Takahashi: Xbox 360s with 65nm CPUs soaring this year
by Ross Miller 
{ Aug 23rd 2007 at 12:25PM }
The chips, which are a sizable difference than the current 90nm chips, are being planned for a new motherboard codenamed Falcon (if you recall, Microsoft's previous motherboard upgrade that included an HDMI port was called Zephyr). The upgrade will still have 90nm graphics chips from ATI -- that upgrade is for later. And there is no guarantee that the smaller chips, though theoretically will require less energy, will alleviate the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death.
And so how will you tell if the console has the Falcon? You can't -- not at first, anyways. "Microsoft has no intention of telling you which box has 65-nanometer chips on the inside," he said. All Falcon-equipped Xbox 360s have HDMI ports, but not all HDMI-enabled 360s have Falcons. "I really don't know how you're going to be able to tell the difference. If you're buying an Xbox 360 without HDMI, then for sure you aren't getting Falcon," he said.
This Christmas, if you're hoping for a more reliable Xbox 360, there is a chance you could nab one. From what Takahashi has said, however, you might have to increase your Luck stat before you try to pick up one. Check out Takahashi's article for more details.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MooseMuffin @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:35PM
I don't understand. This guy doesn't work for MS, so why do we care what he predicts? I predict the new chips will be in consoles around holiday time when they release consoles bundled with games. See, pulling stuff outta your ass is easy!
kokuryukai @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:35PM
Time to buy a 360 when this come out, and only when I have the new chipset!
Count Noobula @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:37PM
Just put them in already. Wtf are they waiting for? I have had 4 xbox 360's since last November when i bought my first. Make a better, more reliable product asap, cause I am honestly considering selling mine one I receive the replacment, then get a PS3. The PS3 doesn't have as many good games yet, but at least it won't fail me.
dukeatreides4ever @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:40PM
Lol did you even read the article?
The falcon chip does NOT guarantee that your 360 won't RROD on you.
So good luck with that. I wonder what you'll say if your "5th" 360 breaks.
JL @ Aug 23rd 2007 4:59PM
Ive had three friends that have already given up and done just what youre saying. It seems as the PS3 is getting ready to release some games, alot of 360 owners are switching over. Ive been lucky so far with my 360. It does get really loud though, my PS3 is almost silent.
NATO_Duke @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:37PM
Ah man, that falcon so wants to kick someones ass - you can just feel it. I want one.
Jerk Face @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:50PM
I know, right? Apparently Falcons are the most ass kicking bird. I had no idea.
JJ Rooster @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:42PM
Before this gets out of hand, can we agree that the biggest problem with the 360 is overheating (thus RROD). As of now, or very soon, all 360's (even repaired ones) are getting the extra heatsink to curb this issue.
Yes, it's been a valid criticism, but it won't be forever. Heck, I fixed my own 360 (google x-clamp issue) and it's been fine ever since.
dukeatreides4ever @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:47PM
The thing is...is that certain people will never let it go.
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:58PM
I have my 360 since launch and trust me I play the crap out of it! Since day 1 with COD2, then Gears and now Bioshock......STILL NO RROD, people are exagerating because i have 6 frinds of mine who have a 360 and only one of theirs got RROD'd and he sent it over to MS. 1 week later he was gaming again and it hasnt broke since. PS3 owners just get the F*ck outta here!!
Word of the street. @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:58PM
Actually Overheating is the biggest problem of them all, is good to see someone mentions it for a change.
My first x360 died that way, It started to overheat and scratch my Dead Rising Disc again Thank you Skip DR for saving it from Dead (no pun intended).Weird but my x360 died without a RRoD.
When I got my Second x360 one day I turn it on to play Darkness when I saw it, the RRoD. When I saw the RRoD I was like “No F**ing Way" Then I just realized it wasn’t connected properly :P.
M Second x360 is flawless and I have treated worst than my first x360.
NATO_Duke @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:27PM
"Actually Overheating is the biggest problem of them all, is good to see someone mentions it for a change."
Its a change for someone to mention overheating of XBox 360's? What internet have you been using?
Dapper Dan @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:45PM
RRoD has nothing to do with overheating. it is a mobo failure.
Mark @ Aug 23rd 2007 5:32PM
Actually, it has everything to do with overheating. You're right in that it's a "mo-bo problem," but what is actually happening is that the overheating of the GPU (mostly the GPU) is causing the Motherboard to warp. In doing so, often the GPU will pop off the Motherboard, and since there is no longer a connection between the chip and the motherboard, the system will not work; and this when the system will send the failure message (red ring). It's fairly complicated, but the major issue is the overheating, and not moving out the heated air efficiently enough to prevent the motherboard from warping.
As the poster above mentioned, however, the new heat sink goes a VERY long way to fixing this issue since the average temperature inside is much lower (you can tell because you can feel a lot more hot air coming out of the 360's with the new heat sink (hot air coming out is GOOD; means there is less hot air inside, which is what you want)). To be honest, I'm not sure how much the new CPU's will go to fixing this issue as I think the heat sink will do a much better job then a console with no new heat sink and the new 65 cpu. It's especially not a huge issues since it is the GPU primarily that puts out the most heat, and not the CPU; so a change for the CPU will do little good.
The good news in all of this is that if you purchase a console that was made after April/May of this year (the elits on store shelves that I have seen everywhere, for instance, are all made after this) do have this new heatsink. I have a launch day console that's still going (somehow still works without any problems), and I just bought an Elite (gave old premium to brother) that was manufactured in June of this year. I can tell you the new elite runs much much cooler than my old premium and its DVD drive is very quiet. I am much more confident in the reliability of this new elite then I was of my old system.
If you were thinking of getting a 360, I wouldn't wait to get one since the new heat sink will fix the overheating issue. Just make sure you look at the manufactured date on the back of the 360 (you can find this by pushing in a tab on the top of the box that lets you look at the back of the XBOX) and you will be fine. It's not worth missing out on the 360 (if you don't have one already) just because of this annoying issue.
Virtua Fanboy @ Aug 23rd 2007 6:59PM
what the hell is google x clamp issue exactly, lol. Mine's broke but I KNOW it's not from overheating.
Dapper Dan @ Aug 24th 2007 1:49AM
well i stand corrected...that was a hell of a novel! lol =)
VampireHunter Z @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:55PM
If reliability is your concern I don't think there is any need to wait. Just shell out the extra money and buy an Elite. I haven't heard of any issues with them. This might be due to the small amount of people who own them or maybe there is more to it than just it's color.
MooseMuffin @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:57PM
Yes theres more to it than color, theres a new motherboard and new heatsink, which is also in the current premiums. People buying new 360s are basically in the clear. Its those of us who have old ones who are going to have trouble.
Rob @ Aug 23rd 2007 12:57PM
I don't get what the big deal is with the new chip... I'm not the most computer literate guy in the worl (no slouch either though) so can someone tell me exactly why the 360's with the 65nm chip will be better than my still-perfectly-functioning launch box?
Lifted 0ne 4l9 @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:05PM
the 65 nm chip is smaller requires less power and therefore also creates less heat and over heating is the biggest problem with the 360, so less heat means less likely to over heat therefore your less likely to have your 360 die on you.
kinshadow @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:09PM
Smaller process requires less voltage and emits less heat. Thus, the fans can run slower (quieter) and less chance to overheat.
That said, my launch day (stood in line for 10 hours) box still runs fine.
dl429 @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:03PM
I have already heard reports that 360 elites manufactured after July 4 had the new falcon chipset. Anybody know if this is true?
jynxycat @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:04PM
No, thats the cutoff for HDMI enabled non-elites.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:02PM
The Falcon chips were Falcon Punched. That's the reason for the delay. And also having previously been stuffing the channels finally dwindling.
Crono @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:38PM
What, did they get teen pregnant from Gannon?
jynxycat @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:06PM
Honestly, it's not going to stop the system alone from destroying itself.
Assuming MS has perfected the 90nm process for their current CPU, the new NEW 65 chips won't be a whole lot better at first. Look at Intel/AMD's first 65nm chips, they used a tad bit less energy, and were maybe like 5 degrees C cooler.
If all that stands between the 360 core and destruction is 5 degrees, then they have bigger problems at hand.
jynxycat @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:06PM
Honestly, it's not going to stop the system alone from destroying itself.
Assuming MS has perfected the 90nm process for their current CPU, the new NEW 65 chips won't be a whole lot better at first. Look at Intel/AMD's first 65nm chips, they used a tad bit less energy, and were maybe like 5 degrees C cooler.
If all that stands between the 360 core and destruction is 5 degrees, then they have bigger problems at hand.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:17PM
At least you didn't triple post an apology.
Reverend Slim @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:08PM
The Zephyr boards are identifiable because they have the word "Zephyr" in the product code on the box. I imagine the same will happen for Falcon.
I'm on my 9th 360 since launch and actually bought a Core system to play during the downtime between repairs... so I can't wait for more reliable units.
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:15PM
Not flaming here. I just cannot believe that you would buy an extra 360 just so you can play your games.
And yet, people still complain about the PS3's price.
Attila @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:28PM
How much open space do you have around your 360? Is it tucked away in your entertainment center? Is it sitting on a carpeted floor? Do you live in a humid climate?
I'm just curious, as I've never had any problems with mine.
baby sea tuna @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:52PM
"Not flaming here. I just cannot believe that you would buy an extra 360 just so you can play your games.
And yet, people still complain about the PS3's price."
That's probably because you don't own one. If you did, you'd understand. And most people's problem with the PS3 is not the price, it's the fact that that 5 or 600 bucks is being spent on a system with NO DAMN GAMES. Sure, this'll change soon...but as of now R:FOM, Motorstorm, and a few downloadables do not justify the difference in price between the PS3 and the 360.
d-pad @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:40PM
Ninth system???
Do you live inside a volcano?
oldest gamer @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:07PM
Who is still considering this xcrap box anyway? Over heats, damages disks, costs money each month to keep it online and keep your library of purchases still usable, pay for charge and play, pay for online multi-play, pay for wifi. And still MS looses money? Too many payoffs for a crap console.
Ska Oreo @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:24PM
apparantly alot of people.
Hansi @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:08PM
Since the current Zephyr equipped 360's have Zephyr clearly written on the barcode on the outside of the box, I would expect the same thing with the Falcon. So you should be able to easily tell if it has the 65nm cpu.
Mike @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:10PM
Didn't that picture a few weeks ago show the code name IN the serial number??. You can tell which by looking there. D'uh.. you guys reported it!
Zaphod Beeblebrox @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:12PM
Some of these comments are hilarious. I never knew one could get so excited over a smaller chip.
Microsoft will not say when the Falcon chip ships for no other reason than if they did, they would be stuck with every single one of these older 360's.
Makes sense to me. With the Playsations 1,2 and 3, the model number changes, maybe the 360 is the same way?
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:25PM
When theres games you really want to play then ppl will just do that. Go out and buy an xtra 360 because its just that good. I personally wouldnt buy an extra one but guess some peeps gotta have their xbox live fix. Oh and the Ps3 price is too high, for the games they have on that thing it is.
Reverend Slim @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:28PM
I bought the Core 360 in November '06... 'cause I had Gears, CoD3, R6: Vegas and Splinter Cell Double Agent sitting unplayed while Microsoft sent me two broken consoles back to back then lost my return for two months. I went without my Premium from October 16, 2006 to January 15, 2007. That's why I finally bought a Core to play until Microsoft straightened things out.
I love the 360, and have no interest in the PS3 (not because of price - I just hate the controllers). Can't wait for the 65nm chips.
Ska Oreo @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:22PM
You know, I'm starting to get the feeling that people don't want the RROD to go away.
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:28PM
Im starting a new slogan LaunchStrong!!! My 360's been running smooth since Launch. Maybe some idiots forget to turn their systems off, who knows.
Attila @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:23PM
I've never had any problems with my 360 which I have had for about a year now. It has plenty of room to breathe; I really think most of the people having issues are related to there not being enough airflow around their boxes.
I haven't heard any of the newer units with the extra heat sync ever having a RROD problem. Microsoft already seems to have fixed the issue, so there's really no reason to wait for the new chips to come out.
Reverend Slim @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:41PM
To answer your question, my 360 sits in an open area (6" of space on all sides), 74 degrees in my home theater year round, sitting on a hard smooth surface. I stuck a thermometer around it and temperatures are never more than 10 degrees higher than ambient (because there's a ventilating fan in that area). I do live on the Gulf Coast though, so 100% humidity pretty much every day. But if my projector and audio gear can survive it, a damn game console should. I even had an electrician check the dedicated circuit for my theater.
I've had 1 killed by the fall update, 1 go through a fire in the UPS truck on the way to my house, 1 arrive with a bad GPU, and 3 red ring.
mike @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:33PM
The RROD issue is now just a bunch of sony fanboys blowing smoke towards xbox. Its been fixed. The new heatsinks have been in elites for over 2 months, and the premiums for over 1 month. There have been like a million + of these new heatsink consoles sold and no1 has gottena RROD yet on them (compared to right out of the box before).
Thats it, RROD over. The only people still complaining about it are the people who are having their old systems break now or the sony fans. If you went out and bought a new 360 console today (hdmi version for premium) or any elite, it would be 100% cured of RROD. There is no reason at all this issue needs to be discussed anymore. The falcon will mearly make your xbox 360 a fraction cooler and save you 10 cents a year in energy bills, its not gonna solve the RROD issue because its already been solved. I find it funny that people are still waiting for the falcons before they buy a 360, like they are completely unaware of the new heatsink.
xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:37PM
Well said
DangerMouse @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:50PM
Stop labeling others fanboys when you're clearly in the same category.
And the people who have a right to bitch about their broken 360's are the people who have broken 360's. It's pathetic that'd you'd defend a poorly made piece of equipment. You're worse than the sony fanboys who make the xbox look bad. At least they make a good case, because the 360's clearly not in top shape, but the fact that you're defending a corporation selling lemons is pathetic. They proved the accusations the day they offered three year warranty's to consumers who had already purchased the system.
TheHood @ Aug 23rd 2007 1:55PM
It takes time for for faulty consoles to break,
not just two months.
Also you don't know for sure that the RROD is over so stop saying it is.
TheHood @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:00PM
It takes time for faulty consoles to break, not just 2 months.
Also don't say RROD is over because that has not been proven. M$ still wants people to but the remaining stock of faulty xbox360s before they release a new model.
Davinche @ Aug 23rd 2007 2:03PM
Mike you are a retard.
Like you can vouch for every 360 and say they are 100% cured, because of what? "heatsinks have been in elites for over 2 months, and the premiums for over 1 month"
WOW, a WHOLE 2 MONTHS, thats like, an eternity!
And why should you care if people choose to be extra safe and make sure they make a good decision? they didn't say they didn't want a 360, they just want to be careful and get a product they can have faith in.
I hope bill Gates dick is worth it.