Xbox Series X Thermals, Power, & Noise Testing: Cooler Design Analysis & Break-Down

by



Read more about Cyberpunk 2077➜ https://cyberpunk2077.mgn.tv

The Xbox Series X thermal testing looks at memory, SOC (CPU / GPU), and VRM temperatures. We’re also benchmarking power and noise levels for the Xbox, including a partial tear-down.
Sponsor: Linode Hosting – get $100 credit with GN (https://geni.us/UaKrUmF)

The best way to support our extensive testing efforts is to get something you can also use in return: The GN store has custom tear-down toolkits and wireframe mouse mats in stock now, alongside many other high-quality items: https://store.gamersnexus.net/

Like our content? Please consider becoming our Patron to support us: http://www.patreon.com/gamersnexus

Watch our Xbox & PlayStation Schlieren photography (airflow imaging) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FZ3cQFFZmQ
Watch our PlayStation 5 thermal analysis here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmggkW6usmQ
Console testing methods piece goes up separately – we decided to add some more detail to it, so it’s referenced in this video as being live, but we’re going to add a bit more and upload tomorrow or next day.

This benchmark of the Xbox Series X includes a partial tear-down to help show the construction of the cooler. We also referenced a clip from TronicsFix (linked below) to talk about the vapor chamber design and how vapor chambers are constructed. The vapor chamber’s pillars are obvious in the tear-down footage, so we show some factory floor footage to show how vapor chambers (like those found in the Xbox Series X) are made. We left our heatsink attached to the PCB, as we didn’t want to disturb the thermal paste; however, since most of what we’re measuring is flip-chip BGA packaging, the silicon is actually closer to the reverse side of the PCB than to the top of the case for MOSFET and memory modules. This is useful and convenient for measuring thermals with minimal disturbance to the cooler assembly. Disassembly is fairly easy and the Xbox mostly resembles a small form factor PC (e.g. mini-ITX / SFF box), except packed into an extremely dense, small assembly of parts. That makes for interesting thermal testing and analysis.

TronicsFix video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfJBJTWVY9o

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Xbox Series X Thermal Testing
01:23 – Testing Methodology Recap
02:42 – Not 100% Comparable to PlayStation 5 Thermals
07:04 – Xbox Series X SOC Thermal Benchmarks at Steady State
09:24 – Memory Thermals
10:32 – MOSFET (VRM) Thermals
11:03 – Proving Our Work
11:23 – Power vs. Thermal Measurements
12:50 – Power Saving Recommendations
13:21 – Looking Inside the Chassis (Partial Tear-Down)
19:38 – Xbox Series X Power Consumption Benchmarks
20:45 – Noise Testing of Xbox Series X
22:05 – Conclusion of Xbox Series X Thermals

Thumbnail image of the Xbox is from EasySkinz. We have no idea if they’re any good or if their product is any good, but they’re the ones who sell that skin.

** Please like, comment, and subscribe for more! **

Links to Amazon and Newegg are typically monetized on our channel (affiliate links) and may return a commission of sales to us from the retailer. This is unrelated to the product manufacturer. Any advertisements or sponsorships are disclosed within the video (“this video is brought to you by”) and above the fold in the description. We do not ever produce paid content or “sponsored content” (meaning that the content is our idea and is not funded externally aside from whatever ad placement is in the beginning) and we do not ever charge manufacturers for coverage.

Follow us in these locations for more gaming and hardware updates:

t: http://www.twitter.com/gamersnexus
f: http://www.facebook.com/gamersnexus
w: http://www.gamersnexus.net/

Testing, Host, Writing: Steve Burke
Video: Keegan Gallick, Andrew Coleman

Source

44 thoughts on “Xbox Series X Thermals, Power, & Noise Testing: Cooler Design Analysis & Break-Down”

  1. If you like our work and would like to help fund our independent reporting (we independently buy a lot of the stuff we test these days, like both consoles), you can visit our store to support us while getting something useful in return. Our toolkits and mouse mats are in stock & shipping now: https://store.gamersnexus.net/
    Console testing methods piece goes up separately – we decided to add some more detail to it, so it's referenced in this video as being live, but we're going to add a bit more and upload tomorrow or next day.
    Watch our Xbox & PlayStation Schlieren photography (airflow imaging) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FZ3cQFFZmQ
    Watch our PlayStation 5 thermal analysis here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmggkW6usmQ

    Reply

  14. It's sad that the idea of dust filter would be revolutionary for consoles.

    Anyway thanks for the vid. I was lucky enough to get the X version of this GamePass machine, and I'm enjoying it.

    Reply

  18. Ok so the negatives are just that it has negative air pressure and no dust filters. That’s pretty good. Runs quieter than the ps5. Which was a given as bigger fans make less noise. Wonder tho how loud the disc drives are compared with each other.

    Reply

  34. It's just really funny the constant attacks Xbox copped from the media about overheating and constant fear mongering, but as usual people give Sony a big fat pass for their build.

    Reply

  40. It's nice to see that Microsoft seems to have designed a relativelty quiet and cool running console here. I know that people who care about exclusives will be more excited by the PS5 but for me this seems like a much better deal when you factor in that it is able to emulate previous consoles where the PS5 is not. For me, exclusives are rare enough that it doesn't really matter too much and I am willing to wait for those games either to be ported over or to be able to emulate them.

    Reply

Leave a Comment