Xbox Series X / S - All information about the expandable memory of the consoles

The Xbox Series X is supplied by default with a 1 TB hard drive, the SSD of the Xbox Series S has a capacity of 512 GB. Who does not sufficient, can expand the memory of the consoles to multiple species. An important role is an extra solution developed for the system.

Note We will update this article regularly.

Last update on 24 October 2021: Microsoft has finally been announced with Seagate new expansion cards together. So, in addition to the 1 TB hard drive, there is still a 512 GB and a 2 TB variant.

Memory extension via expansion cards

Together with the storage manufacturer Seagate, Microsoft has developed a proprietary storage medium that is externally in the form of a small black-gray memory card therefore reminded of Memory Cards from older console generations.

These are connected via a shaft on the back via particularly fast PCI Express 4.0 cuts with the console.

What is the advantage of the cards? They are much faster than external USB hard drives and speed-proof on a level with the installed NVME SSD of the Xbox Series X / s. Incidentally, this uniformity was also the core idea behind the expansion cards, according to Microsoft s Jason Ronald.

However, this speed of the so-called Xbox Velocity Architecture is also a prerequisite for running for the Xbox Series X and Series S developed and / or optimized games at all. Accordingly, these titles must be played by either the internal SSD or just an expansion Card.

Which memory sizes are there? There was only one size for the launch. Since October 2021, Microsoft has extended the portfolio by two more hard drives. In these sizes you get the memory cards:

512 GB 1 TB 2 TB

It can not be ruled out that further versions will appear in the future.

How expensive are the expansion cards?

512 GB : $ 139.99 US dollars 1 TB : 240 Euro 2 TB : $ 399.99 US dollars

There are no euro prices for the two new variants.

Amazon

Seagate memory expansion card Xbox Series X | S 1 TB SSD

222,67 €

to the shop

Memory extension via external hard drives / SSDs

The expansion Cards are not the only option for memory expansion. Because of course, the memory of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S can also be photographed with normal external USB hard drives or SSDs of any size. However, there are two limitations:

1. The hard disks must support the USB 3.x standard. All hard drives with USB 3.0, 3.1. and 3.2 functioning at the Series X.
2. On external HDDs or SSDs, downward compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Xbox original games can be stored and also played. Also, the storage of Xbox Series X / S optimized games is possible. However, to play them play this is the Xbox Velocity Architecture and thus either the internal SSD or the Seagate memory expansion necessary.

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more on the subject

Xbox Series X & S - Memory Card, SSD, HDD: How to expand the memory

XBox Series X / S: Exchange internal SSD hard drive?

In the theory, the internal memory of Xbox Series X / S can be changed or replaced, which is connected via a common M.2 slot. However, almost the entire console must be disassembled and suitable SSD storage is currently not available to acquire what this option is ultimately pretty unattractive.

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Xbox Series X | S: Mystery rates around internal SSD memory. PCie 4.0 or 3.0?

More about Microsoft s Next Gen Consoles:

Xbox Series S: All information Xbox Series X: All information Xbox Series S and Series X in comparison

Conclusion: There is a clear favorite

Due to our previous experiences for the expandable memory of the Xbox Series X / S, a clear favorite has clarified, which of course is intended by Microsoft.

Because the pure speed of the new expansion cards and the restrictions on the hard disk option are uniquely pushed many Xbox Series X and Series S-buyers with additional storage space requirements in the direction of the new proprietary storage medium. And that s not cheap with 240 euros, but so far promises an identical performance as the only expansion medium as the internal SSDs of the new Xbox consoles. At the latest, if multiple providers are on the market and the prices for the cards are considered to put on the fast expansion.