Xbox Series X Storage Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide
Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is crucial for gamers with extensive libraries. The console's usable storage is approximately 800GB, quickly filling up with modern, large-scale games. This guide explores the best SSD options, categorized by functionality.
TL;DR - Top Xbox Series X SSDs:
Our Top Pick: Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S (See it on Amazon)
WD_Black 1TB C50: (See it on Amazon)
Samsung T7 External SSD: (See it on Amazon)
Crucial X8 External SSD: (See it on Amazon)
WD_Black 2TB P40: (See it on Amazon)
SSDs for Direct Game Play:
Only a limited number of SSDs offer direct game play functionality with the Xbox Series X, leveraging features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture.
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Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: This official Xbox SSD provides seamless integration, offering fast transfer speeds and near-native performance. While expensive, it's the most straightforward solution for optimal gameplay. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities.
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WD_Black 1TB C50: Western Digital's official offering provides a more budget-friendly alternative to the Seagate card, albeit with marginally slower boot times. It offers convenient plug-and-play installation and is available in 512GB and 1TB options.
SSDs for Archival Storage and Backwards Compatibility:
These options are ideal for storing games not currently being played, freeing up space on your internal drive. They are also suitable for Xbox One and Xbox 360 games.
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Samsung T7 External SSD: A highly versatile and portable option, offering excellent value with large storage capacities (up to 2TB). It excels in portability and security features (256-bit AES encryption), but games cannot be played directly from it.
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Crucial X8 External SSD: A cost-effective choice, available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Its portability and compatibility across multiple platforms make it a strong contender for archiving games. However, it lacks encryption.
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WD_Black 2TB P40: This external SSD stands out with its stylish design and RGB lighting. It offers fast transfer speeds and robust build quality, but, like the others in this category, it's not for direct game play.
Choosing the Right SSD:
For optimal performance and seamless integration, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are the best choices. If budget is a primary concern, or if you only need archival storage, the external SSD options provide excellent value and substantial capacity. Consider factors like speed, portability, durability, and capacity when making your decision.
Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:
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Can any SSD work with Xbox Series X? No, only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate and WD_Black options listed above) allow direct game play. External SSDs can store games for later access.
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Is the Xbox Series X SSD fast? Yes, it's a 1TB NVMe SSD with high IO throughput (around 2.4GB/s).
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Why does my Xbox Series X only have 800GB? System software utilizes a portion of the 1TB drive, leaving approximately 800GB for user data.
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Do I need additional storage? If you plan on installing multiple large games simultaneously, additional storage is highly recommended. Many AAA titles exceed 150GB.
