Digital Foundry: The Next Switch: Tegra X1 'Mariko' - What Is It And What Can It Do?

[Barn]

I found the video very well-researched and interesting. One thing I'm kind of unclear on (maybe I missed this as I was listening while making coffee) -- are we speculating that games with dynamic resolution would "automatically" (i.e. with no patch) benefit from this theoretical Switch (I know this has been speculated in the Resetera thread)? That alone would make it worth it for me.

Lol that intro where Alex says PROUDLY cracks me up every time.

Click to shrink...

Same. I don't know Alex, but all I can see is Hank Hill.

 

[ILikeFeet]

I found the video very well-researched and interesting. One thing I'm kind of unclear on (maybe I missed this as I was listening while making coffee) -- are we speculating that games with dynamic resolution would "automatically" (i.e. with no patch) benefit from this theoretical Switch (I know this has been speculated in the Resetera thread)? That alone would make it worth it for me.

Click to shrink...

yea, it should. the main limitation would be games having a lower high end.

 

[-Raven-]

Nobody is asking nobody to watch the video. Just close the tab if u didn't like it -_o_-

 

[InstantN00dles]

So I know that Nintendo and nVidia have an arrangement together. Does this mean that the switch will be constantly updated as nVidia release newer Tegra chips?

 

[Respawn]

Went half way through the video and he only talked about the potential ram being doubled, I couldn't watch it all. They are so slow DF REALLY NEEDS to get to the point faster and not try to push for the 10min mark.

Click to shrink...

Lol I thought I was the only one. I just shake my head and close the vids at times.

 

[Deleted member 40102]

Do you have examples of times where this was an issue (in the videos I made, at least)?

Click to shrink...

This video, I was waiting for power speculation/ram/gflop. Watched half way through only doubled ram I got out of it. Not sure if you had more speculations or not, but it seemed from the video title at least I would know speculated performance of it(Tflop and such).

What do you mean "creators who do their own work"?

Click to shrink...

I probably phrased that very wrong, I meant by their on content, the people who do comedy sketches animation, playthrough etc.


I mean your video is fine for those who are interested in all of this info/rumors, but I just wanted quick update on what to expect from switch and nothing more, I also wouldn't mind watching the whole video if it was related to performance on games and such ,but we don't have any info on those, so quick video would have been a lot better imo, or at least a summary at the start of the video.

Then again I'm not a content creator just a viewer, you probably know better than me ,but I just wanted to give my point of view as a viewer.

 

[Shoichi]

I found the video very well-researched and interesting. One thing I'm kind of unclear on (maybe I missed this as I was listening while making coffee) -- are we speculating that games with dynamic resolution would "automatically" (i.e. with no patch) benefit from this theoretical Switch (I know this has been speculated in the Resetera thread)? That alone would make it worth it for me.

Click to shrink...

Games already do benefit from OC'ing your Switch to higher clock speeds (docked & undocked) if you homebrew/hack your system without any extra patches from the games. If you run Xenoblade Chronicles 2 or Wolfenstein 2 for example, the image sharpens as well as framerate stabilizes/improves. Wolfenstein 2 is capped at 30 though even with OC'ing.

 

[Jraphics Horse]

I found the video very well-researched and interesting. One thing I'm kind of unclear on (maybe I missed this as I was listening while making coffee) -- are we speculating that games with dynamic resolution would "automatically" (i.e. with no patch) benefit from this theoretical Switch (I know this has been speculated in the Resetera thread)? That alone would make it worth it for me.

Click to shrink...

It might be that there's a whitelist of games that can use higher clocks.
In the case of undocked mode, there's already multiple GPU profiles so they probably won't override them all with a new one, when some games (especially. 2D games) won't benefit from it.

 

[TastyBurger666]

It's not a normal predictions type episode where people have baseless guesses. These guys are consistently knowledgeable and are doing their research

Click to shrink...

There is absolutely nothing in this video that anyone following the scene wouldn't know or have known, and in fact ripping off the Switchbrew wiki and not crediting them was the icing on the cake.

A surprisingly poor video considering the specs (I'm sure) will most likely be known by their industry contacts.

 

[Barn]

yea, it should. the main limitation would be games having a lower high end.

Click to shrink...

Games already do benefit from higher clock speeds if you homebrew/hack your system without any extra patches applied. If you run Xenoblade Chronicles 2 or Wolfenstein 2 for example, the image sharpens as well as framerate stabilizes/improves.

Click to shrink...

Ah, thanks. I've seen a few videos of homebrewed/overclocked Switches running, and I'd pleased as punch with those results on a commercial Switch.

It might be that there's a whitelist of games that can use higher clocks.

Click to shrink...

See, I'm curious about stuff like that. If such a whitelist requires work on the backend, should we be less optimistic about seeing results in existing games?

 

[ILikeFeet]

So I know that Nintendo and nVidia have an arrangement together. Does this mean that the switch will be constantly updated as nVidia release newer Tegra chips?

Click to shrink...

hard to say. Nvidia doesn't really make consumer grade Tegras anymore. they'll probably still make new chips for Nintendo, but until something happens, it's just speculation

 

[Dark1x]

This video, I was waiting for power speculation/ram/gflop. Watched half way through only doubled ram I got out of it. Not sure if you had more speculations or not, but it seemed from the video title at least I would know speculated performance of it(Tflop and such).


I probably phrased that very wrong, I meant by their on content, the people who do comedy sketches animation, playthrough etc.


I mean your video is fine for those who are interested in all of this info/rumors, but I just wanted quick update on what to expect from switch and nothing more, I also wouldn't mind watching the whole video if it was related to performance on games and such ,but we don't have any info on those, so quick video would have been a lot better imo, or at least a summary at the start of the video.

Then again I'm not a content creator just a viewer, you probably know better than me ,but I just wanted to give my point of view as a viewer.

Click to shrink...

I didn't make this video hence why I was asking for examples.

For the videos I produce, I handle every aspect - writing, editing, capturing, voice over, filming etc.

Did you check out any of my videos?

 

[Jraphics Horse]

Ah, thanks. I've seen a few videos of homebrewed/overclocked Switches running, and I'd pleased as punch with those results on a commercial Switch.



See, I'm curious about stuff like that. If such a whitelist requires work on the backend, should we be less optimistic about seeing results in existing games?

Click to shrink...

Possibly but we'll just have to wait and see. Could be that the groundwork for it was done 1-2 years ago and nothing new has to be done.

 

[Deleted member 40102]

I didn't make this video hence why I was asking for examples.

For the videos I produce, I handle every aspect - writing, editing, capturing, voice over, filming etc.

Did you check out any of my videos?

Click to shrink...

You replied to my comment complaining about the video I assumed you were the guy in the video, or had something to do with the length of the video since you said you never stretch out videos implying that you had something to do with it.

 

[Doctre81]

I mean I would understand for creators who do their own work to make it 10+ min ,but for a channel that suppose to be bringing analyze/news you want to get to the point asap .

Edit: DF guy said 10 min is still as important as ever.

Click to shrink...

Those kind of videos are supposed to be longer not shorter. The point of analyzing something is to go into detail.

 

[Dark1x]

You replied to my comment complaining about the video I assumed you were the guy in the video, or had something to do with the length of the video since you said you never stretch out videos implying that you had something to do with it.

Click to shrink...

You were complaining about the channel in general, I thought, as if this was a trend. Is it just this video that's the issue?

 

[Łazy]

I never artificially extend videos - they are always exactly as long as I need. However the 10 minute minimum is absolutely crucial to survival due to how YouTube works. Going for less means failure. Plain and simple.

Click to shrink...

You should have just said the second part.
The first sentence really looks like you're saying "we don't, but we do" when followed by the bolded part : P.

It's a legitimate reason to go for 10 minutes anyway, which is enough then.

 

[Dark1x]

You should have just said the second part.
The first sentence really looks like you're saying "we don't, but we do" when followed by the bolded part : P.

It's a legitimate reason to go for 10 minutes anyway, which is enough then.

Click to shrink...

Ha, well, that's true but I usually can't say what I want to say in under 10 minutes since the topic is often broad. So it worked out well for me.

 

[Deleted member 40102]

You were complaining about the channel in general, I thought, as if this was a trend. Is it just this video that's the issue?

Click to shrink...

Yeah any pre-reveal spec analyses video basically feels way too long and most of the video info are things we already know from E3/rumors, look for xbox scarlet reveal spec analyze video for example, I know about most of the things you guys talked about before even watching the video. When you guys use the word 'analyze' I expect facts us viewers don't have access to and I would be learning something new immediately.


Though I can totally see the appeal to those videos, for the people who aren't caught up with the news, Especially with the the quality of your videos I can definitely see the hard work you guys put on doing them

 

[Dark1x]

Yeah any pre-reveal spec analyses video basically feels way too long and most of the video info are things we already know from E3/rumors, look for xbox scarlet reveal spec analyze video for example, I know about most of the things you guys talked about before even watching the video. When you guys use the word 'analyze' I expect facts us viewers don't have access to and I would be learning something new immediately.


Though I can totally see the appeal to those videos, for the people who aren't caught up with the news, Especially with the the quality of your videos I can definitely see the hard work you guys put on doing them

Click to shrink...

Oh, well, I never make these types of videos myself. Not my thing. They aren't that common either and people seem to enjoy them. You suggested that the channel was going down hill but it seems like you just don't enjoy these spec videos? Is that right?

 

[Dictator]

Lol, they need to pick up the pace, there are lot of (actual) games released for analysis.

Click to shrink...

What games my good sir?
Some games, no one watched the Videos on! :O
I will be not making a video this week, but next week. Was thinking the EGS Port here of heavy rain

 

[Deleted member 40102]

Oh, well, I never make these types of videos myself. Not my thing. They aren't that common either and people seem to enjoy them. You suggested that the channel was going down hill but it seems like you just don't enjoy these spec videos? Is that right?

Click to shrink...

I only said you guys are slow going to the point , I never said this channel going to hell. The other performance videos of games are definitely justifiable imo, since we don't have any tools/ knowledge and everything about game performance analyze is new to us.

 

[jxN3]

I only said you guys are slow going to the point , I never said this channel going to hell. The other performance videos of games are definitely justifiable imo, since we don't have any tools/ knowledge and everything about game performance analyze is new to us.

Click to shrink...

Going to have to agree, I turn these on after work and I dead ass fall asleep in my chair waiting for them to get to the meat.

I enjoy spec videos but you guys spend 5 decades getting to the damn point.

 

[KainXVIII]

Was thinking the EGS Port here of heavy rain

Click to shrink...

Ha, this will be excellent choice, btw!
Also there is Total War: 3 Kingdoms, Mordhau for example

 

[plusaflag]

If some information is not treated in a DF video, then it means that it is not available publically. It's not their fault if Nintendo and Nvidia are scheming stuff secretely.

DF (outside of John's Retro videos which he does for free out of passion) aren't creating videos online for fun. They're made to generate revenue.

I love Richard's Switch videos but this one really wasn't needed imo.

Keep an eye out for the new Switch to be revealed in the coming weeks as I've noticed a trend with DF making content about products that are about to become public knowledge (their Witcher 3 Switch port video is a recent example).

Richard certainly knows more than he lets on. He's been in the industry for 25+ years and has a lot of contacts.

Click to shrink...

I can agree on that. One reason he did not dissect the improved performance of the overclocked Switch has probably to do with the fact that he doesn't want to piss these very people off. He had a potential 1M views / 20 minutes video at hand and didn't discuss any aspect of the subject.

My take on this is that it must mean something. And that something is that the chip in the next Switch will see an increase in performance that can be emulated by overclocking the current model. Richard knows it. It must be deliberate.

So I know that Nintendo and nVidia have an arrangement together. Does this mean that the switch will be constantly updated as nVidia release newer Tegra chips?

Click to shrink...

That's an excellent question. And if the answer is out there, then it might come from DF first.

There is absolutely nothing in this video that anyone following the scene wouldn't know or have known, and in fact ripping off the Switchbrew wiki and not crediting them was the icing on the cake.

A surprisingly poor video considering the specs (I'm sure) will most likely be known by their industry contacts.

Click to shrink...

I disagree with you. DF videos are actually THE place where you can have access to the latest, most correct information about upcoming console hardware. They list all facts and make educated guesses from there on. It doesn't get any better than this unless you can straight out hang out with Thraktor.

Not everyone has the time to browse 500 pages of a thread on Resetera. By checking DF instead, you save a awful lot of time.

 

[Dark1x]

I only said you guys are slow going to the point , I never said this channel going to hell. The other performance videos of games are definitely justifiable imo, since we don't have any tools/ knowledge and everything about game performance analyze is new to us.

Click to shrink...

I think this is pretty rare, though? These spec videos are uncommon.

I was just interested to know if you had watched any of my videos and found this to be the case, basically. I'm looking for feedback on my own videos.

 

[Chackan]

You're misremembering. The rumor was that limitation was why the Switch RAM was bumped from 3GB (like the Shield) to 4GB

Click to shrink...

I honestly think that above everything else, the real bottleneck of the Switch is having 4Gb RAM instead of 8Gb

 

[Skittzo]

I honestly think that above everything else, the real bottleneck of the Switch is having 4Gb RAM instead of 8Gb

Click to shrink...

I don't think this is true because while the other systems have 8GB of RAM only like 5.5GB are useable for games. Switch has 3.25GB useable for games, the difference there is not that big.

RAM bandwidth is probably a bigger issue.

 

[Deleted member 40102]

I think this is pretty rare, though? These spec videos are uncommon.

I was just interested to know if you had watched any of my videos and found this to be the case, basically. I'm looking for feedback on my own videos.

Click to shrink...

Haven't watched any videos without that popular DF guy yet, will let watch them and let you later on.

 

[Dark1x]

Haven't watched any videos without that popular DF guy yet, will let watch them and let you later on.

Click to shrink...

Wow, you've only watched videos with Richard? Ok then! Let me know if you watch any of the others. Try the Retro series.

 

[Deleted member 40102]

Wow, you've only watched videos with Richard? Ok then! Let me know if you watch any of the others. Try the Retro series.

Click to shrink...

Yeah I basically mainly check the channel for game analyze/ news.

Will do.

 

[Dark1x]

Yeah I basically mainly check the channel for game analyze/ news.

Will do.

Click to shrink...

I do lots of game analysis but not really news.

 

[dgrdsv]

So I know that Nintendo and nVidia have an arrangement together. Does this mean that the switch will be constantly updated as nVidia release newer Tegra chips?

Click to shrink...

All newer Tegra SoCs are targeted at automotive / AI markets and won't fit the needs of a gaming console - portable or not.
Anything NV may make for future Nintendo consoles will have to be custom built.

 

[mutantmagnet]

The whining is necessary but to focus on only the padding hurts discussion. I was wondering if we were getting a switch that gets a big enough performance boost such that the switch pro is as capable in getting some ps5 and xbox anaconda ports. The ram upgrade at 6gb would be problematic. Hopefully it ends up being 8gb.

The CPU clock speed though is far short of what it needs to be. Even if the GPU is a massive improvement it still won't matter with the CPU bottleneck.


The only great news out of all this even though I'll never buy it is that the switch mini potentially will use a passive heatsink. If that is the case the chance it will cost less than 200 has gone up.

 

[TastyBurger666]

I disagree with you. DF videos are actually THE place where you can have access to the latest, most correct information about upcoming console hardware. They list all facts and make educated guesses from there on. It doesn't get any better than this unless you can straight out hang out with Thraktor.

Not everyone has the time to browse 500 pages of a thread on Resetera. By checking DF instead, you save a awful lot of time.

Click to shrink...

I don't get my info regarding the Switch from here.

While I understand Nintendo has been very cagey about true Mariko specs with some devs (NDA's notwithstanding), the specs have been known for some time, so I don't doubt that while DF have conversations with 'industry contacts' they will have happened upon that information in an off-the-record way.

 

[Yuuber]

You were complaining about the channel in general, I thought, as if this was a trend. Is it just this video that's the issue?

Click to shrink...

People overreact.

DF still remains my favourite gaming channel on youtube even if I don't particularly like speculation videos. I just don't watch them and that's fine. Plenty of content that suits my interests.

 

[Dekuman]

I don't get my info regarding the Switch from here.

While I understand Nintendo has been very cagey about true Mariko specs with some devs (NDA's notwithstanding), the specs have been known for some time, so I don't doubt that while DF have conversations with 'industry contacts' they will have happened upon that information in an off-the-record way.

Click to shrink...

What specs. All the clocks came from DF / Thraktor

We have no idea what the chip is still. Only guesses.

 

[Cow Mengde]

Would a 16nm chip actually allow this revision to run at the speed that Nvidia originally thought the X1 could run at without thermal throttling? Can it actually go beyond the original X1? The Tegra X1 is a turkey chip.

 

[TastyBurger666]

.

 

[ILikeFeet]

well I appreciated the video!

but, really, the memory thing was new to me. that could point to some good things.

 

[AM_LIGHT]

Is it wrong that I'm more interested in this than in the OP video?

Click to shrink...

You are not wrong, this woman is like Cammy in real life .

 

[Mr Swine]

Would a 16nm chip actually allow this revision to run at the speed that Nvidia originally thought the X1 could run at without thermal throttling? Can it actually go beyond the original X1? The Tegra X1 is a turkey chip.

Click to shrink...

Depends entirely on what 16nm mode they (Nvidia) goes with. There are a few to choose between and I honestly think Nvidia would use the latest one.

Then we don't know if they will swap out the CPU from the A57 and A53 to something that is both faster and more energy efficient while clocking higher

 

[noyram23]

Looks like a modest upgrade like what was leaked, though asking for a xbox one level handheld isn't just possible right now

 

[ILikeFeet]

Looks like a modest upgrade like what was leaked, though asking for a xbox one level handheld isn't just possible right now

Click to shrink...

that's not gonna happen until 7nm, which might be too expensive for Nintendo

 

[plusaflag]

What specs. All the clocks came from DF / Thraktor

We have no idea what the chip is still. Only guesses.

Click to shrink...

I would be interested too. If the specs are in the wild, then yes, the video is pointless - and some of the virtiol is justified. If they aren't, then we are back to square one, which means the video reports us the absolute latest information we know about the chip in the upcoming Switch.

It's only that. And it's as valuable as any DF video out there.

 

[Dekuman]

I would be interested too. If the specs are in the wild, then yes, the video is pointless - and some of the virtiol is justified. If they aren't, then we are back to square one, which means the video reports us the absolute latest information we know about the chip in the upcoming Switch.

It's only that. And it's as valuable as any DF video out there.

Click to shrink...

DF video summarizes the best info out there. It's very informative . I don't get the vitriol at all. No one really knows the specs and i trust DFs guesses on this one as it's very reasonable.

 

[SMD]

.

 

[Chackan]

I don't think this is true because while the other systems have 8GB of RAM only like 5.5GB are useable for games. Switch has 3.25GB useable for games, the difference there is not that big.

RAM bandwidth is probably a bigger issue.

Click to shrink...

Well, I'm not a techie, so I don't know the details.

But still, I would imagine that every single bit of extra RAM would be welcome. Specially because latelly the video capture feature is being disabled in many games to free RAM usage.

 

[Dekuman]

I don't think this is true because while the other systems have 8GB of RAM only like 5.5GB are useable for games. Switch has 3.25GB useable for games, the difference there is not that big.

RAM bandwidth is probably a bigger issue.

Click to shrink...

DF speculated the 8GB Mariko supports might be for dev.kits with 6 GB for consumer use. A 50% bump to RAm which would put it right inline with other consoles and seems oddly coincidental to the 50% GPU uplift or 600 Gflop target z0m3le estimated

This is inline with other hints that the bump won't be that big but by golly 50% more ram,GPU and CPU power would be really nicd

DF noted current switch dev kits have 6GB .