WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S
NVMe SSD Core | Xbox Velocity Architecture Integration | Plug-and-Play Design
Introduction
The WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card represents a specialized storage solution designed for Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S consoles. As modern games increasingly demand larger storage capacities, this officially licensed expansion card addresses the need for seamless storage upgrades while maintaining native performance. Leveraging Xbox Velocity Architecture and NVMe SSD technology, the C50 provides a plug-and-play solution tailored for gamers seeking uninterrupted access to their growing libraries.
Product Overview
The WD_BLACK C50 is a proprietary storage expansion card developed in collaboration with Microsoft. It connects directly to the Xbox Series X/S expansion slot, eliminating the need for external enclosures or adapters. Targeted at console gamers, it offers capacities up to 2TB while mirroring the internal SSD’s performance characteristics. The card’s design prioritizes ease of use, requiring no software configuration or technical expertise for installation.
Key Features
NVMe SSD Core
At its core, the C50 utilizes a PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, enabling sequential read/write speeds comparable to the Xbox Series X/S internal storage. This ensures games load at the same pace whether stored internally or on the expansion card.
Xbox Velocity Architecture Integration
The card fully leverages Microsoft’s Velocity Architecture, which combines custom hardware and software to enable features like Quick Resume. This integration allows instant switching between multiple suspended games without reloading times.
Plug-and-Play Design
The expansion card uses a dedicated form factor that slots directly into the Xbox Series X/S rear port. This proprietary connection ensures automatic recognition by the console, requiring no formatting or manual setup.
Performance Analysis
Sequential Speeds
Benchmarks show the C50 matches the internal SSD’s sequential read/write speeds of 2.4 GB/s, enabling identical loading times for optimized Xbox Series X/S games. Large file transfers between the internal drive and expansion card occur at nearly full interface bandwidth.
Random Performance
With random read/write performance exceeding 400,000 IOPS, the card handles asset streaming in modern games effectively. This ensures stable frame rates and prevents texture pop-in during gameplay.
Thermal Management
The passive cooling design maintains optimal temperatures during extended gaming sessions. Aluminum casing dissipates heat efficiently without requiring active cooling components.
Compatibility
Xbox Series X/S
The C50 is exclusively compatible with Xbox Series X/S consoles via the proprietary expansion port. It appears as native storage within the system menu, supporting all Xbox Velocity Architecture features. Games can be played directly from the card without performance penalties.
Advantages and Limitations
Strengths
Native Performance Parity: Matches internal SSD speeds for seamless gameplay experiences.
Instant Integration: Requires no configuration or technical knowledge to deploy.
Constraints
Proprietary Format: Cannot be used with PlayStation, PC, or other devices due to unique connector design.
Premium Pricing: Costs significantly more per gigabyte than standard NVMe SSDs due to licensing and specialized hardware.
Conclusion
The WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card delivers an optimal storage upgrade path for Xbox Series X/S owners. Its hardware-level integration with Microsoft’s Velocity Architecture makes it the only solution that fully preserves next-gen gaming features. While the proprietary design limits cross-platform use, it remains essential for serious Xbox gamers needing reliable, high-performance storage expansion. Recommended for users with large libraries of Xbox Series X/S optimized titles.
Works Cited
“WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox.” SanDisk Official Store, www.sandisk.com/products/ssd/portable-ssd/wd-black-c50-expansion-card-for-xbox-ssd.
“WD Black C50 Expansion Card Review: A Top Storage Contender for Xbox Series X/S.” TechRadar, 15 Aug. 2023, www.techradar.com/gaming/xbox-series-x-s/wd-black-c50-expansion-card-review-a-top-storage-contender-for-xbox-series-x.
“2TB WD_BLACK C50 Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X | S.” YouTube, uploaded by Western Digital, 20 Dec. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueVZbfp5yLA.
