For those who have been living under a rock: the Xbox Series X is the next generation gaming console released by Microsoft. Obviously expectations remain huge, and fans are expecting Microsoft to deliver. Recently Microsoft provided some details to provide clarity with the COVID-19 outbreak. As we all have come to realize news surrounding the pandemic changes on a constant basis, but right now this is the best we have to go on.
COVID-19 and Xbox Series X Release Date
At the time of this writing there has been no changes to the release time-frame for Xbox Series X. They still are anticipating the holiday 2020 release. The consoles are manufactured in China, which was the first location hit by the novel coronavirus, but since that time things have stabilized in the country.
Xbox Series X Specifications:
| CPU | 8x Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU |
| GPU | 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU |
| Die Size | 360.45 mm2 |
| Process | 7nm Enhanced |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 w/ 320b bus |
| Memory Bandwidth | 10GB @ 560 GB/s, 6GB @ 336 GB/s |
| Internal Storage | 1 TB Custom NVME SSD |
| I/O Throughput | 2.4 GB/s (Raw), 4.8 GB/s (Compressed, with custom hardware decompression block) |
| Expandable Storage | 1 TB Expansion Card (matches internal storage exactly) |
| External Storage | USB 3.2 External HDD Support |
| Optical Drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray Drive |
| Performance Target | 4K @ 60 FPS, Up to 120 FPS |
Xbox Series X Cutting-Edge Features
Obviously with any major generation update to consoles there’s certain expectations: better speed, better graphics, new tech, etc. They’ve achieved this in a variety of ways of obvious ways: faster processor, more processor cores, more and faster RAM.
In addition to all of this they’ve finally introduced a solid state hard drive (SSD) which is sure to help immensely. The SSD utilizes Xbox Velocity Architecture to free-up the CPU to perform other tasks rather than wasting processing power on loading.
Dynamic Latency Input (DLI) –Another innovation we are making to reduce latency for Xbox Series X is Dynamic Latency Input (DLI). With DLI, developers can more accurately synchronize the player’s input with the game’s simulation and render loop, even further reducing input latency while playing the game. With the addition of an SSD they’ve added in some supportive technologies including: Smart Delivery, and Intelligent Delivery.
Latency Reducing Technologies- Microsoft really has gone all out here. Realizing the importance of latency for online gamers several different technologies have been introduced to help in this area: Dynamic Latency Input (DLI), and Xbox Wireless Protocol.
That’s all the info we have for now. Keep safe out there. Keep gaming!
Cheers,
wphalo