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[JareBear: Remastered]

From DF YouTube:

During our recent trip of Microsoft at Redmond WA, Digital Foundry had the chance to talk to the hardware design team who engineered the Xbox Series X console and saw how the console is constructed... Looking for an Xbox Series X teardown? Well, think of this as the opposite! So, how is the console constructed and why did the form factor need to be totally revamped?

Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: http://bit.ly/DFSubscribe

Rich from DF just put up a video breaking down the architectural design of the XsX, inside and out, calling it possibly the most original design we've seen since Gamecube, while detailing the

-Top to bottom revamp
- XsX ships with a 315 watt power supply, delivered internally. Regulators pump up to 100 watts per square inch, delivering up to 190 amps
- Move to split-motherboard design, two similarly sized boards, not a mainboard with smaller daughter board design seen in the past
-Aim with split board architecture is a kind of parallel cooling solution, better distribution of air around hottest parts of the unit
- Meaty, fuill on vapor chamber heat sink
- Strategic shielding between components
- SSD uses around 3.8 watts of power, so siphon that heat off MS uses what they call thermal biostrings
- 130mm axial fan sits on top the design, efficient while quiet, designed for optimal airflow
- 70 percent more airflow than last gen, 20 percent more through heat sink

Controller breakdown starts at 9:50

- New pad keeps same basic design to ensure peripheral compatibility
- Small changes could make the pad far more comfortable to use
- Share button added and much improved clicky d-pad
- Matte finish on buttons and triggers
- Thumb stick height remains the same
- Feels familiar but also easier to hold/use
- Wireless designed for lower latency
- low energy Bluetooth for easy connectivity to non-Xbox hardware

random pic I kinda chuckled at

Spoiler

 

[Shambala]

Of course it's rich

 

[Potato Chip PRO]

Rich is a man of culture. XB SX need to be available to pre-order soon.

 

[CJY]

A timeless, but also exceptionally boring design.

 

[Entroyp]

Watching!! This is going to be great.

 

[splattered]

So the new controller still has bluetooth but the console itself does not?

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

So the new controller still has bluetooth but the console itself does not?

Sounds like it's there for connectivity to non-Xbox hardware (PCs for example)

 

[Armorian]

So the new controller still has bluetooth but the console itself does not?

Maybe they are using Xbox wireless for lower latency?

Great design, I really wonder how terrible PS5 cooling will be...

 

[Entroyp]

I was expecting a technical deep dive but nonetheless it's very interesting to see how MS managed to provide the power needed to feed the console. Good job.

 

[Shambala]

Maybe they are using Xbox wireless for lower latency?

Great design, I really wonder how terrible PS5 cooling will be...

Lol really

 

[Bernkastel]

So the new controller still has bluetooth but the console itself does not?

Defining the Next Generation: An Xbox Series X|S Technology Glossary - Xbox Wire

[Editor’s Note: Updated on 10/21 at 11AM to ensure it is now reflective of the capabilities across both of our next-gen Xbox consoles following the unveil of Xbox Series S.] As we enter a new generation of console gaming with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, we’ve made a number of technology...

news.xbox.com

Xbox Wireless Protocol – One of the first points to reduce latency is within the communication between your controller and your console. By bringing our existing high-bandwidth, low-latency wireless protocol on the Xbox One family of devices to Xbox Series X, we're able to not only reduce latency in your gaming experience but also ensure all of your existing Xbox One gaming accessories will be compatible with Xbox Series X.

Xbox Wireless Protocol for Series X, Bluetooth for other devices.

 

[longdi]

What a smart modular design. Easy to fix up and repair, saving MS tons that can be put back into gamers' hand

Total 315W.
12v x 21.25A = 255W for APU. I guess the Zen2 cpu just needs 35W, which leaves the monser 52CU at 220W. This is amazing choice to use the 52CU part. Just a masterpiece in design choice.

I guess PS5 power supply will be 350W this round because of pushing their APU to its limits.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

I was expecting a technical deep dive but nonetheless it's very interesting to see how MS managed to provide the power needed to feed the console. Good job.

Really does seem like excellent engineering.

Can't wait to see the PS5 design, should be amazing too.

Exciting times

 

[M1chl]

A timeless, but also exceptionally boring design.

Well yeah, but if it's silent it does not really matter. Since I suffered from tinnitus, my issues with loud fans is pretty big.

 

[Armorian]

Lol really

Sony track recors so far looks like this:

PSX, PS2, PS2 Slim (both models) - loudest part was the CD/DVD drive
PS3 phat - quiet in menu loud in games
PS3 slim 1 - never seen that one in person but most likely better than original
PS3 slim 2 - cool and quiet, ugly but great
PS4 original - same as PS3 phat
PS4 Slim - cool and quiet
PS4 Pro - loud

This doesn't bode well, only slim models were ok in cooling department, while MS has quiet main consoles since 2013.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

Well yeah, but if it's silent it does not really matter. Since I suffered from tinnitus, my issues with loud fans is pretty big.

If it truly is as quiet as the One X, I will be very impressed

 

[Rossco EZ]

is controller still using batteries or got a battery pack?

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Thinking on it, idk if I have ever heard my X getting loud running games. Meanwhile obviously my Pro sounds like a jet engine on a lot of titles. Glad to hear they're keeping the XSX as quiet as the X.

 

[martino]

Defining the Next Generation: An Xbox Series X|S Technology Glossary - Xbox Wire

[Editor’s Note: Updated on 10/21 at 11AM to ensure it is now reflective of the capabilities across both of our next-gen Xbox consoles following the unveil of Xbox Series S.] As we enter a new generation of console gaming with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, we’ve made a number of technology...

news.xbox.com

Xbox Wireless Protocol for Series X, Bluetooth for other devices.

i have wireless dongle on pc...hope it will work (or at least with a new improved dongle)

 

[Flintty]

A superbly engineered piece of kit. I love it.

 

[Yams]

This doesn't bode well, only slim models were ok in cooling department, while MS has quiet main consoles since 2013.

Sony has made a point of mentioning the PS5 cooling system a few times already. There was also that PS5 cooling solution is "expensive" leak. It's hard to imagine the end result will be loud if Sony's is already assuring future buyers.

I Love the XSX design and can't wait to see the PS5 design.

 

[McHuj]

What a smart modular design. Easy to fix up and repair, saving MS tons that can be put back into gamers' hand

Total 315W.
12v x 21.25A = 255W for APU. I guess the Zen2 cpu just needs 35W, which leaves the monser 52CU at 220W. This is amazing choice to use the 52CU part. Just a masterpiece in design choice.

I guess PS5 power supply will be 350W this round because of pushing their APU to its limits.

The actual power draw should be much lower. I believe the x1x comes with a 245 watt psu but only pulls a max of -round 180 watts.

Yes, this is a decent bump, but I think the typical power draw will stay under 225 watts.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

i have wireless dongle on pc...hope it will work (or at least with a new improved dongle)

I am pretty sure it will, sounds like it is supposed to work just fine like that

Sony has made a point of mentioning the PS5 cooling system a few times already. There was also that PS5 cooling solution is "expensive" leak. It's hard to imagine the end result will be loud if Sony's is already assuring future buyers.

I Love the XSX design and can't wait to see the PS5 design.

I'm pretty confident the PS5 will have capable cooling. Very interesting to see what they cooked up over there

 

[CatLady]

Really does seem like excellent engineering.

Can't wait to see the PS5 design, should be amazing too.

Exciting times

Yeah, I'm definitely interested to see the PS5 cooling solution. That's one of the things giving them concern over pricing. After seeing this impressive cooling setup if the PS5 is even more expensive and sophisticated I'm ready to be impressed.

 

[Shin]

Based Andrew Goossen for aiming for 2x the power of X from the get go.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

Yeah, I'm definitely interested to see the PS5 cooling solution. That's one of the things giving them concern over pricing. After seeing this impressive cooling setup if the PS5 is even more expensive and sophisticated I'm ready to be impressed.

Same. I'd imagine the PS5 cooling will have to be pretty capable to handle that system is designed to do.

Hopefully they both are quiet. Jet engine days are HOPEFULLY over (Referring to my Pro).

 

[Max_Po]

R O F L ... one of the worst designs on any console. ...

Must be a S L O W day at DF.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

one of the worst designs on any console

 

[CatLady]

Thinking on it, idk if I have ever heard my X getting loud running games. Meanwhile obviously my Pro sounds like a jet engine on a lot of titles. Glad to hear they're keeping the XSX as quiet as the X.

I've never heard a sound out of my X even under heavy load. It's completely silent. Hopefully the XsX will be as good as the X in the noise dept. I'm inclined to believe it will be after seeing this video. Thanks JareBear: Remastered

To be fair when I had a PS4 slim it was almost as quiet as my OG X One. I guess I got lucky and didn't get a 747 model.

 

[siekro1983]

I hope sony makes a ps5 pro very soon with xbox x series specs.

 

[Shin]

I figured the bracket was made of aluminum because of weight and it doesn't hold heat.
They designed this thing so damn well, you can tell just by looking at it (or if you're a tinkerer).

 

[Yams]

R O F L ... one of the worst designs on any console. ...

Must be a S L O W day at DF.

A lot of people like the design are interested in seeing what goes into building a console. I'd take something like this over another game comparison any day of the week.

 

[SaucyJack]

I don't mind how it looks. But at 300 x 150 x 150 mm it's form factor is actually pretty dumb as it just isn't going to fit in a fair number of living room entertainment units.

Shelves in mine are 110 mm which comfortably fit the PS4 pro (55 mm) and X Box One X (60 mm). I won't consider a purchase as there's literally nowhere for it to go In my living room.

 

[martino]

interesting internals but look like a black plain concrete block to me

 

[Flintty]

I love that they let people play with the thing with magnets. I want to play too.

R O F L ... one of the worst designs on any console. ...

Must be a S L O W day at DF.

You're quickly becoming one of the most insufferable posters on this forum. So congratulations, I guess. You got noticed.

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

Great technical Engineering. Form factor looks cool stood up but it's a monstrosity on its side.

Also it's going to fill with dust over time. I'm going to fashion a cap for mine to place on top when it's not in use.

 

[Shin]

Looking at the setup side ways I don't think the other option would have been good, they made the right choice.
If the motherboard wasn't split the console would have been rather large, there's no space left and it's cramped as is.
On top of that airflow improved a lot going by the % outed in the video, the 130mm fan sits right on the PSU and pulls directly from boat boards, UHD will be cooled by air going in at the bottom.

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

Great technical Engineering. Form factor looks cool stood up but it's a monstrosity on its side.

Also it's going to fill with dust over time. I'm going to fashion a cap for mine to place on top when it's not in use.

I clean dust from my PC once a week (part of my Saturday weekly housecleaning routine) and I have always kinda wished consoles could be as easy to pop open and clean out as PC. I'm really OCD about dust in my machines

 

[ZywyPL]

That heatsink is T H I C C! Anyway, Xbox One X design > everything else, including Series X. Without seeing it in person I cannot imagine the actual dimensions/proportions.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Considering how jam packed the inside is, I'm surprised there is so much more increased air flow.

Good to see MS show it to gamers at VGA and let DF do a teardown.

 

[Celcius]

It's not one of my favorite external designs but it makes sense why they went this route.

 

[Max_Po]

I love that they let people play with the thing with magnets. I want to play too.


You're quickly becoming one of the most insufferable posters on this forum. So congratulations, I guess. You got noticed.

oh really, just wait for a min... and imagine this thing next to your other consoles... .... I have consoles from last 80's ... still plugged in.. just finishing RGB-bypass on my Genesis model 1..

Most B O R I N G design of my console...

 

[Shin]

That heatsink is T H I C C! Anyway, Xbox One X design > everything else, including Series X.

Have to, cooling a 12TF GPU (or APU rather) requires good cooling, GPU's in that class tend to 1-2 dedicated fans hosed in a closed casing.
You then have the SSD, SSD expansion, UHD and PSU sitting/sticking next to them which generates and hold more heat, hence the 130mm fan.

To put things into perspective the red LED fan is 140mm (NZXT H440, I'll use it for my new comp, CBA if it's old I like the color scheme).
Of course taste and opinion differs, but IMO the solution they came up with isn't bad, we'll know how it plays out upon launch - same old is boring

 

[JareBear: Remastered]

oh really, just wait for a min... and imagine this thing next to your other consoles... .... I have consoles from last 80's ... still plugged in.. just finishing RGB-bypass on my Genesis model 1..

Most B O R I N G design of my console...

Are you strictly referring to the external visual? If so, I can understand your point of view,. It may not look very exciting from the outside, but when you see what they accomplished inside the box it seems pretty impressive (in my opinion, anyway)

 

[CatLady]

That heatsink is T H I C C! Anyway, Xbox One X design > everything else, including Series X. Without seeing it in person I cannot imagine the actual dimensions/proportions.

Nah, the X is pretty great but I like the XsX better. It will be glorious with my decor, it doesn't even look like a console, it looks like a lovely minimalist design piece.

 

[Max_Po]

Are you strictly referring to the external visual? If so, I can understand your point of view,. It may not look very exciting from the outside, but when you see what they accomplished inside the box it seems pretty impressive (in my opinion, anyway)

Yes of course... why would I criticize inside ? 12 TFLOPS ... I am going D A Y - O N E

 

[Shin]

It may not look very exciting from the outside

It's what's on the inside, right CatLady
I think it will look great(er) once we get skins/themed version, 4D effect and all that we'll see.
Love the controller though always thought it (XO) looked better than DS4, I do wish Microsoft would have used the same grey/black as One X.

 

[MomoVideo]

My biggest gripe with Xbox Controller is the height of the analog sticks. They are too long for my liking and I'm kinda bummed that it's unchanged. Otherwise, I really like it and even if I don't get new Xbox console, I will surely get new controller to use it on my PC and maybe eventually Android phone.

 

[Birdo]

I actually want oversized pads like that fake one

 

[T-Cake]

I wonder how long it will take for the first special edition to arrive with a painted exterior and 2TB SSD space. I'm not sure I can wait a year. Does anyone have any data from the time of launch for Xbox 360/Xbox One/S/X to when the first limited editions came along?