Table of Contents

Can Xbox One S Run 60fps? A Deep Dive

The simple answer is yes, the Xbox One S can run games at 60fps, but with significant caveats. While many games are capped at 30fps at 1080p resolution, some titles and specific scenarios allow for a 60fps experience. It’s not a universal capability, and understanding the factors at play is crucial. Frame rate and resolution are often intertwined, and achieving 60fps may require compromises in visual fidelity. Let’s explore the nuances and capabilities of the Xbox One S in detail.

Understanding the Xbox One S Hardware

The Xbox One S is a mid-generation refresh of the original Xbox One, offering a slimmer design and some enhanced features. However, the core processing power remains relatively similar. The CPU and GPU are not significantly upgraded compared to the original Xbox One, which limits the console’s ability to consistently deliver high frame rates in graphically demanding games.

One significant upgrade is the support for 4K video output and HDR, although this primarily applies to streaming and Blu-ray content. While the Xbox One S can upscale games to 4K, it doesn’t render them natively at that resolution. This upscaling can improve visual clarity, but it doesn’t fundamentally change the performance limitations.

The key factors that determine whether a game runs at 60fps on the Xbox One S include:

Game Optimization: Some developers specifically optimize their games to run at 60fps on the Xbox One S, often by reducing graphical settings or resolution.
Game Genre: Less demanding genres, such as indie games, older titles through backward compatibility, or games with simpler graphics, are more likely to achieve a stable 60fps.
Resolution: Lowering the resolution from 1080p can sometimes allow a game to reach 60fps, but this often comes at the cost of visual quality.
FPS Boost (Backward Compatibility): Some backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games may benefit from FPS Boost, doubling the frame rate up to 60fps. This feature isn’t available for all games, however.
Menu Options: Check the game’s settings. Some games have a graphics setting which may favor performance or quality, and some allow the user to cap the frames.

Games That Can Achieve 60fps on Xbox One S

While not every game can achieve it, a select number of titles are known to run at 60fps on the Xbox One S. These often include:

Certain fighting games: Known for their reliance on smooth animation and fast-paced action.
Some racing games: Optimized for fluidity and responsiveness.
Indie titles: With less graphically intense visuals.
Specific backward-compatible games: Benefiting from FPS Boost.

It’s important to check specific game reviews and forums to confirm whether a particular title runs at 60fps on the Xbox One S. Lists of games with enhanced performance are constantly updated by gaming communities. The features for backward compatible games are constantly being improved, and are discussed at length by members of the Games Learning Society. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

Limitations and Expectations

It’s important to manage expectations when it comes to 60fps gaming on the Xbox One S. Don’t expect every game to run smoothly at that frame rate. Many graphically intensive games, particularly newer AAA titles, will be capped at 30fps to maintain visual fidelity.

Factors such as:

Intense action sequences
Large open-world environments
Complex visual effects

can all cause frame rate dips, even in games that are generally optimized for 60fps.

Optimizing Your Xbox One S for Better Performance

While you can’t magically transform the Xbox One S into a high-end gaming machine, there are a few things you can do to optimize performance:

Ensure adequate ventilation: Overheating can cause performance throttling. Make sure your Xbox One S has plenty of space around it for air circulation.
Keep your console updated: Microsoft regularly releases system updates that can include performance improvements.
Manage storage: A full hard drive can slow down your console. Delete games and apps you no longer use.
Clear the cache: Clearing the system cache can sometimes improve performance by removing temporary files.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does the Xbox One S support 120fps?

No, the Xbox One S does not support 120fps. It is primarily designed for 30fps or 60fps gaming. Support for 120fps is a feature of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

2. Can I enable FPS Boost on every game on Xbox One S?

FPS Boost is available only for select backward-compatible games. Not all titles support this feature. Check the compatibility settings for each game individually.

3. How do I check the current FPS of a game on Xbox One S?

Unfortunately, the Xbox One S does not have a built-in FPS counter. You may need to rely on third-party capture devices or online community resources to determine the actual frame rate.

4. Is the Xbox One S better than the original Xbox One in terms of performance?

The Xbox One S has slightly improved hardware compared to the original Xbox One. But these improvements primarily focus on 4k upscaling and HDR support, not raw gaming performance.

5. Does the Xbox One S support 4K gaming?

The Xbox One S can upscale games to 4K resolution. But it does not render games natively in 4K. This capability is reserved for the Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.

6. Will lowering the resolution improve FPS on Xbox One S?

Yes, lowering the resolution can sometimes improve the FPS. This reduces the load on the GPU, potentially allowing the game to run at a higher frame rate.

7. Is it worth buying an Xbox One S in today’s gaming landscape?

In 2024, the Xbox One S is a budget-friendly option but is not recommended for serious gaming. The Xbox Series S offers significantly better performance and is a better long-term investment.

8. Can the Xbox One S run games at 75 FPS?

The Xbox One S is designed to output games at a maximum of 60 FPS. Going above 60hz on your monitor won’t provide any additional benefit, as the console can only display a maximum of 60 frames per second.

9. What type of display is best for Xbox One S?

A display with a 60Hz refresh rate is sufficient for the Xbox One S. While the console supports HDR, a display with HDR support is recommended to take full advantage of the visual enhancements.

10. Does the Xbox One S support FreeSync or G-Sync?

No, the Xbox One S does not support FreeSync or G-Sync. These technologies are designed to reduce screen tearing on PCs, and are not typically used on consoles.

11. How does FPS Boost work on Xbox One S?

FPS Boost is a feature that doubles or quadruples the frame rate of select backward-compatible games. It achieves this by leveraging the additional processing power of the Xbox console to improve performance.

12. Can the human eye perceive frame rates higher than 60fps?

While there’s debate, most experts agree that the human eye can perceive differences in frame rates up to a certain point, generally between 30 and 60 frames per second. Higher frame rates can provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.

13. Does playing on a 144Hz monitor improve the Xbox One S experience?

While the Xbox One S cannot output at 144Hz, a monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate will still work. However, you won’t see the full benefit of the higher refresh rate, as the console is limited to 60 FPS.

14. How do I optimize my Xbox One S for better graphics?

Make sure your TV and Xbox settings are set to 1080p. While the Xbox One S does not support 120FPS or higher refresh rates, some TVs have settings which will add lag to your gameplay. Be sure to set your TV to Game Mode, if available, for faster response times.

15. Is Xbox Series S better than Xbox One S?

Yes, the Xbox Series S is significantly better than the Xbox One S. The Series S offers faster loading times, more processing power, higher resolutions, and the ability to play newer games optimized for the Xbox Series X|S platform.

In conclusion, while the Xbox One S can run some games at 60fps, it’s not a consistent experience across all titles. Understanding the limitations and optimizing your console can help improve performance, but ultimately, if you’re seeking a consistently high frame rate, upgrading to an Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X is the best option.

Can Xbox One S run 60fps?