AMD Instinct MI308X vs NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data contains no direct head-to-head benchmark scores for the AMD Instinct MI308X and the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU. Both products have an average benchmark score of 0 in the database, and each sits at the 50th percentile among all GPUs. The absence of measured results means any comparison must rely on the architectural and specification data recorded for each part, rather than observed performance deltas.

What the data does show is a massive gap in raw compute capability. The AMD Instinct MI308X delivers 81.72 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, while the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU delivers 4.301 TFLOPS. That places the MI308X roughly 19 times higher in single-precision throughput. The FP16 comparison is similarly lopsided: the MI308X sustains 81.72 TFLOPS with a 1:1 ratio, whereas the Switch 2 GPU reaches 8.602 TFLOPS by using a 2:1 ratio. Even when the Switch 2 GPU uses its accelerated FP16 path, the MI308X still holds a 9.5x advantage.

Texture throughput follows the same pattern. The MI308X posts a texture rate of 2,553.6 GTexel/s against 67.20 GTexel/s for the Switch 2 GPU. Pixel rate is a different story entirely: the MI308X records 0 MPixel/s with 0 ROPs, while the Switch 2 GPU manages 22.40 GPixel/s with 16 ROPs. This indicates the MI308X is not designed for traditional rasterization output, whereas the Switch 2 GPU is a conventional graphics processor.

Memory bandwidth reinforces the divide. The MI308X uses 192 GB of HBM3 across an 8192-bit bus for 5.32 TB/s of bandwidth. The Switch 2 GPU uses 12 GB of LPDDR5X across a 128-bit bus for 102.4 GB/s. The MI308X delivers roughly 52 times the memory bandwidth, a gap consistent with its accelerator positioning.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Instinct MI308X wins decisively in compute-heavy workloads. Its FP32 output of 81.72 TFLOPS, FP16 output of 81.72 TFLOPS, and texture rate of 2,553.6 GTexel/s position it for large-scale matrix operations, scientific computing, and data center workloads. The 192 GB HBM3 memory pool with 5.32 TB/s bandwidth supports models and datasets far beyond the reach of the Switch 2 GPU's 12 GB LPDDR5X configuration. The MI308X uses PCIe 5.0 x16 for host connectivity and draws up to 750 W, with a suggested PSU of 1150 W, all consistent with a mounted accelerator in a server chassis.

The NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU wins in scenarios that require actual graphics output, though the recorded display outputs are listed as "No outputs" for both parts. The Switch 2 GPU does have 16 ROPs and a pixel rate of 22.40 GPixel/s, while the MI308X has zero ROPs and zero pixel rate. The Switch 2 GPU also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, whereas the MI308X has no API support listed for DirectX, OpenGL, or Vulkan. The Switch 2 GPU operates at 40 W, making it suitable for constrained power envelopes. Its dimensions are recorded at 272 mm length, 116 mm height, and 14 mm width, which is a physical board size, not a server module.

For FP16 workloads where the Switch 2 GPU can use its 2:1 ratio, it reaches 8.602 TFLOPS, which is double its FP32 figure. That is still far below the MI308X, but it shows the Switch 2 GPU has a functional mixed-precision path. The MI308X does not gain anything from FP16, since its ratio is 1:1.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Instinct MI308X uses the Aqua Vanjaram chip built on CDNA 3.0 architecture, manufactured on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The die size is 1017 mm² with 153,000 million transistors, giving a transistor density of 150.4M per mm². The NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU uses the GA10B chip built on Ampere architecture, manufactured on an 8 nm process at Samsung. The die size is 200 mm², and the transistor count is listed as unknown.

The MI308X has 19,456 shading units and 1,216 TMUs. It has no ROPs, no RT cores, and no tensor cores listed in the database. The Switch 2 GPU has 1,536 shading units, 48 TMUs, 16 ROPs, 12 RT cores, and 48 tensor cores. This makes the Switch 2 GPU the only one of the two with dedicated hardware for ray tracing and tensor operations. The MI308X does not record any such units.

Clock behavior differs sharply. The MI308X has a base clock of 1000 MHz and a boost clock of 2100 MHz. The Switch 2 GPU has a base clock of 561 MHz and a boost clock of 1400 MHz. Memory clocks also differ: the MI308X runs at 1300 MHz with 5.2 Gbps effective, while the Switch 2 GPU runs at 800 MHz with 6.4 Gbps effective. Despite the lower memory clock, the MI308X achieves far higher bandwidth because of its 8192-bit bus versus 128-bit.

Memory technology separates the two completely. The MI308X uses HBM3, the Switch 2 GPU uses LPDDR5X. Capacity is 192 GB versus 12 GB. The MI308X is an OAM module with no power connectors and no display outputs. The Switch 2 GPU has a recorded production status of Active, a launch date of 2025-06-04, and a launch MSRP of 449 USD. The MI308X has a release date of 2023-12-05 and no launch MSRP recorded.

The API support also marks a fundamental difference. The Switch 2 GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The MI308X records N/A for all three. This confirms the MI308X is not a consumer graphics card, while the Switch 2 GPU is a console-class part with full graphics API coverage.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher FP32 performance?

A: The AMD Instinct MI308X delivers 81.72 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, compared to 4.301 TFLOPS for the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU.

Q: How much memory does each GPU have?

A: The AMD Instinct MI308X has 192 GB of HBM3 memory. The NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU has 12 GB of LPDDR5X memory.

Q: Does the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU support ray tracing?

A: Yes, the Switch 2 GPU has 12 RT cores and 48 tensor cores. The AMD Instinct MI308X has no RT cores or tensor cores listed in the database.

Q: What is the power draw of each GPU?

A: The AMD Instinct MI308X has a TDP of 750 W with a suggested PSU of 1150 W. The NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU has a TDP of 40 W.

Q: What API support does each GPU have?

A: The NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The AMD Instinct MI308X has no DirectX, OpenGL, or Vulkan support recorded.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Instinct MI308X uses a 5 nm process at TSMC. The NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU uses an 8 nm process at Samsung.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ across nearly every recorded specification. The MI308X uses the CDNA 3.0 architecture with the Aqua Vanjaram chip, while the Switch 2 GPU uses Ampere with the GA10B chip. Process nodes are 5 nm at TSMC versus 8 nm at Samsung. The MI308X die measures 1017 mm² with 153,000 million transistors; the Switch 2 GPU die measures 200 mm² with an unknown transistor count.

Compute resources: the MI308X has 19,456 shading units and 1,216 TMUs, with 0 ROPs. The Switch 2 GPU has 1,536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 16 ROPs. The Switch 2 GPU adds 12 RT cores and 48 tensor cores; the MI308X records none.

Clocks: the MI308X runs at 1000 MHz base and 2100 MHz boost, with memory at 1300 MHz (5.2 Gbps effective). The Switch 2 GPU runs at 561 MHz base and 1400 MHz boost, with memory at 800 MHz (6.4 Gbps effective).

Memory: the MI308X has 192 GB of HBM3 on an 8192-bit bus with 5.32 TB/s bandwidth. The Switch 2 GPU has 12 GB of LPDDR5X on a 128-bit bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Performance rates: the MI308X records 0 MPixel/s pixel rate and 2,553.6 GTexel/s texture rate. The Switch 2 GPU records 22.40 GPixel/s pixel rate and 67.20 GTexel/s texture rate. FP32 is 81.72 TFLOPS versus 4.301 TFLOPS. FP16 is 81.72 TFLOPS (1:1) versus 8.602 TFLOPS (2:1).

Power and physical: the MI308X has a 750 W TDP, is an OAM Module, has no power connectors, and a suggested PSU of 1150 W. The Switch 2 GPU has a 40 W TDP, no slot width, no power connector info, and no suggested PSU. The MI308X uses PCIe 5.0 x16; the Switch 2 GPU has no bus interface listed. The MI308X has no dimensions recorded; the Switch 2 GPU measures 272 mm by 116 mm by 14 mm.

API support: the MI308X lists N/A for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan. The Switch 2 GPU lists DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4.

Production and release: the MI308X was released on 2023-12-05 with no production status recorded. The Switch 2 GPU was released on 2025-06-04 with a production status of Active and a launch MSRP of 449 USD.

The Verdict

The data describes two products with almost no overlap in purpose. The AMD Instinct MI308X is a data center compute accelerator. Its 81.72 TFLOPS FP32, 192 GB HBM3, and 5.32 TB/s bandwidth target large-scale numerical work. The absence of ROPs, display outputs, and graphics APIs confirms it is not intended for rendering. The 750 W TDP and OAM form factor place it in server infrastructure.

The NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU is a low-power console graphics processor. Its 40 W TDP, 12 GB LPDDR5X, and support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4 make it a functional graphics solution. The 16 ROPs and 22.40 GPixel/s pixel rate give it actual display output capability, even if no outputs are listed. The 12 RT cores and 48 tensor cores provide dedicated hardware for ray tracing and AI workloads, which the MI308X lacks entirely.

A buyer choosing between these two would be selecting between different product categories. The MI308X suits compute environments that need massive memory capacity and raw throughput. The Switch 2 GPU suits a fixed-function console platform that needs low power consumption and standard graphics API support. Benchmark results do not exist to rank them against each other, but the specification data makes the intended use case of each part unambiguous.