Xbox 360 gutted!
by Thomas Ricker 
{ Nov 16th 2005 at 9:20AM }
Normally, we have to wait for devices to go on sale before we get snaps of them all naked, sprawled out, and gutted, but AnandTech have already ripped into an Xbox 360 for your sick amusement. Now listen up future 360 modders, 'cause they provide step-by-step instructions for splaying your console wide using only standard tools and a couple of metal sticks. Inside they discovered the Microsoft logo slapped all over the PowerPC-based CPU, Xenos GPU, and elsewhere clearly demonstrating the level of control Microsoft has had over this release compared to the original Xbox, which largely made use of off-the-shelf PC components. Better get your camping gear ready diehards, cause the 360 drops in less than a week.
[Thanks, Sargan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pete @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Hey, now that the power supply is out of the box, imagine the possibilities... Next the CPU can be external too! ;~)
Fuzz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Joel Pan- It's a SATA DVD drive, and it appears to have a special power connector. You probably could replace it with another SATA drive, and rig up some wiring, but there is no real point.
Also, this blows the myth of it being liquid cooled.
g4bites @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
stupid site wont load
mike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Why is that optical drive so big? Itsn't it just a regular old DVD drive?? Its the same size as desktop computers use. And i'm guessing this is the hard driveless version.... where will the hd go? I don't see any extra space.
John Doe. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
"So this is just another PC...wrapped up in the form of a console."
I always laugh at these absurd comments. What the hell is a console other then a very customized computer with an OS that does very specific jobs?
Stu L Tissimus @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Here's a mirror: http://mirrordot.org/stories/2e325b67fca3a7819fbffb663776b26e/index.html
John Doe. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
"Why is that optical drive so big? Itsn't it just a regular old DVD drive?? Its the same size as desktop computers use. And i'm guessing this is the hard driveless version.... where will the hd go? I don't see any extra space."
The hard drive will attach externally. And the reason for the large DVD drive is simple: Money. Its cheaper.
MeatPlowz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
I don't know why everyone is concerned about the size of the power adapter. I say.. big F'ing deal.
BxJoseff @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Mike...have you not been reading up on this damn console? The Hard Drive is a detachable module that connects to the top of the XB360 when it's standing upright, it's pretty slim-when I saw it at the Best Buy. The Optical Drive is big because obviously Microsoft went ahead and made their own parts for the system this time around-to fight Modders.
and #18 it is liquid cooled, go to XBOX.com to read up on the system works, if you were expecting to see tubes with water in it then you watch too much sci-fi, the water is compressed in a sealed tank--its kind of like creating a little rain cycle inside of the box--it's actually pretty neat.
Oh yea...SONY ROXXORS!! LOL!
Fuzz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
They didn't disaseemble the HDD caddy. . . I'd like to see how difficult it would be to put a bigger HDD in. 20 gigs is nothing these days. It'd be nice to throw in a 100 giger. . and yes, I know it's a laptop HDD.
JollyGreenGiant @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
How is it that all the idiots in the world managed to find this comment section at the same time? For the last time, the 360 is a computer, the PS3 is a computer, and the Revolution is a computer!!!!!!!!! They all have memory chips, CPU's, video cards, etc. Geez, what did you expect it to look like when you opened it up?!?!? A bunch of gnomes and fairies on hamster wheels? Get a clue people!
Crazyglues @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Dam big bad wolf microsoft made them take it down....
Now you tell me who runs this mother F*%#$ Bit$^....lol dam that was so quick that's crazy.... I guess they where worried someone would hack the 360 like they did Xbox....
Mike Graham @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Hack the un-Hackable 360!? I give it 4 hours after launch for some form of a mod to be in place and available on the net!
Mu Doggy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
what are you talking about #28? Microsoft made who take what down? I'm looking at the article as I type...
MrApollinax @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
looks like the site got /.ed the mirror above works fine.
Mu Doggy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
yeah, now images wont load very fast... so how do we use the mirror to load the other pages. if you click "next page" it just brings you back to the real website which is slow...
chudgoo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
To all the people claiming it's "just a PC" I'd like to ask you what you are running...
My computers do not have tri-core PowerPC chips nor dual core GPUs. They certainly don't have the wicked-fast memory or the sleek form factor. So the DVD drive must be what makes it a PC...
To call anything with a CPU or an optical drive "a PC" is just stupid. By that logic my iPod and DVD player are "just PCs"
//Not buying a XB360, just saying...
chudgoo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
#18, Fuzz : "Also, this blows the myth of it being liquid cooled."
Uh, not really.
What were you expecting to see!? Bubbling vials of green-tinted pelegrino or something?
See that copper tube going around the heat sink? That is called a "heat pipe". It is hollow and contains a "liquid". (hence "liquid cooling")
Head-u-cation ensued...
http://www.cheresources.com/htpipes.shtml
http://www.thermacore.com/hpt_how_enlarge.htm
DAN @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
wow, a computer.
Utills @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
I did not say "computer"....I said PC. a mac does not count as a PC. A PS2 does not count as a PC. These have specially designed components that have been built from the ground up to suit the need of consoles.
A PC on the other hand is a generic computer....with generic parts which can be built by buying off the shelf items. The Xbox 1 was an example of this. It was basically just a customised PC for consoles.
The PS3 for example has been built very much to suit the needs of a console. Just look at the Cell architecture and the components that have been designed specifically for gamers.
a computer is different to a PC. period!!
alv @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
"The PS3 for example has been built very much to suit the needs of a console. Just look at the Cell architecture and the components that have been designed specifically for gamers."
It has not been designed just for the ps3.
They want to use cell in other sony garbade... er, products... as well.
Tim @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
It's not watercooled in the sense that a modder would consider watercooled. A modder would expect to see a pump, tubing, waterblocks, and preferably a resivoir. It just uses heatpipes which contain conductive fluid, which would just be called heatpipes by any enthusiast. However, many companies advertise this as watercooled, as sony once did for a Vaio.
omgwtfbbq @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
How about you all stop flaming like assholes?
And some grammar might help you all too. "Different to"? Come on, people.
Shakespeare @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
"The PS3 for example has been built very much to suit the needs of a console. Just look at the Cell architecture and the components that have been designed specifically for gamers."
Now if they could just build it to suit the needs of its customers instead of the needs of a console.
You make no sense, and the cell architecture is very debatable as to whether it is the optimal design for gaming. I wouldn't be surprised if the cell architecture is a better way to control content and a more efficient way to hide and disguise the unethical manner in which they apply their control.
Aaron @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
ok i just wanna say that i dont care if its a pc, or a computer or a consol, it just plainly kicks a$$ and i will be buying it. ps3 will be coming out too late for me and i want the next generation of technology now, not later. plus microsoft has got the titles(that of which sony doesn't have)
Aaron @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
ok i just wanna say that i dont care if its a pc, or a computer or a consol, it just plainly kicks a$$ and i will be buying it. ps3 will be coming out too late for me and i want the next generation of technology now, not later. plus microsoft has got the titles(that of which sony doesn't have)
Fuzz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
I hardly consider a heatpipe "liquid cooling", and the way it wwas talked about in the past, it was going to have REAL liquid cooling, but meh. It doesn't matter, I was just expecting waterblocks, radiator, and a pump. No need to get all angry at me. You people need to lay off the sugar.
Brian @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
I bet that microsoft will downsize some parts in the future, making for a more compact console.
Chees @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Hmm.. it says it has a powerPC processor on the site. Does this mean with some hacks we would be able to run OS X?
distantbody @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
All you PS3 hatin' XBOX fanboys are all 'tards. A few dozen images of the thing and you're all cooing like its the "PS3 killer" or some shit. Basically its a nice bit of hardware for its time, bar a few crippling limitations stopping it from being futureproof (e.g. DVD at launch, no hdmi, no 1080p_WTF!). In a years time this will be just as much of a peice of shit as the first xbox is now. But I'm no PS3 fanboy either. Apparantly its launching in "spring '06" i.e. September in Sony-speak. What a bunch of dumb fucks for letting it slip so far behind! And on the topic of Sony-speak, once the Sony-Mega-Hype-Monster rears its fat ugly head, it will leave a bad taste in everyones minds after the inevitable crushing dissapoinment. Again
== DB-Out ==
Derrick Gott @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Sure are a lot of fanboys in here!!!
Derrick Gott @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Sure are a lot of fanboys in here!!!
distantbody @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
All you PS3 hatin' XBOX fanboys are all 'tards. A few dozen images of the thing and you're all cooing like its the "PS3 killer" or some shit. Basically its a nice bit of hardware for its time, bar a few crippling limitations stopping it from being futureproof (e.g. DVD at launch, no hdmi, no 1080p_WTF!). In a years time this will be just as much of a peice of shit as the first xbox is now. But I'm no PS3 fanboy either. Apparantly its launching in "spring '06" i.e. September in Sony-speak. What a bunch of dumb fucks for letting it slip so far behind! And on the topic of Sony-speak, once the Sony-Mega-Hype-Monster rears its fat ugly head, it will leave a bad taste in everyones minds after the inevitable crushing dissapoinment. Again
== DB-Out ==
Yak Yak @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
According to the Encarta Dictionary, the definition of a computer is as follows; "(noun) an electronic device that accepts, processes, stores, and outputs data at high speeds according to programmed instructions." Now if the "p" in PC stands for Personal, then ultimately--regardless of what title it's distinguished by (i.e., Mac, PS2, XBOX, blah, blah, blah)--IT'S A DAMN COMPUTER!!! Your personal computer. I hate people who say its potatoes not patatoes (and vice versa), just eat the damn thing already!
HEY'SUS!!!
Alex (RuTen) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Yes, DAMN! Anything with a cpu-hdd-mainboard will be considered a COMPUTER. Just like a Pocket PC is and just like a Calculator is. Shut up about all this technical crap and just look at its purpose. -A gaming console, instead of what cooling and piping it has, find out what games it has and how they perform with the peripherals. The PS3 might be a bit better on Dvd functions and what not, if thats ur case just buy a dvd player. I can only say one thing, GAMES is what makes a console a console. Not to take sides but XBOX w/ (Halo) best game and Xbox w/ Xbox Live would be reason on why u should buy a console, cause the future of gaming is comp. in ur own home. These features are way more superior than Blu Ray and cooling, sure they do help and speed up the process, but i see myself having fun with an old arcade game just like with the ps3 and 360 :-/. Here's a suggestions ... Play and have fun!
Adam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
PowerPC-based CPU? Does this not mean that you could, in theory run OS X on it...?
jopojelly @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
ehh, id rather wait and play sega and nintendo classics on my future Revo, but thats my opinion. and...yes, I do realize that I am totally off topic, but I dont really care...no sane person would read 50+ comments about the 360 being a computer or not...gosh
xbox 360 hacks @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Sweet!
Tony @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Uh, is it called X-box "360" because it's starting price is $360.00?? or will Microsoft want a bigger chunk of change and 360 means you will do a "360" when you spend the money on their new game system??
Jimbo($$$) @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
PS3 will be destroyed by XBOX 360 because sony is a piece of shit company that steals technology and in the end XBOX 360 will rule the shelves as the consol KING!!!!!!!!!!!!
violator @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
somebody mod this thing already!
Kyle Kennedy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
"PS3 will be destroyed by XBOX 360 because sony is a piece of shit company that steals technology and in the end XBOX 360 will rule the shelves as the consol KING!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Wow, that has to be the most biased, retarded statement to date... I am sorry but you must grow up.
Jotenks @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
The only thing I have to say is that the 1080p feature on the PS3 will be useless for gaming. developers already have said that they are going to be making the same version of the game for each console in order to save on development costs. More importantly, how many "average" people are going to have a 1080p television within the lifespan of the ps3? As it is, the standardization of digital network television has been pushed back several more years due to how slowly households are switching to hd television sets.
Sony has already admitted that they put blu-ray drives into their system in order to get players into people's houses. However, even if you do want a blu-ray drive, do you really want your ps3 to be the system playing your discs. The ps2 was a horrible DVD player that tended to wear out if you used it to play movies.
Another issue I have with Sony is the fact that they are hyping their new system to be cutting edge technology. However technology will not stand still while the ps3 takes its sweet time coming out. Both Nvidia and ATI will have 1 or 2 new flagship graphics cards out by the time that the ps3 comes out...and they will easily surpass what the ps3 graphics setup is capable of. The ps3 will be the console graphics king if it that matters to anyone, but they won't have the best graphics available to consumers like they claim they will.
Amazing as it may seem, I am not a Microsoft fanboy. The Xbox is the last system I purchased, and even then it was because all of my friends were constantly playing Halo 2. I will be buying a 360 when Halo 3 comes out so I can play with all my friends who will devote their free time to it. I will not, however, be buying a ps3. I am just fed up with Sony lying to peoples faces and pushing their own proprietary formats which raise prices without offering any benefits (and no game is going to need the capacity or DRM a blu-ray disc has to offer). Beta, memory stick, Atrac 3, Umd's, and now blu-ray are all proof of their failures as a company. They really need to fail this time so that they can finally be put in their place.
Oh, and this tirade has all been typed up on my Vaio PCG-FRV37 laptop (It's actually been really good to me for the last 2 years). Ironic, I know. =P
Robot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
Ahhhhhh skeet skeet skeet skeet!
jkleistra @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
To #56:
It's called "360" because hopefully Windows turned all the way around and fixed everything they flurked up on the first XBOX, and then started from the beginning.
Ricardo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
JUST WOW....got some console love in there...nice
xbox360-forums.com @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
This has removed the curiousity, and therefore urge to destroy my 360
Noel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
It's kinda funny...the first thing that I thought I was looking at was my Dell optiplex Pentium III PC....which I had to gut on many occasion for upgrades. Anyway, it feels soooooo good to be one of the 360 reserved buyers. Has anyone done the math on how much interests these games stores have made on our down payments? I bet it's ubsurd!!
Utilly @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
So this is just another PC...wrapped up in the form of a console. I think the PS3 will probably be much more console like but at the end of the day, if the Xbox can get a good list of games before the PS3 comes out they will be able to capture the market.
I hear that this time they built security (i.e. no modding) from the ground up. Let's see how long that lasts!
Matt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:39PM
The image that struck me with the first pic was the gi-normous power adapter!! I'm sure the size will be reduced with time, but geez, that thing is huge.