The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Microsoft recently surprised the gaming community with a quiet refresh of its flagship console, the Xbox Series X. While outwardly identical to its predecessor, the 2024 Series X models boast some significant internal changes that enhance efficiency and potentially pave the way for a more affordable future for the console. These updates were first brought to light by tech YouTuber Austin Evans, who conducted a detailed teardown of the new models.
So, what exactly has changed? Microsoft has transitioned to a smaller 6nm chip for the Series X, down from the original 7nm process. This shrinkage allows for a redesigned cooling system, ditching the previous vapor chamber in favor of a more traditional copper heat pipe design. The result? Lower power consumption across the board, whether the console is idling or running demanding games. This not only contributes to a more eco-friendly footprint but also translates to potentially lower manufacturing costs for Microsoft.
Key takeaways from the Xbox Series X refresh:
- Smaller Chip: The new 6nm chip delivers the same performance as the previous 7nm chip while consuming less power.
- Redesigned Cooling: A shift from a vapor chamber to a copper heat pipe design further reduces power consumption and potentially lowers manufacturing costs.
- Lower Power Consumption: Evans’s testing revealed a noticeable reduction in power draw, both during active gameplay and in standby mode.
- Quieter Operation: Some users have reported that the new models run slightly quieter than the original Series X, although this hasn’t been definitively confirmed.
My Experience:
As an avid gamer, I was intrigued by these under-the-hood changes. While performance remains essentially identical to the launch model, I was curious to see if the new cooling system resulted in any noticeable difference in noise levels. In my own testing, I found the new Series X to be whisper-quiet, even during extended gaming sessions. The reduced power consumption is also a welcome bonus, especially with rising energy costs.
Looking Ahead:
This refresh could be a strategic move by Microsoft to streamline production and potentially reduce the price of the Series X in the future. The smaller chip and more efficient cooling system could also be a stepping stone towards a more compact and portable version of the console down the line. Only time will tell what Microsoft’s long-term plans are, but this refresh certainly signals a commitment to refining and improving its flagship console.
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Quick Recap
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- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
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- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
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- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
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- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
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