The Xbox Series S is a prominent gaming console that has attracted a great deal of interest from gamers worldwide. Its powerful hardware allows it to provide a gaming experience that is difficult to rival. Nevertheless, some gamers favor the flexibility and customization options that come with constructing their own gaming PC. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide for a PC build like Xbox Series S.
In summary, it’s possible to build a PC of similar performance as the Xbox Series S by carefully selecting compatible components such as an 8-core CPU, an RTX GPU, and at least 16GB of RAM. We cover this in detail below.
About the Xbox Series S
The smaller and cheaper Xbox Series S debuted in November 2020. The Series S offers the same next-generation game experience as the Series X but with fewer features and a lower price.
Features
Xbox Series S is 60% smaller than Series X. With an all-white finish, it appears minimalistic in design. The system supports Xbox One games and peripherals, select Xbox 360 games and the original Xbox. Ray tracing on the Xbox Series S makes game lighting and shadows more realistic. HDR and VRR make game movement easier. The Xbox Series S’s 512GB NVMe SSD speeds up loading and resuming several games. Games are smoother at 120 frames per second on the system.
Specifications
The Xbox Series S uses an 8-core, 3.6GHz AMD Zen 2 processor. It also includes a 4 teraflop AMD RDNA 2 GPU, 10GB GDDR6 memory, and 128-bit bus width. It also supports 1440p at 60 fps and 4K up-sampling, Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and variable rate coloring to increase image quality.
Performance
Xbox Series S is a wonderful deal for its performance. The machine can run several next-generation games at 60 FPS with enhanced visuals and load times. Quick Resume enables Series S players to swap games without losing progress. Xbox Game Pass, which offers over 100 titles for a monthly charge, is one of the Xbox Series S’s finest features. The system is ideal for those who wish to try many games without buying them all.
Hardware Requirements for a PC Build Like Xbox Series S
To build a PC comparable to the Xbox Series S, the following hardware components are required:
CPU
It is highly recommended to choose a CPU that can run modern games. For a PC design comparable to the Xbox Series S, we recommend selecting a CPU with comparable specifications. Both the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X and the Intel Core i7-10700K are excellent options with comparable performance.
GPU
Ensure that you pick a GPU that can deliver high frame rates and fluid gameplay. For a PC build comparable to the Xbox Series S, we recommend selecting a GPU with comparable specifications. Both the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti are capable of delivering comparable performance, all things being equal.
RAM
The Xbox Series S comes equipped with 10GB of gaming-optimized GDDR6 memory. For a PC resembling the Xbox Series S, we suggest selecting at least 16GB of DDR4 memory. If you have a larger budget, you can opt for more memory.
Storage
We recommend selecting an NVMe SSD with comparable specifications to the Xbox Series S, such as the Samsung 970 EVO Plus and the Western Digital Black SN850. Both are excellent storage devices you should get for your PC build.
Recommended PC Builds like the Xbox Series S
Intel PC Build Like Xbox Series S
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K
- Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690
- RAM: 16GB G.Skill Ripjaws V
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
- Storage: 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD
- Power Supply: 650W 80+ Gold
- Case: Cooler Master MasterBox
AMD PC Build Like Xbox Series S
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- Motherboard: MSI PRO B550
- Memory: 16GB G.Skill Ripjaws V
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
- Storage: 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD
- Power Supply: 650W 80+ Gold
- Case: Cooler Master MasterBox
Putting Everything Together
After shopping for components, it is time to assemble your PC. You have two options here, either you do it yourself or you have to pay a technician to assemble your PC together. Whichever route you choose is left to you, but we believe that building a PC by yourself is one of the easiest things one can do, even a 5-year-old could do it with some guidance.
We have a concise and thoroughly written article on DIY building your own PC for you to check out. If you have any issues, don’t forget to send us a message and we will reach out asap.
However, for the sake of brevity, here are the major steps to take:
- Install the CPU on the motherboard and fasten the CPU cooler to it.
- Install the RAM into the appropriate sockets on the motherboard.
- Install the GPU into the PCIe slot and affix the retention bracket.
- Install the NVMe SSD in the appropriate port on the motherboard.
- Connect all necessary cables, such as the CPU, GPU, and motherboard power cables.
- Install the power supply unit (PSU) and all necessary cables into the case.
- Install any necessary additional case fans.
- Power on the computer and check if it POSTs successfully.
- If it doesn’t POST, check for loose cables and reseat properly.
Software Install
Once the PC is up and running, it is time to install the required software and configure it for gaming. Here are the subsequent steps:
- Install Microsoft Windows 10
- Install the required drivers for your computer’s hardware, such as the GPU and motherboard.
- Configure Windows settings, such as disabling superfluous background apps and enabling high-performance power management settings.
- Install your preferred games and configure the settings to your taste.
Performance Evaluation
Once your PC is configured, its performance can be benchmarked and compared to the Xbox Series S. Here are a few metrics to consider:
You can measure your PC’s frame rate with software such as Fraps or MSI Afterburner. The frame rate of your PC can be compared to that of the Xbox Series S to determine its performance.
Using tools such as AIDA64 or CrystalDiskMark, you can measure the loading times of games on your computer. You can compare your PC’s loading timings to those of the Xbox Series S to determine how quickly it loads games.
Concluding Thoughts
Building a PC that resembles the Xbox Series S is a great option for gamers who want to experience the advantages of PC gaming on a compact and powerful system.
With a little investment and some patience, you can enjoy a gaming experience that rivals or even surpasses the Xbox Series S. Gather your tools, follow the steps indicated in this article, and begin constructing your very own computer immediately!
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