The new Xbox Series X All-Digital and Special Edition 2 TB models feature a shrunk-down version of the console’s chip and some hidden upgrades that make them better than the launch model.
In a new video shared on YouTube today, Austin Evans took a good look at the new models, opening them up to offer a better look at all the changes under the hood. The most important of these changes is the inclusion of a 6nm SoC, which is capable of reaching the same clock speeds of the bigger chip found in the console’s original model by using slightly less voltage and thus producing less heat, which made the cooling solution change from vapor chamber to a traditional heatsink possible without any loss in performance.
The smaller SoC of the new Xbox Series X models brings a reduction in power draw in both idle and gaming scenarios. According to the tests conducted by Austin Evans, an Xbox Series X launch model draws 61 watts in the dashboard, while the All-Digital and Special Edition models draw 28 and 51 watts, respectively. In an actual gaming benchmark using Forza Horizon 5, the results are not that different, with the launch Xbox Series X model drawing 167 watts on average, the All-Digital model 151 and the Special Edition 156, all with essentially the same thermals and noise. While the differences aren’t massive, they can make a difference with heavy usage and in the long term.
More information on the Xbox Series X All-Digital and Special Edition models can be found on the official Xbox website.
