Western Digital launched a new Xbox Series X/S dedicated storage expansion card

Recently, Western Digital introduced a new Xbox Series X/S dedicated storage expansion card, which has already appeared on e-commerce platforms. The model, WD_BLACK C50, belongs to the high-performance black drive lineup, with the 1TB version priced at $179.99 and offering a five-year warranty.

Unlike the Sony PlayStation 5, which achieves storage expansion through a specialized M.2 SSD slot and imposes strict requirements on compatible SSDs, the Microsoft Xbox Series X/S is much more user-friendly. It utilizes dedicated storage expansion cards that simply plug into the corresponding external interface. However, the selection has been limited, with Seagate previously holding an exclusive supply of 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB products.

Although the Western Digital offering is somewhat expensive compared to many SSDs on the market, it is more affordable than Seagate’s comparable product, currently priced at $219.99 for the 1TB Xbox Series X/S storage expansion card. These Xbox Series X/S dedicated storage expansion cards provide performance similar to the console’s internal storage unit, ensuring a consistent experience for players when loading, running, and saving games.

Nowadays, a single game file can easily exceed 100GB. Coupled with Microsoft’s aggressive promotion of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service, the built-in storage of the Xbox Series X/S may not satisfy players’ storage needs. As game sizes continue to grow, many players hope to expand the storage of their Xbox Series X/S, but options are limited and prices are steep. In the past, some players have used M.2 SSD to CFexpress adapters to convert PCIe 4.0 standard SSDs into affordable external storage solutions for the Xbox Series X/S, later giving rise to custom-designed conversion boxes.