For weeks, Xbox fans have been eagerly waiting for more details about the upcoming console generation. Now Microsoft has for the first time given a detailed statement about the processor of the Xbox Series X. Thus Microsoft now extends among other things concerning the custom processor its past rough data. So far, only 12 teraflops and eight Zen 2 cores were mentioned.
Details about the processor
Xbox Series X will be equipped with an RDNA-2 architecture – this was already known. Now Microsoft expresses itself more precisely in this regard. The processor of the coming console generation of Microsoft should be able to offer a clock rate of 3.8 GHz. In total, the Xbox Series X relies on eight cores. Should the so-called Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) be activated, the clock rate is 3.66 GHz. The processor is a Custom Zen 2 CPU. Microsoft wants to install a total of 76 MB SRAM in the processor. The graphics unit (GPU) of the upcoming console should be able to offer 52 compute units (CUs). According to the company’s own information, this will enable 3,328 shader units, which work with a clock speed of 1,825 MHz.
The production process
In addition to the detailed specs, Microsoft has also provided information about the manufacturing process of the Xbox Series X processor. Thus, the production is to take place in 7 nm. According to Microsoft, their manufacturing process has been “Enhanced” (optimized) compared to the current console generation. The area size of the chip is 360.45 mm². If one compares this with current standard processors, the processor of the new Xbox offers much more surface size. Thus, a standard Ryzen processor (eight Zen 2 cores) only offers an area of 74 mm². The graphics unit, which is also based on an RDNA architecture, offers 251 mm² and can score with 2560 shader units.
The working memory
The processor of the Xbox Series X should be supported by a memory with 16 GB RAM. Here a binding is to take place by 320 bits wide memory interface. However, the connection takes place with differently fast memory chips. So there is a 10 GB memory unit and a 6 GB memory unit. While the large unit allows speeds of up to 560 GB/s, the unit with 6 GB memory guarantees speeds of up to 336 GB/s. The larger unit should support the processor as well as the graphics card. Finally, it is used as GPU Optimal Memory. In contrast, the smaller memory unit works as standard memory and thus supports the processor cores. According to Microsoft, this special division of the main memory was not possible with a classic processor. For this reason, the Xbox Series X also relies on the special custom processor.
Information about the memory unit
With the new console generations from Microsoft and Sony, SSDs are finally finding their way into gaming machines as storage units ex works. Now Microsoft has also specialized the specifications of the SSD. An NVMe SSD with the size of 1 TB is supposed to be used here. But this is not supposed to be the end of the story in terms of storage size. The Xbox Series X is supposed to be able to offer the possibility of adding a total of 1TB of additional storage to the system via expansion card. External storage media should also be possible again. Thus, the Xbox Series X should provide two USB 3.2 ports.
The cooling and connections
Microsoft still seems to remember the fan problem of the Xbox 360 with stomach aches. Here, a large part of the consoles overheated and as a result the so-called “Ring of Death” (defect). Those who were lucky enough to be spared this defect had to live with a very loud fan noise nevertheless. Microsoft has already made this a lot better with the Xbox One. With the Xbox One X, despite the potent hardware, nothing can be heard anymore. The same should be the case with the new Xbox Series X. A sophisticated fan system is supposed to be used inside the console.
In the Xbox Series X the cool air is supposed to be sucked in at the bottom of the case. Afterwards this air is led upward through the entire console case. Here the fan provides the necessary airflow. Microsoft wants to cover the powerful processor and the built-in memory chips with an effective heat sink. Since the fan should be installed as centrally as possible in the case, the hardware is always supplied with fresh air.
Microsoft is also not to be sneezed at when it comes to connections. The Xbox Series X resembles a modern midi tower. The manufacturer of the new console generation provides two USB 3.2 ports. In addition, Microsoft has installed an HDMI 2.0 port and a port for Gigabit Ethernet. Last but not least, you can see the slot for expanding the memory space on the back.
Price and availability
Unfortunately, Microsoft has not yet commented on the price of the new console generation. However, we do know that the new Xbox Series X should be on the market just in time for Christmas. We can only hope that the consequences of the corona virus will not lead to production bottlenecks and a postponement of the release.
