NVIDIA N1X 40SM vs NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results for the NVIDIA N1X 40SM and the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU. Both entries have empty benchmark arrays, zero average benchmark scores, and identical percentile rankings against all GPUs (50th percentile for each). The wins counters are also zero on both sides. Consequently, a numerical comparison of performance outcomes cannot be derived from the database. What can be analyzed instead are the hardware specifications that determine potential performance, and the architectural parameters that separate these two NVIDIA products.

The most decisive arithmetic difference is raw FP32 throughput. The N1X 40SM delivers 24.02 TFLOPS, while the Switch 2 GPU delivers 4.301 TFLOPS. This places the N1X 40SM at roughly 5.6 times the FP32 compute of the Switch 2 GPU. In FP16 workloads, the gap narrows somewhat but still favors the N1X 40SM: the N1X 40SM sustains 24.02 TFLOPS with a 1:1 ratio, whereas the Switch 2 GPU reaches 8.602 TFLOPS via a 2:1 ratio. The N1X 40SM is therefore 2.8 times faster in FP16 peak throughput. These figures represent theoretical peak rates, not measured application performance, but they establish a clear ceiling for each part.

Texture and pixel throughput follow a similar pattern. The N1X 40SM has a texture rate of 750.7 GTexel/s, against 67.20 GTexel/s for the Switch 2 GPU, a margin of 11.2 times. Pixel rate stands at 93.84 GPixel/s for the N1X 40SM versus 22.40 GPixel/s for the Switch 2 GPU, a 4.2 times advantage. Memory bandwidth also diverges sharply: 273.2 GB/s on the N1X 40SM (256-bit LPDDR5X at 1067 MHz, 8.5 Gbps effective) versus 102.4 GB/s on the Switch 2 GPU (128-bit LPDDR5X at 800 MHz, 6.4 Gbps effective). That is a 2.7 times bandwidth advantage for the N1X 40SM. In every measurable compute, graphics, and memory metric where both parts have recorded values, the N1X 40SM leads by a substantial margin.

The Switch 2 GPU does hold one numerical advantage: clock efficiency relative to power. Its base clock is 561 MHz and boost is 1400 MHz, with a TDP of 40 W. The N1X 40SM has a base clock of 741 MHz and boost of 2346 MHz, but its TDP is listed as unknown, so a direct power efficiency ratio cannot be computed. The Switch 2 GPU also has a lower die size (200 mm² versus 382 mm²) and a lower memory capacity (12 GB versus 128 GB), which reflects its console role rather than a performance advantage.

The Verdict

From the data, the NVIDIA N1X 40SM is the overwhelmingly stronger compute part. Its FP32 throughput is 5.6 times higher, its texture rate is 11.2 times higher, its pixel rate is 4.2 times higher, and its memory bandwidth is 2.7 times higher than the Switch 2 GPU. The N1X 40SM also uses a newer architecture (Blackwell 2.0 versus Ampere), a more advanced process node (5 nm versus 8 nm), and a wider memory bus (256-bit versus 128-bit). For any workload that depends on raw shader throughput, ray tracing core count, tensor core count, or memory bandwidth, the N1X 40SM is the clear selection based on the recorded specifications.

The Switch 2 GPU is defined by its constraints. It has a 40 W TDP, a 12 GB memory pool, and no display outputs, indicating it is designed for integration into a fixed console system rather than standalone use. Its API support is complete (DirectX 12 Ultimate, OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.4), while the N1X 40SM lists no API support in the database. The Switch 2 GPU also has a known release date (2025-06-04) and a launch MSRP of 449 USD, whereas the N1X 40SM has a later release date (2026-05-31) and no recorded MSRP. For a system builder targeting an embedded or console-like platform with strict power and thermal limits, the Switch 2 GPU is the only part with a documented power envelope. For general-purpose compute or graphics where power is not a limiting factor, the N1X 40SM is superior in every measured hardware specification.

Architecture Differences

The two GPUs belong to different NVIDIA architectures and process generations. The N1X 40SM uses the GB20B chip on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The Switch 2 GPU uses the GA10B chip on the Ampere architecture, fabricated on an 8 nm process at Samsung. This node difference (5 nm versus 8 nm) explains part of the N1X 40SM's higher clock ceiling: its boost clock is 2346 MHz versus 1400 MHz for the Switch 2 GPU, a 67.6% higher boost frequency.

Core configurations differ significantly. The N1X 40SM has 5120 shading units, 320 texture mapping units, 40 ROPs, 40 ray tracing cores, and 160 tensor cores. The Switch 2 GPU has 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, 16 ROPs, 12 ray tracing cores, and 48 tensor cores. In every category, the N1X 40SM has more than three times the resources of the Switch 2 GPU: shading units are 3.3 times higher, TMUs are 6.7 times higher, ROPs are 2.5 times higher, ray tracing cores are 3.3 times higher, and tensor cores are 3.3 times higher.

The FP16 execution model also differs. The N1X 40SM runs FP16 at a 1:1 ratio with FP32, meaning its FP16 peak equals its FP32 peak at 24.02 TFLOPS. The Switch 2 GPU runs FP16 at a 2:1 ratio, meaning its FP16 peak is double its FP32 peak, reaching 8.602 TFLOPS. This indicates the Switch 2 GPU uses a packed FP16 path that doubles throughput, while the N1X 40SM treats FP16 as a direct one-to-one operation. The N1X 40SM still has a higher absolute FP16 peak despite the ratio difference.

Memory architecture is another major divergence. The N1X 40SM uses a 256-bit LPDDR5X bus with 128 GB capacity and 273.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Switch 2 GPU uses a 128-bit LPDDR5X bus with 12 GB capacity and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The N1X 40SM has 10.7 times the memory capacity and 2.7 times the bandwidth. Both use LPDDR5X, but the bus width and clock speed differ: 1067 MHz with 8.5 Gbps effective on the N1X 40SM versus 800 MHz with 6.4 Gbps effective on the Switch 2 GPU.

API support is a differentiating feature. The Switch 2 GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1X 40SM lists "N/A" for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan. This likely reflects the database's classification of the N1X 40SM as an IGP without a conventional graphics driver stack, but the recorded data shows no API compatibility for the N1X 40SM. The Switch 2 GPU also has physical dimensions (272 mm length, 116 mm height, 14 mm width) and no slot width, while the N1X 40SM has no dimensions recorded and a slot width of "IGP".

Specification Differences

The two GPUs differ in every recorded specification field except manufacturer (both NVIDIA) and production status (both "Active"). The N1X 40SM uses the GB20B chip, while the Switch 2 GPU uses the GA10B chip. Architecture differs: Blackwell 2.0 versus Ampere. Process node differs: 5 nm (TSMC) versus 8 nm (Samsung). Die size differs: 382 mm² versus 200 mm². Transistor count is unknown for both.

Clock speeds differ on all three recorded clocks. The N1X 40SM has a base clock of 741 MHz, boost of 2346 MHz, and memory clock of 1067 MHz (8.5 Gbps effective). The Switch 2 GPU has a base clock of 561 MHz, boost of 1400 MHz, and memory clock of 800 MHz (6.4 Gbps effective). Memory capacity differs: 128 GB versus 12 GB. Memory type is the same (LPDDR5X), but bus width differs: 256-bit versus 128-bit. Bandwidth differs: 273.2 GB/s versus 102.4 GB/s.

Compute resources differ across the board. Shading units: 5120 versus 1536. TMUs: 320 versus 48. ROPs: 40 versus 16. Ray tracing cores: 40 versus 12. Tensor cores: 160 versus 48. Pixel rate: 93.84 GPixel/s versus 22.40 GPixel/s. Texture rate: 750.7 GTexel/s versus 67.20 GTexel/s. FP32: 24.02 TFLOPS versus 4.301 TFLOPS. FP16: 24.02 TFLOPS (1:1) versus 8.602 TFLOPS (2:1).

Power and physical specs differ. The N1X 40SM has an unknown TDP, no power connectors, and a PCIe 5.0 x16 bus interface. The Switch 2 GPU has a 40 W TDP, no recorded power connectors, no recorded bus interface, and no display outputs. The N1X 40SM has one HDMI output. The Switch 2 GPU has no outputs. Release dates differ: 2026-05-31 for the N1X 40SM versus 2025-06-04 for the Switch 2 GPU. The Switch 2 GPU has a launch MSRP of 449 USD; the N1X 40SM has no launch MSRP. Slot width: "IGP" for the N1X 40SM, none for the Switch 2 GPU. Dimensions: none for the N1X 40SM, 272 mm x 116 mm x 14 mm for the Switch 2 GPU.

FAQ

Q: Which GPU has higher FP32 compute performance?

A: The NVIDIA N1X 40SM delivers 24.02 TFLOPS FP32, while the NVIDIA Switch 2 GPU delivers 4.301 TFLOPS FP32. The N1X 40SM is approximately 5.6 times higher in FP32 peak throughput.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The N1X 40SM uses 128 GB of LPDDR5X on a 256-bit bus with 273.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Switch 2 GPU uses 12 GB of LPDDR5X on a 128-bit bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The N1X 40SM has 2.7 times the bandwidth and 10.7 times the capacity.

Q: What is the difference in ray tracing and tensor core counts?

A: The N1X 40SM has 40 ray tracing cores and 160 tensor cores. The Switch 2 GPU has 12 ray tracing cores and 48 tensor cores. The N1X 40SM has 3.3 times more of each.

Q: Which GPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The N1X 40SM boosts to 2346 MHz, while the Switch 2 GPU boosts to 1400 MHz. The N1X 40SM's boost clock is 67.6% higher.

Q: Do both GPUs support the same APIs?

A: No. The Switch 2 GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate (12_2), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.4. The N1X 40SM lists "N/A" for DirectX, OpenGL, and Vulkan in the database.

Q: What are the power requirements for each GPU?

A: The Switch 2 GPU has a TDP of 40 W. The N1X 40SM has an unknown TDP and uses no power connectors. The Switch 2 GPU also has no recorded power connectors.