Xbox Series X|S Upgrade Guide: Storage Card, RAM and CPU

Updated Oct. 9, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The Xbox Series X|S is a home console, not a handheld, and only one part is designed to be upgraded: storage, through a proprietary expansion card in a port on the back. The RAM is soldered to the mainboard and the processor can't be swapped, so those two can only change by buying a different console.

At a glance

  • RAM is soldered GDDR6 and can't be upgraded on either the Series X or the Series S.
  • There is no CPU upgrade path.
  • The internal SSD is part of the motherboard module and isn't user-replaceable.
  • The one supported upgrade is the proprietary Storage Expansion Card in the rear slot, which works in both the Series X and the Series S.
  • Generic M.2 SSDs don't fit the expansion slot.
Storage Expansion Card slot (rear)Expansion card / SSD Xbox Series expansion card (Proprietary / NVMe)
Storage Expansion Card slot (rear)Expansion card / SSD Xbox Series expansion card (Proprietary / NVMe)
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

A current model: sold new and supported.

20202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · Nov. 10, 2020
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 Nov. 10, 2020 Official Microsoft's product page says the Series X launched at participating retailers on November 10, 2020. Wikipedia says the Series S launched the same day.
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

Storage: the rear Storage Expansion Card slot

Both consoles have one Storage Expansion Card slot on the back. The card is a proprietary design made with Seagate, not an M.2 or standard CFexpress drive, so a generic M.2 SSD will not fit. The same card works in the Series X and the Series S, needs no setup, and is designed to match the internal SSD's performance. Microsoft's own material says the launch card was 1TB.

The internal drive can't be replaced. Microsoft sells it as part of a capacity-specific motherboard module, which suggests the storage is built into the board, though the documents don't say outright whether the memory chips are soldered. Internal sizes vary: the Series X has 1TB, and the Series S launched with 512GB. Microsoft's Series S service guide also lists 1TB modules, so a 1TB Series S exists. Reports of a 2TB Series X edition and of cards above 1TB from other brands aren't confirmed in Microsoft's documents we checked, so check xbox.com before buying.

No maximum card capacity is documented. Teardown reports describe a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and a Phison controller, and one article guessed at a 2TB limit. That article also contradicts itself on the type of flash memory, so treat those details with caution.

USB storage is a separate option. The Series X supports USB 3.2 external hard drives. It's commonly said that USB drives can store Series X|S-optimized games but can't run them, and only run backward-compatible titles. We couldn't confirm that in Microsoft's documents, so check before relying on a USB drive for new games. Games must be fully installed to the SSD, and system files take part of the capacity, so a 512GB Series S holds only a few large games.

Buying tips

  • Buy the official expansion card made for Xbox Series X|S; a standard M.2 SSD won't fit.
  • Check the card's stated capacity and compatibility on xbox.com before you buy.
  • On a Series S, consider buying the 1TB console instead of relying on a card later.
  • Don't count on USB drives to run Series X|S-optimized games; only the expansion card matches the internal SSD's performance.
  • Don't pay extra for a card that claims to be faster than the internal SSD; the official card is designed to match it.

Cheapest compatible right now

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How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Confirm which console you have (Series X or Series S) and its internal capacity.
  • Check the card's name and capacity against the Xbox compare page.
  • You don't need tools for the expansion card, since it plugs into a port on the back.
  • Keep your console in a clean, dry place with room to reach the rear ports.
  • For RAM or CPU changes there's nothing to buy; they can't be upgraded.

Steps

  1. Save your data
    Make sure your saves and settings are synced or backed up before you touch the hardware.
  2. Power off and unplug
    Shut the console down fully, not just into sleep, then unplug the power cable and any other cables you need to move.
  3. Ground yourself
    Touch a bare metal surface, such as a radiator pipe, to discharge static before handling the card.
  4. Find the rear slot
    Turn the console so you can see the back panel. The Storage Expansion Card slot is a dedicated port there. No case opening is needed for the card, and the internal drive isn't meant to be opened or replaced. For anything beyond the card, follow Microsoft's service guidance.
  5. Insert the card
    Line the card up with the slot and push it in gently until it is seated. Don't force it; if it won't go in, check the orientation and that it's the correct Xbox card.
  6. Reconnect and check
    Plug the power cable back in and turn the console on. The card needs no setup, but check in the console's storage settings that the new capacity shows up before moving games onto it.

Good to know

  • The Series S memory figure and the existence of 2TB cards or consoles aren't confirmed in Microsoft's documents we checked; verify on xbox.com.
  • Teardown details such as the controller, connector style and flash type come from third-party reports and one of them contradicts itself.
  • It's unclear whether the internal SSD's flash chips are soldered; Microsoft sells the storage as part of the motherboard module.
  • Whether USB drives can only store and not run optimized games is unconfirmed.
  • Only the Series X has a disc drive; the Series S being all-digital is not confirmed in Microsoft's documents we checked.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Xbox Series X|S take?

None can be added. The memory is soldered GDDR6 on the mainboard. The Series X has 16GB; we couldn't confirm the Series S figure from Microsoft's documents, but it is a fixed, cut-down configuration either way.

Can I upgrade the Xbox Series X|S CPU?

No. The processor is part of the mainboard and there's no upgrade path.

Can I put a normal M.2 SSD in my Xbox Series X or S?

No. The rear slot takes a proprietary expansion card, not M.2 or standard CFexpress, and the internal SSD isn't a user-replaceable M.2 drive.

Does the same storage expansion card work in the Series X and Series S?

Yes. Microsoft says the same card works in both consoles with no setup required.

What is the largest storage expansion card I can use?

No maximum is documented in the material we checked. The launch card was 1TB. Larger cards may exist, so check xbox.com for the current range.

Can I use a USB hard drive instead?

The Series X supports USB 3.2 external hard drives. It's commonly said they can store optimized games but not run them, though we couldn't confirm that, so check before buying.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.