Xbox Series X|S Catch-All

polq37 wrote:

But, is it? I mean, isn't running games faster the fundamental and ultimate test for "most powerful" console?

Cyberpunk 2077 is the next big game coming out, and the stakes have suddenly gotten a lot higher. It's their last chance to prove their case with a big AAA title in the launch window. And, even with supply constrained, the result could shape momentum for console sales over the next year.

I mean it has a faster processor, more powerful GPU, and faster memory. Admittedly, the RAM is a little harder to compare since MS splits there's been I'm making an assumption that the faster RAM is used for games while the slower stuff is probably for the OS.

It seems to me like it is definitely the more powerful system

Talk about “this is their last chance” is a little hyperbolic when they literally can’t stock enough of the units.

My take on this generation is that I will probably want to play a few non-Nintendo games and last generation every console was good enough, so every console this generation is probably good enough.

pizzaddict wrote:

I mean it has a faster processor, more powerful GPU, and faster memory. Admittedly, the RAM is a little harder to compare since MS splits there's been I'm making an assumption that the faster RAM is used for games while the slower stuff is probably for the OS.

One of the more interesting theories I've seen hinges on the PS5's variable CPU and GPU clocks. The XSX has locked clocks. All the new games released so far are basically last gen games with enhanced graphics. So, all the games being tested are barely using their CPU resources. This gives PS5 developers a lot of thermal headroom for downclocking their CPUs and maxxing out their GPUs.

Even so, just going by the published specs, it doesn't really seem like that should account for the observed performance differences.

Well, Best Buy may have figured out a way to keep bots at bay. I was able to pretty seemlessly pick up an Xbox for a friend this morning.

They have you sign in, send an email to you to verify your account, then there will be a Wait button until more stock drops. When it drops the button turns yellow, add to cart, then they send you another email with a verification code. In-store pickup as well.

I wish I knew this is how it worked when they did the PS5 drop this morning, because that’s the console I’m trying to get. I kept refreshing like an idiot because I’m used to the Walmart drops.

polq37 wrote:
pizzaddict wrote:

I mean it has a faster processor, more powerful GPU, and faster memory. Admittedly, the RAM is a little harder to compare since MS splits there's been I'm making an assumption that the faster RAM is used for games while the slower stuff is probably for the OS.

One of the more interesting theories I've seen hinges on the PS5's variable CPU and GPU clocks. The XSX has locked clocks. All the new games released so far are basically last gen games with enhanced graphics. So, all the games being tested are barely using their CPU resources. This gives PS5 developers a lot of thermal headroom for downclocking their CPUs and maxxing out their GPUs.

Even so, just going by the published specs, it doesn't really seem like that should account for the observed performance differences.

I mentioned it before but I'm not sure if you saw it. Psyonix said that they could not run Rocket League 120 FPS on the PS5 without doing a native port. However they could do it with a patch on the X. So that would indicate with straight up emulation the Series X sounds easier / more seamless. I would imagine that emulation is more of a brute force indicator of power.

Agreed that the the PS5 outperforming the X in those games is hard to explain outside of optimization. I wonder what the results would look like if the games weren't frame capped. Either way I'm looking forward to see what the games look / perform like when they are built from the ground up for the new consoles.

After all that headset talk, and me having no trouble with the RIG 800lx, I’m getting the static issues others were talking about. Only on certain games, though. Middle Earth: Shadow of War being the worst.

Playing Gears 5, Rocket League, and Valhalla no issues.

Auto-HDR is a killer feature of the new Xbox and I wish all my devices had it. It doesn’t improve all games but in some cases it really is a big improvement.

I’ve been really really wishing the Dark Souls directly supported HDR. Auto-HDR doesn’t work so well on Dark Souls from my testing so far. The dark shadowy atmosphere in those games could really benefit from more depth and contrast.

I have Metro 2033 Redux on Xbox and PC. On Xbox auto-HDR works well and adds something to the game but the resolution and textures on Xbox are really terrible compared to the PC version. I thought the PC version supported HDR but I can’t seem to get it to work. Maybe the Epic version doesn’t have it? Auto-HDR is enough of an improvement that it’s not easy to decide which version to play even with the bad resolution/textures compared to PC.

Tried Gears 5 on XSX and was surprised to find that I was enjoying it a lot more. I had played through the campaign when it first came out on, and I had liked it. But, it didn't really seem all that special. I uninstalled it and haven't played it since.

Now, the game has been enhanced for the XSX, but I hadn't seen a whole lot of clear difference in the side by side screen shots. Apparently, they've redone the lighting somehow.

In playing though, the game felt tangibly crisper and more detailed. I think, though I couldn't swear to it, that one of the big differences is that the more distant enemies have far more graphical detail on them - especially shadowing. It makes them feel more tangible and real and grounded in the world. Maybe they also have more physics and rag doll effects.

The game initially doesn't 'look' much different than it had from my memories of my first play through. But, it seemed far more satisfying to play than I had remembered.

Gears 5 on Series X uses ray tracing for global illumination and it definitely improves the overall lighting quality. It’s not enough to get me to play the whole thing again right now but I’d like to eventually.

I really wish they'd do some work to Forza Motorsport 7 and Horizon 4.
FM7 was already native 4k/60 so add some raytracing or something.
FH4 is still running the lower lod of the One X version and could probably pretty easily handle higher settings.

Yeah, I was surprised Horizon 4 got what appears to be a quick update for improved framerates and rez but that's about it.

Guess they're saving the big stuff for the next release?

I seem to have gotten an X bundle from Gamestop. Not sure I want to keep it. I need to see what was actually in it lol.

Edit: jesus they still use AA batteries and packs on the controllers?

Blind_Evil wrote:

Edit: jesus they still use AA batteries and packs on the controllers? :lol:

Yep. I just use rechargeable batteries so my controller isn’t dying all the time like my PS4 ones seem to do.

Blind_Evil wrote:

I seem to have gotten an X bundle from Gamestop. Not sure I want to keep it. I need to see what was actually in it lol.

Edit: jesus they still use AA batteries and packs on the controllers? :lol:

This is a huge plus compared to the garbage built in batteries!

I dunno, I’ve never had a problem with the PS4 controller’s battery life. I’d be coming back to Xbox after skipping the XBO and I’m genuinely surprised to hear they’re still using the 360-era solution I didn’t like in 2007.

If I keep it I would probably look into one of those elite controllers as a birthday present. The idea of a high-end controller is kind of appealing considering I’ve dealt with drifting sets of Joycons and a drifting DS4 over the last seven years.

Anyone have a long-term report on the quality of the elite controller?

I prefer the AA as I can easily swap in a fresh set over having to now recharge the controller.. though the Elite Series 2 did away with that feature.

I don’t like the waste of non-rechargeable batteries. I used rechargeable ones on my 360 but still don’t like it.

I just haven’t had issues with battery life since getting my launch PS4. Even if I have time for a six hour session or whatever I just plug it in afterward.

Do not assume “premium controller” means it is any more durable than a standard controller.

The impression I’ve been given is Elite controllers don’t last any longer than base model controllers. I’d also like to see a long term report on that.

I used to trust SCUF controllers to last (back in the 360 days) but I broke 1 of the Xbone ones relatively quickly the last time I bought those so I decided not to buy them again.

I’m paying attention to the Thrustmaster ESWAP X PRO because you can easily replace the sticks if they drift but unfortunately they didn’t go all the way and make other parts replaceable. It hasn’t been around long enough for anyone to know if the rest of the parts fail as fast as other controllers.

We don’t yet know how durable the new Series controllers are but I’m guessing they are the same as the old ones. Fingers crossed they actually made the shoulder buttons last better this time.

Edit: I only broke 1 SCUF Xbone controller but I broke it multiple times (after fixing it)

I miss the little battery holder that the 360 controller had. I always kept a spare loaded and ready with fully charged batteries in it nearby so I could swap them in like 6 seconds. None of the Xbox consoles have been very good about warning me before my eneloops are going to die. I seem to get a warning and then within less than a minute they are dead.

Rykin wrote:

I miss the little battery holder that the 360 controller had. I always kept a spare loaded and ready with fully charged batteries in it nearby so I could swap them in like 6 seconds. None of the Xbox consoles have been very good about warning me before my eneloops are going to die. I seem to get a warning and then within less than a minute they are dead.

That's the one thing I really miss from the 360 controller; those little clip-in holders were phenomenal. Made it so dang easy to swap out batteries.

pandasuit wrote:

Do not assume “premium controller” means it is any more durable than a standard controller.

The impression I’ve been given is Elite controllers don’t last any longer than base model controllers. I’d also like to see a long term report on that.

I have two of the original elite controllers and one of the series 2 elites. The right bumper broke on both of the originals after about a year and half but were easily replaced with a $5 kit. My release-day elite is otherwise in perfect condition and is still in use on my PC. The second elite I bought sometime in 2017 and literally fell apart shortly before I got the series 2, the glue holding the handgrips stopped working and all the vinyl peeled off over the course of a week.

No problems with the series 2 yet.

I have had two Series 1 Elites and can report no issues with them. One I sold about 2 years ago, when I got the Gears 4 Elite, and my friend still uses it to this day. The Gears 4 Elite did have the grips come off, but no mechanical failures.....until I broke it. Oops.

The Series 2 is another story. The LB and RB constantly 'double input'. When scrolling through menus I will hit the button once and it will act like I tapped it twice very quickly. This is real bad for a game like Gears of War where you reload on the RB and I constantly get jammed reloads. The LB also doesn't register unless I put a fair amount of force on it. If I lightly tap it til it clicks nothing registers. The (A) button is also a mushy hard press to work, but I've gotten used to that.

This is also my second Series 2 Elite, because I had to return the first one due to a non-working button out of the box.

I am a fan of rechargeables. I have my eneloops in the center console of the couch, so when I need to switch I can just grab a few more and keep going. I only really use the PS4 for Exclusives and I 100% of the time have to plug the controller in for an hour before I decide to play something, because it will be dead. I purchased a second controller just so I can have one charging while I play.

I always bought the Play And Charge kits for Bonetrollers. They're fine, as far as length between charges go, but man the overall life of those packs is terrible. I've replaced every one of them since the start of the Xbox One generation at least once - Three controllers, six kits.

But hey, it's better than throwing AAs away I guess.

Eneloops are a popular option as well.

I sit next to my PC, so I just keep my Elite 1 constantly plugged in via USB, with no silly batteries at all to weigh it down.

As far as "premium controller" quality goes: the Elite 1 is the best controller I've ever held and used for any length of time. I've had no problems at all with any of the inputs, except for the D-pad - I get missed/doubled inputs occasionally when using the D-pad, but I think I may need to open the case & clean the contacts, or possibly get a replacement set of contacts for $5-10. It also has a mostly-detached left rubber grip, after years of heavy use, which I could replace for like $10-15.

Anybody try the coop Tetris Effect Connected mode? It’s pretty good, but my wife and I hated how each of our playing fields kept floating around and moving. Anybody know if there’s a way to turn that off?

Is there not a remote control (for media) that Microsoft sells for the series S/X? I can’t seem to find one.

DSGamer wrote:

Is there not a remote control (for media) that Microsoft sells for the series S/X? I can’t seem to find one.

Like this guy? https://www.amazon.com/PDP-Media-Rem...

I don’t know if they still make it but the old media remote for the original Xbox One still works for the Series X. I didn’t even need to pair it, just turned on the console and it worked.

DSGamer wrote:

Is there not a remote control (for media) that Microsoft sells for the series S/X? I can’t seem to find one.

The old Xbox One media remote still works for it, if you happen to have one laying around. Just keep in mind it’s actually using IR to control, so if you still have your Xbox One set up (as a Just Dance machine, like me), then it will actually control both at the same time! A bit awkward.

My Harmony remote works on the Series X, with no adjustments made on my part whatsoever.