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[Rumor] Xbox Series X mystery port is for expanded storage
- Thread starter CliveLH
- Start date
I don't think Sony will have an issue manufacturing expansion drives based on whatever custom tech or stack they're using. Nor MS for that matter, if that's the route they're taking.
Hardware performance aside, if the software stack required goes down to the level of firmware, there'd need to be access there also that a standard drive won't necessarily give. Assuming a stack that goes down to the firmware level, if not beyond with custom hardware, the 'best' you could hope for would be partner providers with a list of compatible drives that both meet raw hardware performance requirements, and can take custom firmware. But they might be also quite happy to just manufacture and sell their own only.
CFExpress is used for cameras. This is likely only for the prototype. I'd be very surprised if this is included in the final XSX.
These cards are very expensive. They use PCIe 3.0 over NVMe and can deliver up to 4GB/sec. But I really doubt consumers will get them. Seems...really really weird/awkward.
These cards are very expensive. They use PCIe 3.0 over NVMe and can deliver up to 4GB/sec. But I really doubt consumers will get them. Seems...really really weird/awkward.
But CFexpress is very expensive right now and used mostly for high end cameras. ($600 for 512GB)
While having a single form factor makes it easy to swap in and out, wouldn't making an M.2 NVMe attachment still be easier and less expensive if you're allowed to pick your own NVMe? (1TB is $150)
I supposed using CFexpress cards does guaranty a uniform speed but it might as well be a proprietary with its high cost.
It could be MS wants guaranteed speeds and thinks customers dont mind spending event $400 for 512GB if the prices go down.
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I was wondering if that was what that slot was used for. I could see Phil giving the details of that port to other manufacturers to get them on board with manufacturing cards for that.
If it is pci it could technically do both.
So will they sell Xbox branded SSDs that only fit in the Xbox Series X? Like they did on Xbox 360? I would be fine with that, if it's not too expensive.
Good thing and I hope he can use any of the SSDs that fit there requirements and not proprietary.
Also wonder if this allows a 512 GB version to save on BOM.
Also wonder if this allows a 512 GB version to save on BOM.
i was mainly referring to price but i didnt mention that in my comment. i just remember when they had vita cards and how over priced those where
They certainly will be happy to sell their own. Profit margins on branded drives will be nutty. Curious to see how this shakes out, but I'll be buying a compatible one regardless.
With the way it's just a hole, it doesn't seem like a bare SSD drive will fit snugly in that thing. Likely a proprietary SSD with an enclosure will go in there.
unlike PCs, the console will be designed around optimal cooling for the SSD. Easier to design around issues when you're working with known, fixed hardware.
That port doesn't leave much room for cooling, besides, there is no magic cooling in consoles, RROD/YLOD existed.
That slot is about the same width as a regular M2 stick, which is the format plenty of NvMe drives use.
Here is one in a caddy, they are tiny now.
I have 11TB (about 8-9TB installed in games) with my Xbox One X.
I'm definitely curious as to how games are going to be handled external storage wise.
Like this?
This looks to be a storage expansion rather than a replacement internal drive
Yea that's what I mean. It looks perfectly sized for an M2 drive but not really? Enclosures don't come in standard sizes so people can't just go out and get one for this and use their own M2 drive.That slot is about the same width as a regular M2 stick, which is the format plenty of NvMe drives use.
Here is one in a caddy, they are tiny now.
When it was first shown we tried to do some math to see the exact size and stuff and did come up with m2 in a slotted holder. I am sticking to that guess.
Technically that port is exactly where it should be for a pulling fan with an already cooled slot. Meaning it will be set up to cool that slot whether it is used or not.
RROD happened, Yes...and Microsoft overcompensated for that in their next few console hardware designs.
nobody is talking about 'magic cooling'. It's possible to design a console around cooling an inserted SSD.
Perhaps there will be an "official" accessory, but is like to hope the interface is standard and you can use any SSD / 3rd party enclosure
I suspect the drives will be sold specifically for the system. Same for PS5.
Remember the patent regarding cartridges filed by Sony? I bet it's referring to expandable storage carts.
I thought the cartridge patent was debunked completely and turned out to be gaming cartridges for something else. I could be wrong. They addendum'ed that patent at least once.
This was the last update I saw
[Update 21/11] The recently patented Sony cartridge is not an expandable SSD storage cartridge for the PS5. Instead, it's a game cartridge for Sony's new portable TOIO system.
Man I hope neither of them decide to go proprietary with expandable storage. Thought we had got over this with this gen and standardised storage...
It would be nice to see NVMe PCIe Gen4 used but I doubt it, though support for it at least rather than an installed SSD would be great...
ps3ud0 8)
It would be nice to see NVMe PCIe Gen4 used but I doubt it, though support for it at least rather than an installed SSD would be great...
ps3ud0 8)
That turned out to be another Toio device
I can imagine a situation where this is used to expand storage for games to be played off of a higher speed drive whilst you can still attach an external usb hard drive to store games but only for moving them across to the higher speed drives (i.e. you can't play a game straight off of the usb storage).
I think at the least BC games should be allowed to install on any external drive you want. I've got a 2tb external SSD for my PS4 games.
Hopefully we arent forced to waste precious SSD space with stuff like video captures, etc. We should be able to use generic HDDs through USB for that stuff
Proprietary is almost guaranteed for game storage though, since they can take a hit on hardware price and make up for it with expensive proprietary storage solutions
Proprietary is almost guaranteed for game storage though, since they can take a hit on hardware price and make up for it with expensive proprietary storage solutions
USB3 can handle some rather fast speeds, so "normal" SSD is totally viable with it, but NVMe, if it is indeed happening on the XSX as well, would need a different connector for sure. The best you can get on a USB type A connector is 10Gbps, and that's ideal not realworld.
Yeah, I wish we could have gotten a more internal look at the pins, as it wouldn't be difficult to just have it be an M.2 slot with an extension cable of sorts going to the actual device.
Oh, I stand corrected then. I still think Sony will take the same approach. USB won't cut it. It'll have to be internal solution like this.
I would hope that to be the case. I know on the 360 I just bought a cheap 3rd party plastic enclosure on amazon and put a 2.5inch drive in it and it worked like a charm.
Sure it would make sense. NVMe drives come at different performance levels and Microsoft would want to control the minimum performance since there is likely an expectation from the developers. Making a proprietary solution allows Microsoft to control what can be put in the system and makes it easier for consumers to know what works and what doesn't.