Xbox Series X specs, backward compatibility, new logo and everything we know so far

Microsoft’s highly anticipated new model in its Xbox The video game console line is almost there, and theoretically you can spend an undetermined amount of money on that Xbox Series X. by the end of this year. We are now in the part of the pre-cycle in which Microsoft and Sony are also planning to publish their own PlayStation 5 Console this year – skip each other with functions and technical data.

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Microsoft introduces the Xbox Series X.

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We now have a slightly clearer picture of what to expect from the Xbox Series X, apart from the types of responses that we can only get if we actually launch and use one (e.g., how) Backward compatibility really works) as well as special features such as configurations, storage capacity and so on.

There is also a possible logo that was first discovered by Reddit users On Wednesday. On April 16, a trademark application was filed for a “Series X” logo owned by Microsoft.

Microsoft Within the Xbox show On April 7, some of the technical data released in March was updated, but an additional new peripheral was shown: an expansion drive. The 1 TB card manufactured by Seagate plugs into the back of the Xbox Series X and offers additional storage space for games.

It has the same architecture as the internal SSD and enables the same performance. External drives can still be used with the Xbox Series X, but they can only store game data and need to transfer games to the SSD or the console expansion drive to play.

The Xbox Series X enters a game that looks very different from its predecessor, the Xbox One X. arrived three years ago. Although it technically competes with other living room consoles (i.e. the PlayStation), in practice it is now being challenged by extremely popular phone-based mobile games and the game Nintendo Switch Handheld console and emerging cloud gaming options for your entertainment time and money.

What is the Xbox Series X release date and how much does it cost?

Microsoft says it will ship this year, we probably think about the same time as the PS5. In 2013, Xbox One launched a week after PlayStation 4, which came out in mid-November.

The price is still unknown. On the one hand the Xbox 360 cost $ 399 when it was launched in the United States in 2005 Xbox One cost $ 499 when it hit the market in 2013, as did the subsequent flagship Xbox One X in 2017. However, pricing is complicated by delivery restrictions on popular components such as memory and storage Reportedly affects the PS5, which drives up prices without exception.

In a podcast with IGN On April 1st, Xbox boss Phil Spencer said he felt “good” about the price of the new system.

“I feel good about the price we can get,” said Spencer. “I feel good about the price and capabilities we have for the X series. I feel incredibly strong about the overall package.”

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Xbox Series X gets updated specs and nifty features

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What are the specifications of the Xbox Series X?

The console is based on AMD’s current Zen 2 processor architecture (Zen 3 is expected to be released in June) and a graphics processor using AMD’s upcoming RDNA 2 microarchitecture, which is believed to be based on the Navi 7-nanometer process.

On March 16, Microsoft released the full specifications for the Xbox Series S..

The system’s CPU is a customer-specific Zen 2 processor with eight cores and 3.8 GHz. The GPU is a user-defined RDNA 2 processor with 1.825 GHz and 52 CUs that generates 12 teraflops. This makes the new console from Microsoft one of the best High-end gaming PCs.

Other hardware includes 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM, 1 TB SSD, an HDMI 2.1 connection transferred from the previous model, and one optical drive for game discs. The SSD will contain a new feature called Xbox Velocity architectureThis allows developers to use up to 100 GB of game assets immediately. There is also a 1TB expansion drive for the system, which offers even more storage space for games and offers the same functionality as the internal SSD.

It will also include (not surprisingly) Microsoft DirectX 12, the latest version of the company’s graphics programming interface (in Windows 10), especially GPU support for DirectX ray tracing and variable rate shading. In combination, this allows the Xbox to achieve higher frame rates – 4K resolution at 120 frames per second – with support for variable rate updates when connected to compatible TVs or monitors (i.e. you have one) HDMI 2.1 Connection).

The actual size of the new console is 151mm x 151mm x 301mm.

What does it all mean? Why didn’t you mention the 12 TFLOPS everyone’s talking about?

With all the updated components, the Xbox Series X seems to be a big step up from its predecessor. The solid-state memory enables faster start of games and shorter loading screen times compared to the previous models. Hard drives, also for older games. While the updated processor has “four times the processing power of Xbox One”, every speed update helps and also applies to all games.

For games that contain it, that is DXR acceleration offers developers the ability to reproduce lighting, shadows, and reflections much more accurately without sacrificing performance and without the otherwise required optimization effort. And VRSThis allows developers to choose where to save computing power when rendering a frame based on how important an area is for visual meaning and how noticeable a slightly rougher rendering can be. This means that games that integrate it may also get higher frame rates with better results. Search for graphics in selected scenes than they could otherwise.

HDMI 2.1 not only supports variable refresh rates that the console can use to sync the frame rates of games with compatible TVs or monitors to minimize artifacts such as stuttering and tearing due to mismatches, but also adds ALLMor Auto Low Latency Mode, which automatically sets the display to the lowest latency mode and has been available on TVs from manufacturers such as Sony and LG for at least a year. Please note that to operate 4K / 120p you also need an HDMI 2.1 connection in the TV or monitor.

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Xbox has become the voice of consumers at Microsoft

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However, we still don’t know much about graphics processing hardware. The only hardware specification released by Microsoft is “12 TFLOP’s GPU performance,” but that is somehow meaningless without context. Floating point is simply a non-integer arithmetic, but it can have different size spaces for storing the values, with more bits potentially meaning more accurate calculations (but increasing performance).

So, 12 trillion floating point operations per second from … what? It does not specify the type of FP calculations that can be single precision (32 bits), double precision (64 bits), or half precision (16 bits). AMD uses both single and half in its GPU specifications. On the other hand, there are specifications that we don’t have that would provide more insight. For example, the size of the video memory would be an indicator of whether this is supported 8 THOUSAND even at 120 fps.

Will my old games work on it?

Microsoft says yes, going back to the original Xbox, and many of them are played better and look better thanks to the upgrades mentioned above that apply to every game running on the console. Of course, the devil is in the details when it comes to compatibility, so we have to wait for practical trials to find out how far it goes.

In contrast to the transition from previous generations, this should run more smoothly. The new hardware is mostly just faster versions of the previous components, and the latest Xbox One operating system also used DirectX 12 and supported HDMI 2.1, or at least nothing that required emulation or rewriting. With one exception, however, it is not clear whether Microsoft has improved the compatibility experience over previous versions. In other words, Xbox 360 games, for example, still require game-specific emulations (since the Xbox 360 was running on a PowerPC CPU that had a different set of instructions than the almost universal x86 CPUs), or will there be a new one? broader solution?

Microsoft will introduce at least one new feature to improve the experience of running multi-generation games: Smart delivery. When you pay for a game, you get rights to that game for both Xbox One and X Series models and automatically select the correct version. However, this is also optional for developers and publishers and it is not clear if this applies to old games for which you have already paid. It also appears to be intended to promote an upgrade from Xbox One to X series without hindering the purchase of games for the older console: “This technology is available to all developers and publishers and can be used for titles that will be released first on Xbox One and later on Xbox Series X. ”

Microsoft is coming Halo: Infinite will have this option along with the upcoming CD Projekt Red sci-fi role-playing game Cyberpunk 2077, according to a tweet from the developer.

Will there be a new controller too?

Yes, if not radically redesigned as a console and it will be backwards compatible with older models. It is based on the current Xbox Elite Wireless But the model has a revised D-Pad and a share button. Microsoft has also done some work to reduce the wireless delay – and thus responsiveness – between the display and the controller through what is known as dynamic latency.

The D-Pad, triggers and bumper also have a tactile matte finish to give the controller a little more grip when playing.

Another aspect where the controller remains the same is the use of AA batteries instead of a built-in rechargeable battery. According to Microsoft, this choice was to maintain flexibility for those players who want disposable batteries and those who prefer batteries.

What else is new?

So far we know that Microsoft is bringing back Quick Resume. A feature that was introduced about five years ago and then became obsolete. In the past, you were able to suspend a single game (rather than ending it) and pick it up exactly where you left off. Now you can do this for multiple games.

Games! Games?

We don’t know much about exclusive or upcoming games that only include X Series features like ray tracing or VRS, but it would be surprising if Windows DirectX 12 games they use didn’t have console versions. Halo: Infinite, expected to be a starting titleWe also know about a sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s victim from his ninja theory studio, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade IIthat will be an exclusive.

Xbox Game Pass will continue to be the main option for the vault subscription to the console; Although Microsoft has not explicitly mentioned it, the X series is also likely to offer Xbox console streaming – A feature that allows you to play Xbox One games on your phone that run on your console Currently in preview. (This has nothing to do with it XCloud project, also in beta, which allows you to play Game Pass games on your phone or tablet that run on remote pseudo Xboxes and not on your local console.)