Different Xbox Series X/S SSD variants spotted, do both have custom ASICs?

[Deeke]

Hey all,

While watching a TronixFix video I noticed that his internal Xbox Series X SSD differed from the custom blue WD CH SN530 that is in certain models.

It appears there are two SSD variants across both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S: one from Western Digital, and one from Solid State Technology Group.

Here's a quick visual comparison. Both of these are Xbox Series X drives:

Source: Tronix Fix

Western Digital has confirmed that their internal SN530 SSD has a custom ASIC to enable PCIe 4.0 (more specifically PCIe Gen4 x2) on the Series X. I'm curious if the model from the Solid State Technology Group also has this custom ASIC or not, or if anyone has heard/seen any info on this particular drive.

Here's info on both drives in text form.

Solid State Technology Group
PN - M1106370-007
SN - 86002720035469
EUI - 38f60156-3017E56E
PN: 3C07180056
Model - XA1-311024

Western Digital
CH SN530 NVMe SSD
203459804197
1TB
D33015

I've found various ebay listings saying the XA1-311024 is a perfect replacement for the Xbox Series X's internal SSD. The listings also say the SSTG drive is capable of hitting 2.4GB/sec, matching up with the Series X's speeds.

Here's a shot of the Solid State Technology Group SSD from an Xbox Series S:

Source: TronixFix

Solid State Technology Group (Series S)
PN - M1106374-007
SN - 86002930026709
EUI - 38F60156-301BF551
PN: 3C07140235
Model - XA1-31512

Western Digital (Series S)
CH SN530 NVMe SSD
20306A802529
512GB
D33015

Here's a shot of the WD SN530 used in the Xbox Series S:

Source: Eurogamer

 

[neoak]

It isn't a custom ASIC, it's a Phison E19.

Phison’s PS5016-E16 & PS5019-E19: The First PCIe 4.0 Client SSD Controllers

www.anandtech.com

They say "custom" because they don't sell a model with that controller to consumers.

The NAND is SK Hynix too, in that eBay link you sent. The 2nd pic in that ebay listing is

So basically, similar drive, different OEM.

SSSTC Previews Its First PCIe Gen4 NVMe Solid State Drive at CES 2020

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 06, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At CES® 2020, Solid State Storage Technology Corporation (SSSTC), formerly LITE-ON Storage SBG, an...

www.globenewswire.com

Which is literally what the Seagate card has lol

Xbox Series X SSD: SK Hynix 4D TLC NAND, Phison E19 memory controller

Xbox Series X/S consoles are optimized for read/write-heavy loads and increased durability thanks to TLC 4D NAND flash memory.

www.tweaktown.com

 

[cyrribrae]

It isn't a custom ASIC, it's a Phison E19.

Phison’s PS5016-E16 & PS5019-E19: The First PCIe 4.0 Client SSD Controllers

www.anandtech.com

They say "custom" because they don't sell a model with that controller to consumers.

The NAND is SK Hynix too, in that eBay link you sent. The 2nd pic in that ebay listing is

So basically, similar drive, different OEM.

Which is literally what the Seagate card has lol

Xbox Series X SSD: SK Hynix 4D TLC NAND, Phison E19 memory controller

Xbox Series X/S consoles are optimized for read/write-heavy loads and increased durability thanks to TLC 4D NAND flash memory.

www.tweaktown.com

Click to shrink...

Yea, nothing here is REALLY that custom, afaik, except for the idea of putting it all into a compactflash form factor. And something somewhere in the software, probably. Iono. Basically confirms that Seagate will not be the only manufacturer of the expansion drive in the future (assuming its a profitable business).

 

[Dave.]

Yea, nothing here is REALLY that custom, afaik, except for the idea of putting it all into a compactflash form factor. And something somewhere in the software, probably. Iono. Basically confirms that Seagate will not be the only manufacturer of the expansion drive in the future (assuming its a profitable business).

Click to shrink...

These are internal drives, not the externals in CF packaging.

 

[neoak]

These are internal drives, not the externals in CF packaging.

Click to shrink...

The external also uses the same controller as the internal. But yes, the post you quoted confused the OP.

 

[cyrribrae]

These are internal drives, not the externals in CF packaging.

Click to shrink...

Ah, yes sorry I was bouncing between points. It made sense in my head, but not in writing haha. My bad. I just meant that the CF really does seem the only non-standard thing in the picture, both internal and external, no? Early teardowns of the external card show the same Phison controller as the internal drives. And THAT all makes me think that the external drives are not some bespoke alien devices that require some super secret special process to manufacture.

Other than that, I don't know if there are any implications of there being multiple internal SSDs? There's not much more to say on that specific point, is there? XD Unless they perform differently.

 

[arsene_P5]

Other than that, I don't know if there are any implications of there being multiple internal SSDs? There's not much more to say on that specific point, is there? XD Unless they perform differently

Click to shrink...

I think the takeaways are

• There are two different manufacturers involved with those SSD
• You can swap out the internal SSD. At least if you mirror the Xbox's SSD you want to remove.
• Bolds well for other manufacturer doing their own external SSD like the Seagate one. After all they already have one of their own

 

[mackemsrule]

Hey all,

While watching a TronixFix video I noticed that his internal Xbox Series X SSD differed from the custom blue WD CH SN530 that is in certain models.

It appears there are two SSD variants across both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S: one from Western Digital, and one from Solid State Technology Group.

Here's a quick visual comparison. Both of these are Xbox Series X drives:

Source: Tronix Fix

Western Digital has confirmed that their internal SN530 SSD has a custom ASIC to enable PCIe 4.0 (more specifically PCIe Gen4 x2) on the Series X. I'm curious if the model from the Solid State Technology Group also has this custom ASIC or not, or if anyone has heard/seen any info on this particular drive.

Here's info on both drives in text form.

Solid State Technology Group
PN - M1106370-007
SN - 86002720035469
EUI - 38f60156-3017E56E
PN: 3C07180056
Model - XA1-311024

Western Digital
CH SN530 NVMe SSD
203459804197
1TB
D33015

I've found various ebay listings saying the XA1-311024 is a perfect replacement for the Xbox Series X's internal SSD. The listings also say the SSTG drive is capable of hitting 2.4GB/sec, matching up with the Series X's speeds.

Here's a shot of the Solid State Technology Group SSD from an Xbox Series S:

Source: TronixFix

Solid State Technology Group (Series S)
PN - M1106374-007
SN - 86002930026709
EUI - 38F60156-301BF551
PN: 3C07140235
Model - XA1-31512

Western Digital (Series S)
CH SN530 NVMe SSD
20306A802529
512GB
D33015

Here's a shot of the WD SN530 used in the Xbox Series S:

Source: Eurogamer

Click to shrink...

I found someone selling the Solid state one- https://www.yhzhchina.com/archive/1...-From-Kbg40zns128g-128gb/5x7efhlekliidim.html

 

[Ashley]

I found someone selling the Solid state one- https://www.yhzhchina.com/archive/1...-From-Kbg40zns128g-128gb/5x7efhlekliidim.html

Click to shrink...

I recommend that you do not buy from this seller I ordered one and it is a scam.