Last week, Microsoft sent Xbox Series X consoles to influencers to get them buzzing about the new console. Some reported the console got very hot, which naturally led to fans getting concerned it might cause hardware issues. Microsoft has already dismissed the claims.
The original report came from JeuxVideo (via VGC) who said the exhaust ports of the Xbox Series X is “hot, like really hot!” while also noting “it doesn’t make any noise, but damn it’s hot!” They also got a bit vivid in their description by saying “it’s almost like a fireplace shaft. You can heat up your flat with it.”
Microsoft’s GM of Xbox Games Marketing, Aaron Greenberg, responded to fan concerns that it runs too hot, noting the console is performing as how their engineers intended, and that it’s basically the same amount of heat as the previous generation console – the Xbox One X.
“The console will output system heat out of the exhaust, just as any other console will,” Greenberg said. “Our engineering team confirmed the heat leaving the console is not significantly different than Xbox One X. This matches my experience at home quiet, fast & impressive power for the size.”
It’s worth noting the Xbox Series X is noticeably smaller in comparison to the PlayStation 5, so it makes sense the Series X has less room to dissipate excess heat, compared to the mid-tower size of the PlayStation 5, which has more real estate to get that heat down.
It’s also worth noting this is only a potential issue with the Series X, which has upgraded hardware compared to its brother, the Series S. While the Series S is the more budget option, it still packs a punch. So long as the heat is properly vented like Microsoft says it is, it (hopefully) shouldn’t lead to long term hardware failure.
Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launch on November 10th.
