Nvidia supplied the Nintendo Switch’s custom Tegra processor.
The Switch uses a system-on-chip based on Nvidia’s Tegra family, combining computing and graphics functions in a compact component suitable for both docked and portable play. Nvidia described the chip as a customized Tegra processor designed for Nintendo’s hardware.
This partnership marked a notable expansion of Nvidia’s role beyond personal computers and dedicated graphics cards. The processor supports the Switch’s handheld mode while also allowing higher-power operation when the console is connected to its dock.
The Switch’s processor is often casually called a Tegra X1, but Nintendo and Nvidia’s implementation is customized rather than simply being an unchanged retail chip. The console’s performance also depends on its operating system, memory, cooling, and game-specific optimization.