Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Sea of Thieves is expected to take up less storage after Rare optimizes its game packages: reporting says 4K installations on PC and Xbox Series X are targeted to shrink by at least 50%. The change is not yet confirmed as live, and final post-update sizes and a public release date have not been announced in the reporting available.
How much smaller is Sea of Thieves expected to be?
The reported savings depend on the installation type. Neowin’s October 1, 2026 report describes targets, not confirmed final sizes:
| Installation | Reported reduction target | What is known |
|---|---|---|
| PC with 4K assets | At least 50% | Target reported by Neowin; final installed size is not stated. |
| Xbox Series X with 4K assets | At least 50% | Target reported by Neowin; final installed size is not stated. |
| Non-4K installations | Around 30% | Reported target, not a confirmed final size; platform-specific final figures are not stated. |
| PlayStation 5 | Around 30% | Reported target, not a confirmed final size. |
| Other Xbox versions | Not stated | The reports reviewed do not specify a separate target. |
The percentage targets are not a promise that every player will see the same space savings. Actual results depend on which assets the installed version includes, and the final package sizes have not been reported.
Recommended Free Tools
Will existing players have to reinstall the game?
Expect a full redownload when the optimized package replaces the current one. TrueAchievements’ October 2, 2026 report describes the transition as requiring existing players to download the full game again. No exact redownload size is available, so allow for a potentially substantial transfer and make sure your connection and available storage can accommodate it.
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
When will the smaller version arrive?
Reporting says the optimized packages will first be tested through Sea of Thieves’ Insider program, then reach the wider player base. No public rollout date was supplied. This is therefore a planned optimization, not a change players can assume is already available.
Why older download figures do not show the current game size
A release-note download figure measures a particular update package, not necessarily the total space the game occupies after installation. For example, Rare’s official version 2.10.1 notes listed downloads of 88.36 GB for Xbox Series X, 102 GB for Microsoft Store PC, and 10.49 GB for Steam. Those are historical, version-specific download sizes; they are not current full-install sizes or estimates of the upcoming redownload.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
TrueAchievements reported current installed-size estimates of 116 GB on Xbox Series X and 130 GB on PC. These are outlet estimates, not official platform requirements, and should not be treated as confirmed post-optimization sizes.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
