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When we looked at the first teardown videos and Xbox Series X / S images, we were also very surprised. Since Microsoft constantly advertises PCI Express 4.0, we have also speculated the interface for the internal SSD.
The product name indicates SSD with PCIe 3.0: Microsoft relies heavily on Western Digital’s SN530 series. SanDisk modules have been installed on this. According to the manufacturer, SSDs with ID SN530 have a PCI Express 3.0 interface.
Are there any speed losses to fear?
Western Digital guarantees exactly the same performance data as specified by Microsoft for Xbox Series X | S. 2.4GB of raw data can be transferred in one second. After many rumors on social media, Western Digital also made it clear to TweakTown that the integrated controller element of the SSD optionally supports PCI Express 3.0 via 4 send and receive channels, the so-called lanes and PCI Express 4.0 via 2 lanes. The difference in memory bandwidth would still be marginal two MB per second: 3938 MB / s (PCIe 4.0 with 2 lanes) compared to 3940 MB / s (PCIe 3.0 with 4 lanes). In both cases, the theoretical values are practically not exhausted.
We can therefore reassure you: Your Xbox Series X doesn’t run any slower than it should, even if it is “just” an SSD with PCI Express 3.0. The performance of both variants is identical. Microsoft probably opted for a modified mass-produced product because removable storage media in this form factor would have quickly increased production costs. This can also be seen in the price tag of Seagate’s immensely expensive storage expansion, which was designed from the ground up for PCI Express 4.0.
A simple exchange in the distant future?
At least we can now be sure that the Xbox Series X | S can be changed. The connection is made via a common M.2 slot. Especially in the case of the Xbox Series S, many users are likely to flirt with SSD storage replacement.
However, this is currently almost impossible: The complete console must be disassembled for this. Furthermore, adequate SSD storage, whether with PCI Express 4.0 or 3.0, is practically not available for sale. Use in the PC market would depress the price and ensure wider availability, but in this case the variables for efficient cooling are too large. The small form factor (M.2 2230) is therefore used almost exclusively in closed devices such as notebooks, tablets and now even consoles.
Do you already have an Xbox Series X or S in your hands and enjoy consistently low loading times?
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