One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to a new console generation is power. Better graphics, better processing capabilities – all of it leads to bigger and better-looking games. With its upcoming new version of the Xbox One, codenamed “Project Scorpio,” Microsoft wants to convince you that adding more technical firepower shouldn’t be reserved for new consoles.
While the Scorpio is a still an Xbox One, it’s heftier, faster, more powerful under the hood. It’s the younger sibling with years worth of extra development and planning behind it and should, in theory, offer substantial performance and feature improvements over its predecessor. But is it worth buying over the affordable original?
While we won’t be able to judge Project Scorpio fully and fairly until we get out hands on the hardware itself and take it for a spin, thanks to a recent report from Digital Foundry, we now have enough specs to help you get a sense of just how big a jump you would make by upgrading from an Xbox One or Xbox One S to Project Scorpio.
Specs
Xbox One
Xbox One S
Project Scorpio
CPU
8 core, AMD custom CPU @ 1.75GHz
8 core, AMD custom CPU @ 1.75GHz
8 core x86 CPU @ 2.3GHz
GPU
AMD GCN GPU @ 853Mhz w/ 12 compute units
AMD GCN GPU @ 914Mhz w/ 12 compute units
AMD custom GPU @ 1,172MHz w/ 40 compute units
Memory
8GB DDR3, 32MB ESRAM
8GB DDR3, 32MB ESRAM
12GB GDDR5
Memory bus
256-bit
256-bit
384-bit
Memory bandwidth
68GB/s, 204GB/s
68GB/s, 219GB/s
326GB/s
Storage
1TB/500GB 2.5 inch HDD
1TB/500GB 2.5 inch HDD
1TB 2.5 inch HDD
Optical drive
Blu-Ray
4K UHD Blu-Ray
4K UHD Blu-Ray
4k Support
No
Yes, limited
Yes, native
HDR support
No
Yes, HDR10
Yes