Xbox One S vs Project Scorpio: How do they compare?

Microsoft is gearing-up for the launch of its new, high-performance games console towards the end of the year and it's set to become the most powerful system on the market.

Project Scorpio is expected to deliver full 4K resolution gaming at 60fps to compete with Sony's range-topping PlayStation 4 Pro system.

However, the tech giant already has a revamped version of its Xbox One on sale, with an S variant launching six months ago and featuring better graphics and a 4K video playback.

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With this in mind, is it worth investing in an Xbox One S or holding-out for the arrival Microsoft's high-end Project Scorpio?

Here's what sets the consoles apart.

Hardware

Under its plastic enclosure, the Xbox One S is powered by a 1.7GHz eight-core processor and a 914MHz integrated AMD graphics card, says GameSpot, as well as 8GB of RAM.

To put that into perspective, the Xbox One S is 7.1 per cent faster than the original Xbox One, although it's "unlikely that most players would even notice the small boost", says The Verge.

Project Scorpio, meanwhile, will house a custom eight-core 2.3GHz AMD computer processor and a bespoke graphics chip with a clock speed of 1172MHz, reports Digital Foundry.

It will also feature 12GB of dedicated graphics RAM, which should yield sizeable graphical improvements over the Xbox One S.

Graphics

The jump in performance means Project Scorpio is expected to have the edge over everything in the home console market.

According to Digital Foundry, it will be able to play games at 4K resolution and 60fps on supported TVs.

What makes Scorpio's hardware more impressive is that it only uses 60 to 70 per cent of its processing power to play a Forza Motorsport demo running at 4K and 60fps, adds the site. Forza Motorsport 6 runs at 1080p and 60fps on the Xbox One S.

However, while it isn't able to match the Scorpio's performance figures, the Xbox One S still offers 4K playback on Blu Ray movies and videos streamed from the likes of Amazon Prime and Netflix.

Games

The Xbox One S does offer slight visual improvements on a handful of games over the first generation console.

For example, open world racing game Forza Horizon 3 is one of the first titles to launch with HDR (high dynamic range) features, meaning colours and contrast ratios are closer to real life. This can only be experienced on an Xbox One S and a TV with HDR support.

Not only will Project Scorpio support HDR gameplay, The Verge says existing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games "will see a noticeable performance boost". However, it is not known whether that will come from a console setting or if games will need a software patch to support the new features.

Televisions

Much like the move to high-definition gaming in the mid 2000s, players may have to consider buying a new television to see the benefits of either console.

The advantages that come with the Xbox One S and Project Scorpio "will be most evident if you have a 4K TV", says Metro, but you will still see small improvements if you have an "ordinary" HD TV.

Project Scorpio will add more detail to textures and reveal a broader array of visual effects such as hairs on the arms of a character, the website says. Games may also get improved frame rates on the Scorpio, which can be appreciated on most HD TVs bought within the last eight years.

But Gamers will need to purchase a 4K HDR-enabled television to see the full spectrum of improvements expected on Project Scorpio. Several options are available from around £600.

An HDR TV will be needed for those looking to upgrade their Xbox One to an S for graphical improvements, as the biggest new addition on the One S is its high dynamic range features.

Price and release

The Xbox One S has been on sale for around six months and can be picked up with a copy of Fifa 17 on Amazon for £208.99.

A price and release date has yet to be announced for Project Scorpio, although it's expected to enter at a similar price point to its PS4 Pro rival at £349.

Microsoft has also confirmed that Project Scorpio will be available to order in "holiday 2017".