Xbox has revealed its full specs for the upcoming Series X console in an in-depth breakdown and explained the inner workings behind support for 120 fps gameplay, full backwards compatibility and other enhancements.
According to a release, the upgraded hardware also brings stability to current generation games through better optimization and “hardware accelerated DirectX Raytracing” introduced in today’s high-end PC settings.
“The console ends up being a playground for technical innovation,” stated AMD Vice President Sebastien Nussbaum, who credited a partnership with Xbox to create the system’s custom processor and graphics card.
Series X flaunts a custom eight core Zen 2 processor which works in tandem with an SSD for “greatly reduced” loading screens. The speedy 3.8 GHZ upgrade also paves the way for its new Quick Resume feature, letting players seamlessly switch between multiple games without starting each one up. This is in part of the system’s built-in SSD storing game states, even when Xbox claimed a tester unplugged a Series X for a week and resumed “without so much as a loading screen.”
The console’s quick functionality is backed by larger memory via 16 gigabytes of GDDR6 RAM – a significant departure from the Xbox One X’s 12 GB GDDR5 speeds. Series X’s memory clock also goes as high as 560 GBs per second, doubling the 218 GB speeds generated from the PlayStation 4 Pro. Interestingly, the sheet also indicates its memory can switch to processing at current-generation speeds (hinting at its stability for older Xbox One games).
Its processor shines with the Series X’s biggest upgrade in a custom AMD RDNA 2 graphics card. A lengthy tech demo by Digital Foundry revealed a deeper DirectX integration will allow for Ultra-level PC visuals at 4K and divide lighting more evenly for realistic environments. This is combined with hardware acceleration which lets the console’s new CPU to step in and add natural reflections (even in games such as Minecraft). Many of these graphical changes will bring deeper microdetails in the environment and characters without compromising on frame rate.
Gamers will also be able to carry over four generations worth of digital titles into Series X, while Seagate is introducing a Xbox Series X Storage Expansion Card to add 1 terabyte more space.
The accessory is integrated with a new Xbox Velocity Architecture, letting game developers work with over 100 GB of assets “instantly”. This feature also helps create smoother open world experiences in current games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The new architecture also helps with future titles including CyberPunk 2077 and the eventual successor to GTA V. Players will also benefit from using any other tool with the console as it provides and external USB 3.2 support.
Xbox also hopes to eliminate visual lags with its Dynamic Latency Input system, supporting the new HDMI 2.1 system for 4K setups out of the box. Players could also save effort in switching Game Modes on their TVs, as the console will automatically do it for you. The system will also ship with its own HDMI 2.1 cable under its premium price.
Series X’s Fast Input Scanning claims to reduce latency on its new wireless controller, which keeps the look from current generation Xbox gamepads. According to designer Ryan Whitaker, keeping its form factor also helps with cross-compatibility for older Xbox One controllers (which will work on the new system). Changes include a new D-pad which now rests on a dish for ergonomic presses and quick actions.
A new Share button is added underneath the controller’s middle buttons, echoing PlayStation’s Dualshock 4 feature to instantly bring gameplay onto Twitch, Facebook and YouTube.
The Xbox Series X is set to come “this holiday season”. No solid release date or price has been announced yet.
You can check out the full hardware details from Xbox below:
| CPU | 8x Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU |
| GPU | 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU |
| Die Size | 360.45 mm2 |
| Process | 7nm Enhanced |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 w/ 320b bus |
| Memory Bandwidth | 10GB @ 560 GB/s, 6GB @ 336 GB/s |
| Internal Storage | 1 TB Custom NVME SSD |
| I/O Throughput | 2.4 GB/s (Raw), 4.8 GB/s (Compressed, with custom hardware decompression block) |
| Expandable Storage | 1 TB Expansion Card (matches internal storage exactly) |
| External Storage | USB 3.2 External HDD Support |
| Optical Drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray Drive |
| Performance Target | 4K @ 60 FPS, Up to 120 FPS |
