Nintendo Switch | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Nintendo Switch and the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Nintendo Switch 8 core processor released in Q1/2017 with the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) which has 16 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2023. |
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NVIDIA Tegra (2) | Family | Apple M series (25) |
NVIDIA Tegra X1 (2) | CPU group | Apple M3 (6) |
2 | Generation | 3 |
Cortex-A57/-A53 | Architecture | M3 |
Mobile | Segment | Mobile |
-- | Predecessor | Apple M2 Max (30-GPU) |
-- | Successor | -- |
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CPU Cores and Base FrequencyThe Nintendo Switch is a 8 core processor with a clock frequency of 1.00 GHz (1.75 GHz). The processor can compute 8 threads at the same time. The Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) clocks with 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz), has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 16 threads in parallel. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
8 | Cores | 16 |
8 | Threads | 16 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
1.00 GHz (1.75 GHz) 4x Cortex-A57 |
A-Core | 0.70 GHz (4.06 GHz) 12x P-Core |
1.00 GHz (1.75 GHz) 4x Cortex-A53 |
B-Core | 0.74 GHz (2.75 GHz) 4x E-Core |
Artificial Intelligence and Machine LearningProcessors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
-- | AI hardware | Apple Neural Engine |
-- | AI specifications | 16 Neural cores @ 35 TOPS |
Internal GraphicsGraphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback. |
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NVIDIA Tegra X1 (Maxwell) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (40 Core) |
0.30 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.39 GHz |
0.77 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | 1.40 GHz |
1 | GPU Generation | -- |
20 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 5 |
2 | Compute units | 640 |
256 | Shader | 5120 |
No | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
2 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 128 GB |
12 | DirectX Version | -- |
Hardware codec supportA photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos. |
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NVIDIA Tegra X1 (Maxwell) | GPU | Apple M3 Max (40 Core) |
Decode | Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit) | Decode / Encode |
Decode / Encode | Codec h264 | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VP9 | Decode / Encode |
Decode | Codec VP8 | Decode |
No | Codec AV1 | Decode |
Decode | Codec AVC | Decode |
Decode | Codec VC-1 | Decode |
Decode / Encode | Codec JPEG | Decode / Encode |
Memory & PCIeUp to 4 GB of memory in a maximum of 2 memory channels is supported by the Nintendo Switch, while the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) supports a maximum of 128 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s enabled. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
LPDDR4-3200 | Memory | LPDDR5-6400 |
4 GB | Max. Memory | 128 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
25.6 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
2.50 MB | L2 Cache | 36.00 MB |
-- | L3 Cache | -- |
-- | PCIe version | 4.0 |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Nintendo Switch has a TDP of 5 W. The TDP of the Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is 57 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
5 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 57 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
5 W | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | 100 °C |
Technical detailsThe Nintendo Switch has 2.50 MB cache and is manufactured in 20 nm. The cache of Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) is at 36.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 3 nm. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
20 nm | Technology | 3 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv8-A (64 bit) |
-- | ISA extensions | Rosetta 2 x86-Emulation |
-- | Socket | -- |
None | Virtualization | Apple Virtualization Framework |
No | AES-NI | Yes |
Operating systems | macOS, iPadOS | |
Q1/2017 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | -- |
show more data | show more data | |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
NVIDIA Tegra X1 (Maxwell) @ 0.77 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
Apple M3 Max (40 Core) @ 1.40 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 4.06 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 3.60 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
1.00 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
24,028 CB R23 MC @ 57 W |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU)
16C 16T @ 0.70 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Nintendo Switch | Apple M3 Max (16-CPU 40-GPU) |
Nintendo Switch | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2023) Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2023) |