When choosing between the Xbox Series S and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, two of the most popular next-gen consoles without disc drives, performance and convenience are top priorities. While both offer fast loading, high-resolution gaming, and support for modern features like ray tracing and variable refresh rate, their differences in storage capacity and real-world load times can significantly influence a gamer’s experience. This detailed comparison dives into how each console handles game storage, internal speed, expandability options, and actual load time performance across multiple titles.
Internal Storage: Raw Numbers and Usable Space
The first major difference between the Xbox Series S and the PS5 Digital Edition lies in their built-in storage. On paper, the PS5 Digital Edition offers more space, but usable capacity is what truly matters once the operating system and essential software are accounted for.
| Console | Advertised Storage | Usable Storage (Approx.) | Storage Type | Read Speed (Max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S | 512 GB | ~364 GB | Custom NVMe SSD | 2.4 GB/s (raw), up to 4.8 GB/s compressed |
| PS5 Digital Edition | 825 GB | ~667 GB | Custom PCIe 4.0 SSD | 5.5 GB/s (raw), up to 8–9 GB/s with compression |
The PS5’s 825 GB drive may seem oddly specific, but it's designed around a 12-channel flash interface optimized for speed rather than raw capacity. Despite having less total storage, the Xbox Series S uses a similar architectural philosophy, balancing cost and performance for an entry-level price point. However, after system files, updates, and background apps, users on the Series S often find themselves managing space much earlier than PS5 owners.
Expandable Storage Options and Flexibility
Both consoles allow storage expansion, but they differ significantly in how that expansion works — affecting both cost and convenience.
The Xbox Series S supports external USB drives for storing and playing backward-compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games. However, for native Series X|S titles, you’ll need to transfer them back to internal storage or use a proprietary Seagate Expansion Card, which slots directly into the front of the console. These cards are expensive per gigabyte but maintain full-speed compatibility with all games.
In contrast, the PS5 Digital Edition includes an M.2 expansion slot, allowing users to install a compatible PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD. Sony provides clear guidelines: the drive must support PCIe 4.0, have a heatsink (or include space for one), and fall within size and thermal limits. Once installed, these drives function identically to the internal SSD—games can be installed, updated, and played directly from them.
- Xbox Series S Expandability: Limited to Seagate Expansion Card (proprietary) or external USB for older titles.
- PS5 Digital Edition Expandability: Open M.2 slot with broad third-party SSD support (after firmware update).
This makes the PS5 far more flexible and cost-effective in the long run. A 1TB NVMe SSD can be added for under $100, effectively doubling usable space at a fraction of the cost of Microsoft’s expansion card.
Load Time Performance: Real-World Benchmarks
While theoretical read speeds favor the PS5, real-world load times depend on game optimization, asset streaming efficiency, and compression techniques. Multiple independent tests and user reports reveal consistent patterns across popular cross-platform titles.
In a side-by-side test using Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the PS5 Digital Edition loads the main menu from boot in approximately 8 seconds. The same title on the Xbox Series S takes about 12–14 seconds. Fast travel within the game shows a similar gap: PS5 averages 2.5 seconds; Series S clocks in at 3.8 seconds.
Another benchmark using Assassin’s Creed Valhalla shows the PS5 completing initial loading screens in 11 seconds, while the Series S requires 16 seconds. Fast travel between distant regions takes roughly 5 seconds on the PS5 versus 7.5 on the Series S.
However, the gap narrows in well-optimized titles. In Forza Horizon 5, exclusive to Xbox platforms, the Series S leverages its decompression engine and intelligent asset streaming to deliver load times nearly identical to those on higher-tier hardware—often under 6 seconds from main menu to gameplay.
“While the PS5 has a faster raw I/O pipeline, Microsoft’s Velocity Architecture with hardware-accelerated decompression helps level the field in optimized titles.” — David Luehr, Senior Systems Architect at AMD
The key takeaway is that while the PS5 generally loads games faster, especially in multiplatform releases, the difference is rarely dramatic enough to disrupt gameplay. Both consoles eliminate the minute-long waits common on previous generations.
Game Installation Size and Storage Efficiency
Modern AAA games frequently exceed 80–100 GB, with some titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II surpassing 200 GB. This puts immense pressure on limited internal storage.
On the Xbox Series S, a single large game can consume nearly a third of available space. With only ~364 GB usable, most users can store no more than 5–6 major titles at once. The PS5 Digital Edition fares better with ~667 GB, supporting 8–10 large installations depending on updates and DLC.
Microsoft’s Auto HDR and DirectStorage technologies help reduce redundant data, but game sizes remain largely dictated by developers. Sony’s PS5 benefits from slightly more efficient memory mapping and faster decompression during installation, reducing patch application time.
For gamers relying on subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Premium, frequent swapping becomes inevitable on the Series S. The PS5’s larger base storage reduces friction, especially for players who prefer downloading multiple titles in advance.
User Experience Case Study: Two Gamers, Two Consoles
Consider Alex and Jamie, both avid gamers who purchased their consoles at launch. Alex chose the Xbox Series S for its lower price and seamless integration with PC and cloud gaming. Jamie opted for the PS5 Digital Edition, prioritizing exclusives and future-proofing.
Alex enjoys playing a mix of indie titles, backward-compatible classics, and new Game Pass releases. Within six months, Alex hit storage limits repeatedly, needing to delete and redownload games weekly. Using an external HDD helped, but switching between titles added friction. Still, Alex appreciates the compact design and quick resume feature, which allows switching between four games instantly—when they’re all loaded internally.
Jamie, meanwhile, plays mostly AAA titles like God of War Ragnarök, Horizon Forbidden West, and Returnal. Even with several large games installed, Jamie hasn’t needed to manage storage aggressively until month nine. When expansion was required, Jamie installed a 1TB WD Black SN850X with a heatsink for $110—doubling storage affordably. Load times remained consistently fast, and the process took under 10 minutes.
This scenario illustrates how storage constraints affect daily usability. For casual or rotating gamers, the Series S is sufficient. For those invested in large, current-gen libraries, the PS5 Digital Edition offers greater breathing room.
Step-by-Step Guide to Optimizing Storage and Load Times
Regardless of your console, you can maximize performance and minimize load delays with smart management.
- Organize by Usage: Keep only active games on internal or expanded SSD storage. Move completed or inactive titles to external USB drives.
- Enable Rest Mode Downloads: Allow both consoles to download updates and install games in rest mode overnight.
- Use Cloud Saves: Ensure your progress syncs automatically so you can safely uninstall and reinstall games without losing data.
- Add Fast Storage: For PS5, install a compliant M.2 SSD. For Xbox, consider the Seagate Expansion Card if you play many Series X|S-optimized titles.
- Monitor Background Apps: Disable unnecessary background processes that consume bandwidth and slow installations.
- Leverage Quick Resume (Xbox): If using Series S, keep up to four games suspended for instant reloading—provided they stay on fast storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any SSD to expand PS5 storage?
No. Only PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs that meet Sony’s speed (minimum 5,500 MB/s) and physical specifications (with heatsink or low-profile design) are supported. Always check compatibility before purchasing.
Why is usable storage lower than advertised?
Like all computing devices, part of the storage is reserved for the operating system, system cache, and recovery partitions. Additionally, flash storage vendors use decimal-based calculations (1000-based), while systems use binary (1024-based), creating a discrepancy.
Do load times improve with expanded storage?
Yes—if you use a high-speed drive. On PS5, a fast M.2 SSD performs identically to internal storage. On Xbox, the Seagate Expansion Card maintains full speed, but external USB drives will require re-copying games to internal storage before play.
Final Verdict: Which Is Better for Storage and Load Times?
The PS5 Digital Edition holds a clear advantage in both storage capacity and raw load performance. Its 825 GB drive offers significantly more usable space, and its superior I/O throughput results in faster load times across most shared titles. The open M.2 expansion slot further enhances its value, enabling affordable upgrades that preserve peak performance.
The Xbox Series S, while impressive for its price, operates under tighter constraints. Its 512 GB storage fills quickly, and expansion options are limited and costly. However, its implementation of the Velocity Architecture—including hardware decompression and Quick Resume—delivers a surprisingly smooth experience despite lower specs.
If your priority is minimizing load times and avoiding constant storage management, the PS5 Digital Edition is the stronger choice. But if budget is paramount and you’re comfortable rotating games or leveraging cloud features, the Series S remains a capable, compact option.
浙公网安备
33010002000092号
浙B2-20120091-4
Comments
No comments yet. Why don't you start the discussion?