Xbox Series X Storage Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide
Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is a common need. The console's usable 800GB fills up quickly. The best solution? An external SSD. This guide explores the top options, categorized for clarity.
TL;DR - Best 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!)
Important Note: Only a few SSDs allow direct game play. Others are ideal for storage only. Older Xbox One and 360 games can run from compatible hard drives.
SSDs for Direct Game Play:
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Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: The top choice. Offers speeds comparable to the internal SSD, ensuring seamless gameplay with features like Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture. Easy plug-and-play installation. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The main drawback is the higher price point.
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WD_Black 1TB C50: A more affordable alternative to the Seagate card. Officially licensed, it provides fast performance, though slightly slower boot times than the Seagate. Compact and durable. Available in 512GB and 1TB.
SSDs for Archival Storage and Backwards Compatibility:
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Samsung T7 External SSD: Excellent value for its storage capacity. Offers significantly more storage for a similar price to the WD_Black C50. Lightweight, portable, and features 256-bit AES encryption. Cannot run Series X games directly.
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Crucial X8 External SSD: A budget-friendly option with good value. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Compact and fast, but lacks encryption. Ideal for storing games for later access.
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WD_Black 2TB P40: A stylish external SSD with RGB lighting. Offers fast transfer speeds and a robust design. Relatively expensive compared to other external SSDs, but faster than the Crucial X8 and Samsung T7. Cannot run Series X games directly.
Choosing the Right SSD:
For plug-and-play and optimal performance with Quick Resume and Velocity Architecture, the Seagate or WD_Black C50 are your best bets. If direct gameplay isn't crucial, the external SSDs offer greater storage for your budget.
Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:
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Can any SSD work? Only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate and WD_Black C50) allow direct Series X game play. External SSDs can store games.
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How fast is the internal SSD? Approximately 2.4GB/s IO throughput.
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Why only 800GB usable? System software consumes some of the 1TB advertised storage.
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Do I need extra storage? Yes, if you plan on installing multiple large AAA games (some exceeding 150GB).
