Next Gen Nintendo Switch’s Nvidia Tegra chip might be built on Samsung’s 5nm process

Sean — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:03:33 +0000

Nintendo has long been rumored to be working on a new and improved handheld console that will be the successor to its popular Switch. But while finer details are still at large, a new report has hinted that the chipset that power the device could be built by Samsung Foundry.

According to a tipster, the company is apparently planning on equipping its upcoming Switch console. There have already been various rumors regarding a new generation handheld console and the latest one talks about the chipset that will power this new Switch. Nintendo will reportedly feature a new and improved Nvidia Tegra chipset. While no details regarding its specifications or its performance, the leak claims that it will be built using Samsung’s 5nm 5LPP process (5nm Low Power Plus).

For those unaware, the company is working on either a higher end Switch Pro or a direct successor with the Switch 2. Furthermore, recent rumors that had also hinted at the next gen Nvidia Tegra chip will be based on the Ampere architecture. Although, this Nvidia platform is based on the 7nm TSMC or Samsung’s 8nm process. Keep in mind that this is still just an unconfirmed report so take this news with a pinch of salt for now.

Nintendo is also rumored to be planning on skipping the Switch Pro model entirely and simply build a true next gen console. Meaning, the upcoming handheld console could offer a better battery life and performance thanks to a more advanced fabrication process. So stick around for more as we will be providing updates when additional information is available regarding this matter.

Samsung Foundry executives accused of fabricating 5nm yield data

Zohaib Ahmed — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 11:31:13 +0000

According to InfoStockDaily (via Wccftech), Samsung is currently investigating the possibility of fraud in its foundry business. Certain Samsung Foundry executives are being accused of fabricating the yield rate of 4nm and 5nm processes to create a false impression that all’s well at Samsung’s chipmaking arm.

Yield rate or die yield is the number of working chips on a wafer and is expressed as a percentage since the number of chips can vary depending on chip and wafer sizes. For Samsung, this reportedly stood at a very poor 35% compared to TSMC’s 70%, and is being touted as the main reason for Qualcomm’s switching of sides.

This makes it possible that Qualcomm’s next-gen 3nm processor will be manufactured by TSMC alone, as opposed to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, orders of which were split between Samsung and TSMC.

Reports of poor yields and missing funds from Samsung come at a very poor time, since it and TSMC are currently the only chipmakers in the world capable of producing >5nm chips. The two are painstakingly working to gain the upper hand in manufacturing 3nm chips, but a key customer like Qualcomm getting behind TSMC could indicate Sammy is already losing the race.

Samsung 5nm chips Archives - Gizmochina

Next Gen Nintendo Switch’s Nvidia Tegra chip might be built on Samsung’s 5nm process

Samsung Foundry executives accused of fabricating 5nm yield data