Nintendo Switch | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | |
CPU comparisonIn this CPU comparison, we compare the Nintendo Switch and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and use benchmarks to check which processor is faster.
We compare the Nintendo Switch 8 core processor released in Q1/2017 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 which has 8 CPU cores and was introduced in Q4/2023. |
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NVIDIA Tegra (2) | Family | Qualcomm Snapdragon (104) |
NVIDIA Tegra X1 (2) | CPU group | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (2) |
2 | Generation | 3 |
Cortex-A57/-A53 | Architecture | -- |
Notebook | Segment | Smartphone / Tablet |
-- | Predecessor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
-- | Successor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
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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 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 clocks with 3.40 GHz, has 8 CPU cores and can calculate 8 threads in parallel. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
8 | Cores | 8 |
8 | Threads | 8 |
hybrid (big.LITTLE) | Core architecture | hybrid (Prime / big.LITTLE) |
No | Hyperthreading | No |
No | Overclocking ? | No |
1.00 GHz (1.75 GHz) 4x Cortex-A57 |
A-Core | 3.40 GHz 1x Cortex-X4 |
1.00 GHz (1.75 GHz) 4x Cortex-A53 |
B-Core | 2.96 GHz (3.15 GHz) 5x Cortex-A720 |
-- | C-Core | 2.27 GHz 2x Cortex-A520 |
NPU AI performanceThe performance values of the processor's AI unit. The isolated NPU performance is specified here, the total AI performance (NPU+CPU+iGPU) can be higher. Processors with support for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
-- | AI hardware | Qualcomm AI engine |
-- | AI specifications | Hexagon NPU @ 34 TOPS |
-- | NPU + CPU + iGPU | -- |
Integrated graphics (iGPU)Graphics (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 | Qualcomm Adreno 750 |
0.30 GHz | GPU frequency | 0.90 GHz |
0.77 GHz | GPU (Turbo) | -- |
1 | GPU Generation | -- |
20 nm | Technology | 4 nm |
1 | Max. displays | 2 |
2 | Compute units | -- |
256 | Shader | -- |
No | Hardware Raytracing | Yes |
No | Frame Generation | No |
2 GB | Max. GPU Memory | 6 GB |
12 | DirectX Version | 12.1 |
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 | Qualcomm Adreno 750 |
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 / Encode |
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 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 supports a maximum of 24 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 76.6 GB/s enabled. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
LPDDR4-3200 | Memory | LPDDR5X-9600 |
4 GB | Max. Memory | 24 GB |
2 (Dual Channel) | Memory channels | 4 (Quad Channel) |
25.6 GB/s | Max. Bandwidth | 76.6 GB/s |
No | ECC | No |
2.50 MB | L2 Cache | -- |
-- | L3 Cache | 12.00 MB |
-- | PCIe version | -- |
-- | PCIe lanes | -- |
-- | PCIe Bandwidth | -- |
Thermal ManagementThe Nintendo Switch has a TDP of 5 W. The TDP of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is 12.5 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
5 W | TDP (PL1 / PBP) | 12.5 W |
-- | TDP (PL2) | -- |
-- | TDP up | -- |
5 W | TDP down | -- |
-- | Tjunction max. | -- |
Technical detailsThe Nintendo Switch has 2.50 MB cache and is manufactured in 20 nm. The cache of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is at 12.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 4 nm. |
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Nintendo Switch | Characteristic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
20 nm | Technology | 4 nm |
Chiplet | Chip design | Chiplet |
Armv8-A (64 bit) | Instruction set (ISA) | Armv9-A (64 bit) |
-- | ISA extensions | -- |
-- | Socket | -- |
None | Virtualization | None |
No | AES-NI | No |
Operating systems | Android, Windows 10/11 (ARM) | |
Q1/2017 | Release date | Q4/2023 |
-- | Release price | 190 $ |
show more data | show more data | |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.40 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.40 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
NVIDIA Tegra X1 (Maxwell) @ 0.77 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Qualcomm Adreno 750 @ 0.90 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.75 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.40 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.40 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.40 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.40 GHz |
Nintendo Switch
8C 8T @ 1.00 GHz |
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
8C 8T @ 3.40 GHz |
Devices using this processor |
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Nintendo Switch | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
Nintendo Switch | Xiaomi 14 Xiaomi 14 Pro ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro Samsung S24 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 |