Have you been as curious as us about when Microsoft plans to utilize smaller CPUs in their Xbox 360? According to The Mercury News' Dean Takahashi, who has previously written two books on Microsoft's consoles, the 65nm processors will probably start finding its way into new Xbox 360s by the end of the year. However, there are a few caveats.
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 (81)
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 2:10PM (Unverified) said
It's not over until every single 360 that does not have the new heatsinks is retrofitted so that the problem will not occur again.
You are right that the root problem has been identified and corrected but that in no way and form has corrected the overall issue at hand. That will probably continue on for some. Just because a luanch 360 has not RROD'd yet doesn't mean it doesn't have the same potential to do so as the others that did.
So until complete recall and repair of every single system without the retrofit is made, RROD as you said is NOT over. And I'm saying this from a perspective of not caring either way.
Reply
You are right that the root problem has been identified and corrected but that in no way and form has corrected the overall issue at hand. That will probably continue on for some. Just because a luanch 360 has not RROD'd yet doesn't mean it doesn't have the same potential to do so as the others that did.
So until complete recall and repair of every single system without the retrofit is made, RROD as you said is NOT over. And I'm saying this from a perspective of not caring either way.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 2:12PM (Unverified) said
Oh and my previous comment gives you the benefit of the doubt that that heatsinks actually do fix the problem completely, which is information really don't actually know.
In any case your argument is broken.
Reply
In any case your argument is broken.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 1:36PM (Unverified) said
People will NEVER let this smaller CPU go. I don't understand why everyone think this is going to be the magical fix for the Xbox 360. Sure,it's going to help,but I doubt it'll make the 360's rock solid and erase the RROD issue.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 1:39PM ThornedVenom said
Even if the Falcon doesn't guarantee to thwart RROD, if it doesn't, gamers are gonna be veeeeeery angry.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 1:41PM deaftly said
once again not every 360 out there is dying, alot more people have working 360's then ones that have died
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 1:46PM (Unverified) said
"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."
Yeah, because your personal experience obviously trumps the $1.15 billion MS is spending to fix a series of design flaws to which they have publicly admitted.
Yeah, because your personal experience obviously trumps the $1.15 billion MS is spending to fix a series of design flaws to which they have publicly admitted.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 2:20PM (Unverified) said
Not only that but statisticly 1 out of 6 is still a pretty high failure ratio. That itself is unacceptable for most QC tests especially for a high-end electronics product.
If xXFenixKnight13Xx thinks that is acceptable I don't know what to think about them. The very fact that most of personally people who has actually has had problems with their 360's is a testament to their superior reliability.
Reply
If xXFenixKnight13Xx thinks that is acceptable I don't know what to think about them. The very fact that most of personally people who has actually has had problems with their 360's is a testament to their superior reliability.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 1:57PM baby sea tuna said
"All Falcon-equipped Xbox 360s have HDMI ports, but not all HDMI-enabled 360s have Falcons."
So it's midgets and dwarves all over again...
So it's midgets and dwarves all over again...
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 2:02PM (Unverified) said
"The upgrade will still have 90nm graphics chips from ATI -- that upgrade is for later."
is it not the gpu over heating that causes the red ring of death and not the cpu? so who cares about this.
is it not the gpu over heating that causes the red ring of death and not the cpu? so who cares about this.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 2:54PM (Unverified) said
This is the reason why I never buy American products they tend to not last long, and they build crap, there is thing called quality assurance – however Microsoft must have phase out this department to save on cost. There is no excuse for Microsoft for putting out a faulty system 30-40% failure rate is unheard of in the industry. No consumer in their right mind will go out and buy something that failing and badly design - of course fan boys will because the system is like a narcotic to them and they need their fix. For the record the elite have had their share of problems as well since. I just hope the new chip set will restore faith in the system then I will purchase it.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 3:18PM baby sea tuna said
Right, I completely forgot that all of those PS2s with the faulty laser diodes were made in America.
Reply
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 8:38PM (Unverified) said
Sure lets throw a SWEEPING gerality of the burning pile and see if it puts out the flames..
your post r teh failz...
#1 360 weren't manufactured in the USA ;) they were desinged in the USA and manufactured at plants in the far east (can't remember which country)
We can all play the stereotype and sweeping generality game... The only thing it does is hurt feelings and make you look like an idiot.
Reply
your post r teh failz...
#1 360 weren't manufactured in the USA ;) they were desinged in the USA and manufactured at plants in the far east (can't remember which country)
We can all play the stereotype and sweeping generality game... The only thing it does is hurt feelings and make you look like an idiot.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 5:49PM mccrearym said
I don't know what century you're living in, but nothing is made in America anymore other than food really. Don't believe me? Look at the "made in" part of anything. It will almost certainly not say America if it's anything electronics-based that's for sure.
Reply
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 2:55PM SSUK said
wouldn't a smaller bird be better justice to the whole '65nm CPU' news? What with the chips being smaller?
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 3:17PM (Unverified) said
The inquirer had an article about 65nm XBox360. They claim they are shipping them out now. The article is
rather believable and they are saying the new power-supply will be smaller.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=41889
I have always wondered how many of those who complain about RROD are just Sony fanboys. Bet a lot those posts are just bullshit.
rather believable and they are saying the new power-supply will be smaller.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=41889
I have always wondered how many of those who complain about RROD are just Sony fanboys. Bet a lot those posts are just bullshit.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 3:36PM (Unverified) said
hmmm The Inquirer eh...
I have always wondered how many of those... articles are just bullshit.
Reply
I have always wondered how many of those... articles are just bullshit.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 5:15PM (Unverified) said
See what I did there, I took his own words and twisted them to make fun of him...
Ah you people...you wouldn't know comedy if it was yellow, you walked over and it caused you to slip and fall.
Reply
Ah you people...you wouldn't know comedy if it was yellow, you walked over and it caused you to slip and fall.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 3:38PM (Unverified) said
Right dummy we are exagerating the RROD. I have had two. One launch and one refurb DOA.
There is still no word if the HALO3 edition will be using Falcon.
There is still no word if the HALO3 edition will be using Falcon.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 4:10PM (Unverified) said
I know that the inquirer is so-so regarding reliability. That article fit in rather well with various 65nm rumours. That's why I'm not ready to call it bullshit.
As for RROD I still believe much of what is posted here is Sony-fanboys lies.
Reply
As for RROD I still believe much of what is posted here is Sony-fanboys lies.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 4:50PM Mr Khan said
This is really just a regurgitated rumor, we know they're coming, the only thing people care about is if it'll fix RROD, and that remains to be seen
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 5:04PM zero2dash said
Falcon's this year, you say?
No sh!t, sherlock. *rolls eyes*
And like it's already been said...65nm does not equal "no more RoD". At this point, who really cares?
How many 360 skus and revisions will there be before all's said and done?
Core and Premium. Then Elite. Then Premium w HDMI. No more Cores. Then Elite 'Falcon' and Premium 'Falcon'. What's next...Premium 'Black'? Elite 'White'? A new line, the Professional, with an eSATA port?
Enough with all the f'n skus and revisions. Make one and stick with it.
No sh!t, sherlock. *rolls eyes*
And like it's already been said...65nm does not equal "no more RoD". At this point, who really cares?
How many 360 skus and revisions will there be before all's said and done?
Core and Premium. Then Elite. Then Premium w HDMI. No more Cores. Then Elite 'Falcon' and Premium 'Falcon'. What's next...Premium 'Black'? Elite 'White'? A new line, the Professional, with an eSATA port?
Enough with all the f'n skus and revisions. Make one and stick with it.
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 7:22PM (Unverified) said
Junior: hey momz buy me a 360 i wanna pwn some noobz in Halo lolz
Mom: but Junior, what about this "Death Ring" i keep hearing about?
Juniod: they gives a 3 year warranty you noob lolz
Mom: but Junior, what happens after 3 years when the "Death Ring" comes again?
Junior: stops da trollin you PS3 fanboy!!1!
Mom: Junior i'm only willing to buy you a PS3. besides, we can also watch Blu-ray movies on it!
Junior: allrite lolz im gonna pwn some noobz in rfom!1
Mom: but Junior, what about this "Death Ring" i keep hearing about?
Juniod: they gives a 3 year warranty you noob lolz
Mom: but Junior, what happens after 3 years when the "Death Ring" comes again?
Junior: stops da trollin you PS3 fanboy!!1!
Mom: Junior i'm only willing to buy you a PS3. besides, we can also watch Blu-ray movies on it!
Junior: allrite lolz im gonna pwn some noobz in rfom!1
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 11:50PM Vegeta has a ps3 said
....
Are you on something? Seriously either that or are you fucking retarded? Really I want to know.
Reply
Are you on something? Seriously either that or are you fucking retarded? Really I want to know.
Posted: Aug 24th 2007 10:57AM (Unverified) said
Hey Curmeo as you already know I think just about everything you say is toolish dribble, but I have to say this comment actually made me laugh.
Reply
Posted: Aug 23rd 2007 8:22PM (Unverified) said
im skeptical that the chips were made in CHINA....
Posted: Aug 24th 2007 4:02AM BurntMeatloaf said
Can't they just shift things around inside the box to provide better cooling? Obviously the case has to stay the same for PR reasons and those stupid faceplates, but the motherboards could be modified so the GPU isn't gasping for airflow.
I really want to buy a 360, but every one I've touched to date has been ridiculously hot. What kind of morons designed this thing?
I really want to buy a 360, but every one I've touched to date has been ridiculously hot. What kind of morons designed this thing?
Posted: Aug 24th 2007 4:52PM Alex Atkin UK said
Hot? I never found mine particularly hot (to the touch) compared to any other electrical appliance.
The whole reason for the overheating is because the heat ISNT reaching the outer casing, its getting stuck under the DVD-ROM drive. They needed to have made it a touch wider, would likely have made a fair difference in airflow and GPU heatsink size.
Overall though, it seems to shift a lot more air since the last dashboard update. The fans spend longer at high-speed. Its also worth keeping the console on a little longer after you finished gaming, so the GPU has time to cool down before the fans are turned off. The play and charge kit is good for that as the fans keep running until the battery has been fully charged.
Also to the person saying you expect stuff to work at 100% humidity - how stupid are you? Just because you have been lucky and other stuff hasn't broken, you are STILL running them well out of spec. Get air conditioning/dehumidifers for crying out loud. Its never very humid around here, has been this year and I now have aircon, and my March 2006 360 is still going strong. Running in a humid environment is WELL out of spec, just as people who have their house heating set to 30C. Try to keep the room around 20-25C and as little humidity as possible, thats worked so far for me.
The whole reason for the overheating is because the heat ISNT reaching the outer casing, its getting stuck under the DVD-ROM drive. They needed to have made it a touch wider, would likely have made a fair difference in airflow and GPU heatsink size.
Overall though, it seems to shift a lot more air since the last dashboard update. The fans spend longer at high-speed. Its also worth keeping the console on a little longer after you finished gaming, so the GPU has time to cool down before the fans are turned off. The play and charge kit is good for that as the fans keep running until the battery has been fully charged.
Also to the person saying you expect stuff to work at 100% humidity - how stupid are you? Just because you have been lucky and other stuff hasn't broken, you are STILL running them well out of spec. Get air conditioning/dehumidifers for crying out loud. Its never very humid around here, has been this year and I now have aircon, and my March 2006 360 is still going strong. Running in a humid environment is WELL out of spec, just as people who have their house heating set to 30C. Try to keep the room around 20-25C and as little humidity as possible, thats worked so far for me.
Posted: Aug 29th 2007 3:05PM ZippyDSMlee said
less power less heat by 5-10 c
that plus the new heat sink = cooler running.
that plus the new heat sink = cooler running.
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