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Xbox Series X Specs Further Detailed: Smart Delivery, Backwards Compatibility

Coming this holiday season.

By Steve Watts on February 27, 2020 at 12:42PM PST

Ahead of an official price and release date reveal, Microsoft recently announced new details in regards to its upcoming next-gen console, the Xbox Series X. In a blog post, Xbox head Phil Spencer focuses on a handful of key areas: hardware power, variable-rate shading and ray-tracing, an improved quick resume function, and a brand-new feature Microsoft is calling "smart delivery."

The hardware will boast 12 TFLOPS of GPU power, which Microsoft notes is twice that of Xbox One X, based on an AMD Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architecture. A Variable Rate Shading technique allows the GPU to prioritize individual effects on specific game objects rather than focus on the entire screen. It will also sport hardware-based DirectX ray-tracing. The post also confirms SSD storage and 120 FPS support.

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Now Playing: Xbox Series X Cross-Buy Includes Halo Infinite & Cyberpunk 2077 - GS News Update

As for what all that power will go towards, Microsoft shared some end-user features too. The Quick Resume feature promises to be faster without waiting through loading screens, and now it can be used with multiple games at once. Xbox Series X will be backwards compatible with all previous generations of Xbox games and accessories. A new "Smart Delivery"' feature is essentially cross-buy, letting you purchase a game once and play it on whatever is the best hardware available. Microsoft says that developers and publishers will be able to choose to use the feature on games that release first on Xbox One and then later come to Xbox Series X.

Finally, Microsoft is continuing to promote its Game Pass subscription service, noting that it will carry forward into the next-generation and continue including first-party games. This notably includes Halo Infinite at launch.

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's first volley into the next generation, as the company has noted that it's switching to just Xbox for its branding going forward. That means we may see multiple hardware revisions within the Xbox family, similar to a smartphone model. We don't know a price or release date yet, but Microsoft may reveal those at its E3 2020 presentation. For more details, check out everything we know about Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series X And Xbox One News

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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42366

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Sony not coming out with any info than their stupid ssd being fast is beginning to worry me. MS's system will be great powerful wise (for the first time in forever a console is gonna be powerful WOW). Wish it had exclusives.

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@hardwenzen: Another really big worry you should have is pricing on the proprietary SSD that Sony will sell. Remember the crazy pricing on the memory sticks for the PS Vita? I think they will jack the SSD prices significantly and worst yet rumor is they will only have a 500GB SSD drive...ouch less power to the players!

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@hardwenzen: What are you worried about? That the console doesn't actually exist? That it's not going to be powerful enough? Relax. Microsoft revealed their console during the VGA's but without a lot of details. Now they've given us more info. Sony usually tends to give us everything all in one reveal. The PS4 reveal happened in late February of 2013 so it's not like they're terribly off schedule. It's a next-gen console. It's going to be beefy. Not sure if it'll be as powerful as the Series X but the XB1X was more powerful than the Pro and look where that got Microsoft. I swear, wide-spread access to the internet has given people the patience and attention span of squirrels.

5 • 5 years ago

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@horizonwriter: although the x1x is stronger than the pro, it came out during a generation microsoft had already lost, with a much smaller player base. A good launch could make them recover the leadership at least in the US, as this gen has no player base yet.

2 • 5 years ago

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@MigGui: True but I think gamers think of this the wrong way. Let's say the Series X outsells PS5. That doesn't mean that games don't come to PS5. Even the XB1 had some timed exclusives. I just think trying to constantly be associated with the highest selling console is ridiculous when you should support the console(s) with the games you like. It's also foolish to think that 5 consoles later, Sony is going to flop with the PS5 and not have a games library to be proud of. If anything, it sounds like this is going to be the best generation to own both an XBox and a Playstation.

2 • 5 years ago

42366

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@horizonwriter said:

@hardwenzen: What are you worried about? That the console doesn't actually exist? That it's not going to be powerful enough? Relax. Microsoft revealed their console during the VGA's but without a lot of details. Now they've given us more info. Sony usually tends to give us everything all in one reveal. The PS4 reveal happened in late February of 2013 so it's not like they're terribly off schedule. It's a next-gen console. It's going to be beefy. Not sure if it'll be as powerful as the Series X but the XB1X was more powerful than the Pro and look where that got Microsoft. I swear, wide-spread access to the internet has given people the patience and attention span of squirrels.

That its significantly less powerful which will lead to more sub 30fps gaming and shitty graphical settings. If they try to sell me a console just because it has good exclusives and a fast ssd, i ain't spending $500 on that.

4 • 5 years ago

2423

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@hardwenzen: And super expensive external proprietary Sony SSD's, just like their expensive memory sticks for the PSP.

Upvote • 5 years ago

PrpleTrtleBuBum

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PrpleTrtleBuBum

all sounds good but im still not sold and drooling like during ps1/x0/x360 eras. nothing makes me think i need the console day 1 or even at all

2 • 5 years ago

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@PrpleTrtleBuBum: WTF is a x0? It was called an Xbox

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@thomaswmak: Probably an XOG, original XB.

Upvote • 5 years ago

658

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@just1mohr: original XB is just XBox, not Xbox Zero.

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@thomaswmak: x0 = Xbox One? I think

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658

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@ladonnatdq: No, they used a zero not an O, and placed it between PS1 and Xbox 360. So they tried to call it Xbox Zero because it's before Xbox One. But that's just stupid because if anything, it was sometimes called Xbox 1, never 0.

Upvote • 5 years ago

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Ok, so make it VR compatible. Otherwise, you're shooting yo self in the foot. Sony does it, where you at MSOFT? I know it's already on PC, so bring it to the console too.

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Edited By SabreDJ

@cashx002: Personally, I'm a huge fan of VR and I think the tech is amazing.

I own an Oculus and love it, but it's never going to replace or be the main way to game over a console or PC with a screen. There are just too many people that it either makes them motion sick or just don't want to be moving their whole body to game. A lot of people want to relax and sit in their game chair or couch and game.

Until they have "Holodeck" type of technology, this will always be a smaller subset.

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@sabredj: That whole sickness claim shows how much you know about VR. On Oculus store, you get ratings on games so you don't get sick. Some games are uncomfortable, but most games are using "teleport" to not make people sick, along with "settings" to modify it to not get you motion sickness. Where you at son?

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Edited By SabreDJ

@cashx002: First of all, I'm not your son.

There's no need to act like a troll. As I said, I'm fine with VR and I'm well aware of the efforts they are making to try and solve any motion sickness issues.

My comment is still true, because a lot of people still say that it makes them feel uncomfortable, regardless. Again that's only half of what I brought up, because while you and I like VR a lot, some people want to game on a screen, period. That's all I'm saying.

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416

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@sabredj: Look son, don't get all bushy tailed on me. No one's trolling. Just being silly. Ever get aggresively silly? Try it, it's fun. Two spanks to the butt for not being woke, son. Now go read the labels and continue enjoying VR baby boi!! I too had motion sickness at first, then I started reading into it. Now I never get it.

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@cashx002: It technically already is. During there E3 reveal they did state that it was being developed with VR in mind.

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@Lord_Sesshy: If MSOFT just allowed the console to serve as a PC, GAME OVER. No need to make a headset. I can just hook up my Oculus to it, like I do on the PC or an HTC Vive, or Index or whatever the heck I want. The end. GAME OVER BRO.

3 • 5 years ago

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@cashx002: Plus they get all the benefits of VR without all the development cost. So even if it fails it's not like it costs them any money. I'm honestly surprised they aren't doing this yet with the Series X, or maybe they are and they are just holding it as a surprise when/if they reveal a VR game.

2 • 5 years ago

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@Lord_Sesshy: I like your thinking :) ... They can't ignore VR now, it's BOOMING! And I LOVE IT. I usually make it a ritualistic thing. I make sure I have the whole night ready for some zombie slaying or whatever I'm into that night. Zombies in VR are YUGE right meow.. .

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@cashx002: The thing I liked most about VR was playing Gran Tursimo. While the mode in that game is extremely limited it was very cool. This is what makes me want VR on Xbox because I would love to play an open world racing game like Forza Horizon on it.

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3167

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@cashx002: Sony is much, much closer to joining Microsoft on the VR sidelines than Microsoft is to rolling out its own headset.

2 • 5 years ago

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@zmanbarzel: If that was true I doubt they would be developing a new VR controller (and possibly a new headset?)

2 • 5 years ago

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@Lord_Sesshy: Good point!

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Edited By sealionact

@admiral747: @davillian This idiot is linking to a virus. Show him the door please.

2 • 5 years ago

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@cashx002: Phil already said (i rephrased it) its not worth coz its still too niche

2 • 5 years ago

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@sladakrobot: It's not "too niche." Thanks to Oculus, it's BLOWING UP. That's an old comment dude.

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Edited By sladakrobot

@cashx002: its only 2 or 3 weeks old....check "podcast gamertag radio 1000th episode"...Phil was their guest and talked about many things including VR

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@sladakrobot: If Phil said that, he's out of touch. Very dumb comment, unless he's holding back. VR is YUGE and getting YUGER. ..

Upvote • 5 years ago

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Wow the rumors were true, they actually hit that 12tflops.

6 • 5 years ago

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I'm glad to see cross-buy support. Let's hope this becomes the standard across all publishers. (I'm looking at you, Square Enix.)

13 • 5 years ago

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I never heard MS saying the XBSX has 12tfolps of computing power themselves.

It was mentioned by DF but they also said that next gen cannot be defined by tflops alone.

With saying that,i am looking forward for more quality-of-life improvements of next gen systems

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@sladakrobot: Did you read the article? because it says Phil Spencer confirmed these specs.

2 • 5 years ago

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@krazeekhujo05: i read the article but didnt read the xbox blog post...i stand corrected

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10051

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@krazeekhujo05: Don't. You'll upset them.

3 • 5 years ago

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Hopefully it'll have the exclusive titles to back it

2 • 5 years ago

10051

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@cejay0813: Gamers dont care about exclusives.

https://www.laptopmag.com/news/xbox-series-x-and-ps5-buyers-want-affordability-not-better-graphics-or-exclusives

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@sealionact: I guess if that's what the twitter poll says. As the article says, that's rather shocking and I'm curious to know what types of gamers are behind those numbers.

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@cejay0813: Don’t trust twitter polls. Anyone that says exclusives don’t matter is not real gamer.

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10051

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@ButDuuude: They matter, as the poll stated....but it's not the main incentive for buying a certain platform.

Upvote • 5 years ago

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