nintendo Switch is powered by the performance of the custom Tegra processor. The high-efficiency scalable processor includes an NVIDIA GPU based on the same architecture as the world’s top-performing GeForce gaming graphics cards.
The Nintendo Switch’s gaming experience is also supported by fully custom software, including a revamped physics engine, new libraries, advanced game tools and libraries. NVIDIA additionally created new gaming APIs to fully harness this performance. The newest API, NVN, was built specifically to bring lightweight, fast gaming to the
HiroThreading said:...except that AMD is the one that's significantly behind in perf/watt and perf/mm2.
The console deals are negligible compared to the killing that Nvidia makes from Quadro and Tesla.
Also, strategically speaking, the console deals are not set in stone. If Nvidia wishes -- as in, if it deems that AMD's position in the console market is actually threatening -- it could easily meet Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo half way. Pair that up with a cheap Intel quad (Core or Atom based), and hey presto, you've got a potent x86 console.
Who's to say that Nvidia won't TWIMTBP its way through the DX12 era?
You have to stop deluding yourself. AMD needs to beef up its perf/watt and perf/mm2 by an order of a magnitude and it needs to crack into the HPC market and tap into those huge margins.
Consoles, Apple and the RX 480/470/460 wins are good, but the margins are thin and they can easily be negged.
If NX is partly handheld this would make sense. It's the best graphics you can get in mobile, essentially.
But not having x86 makes them, once again, the bane of third party developers. Do they learn nothing? N64 cartridge. Wii underpowered (yes it sold well, but it was a Pyrrhic victory), WiiU underpowered and not x86. All of these were devoid of 3rd party AAA games.
that is the same as not liking money as a business.I assumed the same, but someone said it's easy to port between the two. That chinese console knock off sort of supports it with a lot of PC native games being advertised to work on it. That console is also NV powered.
I honestly don't think Nintendo cares about 3rd parties. They haven't shown any interest in them since the N64 days, if you ask me. People weren't buying Gamecubes for 3rd party titles.
that is the same as not liking money as a business.
so does this mean nintendo is leaving the home console business?
However, if AMD is in the next console, I expect an ARM processor too. Nintendo has been vocal about integrating their mobile and console business.
Nintendo seems to make a killing selling software. And their software library is segmented by their platforms. They have to development multi-versions of the same game. This is why Miyamoto said he wanted to unify them. I'm taking the leap claiming they'll sell perhaps one license usable on both platforms.
Pros of moving to unified platform:
lower dev costs for games while supporting two joint platforms
sell at profits from day 1 as console/handheld might have similar parts if not exact, just console won't have power limitations thus render higher resolution+higher frame rate
promote the sale of both platforms by allowing game licenses to work on both with one purchase
But that's me thinking out loud.
that is the same as not liking money as a business.
Yeah makes absolutely no sense. They shoulda just released a home console based on Polaris 11 or 10, then a new Gameboy with this Tegra chipset.
your post could have gone a hell of alot better without thisI get you two are camp AMD, but you guys aren't looking at what Nintendo could possibly do.
A unified platform would benefit them greatly. Most of their best sellers are handheld games, which aren't graphically demanding.
Allowing users to play said games on a home console (sold separately, at a moderate price since the hardware won't be OMG 4k@60FPS) is just going to enhanced that for their player base.
With most console titles hitting PC, it is most likely Nintendo wants to be the go-to mobile device (as they've basically been regarded as due to lacking Wii U exclusives).
Have a PC+Nintendo NX, or PS4+Nintendo NX, or Xbone+Nintendo NX. They don't need to dominate Sony/MSFT. They will do just find selling their platform exclusive games.
Again, Pokemon sold 10 million copies. That beats any AAA-title multi-plat and the budget was most likely a small fraction in the process.
Woah, that was unexpected.
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Don't know why this would be powered by a tegra X2, that's just a test board for the auto industry? It's probably not powered by an X1 either as that's an old chip. It'll have whatever the next gen tegra is. Almost certainly it'll be amazingly powerful for a mobile arm soc but still no match for the new consoles.
Nvidia is providing the core technology that powers Nintendo's next generation NX console.
Multiple sources have confirmed that the new machine is based around Nvidia's mobile-orientated Tegra processor
You're correct. Let's not forget first Xbox 360 devkits were powered by G5 + R420. A custom Tegra based on Pascal (512 SPs+) would pack quite a punch, probably enough to receive 3rd party ports.
What a total shame. This pretty much guarantees that there will be little to no AAA 3rd party games released for the NX. This is very disappointing as I was really planning on buying an NX.
NX being powered by a tegra chip is just so meh. This was Nintendo's chance to at least get up to being on par with the current PS4/Xbox1. Now they will still be left in the dust.