NVIDIA N1 20SM vs NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows no direct benchmark scores for either the NVIDIA N1 20SM or the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU. Both entries have an average benchmark score of zero, and their percentile versus all GPUs sits at 50, meaning the database has not yet generated comparative performance metrics for these two parts. Without head-to-head benchmark results, the analysis must rely on the architectural and specification data available.

The most significant numerical difference lies in raw compute throughput. The N1 20SM delivers 12.01 TFLOPS for FP32 operations, while the Switch 2 GPU delivers 4.301 TFLOPS. This places the N1 20SM at roughly 2.8 times the FP32 throughput of the Switch 2 GPU. In FP16 workloads, the N1 20SM maintains 12.01 TFLOPS with a 1:1 ratio, whereas the Switch 2 GPU reaches 8.602 TFLOPS with a 2:1 ratio. The N1 20SM still leads in FP16, but the margin narrows to about 1.4 times.

Memory bandwidth shows a similar gap. The N1 20SM uses a 256-bit bus with LPDDR5X memory at 273.2 GB/s, compared to the Switch 2 GPU's 128-bit bus at 102.4 GB/s. The N1 20SM offers 2.67 times the bandwidth. Memory capacity differs substantially: 128 GB on the N1 20SM versus 12 GB on the Switch 2 GPU. This is a 10.67 times difference in capacity.

Pixel and texture rates further illustrate the performance gap. The N1 20SM achieves 56.30 GPixel/s, while the Switch 2 GPU manages 22.40 GPixel/s, a 2.51 times advantage. Texture rate is even more lopsided: 375.4 GTexel/s versus 67.20 GTexel/s, a 5.59 times difference. The N1 20SM has 160 texture mapping units against 48 on the Switch 2 GPU, and 24 raster output pipelines versus 16.

Clock speeds show a different pattern. The N1 20SM has a base clock of 741 MHz and a boost clock of 2346 MHz. The Switch 2 GPU has a base clock of 561 MHz and a boost clock of 1400 MHz. The N1 20SM runs at a 67.6% higher boost clock. Memory clocks also differ: 1067 MHz with 8.5 Gbps effective on the N1 20SM, versus 800 MHz with 6.4 Gbps effective on the Switch 2 GPU.

The chip and process differences are stark. The N1 20SM uses the GB20B chip on a 5 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 382 mm². The Switch 2 GPU uses the GA10B chip on an 8 nm process from Samsung, with a die size of 200 mm². The N1 20SM die is 1.91 times larger. Transistor counts are unknown for both.

The Switch 2 GPU has a power draw of 40 W, while the N1 20SM lists its TDP as unknown. The N1 20SM is an integrated graphics processor with PCIe 5.0 x16 interface and one HDMI output. The Switch 2 GPU has no display outputs listed and no bus interface data.

The Verdict

The data indicates the NVIDIA N1 20SM is the stronger part in every measurable compute and memory category. Its FP32 performance is 2.79 times higher, its memory bandwidth is 2.67 times higher, and its texture rate is 5.59 times higher. The N1 20SM also has more shading units (2560 versus 1536), more RT cores (20 versus 12), more tensor cores (80 versus 48), more TMUs (160 versus 48), and more ROPs (24 versus 16).

The Switch 2 GPU has advantages in form factor and power efficiency. It draws 40 W, a figure that is stated in the database, while the N1 20SM's power draw is unknown. The Switch 2 GPU is a console GPU with physical dimensions of 272 mm in length, 116 mm in height, and 14 mm in width. The N1 20SM is an IGP with no listed dimensions. The Switch 2 GPU also supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4, while the N1 20SM lists N/A for all three APIs.

The N1 20SM is the newer part, with a release date of May 2026, versus June 2025 for the Switch 2 GPU. The N1 20SM is built on a 5 nm process versus 8 nm, and uses the Blackwell 2.0 architecture compared to Ampere. The N1 20SM belongs to the Blackwell IGP (N1x) generation, while the Switch 2 GPU belongs to the Console GPU (Nintendo) generation.

The N1 20SM has no launch MSRP listed, while the Switch 2 GPU has a launch MSRP of 449 USD. The production status for both is Active.

Where Each One Wins

The N1 20SM wins in raw computational workloads. Its FP32 throughput of 12.01 TFLOPS suits general-purpose compute and high-detail rendering. The 273.2 GB/s memory bandwidth supports large textures and complex scenes. The 128 GB memory capacity allows for datasets far beyond what the Switch 2 GPU can hold. The 375.4 GTexel/s texture rate indicates strong fill-rate performance, useful for high-resolution texturing. The 20 RT cores and 80 tensor cores provide dedicated hardware for ray tracing and AI workloads.

The Switch 2 GPU wins in integration and power-constrained environments. Its 40 W power draw is explicitly recorded, making it suitable for compact console designs. The physical dimensions of 272 mm by 116 mm by 14 mm show a self-contained unit. The API support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4 means it can run standard PC graphics APIs. The 12 GB memory, while smaller, is still substantial for a console-class part. The 8.602 TFLOPS FP16 performance with a 2:1 ratio indicates strong half-precision throughput relative to its FP32 capability.

The N1 20SM uses a PCIe 5.0 x16 interface, allowing high-bandwidth host communication. The Switch 2 GPU has no bus interface listed. The N1 20SM has one HDMI display output, while the Switch 2 GPU has no outputs. This suggests the N1 20SM can drive a display directly, while the Switch 2 GPU relies on external hardware.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher FP32 performance?

A: The NVIDIA N1 20SM delivers 12.01 TFLOPS in FP32, while the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU delivers 4.301 TFLOPS. The N1 20SM is approximately 2.79 times faster.

Q: What is the memory capacity difference?

A: The N1 20SM has 128 GB of LPDDR5X memory, while the Switch 2 GPU has 12 GB. This is a 10.67 times difference in capacity.

Q: How do the memory bandwidths compare?

A: The N1 20SM has 273.2 GB/s bandwidth over a 256-bit bus, while the Switch 2 GPU has 102.4 GB/s over a 128-bit bus. The N1 20SM provides 2.67 times the bandwidth.

Q: Which GPU has more shading units?

A: The N1 20SM has 2560 shading units, while the Switch 2 GPU has 1536. The N1 20SM also has 160 TMUs versus 48, and 24 ROPs versus 16.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The N1 20SM has a boost clock of 2346 MHz, while the Switch 2 GPU has a boost clock of 1400 MHz. The N1 20SM runs 67.6% higher.

Q: Which GPU has better API support?

A: The Switch 2 GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1 20SM lists N/A for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan.

Architecture Differences

The N1 20SM uses the GB20B chip based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, belonging to the Blackwell IGP (N1x) generation. The Switch 2 GPU uses the GA10B chip based on the Ampere architecture, belonging to the Console GPU (Nintendo) generation. The N1 20SM is fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC, while the Switch 2 GPU is fabricated on an 8 nm process by Samsung. Die sizes are 382 mm² for the N1 20SM and 200 mm² for the Switch 2 GPU.

The N1 20SM has 2560 shading units, 160 TMUs, 24 ROPs, 20 RT cores, and 80 tensor cores. The Switch 2 GPU has 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, 16 ROPs, 12 RT cores, and 48 tensor cores. The N1 20SM has 1.67 times the shading units, 3.33 times the TMUs, 1.5 times the ROPs, 1.67 times the RT cores, and 1.67 times the tensor cores.

FP16 processing differs: the N1 20SM has a 1:1 ratio (12.01 TFLOPS), while the Switch 2 GPU has a 2:1 ratio (8.602 TFLOPS). This indicates the N1 20SM dedicates equal resources to FP16 and FP32, while the Switch 2 GPU doubles FP16 throughput relative to FP32.

The N1 20SM is an integrated graphics processor with a PCIe 5.0 x16 bus interface and one HDMI output. The Switch 2 GPU has no bus interface listed and no display outputs. The Switch 2 GPU has physical dimensions of 272 mm length, 116 mm height, and 14 mm width; the N1 20SM lists no dimensions.

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ in several key specifications. The N1 20SM has a base clock of 741 MHz and boost clock of 2346 MHz. The Switch 2 GPU has a base clock of 561 MHz and boost clock of 1400 MHz. Memory clock is 1067 MHz (8.5 Gbps effective) on the N1 20SM versus 800 MHz (6.4 Gbps effective) on the Switch 2 GPU.

Memory configuration differs: the N1 20SM uses 128 GB LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus with 273.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Switch 2 GPU uses 12 GB LPDDR5X on a 128-bit bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Pixel rate is 56.30 GPixel/s on the N1 20SM versus 22.40 GPixel/s on the Switch 2 GPU. Texture rate is 375.4 GTexel/s versus 67.20 GTexel/s. FP32 is 12.01 TFLOPS versus 4.301 TFLOPS. FP16 is 12.01 TFLOPS (1:1) versus 8.602 TFLOPS (2:1).

The N1 20SM has a TDP listed as unknown, while the Switch 2 GPU has a TDP of 40 W. The N1 20SM has no power connectors listed, while the Switch 2 GPU has none listed either. The Switch 2 GPU has a launch MSRP of 449 USD, while the N1 20SM has no launch MSRP. Release dates are May 2026 for the N1 20SM and June 2025 for the Switch 2 GPU. Both have Active production status. The N1 20SM has no predecessor or successor listed, and the Switch 2 GPU also has neither.