Alrighty -
Now that I've had some time with the XSX - I'll jump in with my initial thoughts (compared to my X1X)...
- No - it doesn't smoke or catch fire

- Haven't tried the ping pong ball trick yet (I have one somewhere around the house though and it's on my to-do list)
- Size:
- It's actually smaller and more compact that I expected
- Sound:
- Hard to believe - but it's QUIETER than my X1X - seriously.
- In a very quiet room while playing the X1X - I could occasionally hear some light fan noise from typical viewing distance from the TV when playing a game that pushed the console.
- With the XSX - nothing. The only time I "hear" any noise is by literally going up to the console and putting my ear above the vent. I now hear my dog snoring more instead.
- Heat:
- I run it vertically - and yes there's warm air coming out of the unit
- However - at least in my instance - running the same game(s) side by side - if I were to place my hand over the vents for each - I'd say the exhaust from the X1X feels hotter - primarily due the fact that the exhaust is much smaller and less distributed than the XSX
- Performance:
- Significant increase in overall system performance compared to X1X
- Seriously - everything is faster - it literally feels like my high-end custom PC I've built
- Load times:
- ALL Games consistently load MUCH faster
- Even my older BC (X360 thru X1X) games off of my external 4TB HDD load significantly quicker than from the X1X
- Games on internal SSD are extremely fast as well - loading consistently in similar times as compared to my PC
- Game Performance:
- Significant and enhanced stability in overall gameplay experience across all games
- All current and BC games I've played through over the past 2 days run 30/60fps and full target resolution
- For the X1X games that have had noted/expected framerate issues - it's not visible or an impact on XSX
Overall - very impressed with the console - especially when I compare the price of the console directly to what I've invested in my PC over the past several years.
My two cents and speculation regarding the whole DF DMC "#framerategate" discussion:
- Both versions look impressive
- We've finally entered a new era in gaming where the consoles are closer than ever to what is currently available via high-end PCs at a fraction of the cost
- IMHO it's clear from the video (and other games being actively displayed on YT) that there is additional optimizations to be implemented.
- Remember - most of these initial wave of release titles have been rushed in some form/fashion in order to make deadlines and street dates
- I expect additional updates/patches come out addressing the noted high framerate mode drops will be forthcoming as the GDK/APIs mature and developers acclimate to these new consoles
- For the majority of people playing consoles today - unless they've just RECENTLY bought a new TV - they'll be limited to the capabilities of the TVs they currently have today
- The majority of these currently only support 30/60fps
- Framerate and stability are a MUST now -
- I expect the majority of games this generation will target 4K/60fps as standard, at least for the next 2-3 years
- It's way too early to discern any difference in overall performance "advantage" when comparing the XSX vs the PS5 - especially on this one particular game.
- Game engines and software are malleable and constantly evolving
- I wouldn't be at all surprised that another game yields a similar experience with respect to 120fps framerate mode showing more drops/hitches on the PS5 versus XSX
- I expect both consoles to perform admirably and within normal 4k/60fps targets.
- I expect a lot of videos from DF on this - with some variations in overall resolution based on the game engine - with a harsh eye on any game that dips below 60fps (as it should be)
Buy the system you think will best fit you. Personally I'm buying both because I've been playing games since Atari console days and since then I've played/owned practically every console brought to market. I just can't seem to get my grubby hands on a PS5 pre-order - though "today could be the day"..
Finally - Don't get too wrapped up in resolution and framerate discussions -
enjoy and experience the game as the developer worked so hard to provide for you to play.
For many of the best games I've ever played in my life - resolution and framerate wasn't even on the radar. Nowadays - I think experience is lost on many focused so much on championing their console of choice.