Xbox Series X vs PS5 Slim Digital
The Xbox Series X and the PS5 Slim Digital are two different answers to the same home console brief, each with its own set of priorities. This one has a front-runner. The Xbox Series X wins 2 of 2 compared areas, and performance is where the difference is hardest to miss.
At a glance
- Performance Xbox Series X wins
- Memory & Storage Xbox Series X wins
- Price PS5 Slim Digital wins
- Performance8.2
- Memory & Storage7.3
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage6.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Xbox Series X has 18% more GPU compute
On gpu compute (fp32), the Xbox Series X posts 12.15 TFLOPS against 10.28 TFLOPS for the PS5 Slim Digital, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. GPU compute is a headline figure for graphics power, and more of it usually means sharper images or smoother frame rates.
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The PS5 Slim Digital has a 4.08 lb lighter body
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 5.73 lb for the PS5 Slim Digital versus 9.81 lb for the Xbox Series X. Extra weight often reflects bigger cooling or batteries, so the Xbox Series X may be heavier for a reason.
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The Xbox Series X has
Numbers like 5.94 in against 3.15 in only tell you which is larger (here, the Xbox Series X), not which is better. Neither is better in general; check it against the space you have.
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The Xbox Series X has 25% more memory bandwidth
The PS5 Slim Digital lists 448 GB/s; the Xbox Series X comes in at 560 GB/s. That’s not a rounding error. The Xbox Series X’s extra bandwidth helps keep its GPU fed in demanding scenes.
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The PS5 Slim Digital has
The PS5 Slim Digital and the Xbox Series X differ on depth (8.50 in vs 5.94 in), and this is one to judge by personal preference. A deeper body needs more shelf space, while a shallower one is easier to place.
Design & Size
- Xbox Series X 11.85 in × 5.94 in × 5.94 in
- PS5 Slim Digital 14.09 in × 3.15 in × 8.50 in
Going by the official dimensions, the Xbox Series X is the larger of the two. The PS5 Slim Digital saves 4.08 lb. How much that matters depends on how you use it.
Design & Size
| Spec | Xbox Series X | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 11.85 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 5.94 in | 3.15 in |
| Depth | 5.94 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 9.81 lb | 5.73 lb (winner) |
Performance
Xbox Series X leads
The Xbox Series X wins the performance section decisively. Here the Xbox Series X offers 18% more GPU compute. The Xbox Series X’s extra compute gives games more room for higher resolutions and richer effects. On performance alone, the Xbox Series X gets the nod.
GPU compute (FP32)
Xbox Series X: 12.15 TFLOPS PS5 Slim Digital: 10.28 TFLOPS Teraflops don’t capture everything (memory, upscaling and optimization matter too), but they’re a useful yardstick.
CPU max clock
Xbox Series X: 3.80 GHz PS5 Slim Digital: 3.50 GHz The Xbox Series X’s higher clock gives developers more headroom for crowded scenes and higher frame-rate modes.
Memory & Storage
Xbox Series X leads
On memory & storage, the Xbox Series X comes out slightly ahead. The Xbox Series X makes its case with 25% more memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth decides how quickly the console can move data to its GPU, which matters for high resolutions. The takeaway: on memory & storage, the Xbox Series X is the stronger console.
Memory bandwidth
Xbox Series X: 560 GB/s PS5 Slim Digital: 448 GB/s Bandwidth works hand in hand with GPU power; one without the other can become a bottleneck.
Features & Media
Nothing to tally in the features & media section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the Xbox Series X and the PS5 Slim Digital each use.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | Xbox Series X | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8 cores | AMD Zen 2, 8 cores / 16 threads |
| CPU max clock | 3.80 GHz (winner) | 3.50 GHz |
| GPU | Custom AMD RDNA 2, 1.825 GHz | AMD Radeon RDNA 2-based, up to 2.23 GHz |
| GPU compute units | 52 Most GPU compute units | 36 |
| GPU compute (FP32)Manufacturer figure | 12.15 TFLOPS (winner) | 10.28 TFLOPS |
| Max output resolution | 8K output; 4K at up to 120 fps | 8K output; 4K at 120 Hz |
| Max frame rate | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Hardware ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Xbox Series X | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| System memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory bandwidth | 560 GB/s (winner) | 448 GB/s |
| Built-in storage | 1,000 GB | 1,000 GB |
| Storage type | Custom NVMe SSD | Custom NVMe SSD |
| Storage expansion | Storage Expansion Card slot; USB 3.1 external drive | M.2 NVMe SSD slot; USB extended storage |
Features & Media
| Spec | Xbox Series X | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | 4K UHD Blu-ray | None (detachable drive sold separately) |
| Handheld play | No | No |
| Built-in screen | None | None |
| Backward compatibility | Xbox One and select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games | Most PS4 games |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 |
Design & Size
| Spec | Xbox Series X | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 11.85 in | 14.09 in |
| Height | 5.94 in | 3.15 in |
| Depth | 5.94 in | 8.50 in |
| Weight | 9.81 lb | 5.73 lb (winner) |
Price
| Spec | Xbox Series X | PS5 Slim Digital |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $499 | $450 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
A price gap of $49 at launch won’t make or break this decision. The Xbox Series X asks for $49 more and delivers 18% more GPU compute and 25% more memory bandwidth in return.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked November 2023. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Xbox Series X if…
- you care about graphics horsepower (12.15 TFLOPS vs 10.28 TFLOPS of GPU compute)
- you want more memory bandwidth (560 GB/s vs 448 GB/s)
- you play CPU-heavy games like big simulations and open worlds (3.80 GHz vs 3.50 GHz)
Choose the PS5 Slim Digital if…
- you want the lighter console (5.73 lb vs 9.81 lb)
- you’d put the $49 saving toward something else
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Xbox Series X or the PS5 Slim Digital?
For most people, the Xbox Series X is the stronger choice, unless having a 4.08 lb lighter body matters more to you than the rest.
Which is larger, the Xbox Series X or the PS5 Slim Digital?
Going by the official dimensions, the Xbox Series X is the bigger of the two at 11.85 × 5.94 × 5.94 in. The PS5 Slim Digital measures 14.09 × 3.15 × 8.50 in.
Which is faster, the Xbox Series X or the PS5 Slim Digital?
The Xbox Series X has the edge in performance thanks to 18% more GPU compute and an 8.6% faster CPU clock.
Is the Xbox Series X cheaper than the PS5 Slim Digital?
The PS5 Slim Digital is the cheaper option, launching at $49 less than the Xbox Series X (launch prices as of November 2023).
Which weighs less, the Xbox Series X or the PS5 Slim Digital?
Going by the official figures, the PS5 Slim Digital weighs 4.08 lb less than the Xbox Series X.
Executive Summary
The Xbox Series X versus the PS5 Slim Digital is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Microsoft and Sony made different bets. The biggest reason I lean toward the Xbox Series X is simple: it has 18% more GPU compute. Then there’s 25% more memory bandwidth, another point for the Xbox Series X. I’ll admit the PS5 Slim Digital has a point with a 4.08 lb lighter body.
The Xbox Series X makes sense for anyone who values performance; the PS5 Slim Digital for anyone who values portability.
My pick: the Xbox Series X; the one scenario where I’d reach for the PS5 Slim Digital is if you know that a 4.08 lb lighter body would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.