The Xbox Series X/S offers a mode that allows the console to wake up from sleep mode even faster. But that has its price – literally.
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The Xbox Series X and Series S can be real power guzzlers.
© Shutterstock.com/Mr.Mikla
With energy prices continuing to rise, it is worth taking a closer look at your own power guzzlers. This also includes the domestic gaming equipment, above all the Xbox Series X/S. Because the Microsoft consoles have different standby modes – and one of them can be expensive.
Xbox owners can choose between the Standby and Sleep options. As the name suggests, the former is used to speed up waking up the console from standby. We measured the times:
However, you should consider whether the time saving is worth the additional power consumption. Because according to measurements by Eurogamer, the Xbox Series X consumes an impressive 29 watts in this mode. If we calculate with a price per kilowatt hour of 37 cents, we arrive at annual costs of around 94 euros. And it is likely that the price of electricity will continue to increase in the coming months. In energy-saving mode, consumption drops to 0.5 watts and the annual costs to 1.62 euros. A saving of over 92 euros in exchange for a slightly longer boot process. The Xbox Series S seems to consume a little less power, but here too the consumption in “standby” mode varies between 6-22 watts.
Microsoft made low power mode the default in May. If you bought your console after that and made no changes to the boot mode, you don’t need to do anything. Otherwise, you can set the energy saving mode like this:
Go to your Xbox settings.
In the “General” tab, select “Energy Saver & Startup”
In this menu you can choose between “standby” and “energy saving mode”.