2020 is proving to be a very exciting year for console lovers with the Xbox Series X set to be released later this year. Finally, we’ve got some key details about this console and have a better idea of what to expect come holiday season when we can finally get our hands on it.
While some of the details have previously been announced, there were some new details that any Xbox lover needs to know about. We’ll outline the main details that were revealed below.
Introducing Xbox Velocity Architecture
The next generation of Xbox consoles has been redesigned and packed full of innovative new hardware and software.
Taking center stage is Xbox Velocity Architecture which is designed to boost speed and performance and consists of four key components. These include a custom NWMe SSD, a dedicated hardware decompression block, DirectStorage API, and Sampler Feedback Streaming (SFS).
Combining high-tech hardware and innovative software allows developers to improve asset streaming and multiply available memory.
This will help you enjoy vast, rich worlds, eliminate long loading times and travel quickly within games due to the processing power on offer. Also included is Quick Resume, a feature that allows players to seamlessly switch between multiple games and pick up titles from where they left off without delay.
Powered By AMD’s Zen 2
The Xbox Series X is Xbox’s most powerful console and is powered by a custom-designed processor that uses AMD’s Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures.
This new chip has been built with speed and performance in mind and features 12 teraflops of processing power. It’s designed to future-proof your gaming experience for years to come, aiming to remain compatible with four generations of games.
Zen 2 architecture delivers more than 4 times the performance previously seen on the Xbox One X so it’s really a step up for your gaming experience.
Impressive Storage
One of the most surprising elements of the latest announcements is the existence of a 1TB custom NVMe SSD.
There’s also room for storage expansion if you need it. The new Xbox can support up to another 1TB. A 1TB card can be inserted directly into the back of the console through a storage expansion port.
Parallel Cooling Architecture
With all that power, it’s a good thing that Xbox has designed a solid way to keep everything cool. There are three airflow channels that aim to evenly distribute heat from the internal components to make sure it’s cool and quiet too.
The Xbox Series X uses a parallel cooling architecture so that you can run high-spec games with no worry about temperatures.
Split Motherboard
This is a first for consoles – the Xbox Series X will feature a split motherboard. This helps to keep the internal temperature cool and more controlled so that the console can deliver more power.
Heat-Sink Chassis
Also part of the cooling system on offer here is a heat sink that provides a non-electronic component to aid in cooling the console down. This heat sink is integrated directly into the chassis which contributes to the unique design of the console as well as the cooling efficiency.
Vapour Chamber
Another part of the cooling system is the vapor chamber. This helps to keep heat spread evenly throughout to protect the core and the memory.
Whisper-Quiet Fan
Last but not least, the Xbox Series X features a whisper-quiet fan which helps to keep everything cool and as silent as possible.
New Wireless Controller
While at first glance, it doesn’t look like a whole lot has changed, there are some interesting tweaks to be found on the new controller.
The new Xbox Wireless Controller has a new and improved design with “sculpted surfaces and refined geometry” which should help to improve comfort for all players while gaming away.
There’s a textured grip and a hybrid D-pad, inspired by the one we see on the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2.
Interestingly, there’s even a new Share button directly in the middle of the controller to help you share images and video.
Xbox isn’t the first console to have this button, it’s already notably on the PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch. However, Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox said: “We’ve heard feedback that sharing is such a part of a gaming experience now for many of our players. I wanted a dedicated button to share, so you’ll see that.”
Final Word
It’s safe to say, we’re all pretty excited to see the final product. It will certainly be a long wait until the release date later this year.
With the new innovations in hardware and software, storage and cooling, the Xbox Series X should deliver impressive performance boosts. You should see a dramatic difference in boot and load times, higher resolutions, more stable frame rates of up to 120 FPS and improvements in overall graphical quality.