The new Xbox Series X received a 6nm processor, instead of 7nm – the consoles have lower power consumption

To mark the fourth anniversary of the release of the Xbox Series X and S consoles, Microsoft has released new versions of the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition and Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition. Their sales started today. The first is distinguished by the presence of a 2 TB SSD, and the second by the absence of an optical drive.

Image source: YouTube / Austin Evans

In addition to external differences, the new items also have some changes in technical characteristics, which, however, did not increase the performance of the consoles relative to the original Xbox Series X model, released in 2020.

The discless version of the Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition is offered at launch for $50 cheaper than the original model released in 2020. It is equipped with the same 1 TB SSD and the same AMD processor with Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures.

However, as a review by YouTube blogger Austin Evans shows, the Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition and Galaxy Black Special Edition use a single-chip platform made using a more advanced technological process, which is why the console chip itself has become smaller. If the processor of the original Xbox Series X was produced using a 7-nm process technology, then the diskless version of the console, as well as the version with 2 TB of memory, uses a chip using a 6-nm process technology.

The differences don’t end there. For new consoles, the design of the motherboard has been changed towards simplification.

In addition, the updated models are equipped with new cooling radiators that are 100 grams lighter than those of the original 2020 Xbox Series X.

Thanks to the transition to a new technological process, set-top boxes have become more energy efficient. If the original 2020 model consumes 60 W of power in standby mode, then the new version with a 2 TB drive consumes 51 W.

The power consumption of the diskless version in idle mode is even less – 39 W. Energy consumption in games has also changed. For example, in Forza Horizon 5, the new systems consumed 11 and 16 watts less than the original console released in 2020.

Power consumption (idle/load):

• Xbox Series X (2020) — 60 W / 167 W;
• Xbox Series X 2TB (2024) – 51 W / 156 W;
• Xbox Series X Digital (2024): 39 Вт / 151 Вт.