Xbox 360 Xenos GPU shrinks to 65nm this fall

by Christopher Grant { Apr 30th 2007 at 10:24AM }

We know the 65nm version of Xenon, the Xbox 360's triple-core CPU, had been delayed from Q1 2007 to "mid-2007," just missing being used in the Xbox 360 Elite, making irony the system's most prominent feature. But the CPU isn't the only thing getting shrunk: DigiTimes reports that the Xbox 360 will be equipped with a 65nm Xenos GPU this fall as well, with production of the new graphics chips scheduled for May. For those of you on the fence about the Elite, a newer, cooler, and cheaper (to manufacture) Xbox 360 should be here in the fall. The question: wait or jump in?

[Thanks, Fandel]

Tags: 65nm, ATI, GPU, Xenos

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jack of No Trades @ Apr 30th 2007 10:32AM

MS, you dumb asses. Get all your ducks in a row. Whats funny is that only the internet game nerds will only hear about this change. If the general public knew about this and had any understanding of technology they would be pissed off.

tome711 @ Apr 30th 2007 10:33AM

Thats dumb, why are there so many SKU's. This is why its PSWii for me!!!

venk @ Apr 30th 2007 10:32AM

Amazing how this comes out THE DAY AFTER the elite is released. ;)

myiagros @ Apr 30th 2007 12:19PM

I'll be waiting to see if these new production methods results in a much more stable and reliable product. Maybe by xmas the 360 "ring of death" will be confined to history.

Heres to hopeing, so i can finally play Dead Rising & Viva Pinata.

Devre @ Apr 30th 2007 11:09AM

This is great news for me, I was thinking of getting a 360 sometime this fall. Guess i'll wait for this :)

nerrrrrd @ Apr 30th 2007 10:50AM

whoopty sh1t! 65nm chips! finally all the dorks who have been waiting for these amazing chips can get a 360. and everyone who already has a 360 can complain that they got the 'crap' chip back in nov 05 and they were ripped off.

I promise you within 5 minutes someone will post a youtube video of a red ring of death 65nm system.

Konny @ Apr 30th 2007 10:40AM

So, the Elite is a regular ole 360 then? What a POS.. the RRoD are gonna look great against that matt-black finish.

So, what are the new 65nm 360s going to be called? XBOX 360 ELITE MAX?

BetrunkenAffe @ Apr 30th 2007 10:41AM

Actually, wasn't the big prob the warping of the motherboard due to the excess heat that caused chips to pop off.
Smaller chips = less power = less heat = no warping problem.
Anyways, I have a Nov 05 360, have had no probs, and in no way feel ripped off by the elite or the 65mms.

LongshotX @ Apr 30th 2007 10:42AM

Just do a swap.

Jon @ Apr 30th 2007 10:45AM

They aren't going to create a new Sku...they are simply going to replace the old chips with the new. This of course does not gurantee that the 360 will be any quieter...that remains to be seen.

Liraco @ Apr 30th 2007 10:47AM

I'm still waiting for a price drop (and less reports on dying 360s) before I jump in. Not to mention a few games that will really make me want to own it. I already do, but I'm just waiting for the price to be right.

Hoffer @ Apr 30th 2007 10:48AM

Why would you feel ripped off my a smaller CPU in new consoles? Every console ever has hardware revisions with smaller CPUs. If you truly feel ripped off, then you should never buy anything until the very last revision. That means you should be buying a PS2 right now.

DarkTemplar @ Apr 30th 2007 10:49AM

I dont think this will be ANOTHER SKU. They will just replace the old core, premium, and elite sku's with these newer models. Microsoft is trying to milk the 360 to make as much of a profit as possible. Those who got an Elite now made the worse choice ever; the early adopters however still made a good choice, seeing as they had a good 2 years with their console.

Johnny B Good @ Apr 30th 2007 10:51AM

@ 3 Grow up, Who cares how many SKU's there are, They all play the same games Dumb@$$. It's all about 'Options' & what you want So GET OVER IT.

Anyway, Was thinking of getting an Elite, but didn't have the 65nm so I guess I'll be waiting till this Fall!!!

Tony Bowman @ Apr 30th 2007 10:59AM

i held off on an elite for just this reason.

jay @ Apr 30th 2007 11:02AM

Well whatever, I'm waiting until the 360 2 is out before I buy a 360, maybe then they'll stop updating it.

Watership @ Apr 30th 2007 11:04AM

This will be for all 360 SKUs, not just the elite. These new 360s will still do the same thing the old 360s do. The same. Everyone calm down.

sven @ Apr 30th 2007 11:09AM

Well I have been waiting for this news for a while.
The only thing that stopped me in the past from buying a 360 was the fact that the 360 tendered to sometimes overheat, amongst other problems.
The good thing is that eventhough I will still have to wait a while I can just think of all the games I want to buy will be coming out when this 360 first hits stores. Im waiting for Banjo Kazooie and ace combat 6. I am also hoping that the dvd drive makes less noise and that the 360 will be a different colour such as blue, so I know that I am buying the model with the new chip in it. Otherwise my only way to tell if the model I bought had the new chip is when I open the box. Someone please tell me if there is any way I can tell that the model has the new chip in it besides opening the box to have a look.

Watership @ Apr 30th 2007 11:07AM

"Jay said: Well whatever, I'm waiting until the 360 2 is out before I buy a 360, maybe then they'll stop updating it."

They will never stop updating the 360. Do you know that the PS2 had 19 revisions? The 360 has had like 3 different DVD drives, and who knows what sort of chips swaps or other tiny changes we don't know about. Revisions are part of console manufacturing.

samfish @ Apr 30th 2007 11:08AM

Finally! If there's a price drop AND cooler chips, 2008 might just be the year I pick up a 360.

Cassidy @ Apr 30th 2007 11:09AM

So...like...um...does it allow gamers to play games that early adopters can't?

Anyone?

No?

Then what's the damn point, MS?

Constant harware revisions is one of the myriad of reasons I'm a console, not a PC, gamer. Microsoft seems intent on blurring that line. I'm afraid that unless they wow the shit out of me with the next-gen, I'm sticking with Nintendo and Sony. Sorry.

charlie @ Apr 30th 2007 11:09AM

I have no idea why people on this site make such a big deal about switching to a smaller microarchitecture. Yes, it could POTENTIALLY save microsoft money, if their yields are good enough. Yes, it could POTENTIALLY coincide with price drops, if MS feels enough competitive pressure. Yes, it will produce less heat and thus POTENTIALLY create less noise, although that all depends on how MS designs the system. Most of the noise in X360s is the optical drive anyway- that thing is obnoxious. Yes it could potentially cause fewer overheating problems, but again thats all on microsoft. There are plenty of products with 90nm processors that dont overheat. MS just designed the X360 shittily. They could still do the same thing at 65nm.

I think you guys get way to excited about the new chips.

I live in Japan @ Apr 30th 2007 11:10AM

Same here, this fall i will finally buy a 360.

nerrrrrd @ Apr 30th 2007 11:15AM

LOL @ "I'm waiting for a BLUE 360 so I know it has the 65nm chip"

what are you smoking? all consoles have hardware revisions including the ps3 and I know for a fact the wii already has had changes made to it's guts.

Alex @ Apr 30th 2007 11:16AM

I'll wait till fall, that's when the big hits are coming out anyway

Cassidy @ Apr 30th 2007 11:17AM

@23 - are you talking harware revisions, or firmware updates?

I see your point, but when did the Wii's "guts" change?

HotShotX @ Apr 30th 2007 11:18AM

Solution: Wait until Microsoft gets their head out of their ass and stops making a shitload of 360 versions.

So, by the time the "720" comes out, they should be done making 360 renditions every year.

~HotShotX

Shogan @ Apr 30th 2007 11:28AM

See, this is insane. I was ready to get a 360, then they announced the Elite. Now I WAS ready to get an Elite, but I really want the new smaller chips... in the hopes of the system being even slightly more reliable.

I think at this point, I'll get a used core system or something, then wait till they stop making new 360's. I knew Microsoft would do this. They love 'updating' everything.

Uncle Evil @ Apr 30th 2007 11:32AM

The new 65nm chips will be in the core, premium and elite.

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Apr 30th 2007 11:40AM

Most people - complaining Elite v. 65nm - miss the point: cheaper chip is better put into mostly sold console - not Elites.

IOW, I would expect MSFT getting out Xbox360 Core with 65nm chips before anything else - since I expect this is most sold SKU.

Use of 65nm in Elite SKU - though would add eliteness - will not help much the losses Xbox business unit has at moment. Making most popular system profitable is priority for them.

konajinx @ Apr 30th 2007 11:41AM

Yeah, I suggest all those sucking the Sony teat check out the wiki link below and scroll down to the "Hardware revisions" section on the precious PS2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2

Oh, and what's this?

"The V15 model still has compatibility issues with some PS2 games and PS1 games. There was some criticism since its release due to overheating and some disc read errors."

And this,

"In the beginning of 2005 it was found that some black slimline console power transformers bought between November and December 2004 were faulty and could overheat. The units were recalled by Sony, with the company supplying a replacement model made in 2005."

Wow, and here I was led to believe that Sony was cool, but here they've had 15 revisions of their best-selling system as well as overheating problems.

nerrrrrd @ Apr 30th 2007 11:43AM

@25

http://www.tvgame360.com.tw/viewthread.php?tid=15375&extra=page%3D1&page=2

but this is getting offtopic.

dixonij @ Apr 30th 2007 11:44AM

@ Cassidy

Ninty changed a few of the Wii's innards to make it harder for modders to mod the system and make a few modchips obsolete because it wouldn't work with the new mobo configuration.

m4xn00b @ May 1st 2007 12:44AM

You guys are idiots. We are NOT getting ripped, theyll still be able to play the same games so stop complaning on hwo u got ripped because u didnt. Revisions are alwyas gonna happen and u cant do shit about it, live with it!

konajinx @ Apr 30th 2007 11:45AM

Ah, one more bit from the wiki that's also worth pointing out,

"Owners of early PS2 models purchased from launch until spring 2003 often reported faulty optical drives in their consoles. The earliest drives suffered from a constantly misaligning laser lens, but later defects were the result of a shift in voltage to the laser. The first problem was easily remedied by opening the console's casing and tweaking a cog that controlled the lens' distance from the disc. However, this action voided the console's warranty. The second problem could be fixed by using an oscillator. After many consoles had broken down, a class action lawsuit was filed against Sony. Sony agreed to provide free repair or replacement for the faulty consoles and continued to do so until February, 2005."

So no more arguing that MS makes a crappy console. Class action lawsuits seem to say it all.

FrankTheCrank @ Apr 30th 2007 11:49AM

"a newer, cooler, and cheaper (to manufacture) Xbox 360 should be here in the fall"

M$ will not drop the price....they need to actually make money in the Entertainment Division of Microsoft. So now that it's cheaper to build, their no longer losing money on each console. Plus charging $179 for a 120GB hard drive should make them further money.

360 is still a uber PS2....at $399 for the premium, it's wayyy overpriced.

RHP @ Apr 30th 2007 11:50AM

I'm all for a cooler and quieter 360

Had the Elite offered that, it would have been a no-brainer purchase. Instead, I'm holding off.

jaysins @ Apr 30th 2007 11:56AM

Some of you are whiny as hell. The wii will be getting a dvd player and a die shrink eventually as will the the PS3. The snes even went through 3 cpu revisions and the PS lineup has gone through numerous and even more dramatic changes so it's ridiculous to say this is a MS related incident or that MS needs to get their head out of there ass with this.

Die shrink is one of the many ways to reduce the cost of the system and important for significant price drops in the future. It allows the companies to manufacture more chip on the same amount of die with about the same amount of material. It also has added benefits, makes the system run cooler and more efficient and allows for other hardware to be slimmed down like PSU.

Oh and if you didn't see this coming, and don't think it will happen to PS3 and wii than your a moron. Each manufacture has done it in the pas and will continue to do it again. Watch how small the PS3 is in 4 years.

RHP @ Apr 30th 2007 12:02PM

And I disagree Microsoft "needs" to make money in their entertainment division.

I think they're going after market share with the goal to minimize losses over time.

Microsoft is all about the long term. Windows wasn't initially successful and lost money for years too. Same with their PDA/smartphone software.

As far a price drop, it'll inevitably happen. Typically it occurs after cost controls and improvements in manufacturing are in place, and sales have dipped.

If I had to guess, I'd say a price reduction in 2008 is likely, although I'd certainly like to see it by th end of 2007. If we don't see a price reduction by October/November, expect to see bundles or rebates instead.

kingofwale @ Apr 30th 2007 12:01PM

This is such an excellent move by Microsoft.. think about it, they shush-shush about this 65 nm UNTIL Elite comes out and people bought them go "wait... it's not in there"?

now they can justify ANOTHER price increase by introducing xbox 360 Ultimate!

Bravo Microsoft, smart marketing! ;)

RoboChocobo @ Apr 30th 2007 12:07PM

Well, this was the only thing holding me back from buying an Elite. Thanks Joystiq. Now I won't go blow my Money this summer.

Now I can get a quieter DVD drive, a nice big HHD, AND 65mm chips.

It's going to be painful waiting for them all Summer while my friends play Rainbow 6, GoW, and the Halo 3 Beta, but I think I'll survive.... WHY DO YOU HAVE TO COME OUT IN THE FALL!?

RoboChocobo @ Apr 30th 2007 12:07PM

Wait, are the Graphics chips coming out May 2007, or May 2008?

LongshotX @ Apr 30th 2007 12:05PM

I would like to know the sells of the Elite after this week. It'd be interesting to know how many first time buyers or just people who want a 360 actually bought it. I think the results would be surprising.

James @ Apr 30th 2007 12:09PM

Come on I've been waiting forever for the 65nm CPU's!!! I'll wait as long as it takes though because I want to play Gears of War 2 when it comes out and I heard it won't work on the 90nm ones. I think it will allow DIVX movies to play too.

AirIntake @ Apr 30th 2007 12:12PM

Has everybody here gone retarded or something? Consoles have ALWAYS undergone revisions.

"OMG, Sega Genesis 2 came out and it has STEREO composite plugs and no headphone jack! My Genny 1 is USELESS now!"

Not to mention the countless noticeable and unnoticeable revisions that went on with the PS1 and PS2.