Xbox Series X vs Series S: Graphics & Performance
The Xbox Series X delivers native 4K gaming at 60–120 fps with ray tracing, while the Series S targets 1440p at 60 fps (upscaled to 4K) with reduced graphical effects. The Series X is the premium console for the best visuals and performance; the Series S is a budget-friendly option that still plays the same games but with lower resolution and simplified graphics.
Hardware Specs at a Glance
Both consoles share the same CPU architecture and SSD storage speed, but the GPU and RAM differ significantly. The Series X has a custom AMD Zen 2 CPU (8 cores at 3.8 GHz) and a GPU with 52 compute units running at 1.825 GHz, delivering 12 teraflops of power. It comes with 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM (10 GB at 560 GB/s, 6 GB at 336 GB/s). The Series S uses the same CPU but at a lower clock (3.6 GHz) and a GPU with 20 compute units at 1.565 GHz, yielding 4 teraflops. It has 10 GB of GDDR6 RAM (8 GB at 224 GB/s, 2 GB at 56 GB/s).
Resolution and Frame Rate Targets
The Series X is designed for native 4K (3840×2160) gaming, with many titles running at 60 fps and some at 120 fps. The Series S targets 1440p (2560×1440) as its native resolution, but it uses a technique called super-resolution to upscale to 4K on a 4K TV. In practice, many Series S games run at 1080p or lower, especially when they prioritize frame rate or ray tracing. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 4K/60 on Series X but at 1440p/30 on Series S with ray tracing off by default.
Ray Tracing and Visual Effects
Ray tracing simulates how light bounces off surfaces, creating realistic reflections, shadows, and global illumination. Both consoles support hardware-accelerated ray tracing, but the Series X has far more GPU power to handle it. In games like Metro Exodus, the Series X can run ray-traced reflections at 4K/60, while the Series S often uses lower resolutions (1080p) or fewer ray-traced effects to maintain performance. The Series S also tends to reduce other graphical features, such as texture filtering, shadow quality, and draw distances, to keep the frame rate stable.
Load Times and Quick Resume
Both consoles use a custom NVMe SSD with a raw throughput of 2.4 GB/s (uncompressed) and 4.8 GB/s (compressed). This makes load times dramatically faster than the previous generation. In practice, most games load in under 10 seconds on both consoles. The Series S has the same SSD speed but a smaller storage capacity (512 GB vs 1 TB), so you may need to manage games more carefully. Quick Resume, which lets you switch between multiple games instantly, works identically on both consoles, though the Series S’s smaller RAM may limit how many games it can keep suspended (typically 3–4 vs 5–6 on Series X).
Backward Compatibility and Performance Boost
Both consoles play thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games. The Series X runs these at their native resolution or higher, often with auto-HDR and faster load times. The Series S, however, runs backward-compatible titles at the Xbox One S version of the game, which may be 900p or 1080p. Some games get a “FPS Boost� feature that doubles the frame rate (e.g., from 30 to 60 fps) on both consoles, but the Series S may still run at a lower resolution than the Series X in those boosted titles.
How to Choose Between Them
- TV and display: If you have a 4K TV with HDMI 2.1 (for 120 fps), the Series X is the better choice. If you have a 1080p or 1440p monitor, the Series S will look nearly as good.
- Budget: The Series S is $200–$300 cheaper (depending on bundles), making it an excellent entry point for Game Pass and casual gaming.
- Physical media: The Series X has a 4K Blu-ray drive; the Series S is all-digital, so you can only buy games online.
- Storage: The Series S’s 512 GB may feel cramped—many games exceed 100 GB. The Series X’s 1 TB is more comfortable, but both can be expanded with a proprietary Seagate expansion card (sold separately).
- Future-proofing: As games become more demanding, the Series X’s extra power will keep it relevant longer. The Series S may require more compromises in later years.
Common Misconceptions and Problems
“The Series S is just a lower-resolution Series X.� It’s more than that: it also has less RAM, which can affect texture quality and the number of objects on screen. Some developers have noted that optimizing for the Series S is extra work, but every game released for Xbox Series X|S must support both consoles.
“The Series S can’t do 4K.� It can output 4K for video and upscale games, but it cannot natively render games at 4K. If you have a 4K TV, the upscaled image may look slightly softer than native 4K, but it’s still impressive for the price.
“The Series S is a bad investment.� For many players, it’s a great value. It runs all the same games, loads them just as fast, and supports ray tracing (albeit at lower resolutions). The main drawback is the small storage and the fact that some games run at 30 fps instead of 60.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Series S hold back next-gen games?
Some developers have said that the Series S’s lower memory (10 GB) and GPU (4 teraflops) require extra optimization, but Microsoft mandates that all games run on both consoles. In practice, games are designed to scale, and the Series S will continue to run them, but with lower resolution and sometimes reduced effects. It’s unlikely to prevent a game from being released, but it may affect how the game is optimized for the Series X as well.
Can the Series S run 120 fps?
Yes, but only at lower resolutions. Many competitive shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone offer 120 fps modes on the Series S, but they often run at 1080p or lower. The Series X can hit 120 fps at 1440p or 4K (depending on the game).
Is the Series S worth it if I have a 4K TV?
It depends on your tolerance for upscaled images. The Series S will upscale to 4K, but the image won’t be as sharp as native 4K from the Series X. If you sit far from the TV, you may not notice the difference. If you want the best visual fidelity, the Series X is worth the extra cost.
How much storage do I really need?
Modern games like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War take over 200 GB with updates. The Series S’s 512 GB can hold only 3–4 large games. The Series X’s 1 TB holds about 6–8. Both support external USB drives for archiving games (but you can’t play Xbox Series X|S games from a USB drive). The 1 TB expansion card costs about $220, which is a significant extra expense.
Does the Series S support ray tracing?
Yes, it does, but with limitations. Games like Minecraft and Watch Dogs: Legion have ray tracing on Series S, but they often run at 1080p or 30 fps to maintain it. The Series X can do ray tracing at 4K/60 in many titles.
Which console has better performance for Game Pass?
Game Pass games run on both, but the Series X will give you the best experience—higher resolution, smoother frame rates, and faster load times (though load times are already fast on both). If you have a Game Pass subscription and a 4K TV, the Series X is the way to go. If you’re on a budget, the Series S still delivers a great experience.
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