Adapter for Open Source Switch 2 Bridges M.2 NVMe SSD to Nintendo's Latest Console: Sharing a comparable pinout, MicroSD Express and NVMe could potentially accommodate an eGPU.
Hackers and Modders Rejoice: Nintendo Switch 2 Opens Up with Open-Source SDEX2M2 Adapter
Got a Nintendo Switch 2 and wanting more storage? Look no further than the SDEX2M2 Adapter project. This bad boy is all about making your Switch 2's MicroSD Express port compatible with M.2 NVMe SSDs. The open-source project, spearheaded by NVNTLabs, is still a work-in-progress, but you can check out all the details on their GitHub page.
Nintendo's known for keeping their consoles locked down tight, so seeing this kind of project pop up so soon after the launch of the Switch 2 has modders and hackers chomping at the bit. The SDEX2M2 project exploits the fact that the Nintendo Switch 2's MicroSD Express slot supports the SD Express 7.1 standard, which offers a true PCIe Gen3 x1 interface and utilizes the NVMe protocol for communication. No fancy protocol translation needed here - the Switch 2's host controller takes care of it all.
Storage Expansion: More Bang for Your Buck
What does this mean for you? Better storage options, that's what! Users should expect data transfers at up to approximately the limits of the PCIe Gen3 x1 interface, around 1 GB/s. That's on par with new cards from companies like PNY. But instead of fork out $56 for a 256GB PNY microSD Express UHS-I U3 V30 A1 microSDXC Flash Memory Card, you can double your capacity for the same price with a Sabrent. And don't forget, there are 1TB M.2 2230 NVMe SSDs, like the Patriot Viper Gaming VP4000 Mini 1TB M.2 2230 PCIe Gen4 x4 SSD, available for just $66 - you'll just need to whip up or purchase the SDEX2M2 first.
As with any work-in-progress, the SDEX2M2 comes with its fair share of caveats. The biggest one is potential damage to your Switch 2 if you use an M.2 SSD that's too power hungry. So tinkerers, listen up: only use low-voltage, low-power M.2 2230 NVMe drives for now. Also, keep those original Nintendo Switches in their cases - this adapter isn't compatible with the legacy MicroSD card slot-equipped devices.
Reinventing the Wheel: An eGPU for the Switch 2?
While the SDEX2M2 project has modders buzzing about storage, could this also pave the way for another mod: an eGPU for the Switch 2? PCIe isn't just for storage – it's also used for network cards, sound and capture cards, AI accelerators, and, of course, graphics cards.
The Nintendo Switch 2's official specs mention an Nvidia Ampere architecture GPU similar to a mobile GeForce RTX 2050, so the question is, could an eGPU be plugged into the exposed PCIe Gen3 x1 interface? There are indeed M.2 SSD slot to OCuLink adapters out there, but the 1 GB/s (8 Gbps) PCIe Gen3 x1 interface seems rather restrictive compared to the USB4 at up to 40 Gbps or OCuLink at up to 64 Gbps used by most eGPUs. Plus, there would likely have to be some modding required for the Switch 2 to use the eGPU rather than its built-in GPU for video output. It'd be an impressive feat to get this working, but stay tuned for updates on the SDEX2M2 project and potential eGPU mods!
- With the SDEX2M2 Adapter, gadget enthusiasts can explore new technology and enhance their Nintendo Switch 2's storage capacity.
- The open-source project, if successful, opens up possibilities for future modifications, such as an eGPU for the Switch 2, allowing for improved graphics performance.
