Late last night we received some awesome news out of Xbox HQ where they have revealed more system specifications for the upcoming Xbox Series X console, due for release this year. What everyone wants to know is how it compares to the Xbox One, so let’s dive under the hood and look at the specs.
- Next Generation Custom Processor: Xbox Series X is powered by a custom designed processor leveraging AMD’s latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures. Delivering four times the processing power of an Xbox One and enabling developers to leverage 12 TFLOPS of GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) performance – twice that of an Xbox One X and more than eight times the original Xbox One.
- Variable Rate Shading (VRS): Rather than spending GPU cycles uniformly to every single pixel on the screen, they can prioritize individual effects on specific game characters or important environmental objects. This technique results in more stable frame rates and higher resolution, with no impact on the final image quality.
- Hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing: You can expect more dynamic and realistic environments powered by hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing – a first for console gaming. This means true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and realistic acoustics in real time as you explore the game world.
I still have the original launch Xbox One, so when I eventually jump to the Xbox Series X, it’s going to be a pretty amazing experience considering the power of this console, but the specs don’t stop there.
- SSD Storage: With their next-generation SSD, nearly every aspect of playing games is improved. Game worlds are larger, more dynamic and load in a flash and fast travel is just that – fast.
- Quick Resume: The new Quick Resume feature lets you continue multiple games from a suspended state almost instantly, returning you to where you were and what you were doing, without waiting through long loading screens.
- Dynamic Latency Input (DLI): Xbox are optimising latency in the player-to-console pipeline starting with the Xbox Wireless Controller, which leverages a high bandwidth, proprietary wireless communication protocol when connected to the console. With Dynamic Latency Input (DLI), a new feature which synchronises input immediately with what is displayed, controls are even more precise and responsive.
- HDMI 2.1 Innovation: Xbox have partnered with the HDMI forum and TV manufacturers to enable the best gaming experience through features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). ALLM allows Xbox One and Xbox Series X to automatically set the connected display to its lowest latency mode. VRR synchronizes the display’s refresh rate to the game’s frame rate, maintaining smooth visuals without tearing. Ensuring minimal lag and the most responsive gaming experience.
- 120 fps Support: With support for up to 120 fps, Xbox Series X allows developers to exceed standard 60 fps output in favor of heightened realism or fast-paced action.
With an SSD and Quick Resume, it looks like we’ll be able to jump back into our games with ease and speed which is great for me as a dad who can only sneak in quick gaming sessions here and there. No longer will I be spending precious gaming time waiting through loading screens and menus. The post on Xbox Wire continues to put gamers at the forefront, with the following commitments to gamers.
- Four generations of gaming: Our commitment to compatibility means existing Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, look and play better than ever before. Your favourite games, including titles in Xbox Game Pass, benefit from steadier framerates, faster load times and improved resolution and visual fidelity – all with no developer work required. Your Xbox One gaming accessories also come forward with you.
- Smart Delivery: This technology empowers you to buy a game once and know that – whether you are playing it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X – you are getting the right version of that game on whatever Xbox you’re playing on. We’re making the commitment to use Smart Delivery on all our exclusive Xbox Game Studios titles, including Halo Infinite, ensuring you only have to purchase a title once in order to play the best available version for whichever Xbox console they choose to play on. This technology is available for all developers and publishers, and they can choose to use it for titles that will be release on Xbox One first and come to the Xbox Series X later.
- Xbox Game Pass: In addition to games from across four generations of consoles, our leading game subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, will continue to have our first party games, like Halo Infinite, included at their launch. We look forward to millions of you experiencing the Xbox Game Pass portfolio and immersing yourselves in a deep library of high-quality games, playing those you love now and also discovering your next great adventure.
One of the reasons I haven’t played much through the Grand Theft Auto V campaign is because I bought it at release on the Xbox 360, but then the Xbox One came out. My wife surprised me with the Xbox One for Christmas that year and she also bought me Grand Theft Auto V for Xbox One. I have friends that also then bought GTAV on PC once it released there too. It’s pleasing to read that we’ll just need to purchase a game once on Xbox One and it will be supported on Xbox Series X without spending any extra money. CD Projekt Red have also come forward and declared Cyberpunk 2077 will be utilising Smart Delivery, with a free upgrade to the Xbox Series X version for Xbox One gamers that buy the game. Now that’s cool!
It will be interesting to see if any other game developers start announcing plans like this, especially with E3 steadily approaching. Cyberpunk 2077 is currently scheduled to release on September 17, 2020, while the Xbox Series X will release sometime in Holiday 2020. Previous Xbox consoles released around November, so we will keep you updated as release and pricing information come to hand.
#gameonAUS
Written by: @ChrisJInglis
