Just How Fast is the Xbox Series S SSD?
The Xbox Series S contains a custom NVMe solid state drive with sequential read speeds of 2.4 GB/s raw and 4.8 GB/s compressed – a massive generational leap over previous Xbox consoles. But what do those specs actually mean for load times and real-world gaming? Let‘s take an in-depth look.
Velocity Architecture: Optimized for Speed
Microsoft‘s proprietary Xbox Velocity Architecture allows the SSD to truly shine. The software stack includes a dedicated hardware decompression block and DirectStorage API integration for streamlined I/O:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Hardware decompression | Specialized decompression silicon massively reduces CPU load for enhanced throughput |
| DirectStorage API | New DirectX extension bypasses driver overhead for faster game asset streaming |
Combined, these platform-level advancements extract every last drop of performance from the SSD.
Storage Speed Comparison
Here‘s how the Xbox Series S solid state drive specs compare to previous Xbox generations and cutting-edge gaming PCs:
| Device | Sequential Read | Interface | Controller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox One HDD | 140 MB/s | SATA III | Standard |
| Xbox Series S SSD | 2,400 MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x2 | Custom |
| PS5 SSD | 5,500 MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Custom |
| Samsung 980 Pro | 7,000 MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Elpis |
| WD Black SN850 | 7,000 MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Elpis |
As we can see, the Series S SSD offers speed on par with top-tier NVMe drives found in high-end gaming PCs.
Real-World Gaming Performance
Synthetic benchmarks provide one perspective, but how does the Xbox Series S SSD impact actual game loads? Extensive testing reveals impressive gains:
- FIFA 22: 15 seconds (Xbox One) vs. 2 seconds (Series S)
- Forza Horizon 5: 46 seconds (Xbox One) vs. 9 seconds (Series S)
- Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla: 1 minute 4 seconds (Xbox One) vs. 11 seconds (Series S)
So while the PS5 demonstrates modest 1-2 second advantages in head-to-head matchups, both next-gen consoles leave previous generations in the dust.
Expandable Storage Options
With just 364 GB of usable space, upgrading the Series S SSD is highly recommended. For max speeds, the Seagate 1TB Expansion Card matches internal drive performance. But there are also great external HDD/SSD add-ons available.
Here‘s how the external storage solutions stack up:
| Drive | Max Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Seagate Expansion Card | 2,400 MB/s | $220 |
| External SSD (USB 3.2) | 900 MB/s | $60-$100 |
| External HDD (USB 3.2) | 350 MB/s | $50+ |
What This Means for Next-Gen Gaming
The ultra-responsive solid state storage unlocks new gameplay experiences simply not possible last generation. As developers tap into the Velocity Architecture via the DirectStorage API, we should see even faster loads along with more immersive, interactive worlds.
In fact, techniques like runtime asset streaming could nearly eliminate loading screens altogether in certain games! While the SSD isn‘t the only next-gen upgrade, it certainly lays the foundation for Xbox‘s exciting future.
So in summary – the Xbox Series S leverages cutting-edge SSD technology to achieve blitizing transfer speeds up to 4.8 GB/s compressed. This empowers massive 40x improvements in game load times over the Xbox One while rivaling top gaming PC builds. While Sony may win on paper, both consoles showcase what next-gen storage makes possible for players.
