How Strong is a Series S? Unpacking Microsoft’s Compact Console
The Xbox Series S is a fascinating piece of gaming hardware. It’s the smaller, more affordable sibling to the powerhouse Xbox Series X, and it raises an important question: How strong is it really? The short answer is that the Series S is a surprisingly capable console, especially considering its price point and size. It’s designed for 1080p and 1440p gaming, offering impressive performance at those resolutions. While it doesn’t boast the raw graphical power of the Series X or the PS5, it delivers a smooth and enjoyable next-generation gaming experience. It’s faster and more capable than the previous generation, offering significant improvements over the Xbox One. It is important to understand that it’s not just about raw power, but also about smart engineering and optimization, enabling it to compete effectively in the current gaming landscape.
Understanding the Power of Xbox Series S
Core Performance
The Series S is powered by a custom AMD Zen 2 eight-core processor, which is similar in architecture to its more powerful Series X counterpart. This processor, running at 3.6GHz per core (or 3.4GHz with multi-threading), is comparable to CPUs found in the Ryzen 3000 series. While it’s slightly less powerful than the Series X’s CPU (running at 3.8 GHz), it’s still a significant leap from the previous generation. However, the major difference in power between the Series S and Series X lies in their GPU power: The Series X boasts 12 teraflops of GPU power, while the Series S has 4 teraflops. This discrepancy is the primary reason for their difference in graphical capability and resolution target. The Series S is designed for those who prioritize playing games at 1080p or 1440p with a high framerate over native 4K visuals.
Memory and Storage
The Series S comes equipped with 10GB of GDDR6 RAM, which is significantly faster than the 8GB of GDDR5 RAM in the older PlayStation 4. This allows the system to handle more complex tasks and load times more efficiently. The memory bandwidth is 224 GB/s, which contributes to smoother gameplay and faster asset loading. Storage is another key aspect; the Series S features a 512GB SSD (360GB usable) which facilitates incredibly fast loading times, crucial for modern gaming experiences. There’s also a 1TB option available with higher storage capacity. This allows gamers to quickly load into games and seamlessly switch between them thanks to the Quick Resume feature.
Gaming Experience
Despite not targeting 4K resolution like its more powerful siblings, the Series S provides a remarkably consistent and smooth gaming experience. Its processing and memory are more than sufficient for its target resolutions. The console can even reach 120 FPS in games that support it, though at the expense of a lower resolution in some cases. The Xbox Series S also utilizes the Xbox Velocity Architecture, which allows for faster loading, the ability to seamlessly switch between multiple games with Quick Resume, richer and more dynamic worlds, and frame rates up to 120 FPS. The FPS Boost feature enhances older Xbox games, pushing the framerate even further. The Series S is therefore an incredibly capable device, especially considering its smaller size and much smaller price than the Series X or the PS5.
Target Audience
The Xbox Series S is clearly targeted at gamers who don’t necessarily need the highest possible graphical fidelity and 4K resolution. It’s designed for those who may have 1080p or 1440p displays, and for gamers that are looking for an affordable gateway into the next generation of consoles. Its compact size also makes it appealing for those with limited space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Series S
1. How does the Xbox Series S compare to the PS5 in terms of power?
The PS5 is significantly more powerful than the Xbox Series S, boasting a more powerful GPU and more storage space. The PS5 is the better choice for those who prioritize the best graphical performance and native 4K gaming.
2. Is the Xbox Series S stronger than the PS4?
Yes, the Xbox Series S is considerably more powerful than the PS4. The Series S has faster RAM, a more advanced CPU, and is able to run games at a higher resolution and framerate than its last-generation counterpart.
3. Is the Series S underpowered for the current generation?
The Series S is less powerful than the Series X and PS5, but it’s still a very capable console. It provides a solid next-generation experience for a lower price, targeting 1080p and 1440p gaming smoothly, and shouldn’t be considered ‘underpowered’ in that context.
4. Can the Xbox Series S play games in 4K?
The Series S does not natively output at 4K, it outputs 1440p and will upscale it to 4k when played on a 4k TV. It’s designed for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but can display a 4K signal on compatible displays.
5. Why is the Xbox Series S so powerful?
The Xbox Series S uses a custom AMD Zen 2 CPU and GDDR6 RAM. While its GPU has less teraflops than the Series X, it is designed to be powerful enough for the target resolution at which it outputs game footage.
6. Can the Xbox Series S run games at 120 FPS?
Yes, the Xbox Series S can run games at up to 120 FPS, provided the game supports this framerate and your display is capable. In some cases, this may require dropping the game resolution slightly.
7. How does the Xbox Series S compare to the Xbox One?
The Series S outperforms the Xbox One in every aspect, offering faster load times, higher resolutions, and better performance. It’s a significant upgrade over the last-gen console.
8. How good is the CPU in the Xbox Series S?
The CPU is a custom AMD Zen 2 8-core processor that’s powerful and capable for the resolutions it supports, comparable to CPUs in the AMD Ryzen 3000 series.
9. Is the Xbox Series S selling well?
Yes, the Xbox Series S has been very successful, making up a large portion of the total Xbox sales for the current generation. It is a popular choice because of its price point.
10. Should I buy the Xbox Series S or a PS4?
The Xbox Series S is the better choice over a PS4, given its next-gen features, faster performance and higher resolution. However, the decision depends on your needs and budget. If you want access to the latest games on a current-gen console at a cheaper price, the Xbox Series S is your best bet.
11. Does the Series S have enough storage space?
The base model of the Series S has a 512GB SSD (360GB of usable space), which may be limited, particularly if you plan to have a number of modern games downloaded at once. If this is of concern, there is also a 1TB model now available.
12. What is the memory bandwidth of the Xbox Series S?
The Xbox Series S has a memory bandwidth of 224 GB/s, which contributes to smoother gameplay and faster loading.
13. How does the Series S improve on the previous generation Xbox consoles?
The Series S delivers faster loading times with its SSD, higher framerates, better graphical fidelity for its target resolution, and overall improved performance thanks to the Velocity Architecture.
14. Is the Xbox Series S a next-gen console?
Yes, the Xbox Series S is a next-generation console. It delivers performance that is far beyond the previous generation, and runs all current games smoothly.
15. What are the best features of the Xbox Series S?
The best features include its compact size, its affordable price, the ability to play next-gen games, the Quick Resume feature, and its capability for 120FPS, where supported.
Conclusion
The Xbox Series S is a well-designed and surprisingly powerful console that brings next-generation gaming within reach of more people. While it’s not as powerful as the Series X or PS5, it’s an excellent choice for those who prioritize affordability, compact size, and performance at 1080p or 1440p. It is a fantastic entry point into the current generation of gaming. It also offers a fantastic option for people who might be wanting to upgrade an older console, without spending the money required for the current generation’s flagship devices. The Series S proves that good gaming experiences don’t always require the highest specs, making it a worthy addition to any gaming setup.