Xbox Series X Review: 8.7/10 - The Most Powerful Console
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The Xbox Series X earns an 8.7 out of 10 for its raw power, whisper-quiet operation, and exceptional backward compatibility library.
gamers looking for a premium gaming experience and the unique capabilities of the Xbox Series X
you are content with your current platform or the $499 asking price for the Xbox Series X is too high
Prices last checked July 22, 2026
Overview
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s most powerful console ever, built around a custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2 GPU delivering 12 teraflops of compute performance. Launched in November 2020 at $499, it targets native 4K gaming at up to 120 frames per second with hardware-accelerated ray tracing and DirectX 12 Ultimate support. The 1TB custom NVMe SSD provides 2.4 GB/s raw throughput and enables features like Quick Resume that let you switch between multiple games almost instantly.
Design and Build
The Series X stands out with its monolithic tower design measuring 301 x 151 x 151 mm, finished in matte black with a subtle green-accented top vent. The large fan on top draws air through the chassis efficiently and stays remarkably quiet even under heavy load. The front panel houses a single USB-A port, an Xbox button, and a disc drive slot for the 4K UHD Blu-ray player, while the rear offers HDMI 2.1, two more USB-A ports, an Ethernet jack, and storage expansion slot.
Performance
The custom RDNA 2 GPU with 52 compute units running at 1.825 GHz delivers smooth 4K gameplay in titles like Forza Horizon 5, Halo Infinite, and Cyberpunk 2077. Ray tracing performance is solid for a console at this price, with reflections and shadows adding meaningful visual depth without crippling frame rates. The 16 GB of GDDR6 memory shared between CPU and GPU, split into a 10 GB pool at 560 GB/s for graphics and 6 GB at 336 GB/s for system tasks, ensures no bottlenecks in current-gen titles.
Quick Resume and Storage
Quick Resume is a standout feature that suspends up to four games simultaneously in memory, letting you swap between them in seconds without reloading. The 1 TB internal SSD provides about 800 GB of usable space, and the proprietary Seagate expansion card slots into the rear port to add matching-speed storage. USB 3.1 external drives work for backward-compatible Xbox One and older titles, giving flexible storage options.
Backward Compatibility
Microsoft’s backward compatibility program is the best in the industry, with thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games running on Series X with improved resolution, frame rates, and Auto HDR. Many older titles receive FPS Boost patches that double or quadruple their original frame rates without developer intervention. The console also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for both games and streaming media.
Controller and Ecosystem
The Xbox Wireless Controller retains its familiar ergonomic shape with a hybrid D-pad, textured triggers and bumpers, and a dedicated Share button for screenshots and clips. It connects via Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth 5.2, or USB-C and features low-latency input with a 60 ms wireless polling rate. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate remains the ecosystem’s killer feature, offering hundreds of games including all first-party titles on day one for a monthly subscription.
Pros
- 12 teraflops RDNA 2 GPU delivers true 4K gaming at up to 120 fps
- Quick Resume suspends multiple games for near-instant switching
- Top-tier backward compatibility spanning four Xbox generations
- Whisper-quiet operation even under heavy load
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers day-one access to all first-party titles
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support for gaming and media
- 1TB NVMe SSD with expandable storage via proprietary card
Cons
- Less memorable exclusive lineup compared to PlayStation
- First-party output has been slower to materialize
- SSD speed (2.4 GB/s) lags behind PS5’s 5.5 GB/s
- Proprietary expansion card is expensive
- Larger tower form factor may not suit all entertainment centers
Verdict
The Xbox Series X earns an 8.7 out of 10 for its raw power, whisper-quiet operation, and exceptional backward compatibility library. It loses points on a less memorable exclusive lineup compared to PlayStation and a first-party output that has been slower to materialize, but as a Game Pass machine with true 4K performance, it is an outstanding value.
Category Context
The Xbox Series X ($499) competes directly with the PS5 Slim ($449 disc, $399 digital). While Sony’s console has a faster SSD (5.5 GB/s vs 2.4 GB/s) and more innovative DualSense controller, the Series X delivers higher raw GPU power (12 teraflops vs 10.3 teraflops) and superior backward compatibility spanning four generations. The Xbox’s biggest advantage is Game Pass Ultimate, which offers day-one access to all Microsoft first-party titles including Starfield, Forza Motorsport, and Halo Infinite - something PlayStation does not match. However, Sony’s exclusive lineup remains stronger. The Series X also supports Dolby Vision for gaming, a feature the PS5 lacks. For players invested in the Xbox ecosystem or who prioritize Game Pass value, the Series X is the clear choice; for exclusive single-player experiences, the PS5 Slim has the edge.
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Technical Specifications
How We Scored This Product
Every product on ComfyTechCheck is scored on a 1 to 10 scale across four criteria. Each criterion is weighted differently depending on the product category to reflect what matters most to real buyers.
- Performance & Capabilities 40% Speed, accuracy, quality of output in its category.
- Build & Design Quality 30% Materials, construction quality, durability, form factor.
- Consumer Value 20% Price-to-performance ratio relative to direct competitors.
- User Experience 10% Ease of setup, daily usability, comfort, ergonomics.
Scores are assigned by our editorial team after hands-on testing or extensive research using verified user reports, expert analysis, and technical specifications. For the full weight breakdown by category, visit our How We Rate page.