Xbox Series X Guide: Sony's Strongest Competition In The Check

The Xbox Series x has established itself as a real competitor to the Playstation in recent years. 

If you're thinking about buying a new console and don't know whether you'd prefer Sony or Microsoft, here's everything you need to know about the new Xbox Series X.

What Can The Xbox Series X Really Do?

If you expect that each new generation will come up with groundbreaking innovations that are almost beyond your imagination, we have to disappoint you at the beginning:

Graphically, comparatively little has changed compared to the previous generation. This doesn't change the fact that modern games like "Forza Horizon 5" are visually exciting. Likewise, many games that still stutter on older consoles now run smoothly and in 4K resolution.

However, Microsoft hasn't succeeded in creating a visual revolution with the new Xbox - which is hardly surprising given that the graphic presentation of most games is now at a level that we call "photorealistic".

So that's the high-level overview, before we get to the actual review, in which we've examined every notable aspect of the console for you.

The Technical Data 

The console is equipped with an AMD Zen 2 eight-core CPU that clocks at 3.8 gigahertz. The GPU is an AMD RDNA 2 with a fixed clock speed of 1.845 megahertz and a performance of twelve TeraFLOPS, which supports ray tracing.

The storage space of the SSD is generously dimensioned with a capacity of one terabyte.

The Visual Appearance 

If we look at the placed console, it reminds us of a small PC. We know the community is controversial about the design. For some users it seems too simple and downright unimaginative, malicious tongues even claim that the exterior is reminiscent of a brick.

We think that the functionally designed shapes seem like an understatement and welcome the fact that the console is easy to clean. Experience has shown that artfully designed corners and edges prevent maintenance of the device or make it unnecessarily complex.

The console is quite heavy at almost 4.5 kilograms, exceeding the weight of most modern notebooks.

With dimensions of around 15 centimeters in length and width and 30 centimeters in height, the product from Microsoft requires a comparatively large amount of space. It is therefore difficult to integrate the Xbox into an existing entertainment system.

The fans suck in cool air from below and release it upwards - so we recommend positioning the console vertically to ensure optimal cooling.

Speaking of ventilation: The Xbox Series X is pleasantly quiet when in operation, and the noise of the cooling system is barely perceptible up close. The fans purr gently and are not at all annoying.

The lighting also follows the simple design: it does not require any flashy lights or trendy LED rings and lives by the maxim of minimalism. We don't see anything more than a glowing power button. Is this a problem? In our opinion not, because for every console owner, the usage experience is more important than the decoration factor.

The Connections

On the front you'll only find a USB port, a Blu-ray drive and a button that allows for easy pairing of wireless controllers. There's an HDMI port on the back, which is useful if you want to play games in 8K resolution. There is also an Ethernet port and two additional USB ports. Finally, there is a Kensington lock on the back that you can use to protect your console from theft.

There is also a slot intended for an external SSD storage device. With such a hard drive you can expand your storage by one terabyte.

The Interface

If you have experience with consoles from Microsoft, you shouldn't find it difficult to use the new product. The interface essentially corresponds to that known from the Xbox One.

We are not expressing criticism with this: the user interface is extensive and offers many setting options with which you can manage games and apps. “Never change a running system!” is a well-known motto among IT specialists. We find it rather problematic when a manufacturer feels doomed to innovate and redesigns a working interface so extensively that even experienced users can no longer cope.

You can easily connect your console to your WiFi and stream your games; You can also set various options via the intuitive interface.

A new feature called "Quick Resume" allows you to switch between different games without having to completely reload them.

The Backwards Compatibility

As usual, this Xbox is also backward compatible. You can easily play older games on the modern device. Simply insert the disc or download an appropriate game and you can start right away.

Older games are of course not able to use the graphics performance of the new generation of consoles, as the developers would first have to adapt and optimize them. However, you benefit from the fact that older titles perform better; so you can enjoy higher frame rates and faster loading times.

We hope that the excellent backward compatibility will encourage video game makers to adapt older games.

The Performance Of The Console 

Now it's down to business: many connections and a timeless design are worthless if the performance of a console is disappointing.

Since the latest console from Microsoft came out, various games have been released and optimized that take advantage of the twelve TeraFLOPS graphics performance.

One of the most sought-after titles is undoubtedly Assassin's Creed Valhalla. It's probably the game most new Xbox owners play first. The developers have released a major update for Assassin's Creed Valhalla that has served its purpose:

On Xbox, the game is now a gamer's dream as it hits framerates of 60fps almost consistently. Tricks are used to achieve these values: The game uses a dynamic resolution, which means that the resolution in action-packed scenes increases from 4K

Downscaled to 1440p. This useful trick does not change the fact that the display is very sharp and realistic.

We like to remind you that such frame rates are usually only achieved by computers, for which you have to pay significantly higher prices than the Xbox.

It didn't surprise us that other modern titles also perform excellently - Assassin's Creed Valhalla is currently the benchmark for modern consoles.

And What About The Accessories?

There are various options available to you to round off your gaming experience by purchasing accessories.

Here we list just a few examples to serve as a guide:

With the Venom Twin charging station you can charge two controllers at the same time. This ensures a tidy living room and always charged batteries.

With an external SSD memory card you can create space for even more games; You can find the slot on the back of the console.

Depending on your preferences, you can purchase additional accessories such as a steering wheel or special controllers that will help you stay in control of events, even in the most heated virtual battle.

Our Conclusion- can the Xbox Series X hold a candle to Sony’s PlayStation?

We believe that the console from Microsoft is a good buy. The performance is strong and ensures an excellent gaming experience. We could complain about the bulky dimensions or the simple design, but these are not criticisms that we believe carry weight in the purchasing decision.

However, Microsoft's console is faced with strong competition from Sony.

Which Console Is Better?

We don't want to give a binding answer. Both consoles offer advantages and disadvantages. There are some sought-after and exclusive games for Sony's flagship, but as an Xbox user you can choose from a wide range of different games. The excellent downward compatibility of the Microsoft console is a plus.

In terms of both price and performance, the Sony PlayStation 5 and the new Xbox are on par.