Is it worth upgrading original SSD Xbox One?

As a gaming enthusiast and content creator, one of the most common questions I see pop up lately is: Should I upgrade the hard drive in my original 2013 Xbox One console to a solid-state drive (SSD)? With SSD prices dropping and next-gen consoles boasting super fast load times, it‘s an understandable question.

The Short Answer:

While an SSD upgrade does provide genuine improvements like faster load times, quieter operation, and added reliability compared to the original mechanical hard drive, it may not make financial sense depending on your budget and needs. For only $50-$100 more than a 1TB external SSD (~$150-$200), you could potentially invest in a much more powerful Xbox Series S instead.

However, for loyal original Xbox One users on a strict budget, an SSD upgrade can still rejuvenate your console experience to some degree. Let‘s dig into the pros, cons, costs, and alternatives to help determine if it’s worth it for you.

SSD Benefits for Xbox One: Faster, Cooler, More Reliable

Upgrading to a solid state drive can absolutely provide some tangible improvements over the original 500GB mechanical hard drive built into launch Xbox Ones:

Game/App Load Times Improved by ~20-50%

While not as fast as the Xbox Velocity Architecture featured in new Series consoles, adding an external SATA III or USB 3.0 SSD still yields noticeably faster initial boot and game/app load times compared to mechanical HDDs.

As you can see, switching to a SATA or USB SSD can shave 20-30 seconds off initial load times. That‘s more gameplay, less waiting!

Cooler, Quieter Operation

Lacking mechanical platters and heads that generate noise and heat, SSDs run whisper quiet and cooler. For media center usage, that can be a welcome upgrade over the audible humming/spinning of HDDs.

Added Reliability

With no moving parts, SSDs tend to be more durable and reliable than traditional hard drives over years of prolonged use. According to Backblaze reliability data, SSDs saw a 1.4% annualized failure rate compared to over 3.5% for HDDs. Your games library stays safer on solid state media.

Downsides of Upgrading with an SSD

While SSDs provide some nice quality of life improvements, there are some limitations to consider as well before upgrading:

Raw Game Performance Largely Unchanged

An SSD affects loading speeds, but does little to nothing to enhance actual in-game frame rates or visuals quality on the decade old Xbox One hardware. The now rather underpowered GPU/CPU remain bottlenecks there.

Maximum Speed Limited by USB 3.0 or SATA III

The interfaces available on Xbox One cap transfer speeds compared to what modern NVMe SSDs over PCIe 4.0/5.0 provide. The console just can‘t take full advantage of cutting edge SSD tech.

No Support for 4K Visuals

Unlike the 4K-capable Xbox One X and Series X/S consoles, the original Xbox One outputs games at a maximum 1080p resolution. Those seeking higher visual fidelity won‘t benefit much from an SSD alone.

SSD Upgrade Cost for Xbox One in 2024

• 1TB External USB SSD (~$140) – Offers simplest plug and play installation. Can play Xbox One/360/OG Xbox games.
• 1TB Internal SATA SSD + Enclosure (~$110) – Cheaper overall. But requires dismantling console to install.

So you‘re looking at around $110-$150 typically for a 1TB SSD upgrade that matches or exceeds the capacity of the stock Xbox One hard drive. Reduce costs further by opting for a 500GB model (~$65).

Of course there are always outlier deals too – I snagged a 1TB external SSD on sale recently for only $85! So keep an eye out for bargains.

What is My Old Xbox One Still Worth in 2024?

According to latest used market data, here are current trade-in values based on model and capacity:

So realistically, expect around $70-$125 max if selling an old working 500GB or 1TB Xbox One/One S console secondhand nowadays.

Of course you can earn a little more through local sales rather than trading into major retailers. But that requires more effort and coordination on your part.

What About Just Upgrading to an Xbox Series S Instead?

Here‘s a thought – instead of spending $140-$200 to upgrade your original Xbox One console to an SSD, what if you put that cash towards a brand new Xbox Series S instead?

MSRP is $299, but routinely on sale for $249 or even under $200 if you find clearance deals. So for as little as $50-$100 more than a 1TB SSD, you could make the jump to a true next-gen console!

The Xbox Series S provides a much larger generational leap beyond just storage speeds, with tons of advantages over an aging original Xbox One:

• Faster NVMe SSD with Quick Resume support
• Significantly improved frame rates up to 120 fps
• Support for spatial sound technologies
• Native 1440p gaming resolution (up to 4K media playback)
• Xbox Game Pass access with 100+ games
• Play thousands of backwards compatible Xbox One/360/OG Xbox games

I don‘t know about you, but I‘d gladly pay an extra $50-$100 for huge new capabilities like that over a basic SSD upgrade alone!

Should You Upgrade to an SSD? Bottom Line Recommendations

So when does springing for an SSD upgrade make sense versus saving up for an Xbox Series S instead? Here is my candid recommendation based on budget and needs:

SSD Upgrade Worth It If:

• You remain very budget focused and can‘t reallocate over $150 currently
• Mainly play older Xbox One/360/OG Xbox backwards compatible games
• Okay with original Xbox One‘s 1080p resolution cap and performance
• Want minor load time improvements but nothing drastic

Xbox Series S Likely the Better Investment If:

• Can allocate $250 or find a sale deal under $200
• Want significantly faster load times (NVMe SSD)
• Plan to play newer Series X|S optimized games
• Care about 4K media support + 1440p gaming
• Desire the largest generational upgrade possible from Xbox One

While I can‘t advise what makes the most sense financially for your exact situation, I hope breaking down all the performance, visual, cost, and usage considerations here assists with making the right call!

If you do elect to upgrade your original Xbox One with an SSD, I guarantee you‘ll enjoy the snappier response. But try to start budgeting towards a Series S afterwards – that‘s where you‘ll really unlock next-gen greatness!

Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy gaming!