Microsoft Xbox One X

Specs

The Microsoft Xbox One X, released by Microsoft in November 2017, is a mid-generation upgrade to the original Xbox One, designed to provide a substantial power boost. Known as the “world’s most powerful console” at launch, it offers native 4K gaming, HDR support, and improved performance across Xbox games. Here’s a breakdown of its key features, strengths, and weaknesses:

Design and Build

The Microsoft Xbox One X has a sleek, minimalistic design that closely resembles the Xbox One S but with a darker finish and a more compact, sturdy build. Despite the additional power, it has the same size as the Xbox One S, thanks to Microsoft’s optimization efforts. The console also includes a built-in power supply, eliminating the need for an external power brick.

Hardware and Performance

The Microsoft Xbox One X is equipped with custom AMD hardware:

• CPU: 2.3 GHz 8-core Custom AMD CPU.
• GPU: 6 teraflops, 40 CUs at 1.172 GHz.
• Memory: 12GB GDDR5 RAM, which is split into 9GB for games and 3GB for the OS.
• Storage: 1TB internal storage, which can be expanded via external drives.

The GPU, with 6 teraflops of power, is the primary reason the One X can handle native 4K gaming, a significant leap from the Xbox One’s graphics performance. Games run smoothly in 4K at 60 FPS (for compatible titles) with HDR (High Dynamic Range), giving games richer colors, deeper contrasts, and enhanced details.

Gaming Experience

The Microsoft Xbox One X provides a superior gaming experience, particularly for 4K TV owners. Many games are “Xbox One X Enhanced,” meaning they’re optimized for the console to leverage its additional power. Enhanced titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, Gears 5, and Forza Horizon 4 look stunning with improved textures, draw distances, and details in 4K resolution. Some games also include performance modes, letting players choose between higher resolutions or better frame rates, typically providing the option of 4K at 30 FPS or 1080p at 60 FPS.

One of the key highlights is the Microsoft Xbox One X’s backward compatibility with Xbox One, Xbox 360, and even some original Xbox games, with many titles benefiting from enhanced resolution and texture filtering. Games that previously struggled to maintain stable frame rates on older Xbox models run much more smoothly on the One X.

Cooling and Noise

Despite the powerful hardware, the Microsoft Xbox One X maintains relatively low noise levels during operation. It features a sophisticated liquid-cooled vapor chamber for cooling, which efficiently dissipates heat. Even when running high-demand games in 4K, the console remains quieter than the original Xbox One and PS4 Pro, with no significant thermal issues.

Multimedia and Entertainment

In addition to gaming, the Xbox One X supports a range of entertainment options. It includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray player, making it a great choice for movie enthusiasts. The console also supports streaming services in 4K, including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, providing an all-in-one entertainment hub for your living room.

Xbox Game Pass and Services

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription service pairs well with the Xbox One X. For a monthly fee, it provides access to a vast library of games, including new releases from Xbox Game Studios. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate combines Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold, offering a vast selection of games, cloud streaming, and online multiplayer. The Game Pass library allows players to take full advantage of the console’s capabilities without constantly purchasing new games.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 4K Gaming: Delivers native 4K visuals, enhanced textures, and improved performance.
• Powerful Hardware: Superior to most consoles in its generation, offering high-quality gaming experiences.
• Backward Compatibility: Extensive backward compatibility, with enhancements for many older games.
• Multimedia Capabilities: Built-in 4K UHD Blu-ray player and support for 4K streaming services.
• Enhanced Experience with Game Pass: Game Pass offers substantial value with a large game library.

Cons

• Price and Competition: Although powerful, the One X can be a bit pricey, especially with the newer Xbox Series X and S available.
• Storage Limitations: While 1TB sounds like a lot, 4K games take up considerable space, and the console may require external storage for heavy users.
• No Major Exclusive Games: Compared to Sony’s PlayStation, Xbox has fewer console-exclusive titles, though Game Pass partially addresses this by offering access to a vast library of games.

Final Verdict

The Xbox One X is a fantastic console for 4K TV owners and those wanting a powerful system for gaming and multimedia. While it may not hold up against the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 in raw performance, it remains a strong mid-gen console with a robust library, backward compatibility, and the benefit of the Xbox Game Pass ecosystem.

If you’re looking for a high-quality gaming experience without stepping into the latest console generation, the Xbox One X remains a worthwhile choice.