Xbox 360 'Valhalla' model torn down, new hardware exposed

@Temidien

Most of your typical Xbox 360 noise is from the disk drive, constantly spinning / loading parts of the disk (game) you're playing.

This new design tackles that issue, as well as the internal fans. Now instead of 2 smaller, higher RPM (read: louder) fans, they have one larger, lower RPM, (Quieter) fan.

@Temidien

I forgot to mention I'm not up on the specifics, but its possible this one larger fan even at a lower rpm pushes more air than the smaller ones did. The CPU and GPU being on a single chip now also reduces the heat output, and those factors together should result in a cooler system.

@Temidien

That makes sense, thanks.

@Temidien

To add the manufacturing process for the chips has been modernized. When the Xbox360 was first released essential chips such as the edram, CPU and GPU were manufactured around 90mm. Those same chips now are manufactured about half that size ranging from 40-50mm...

@Temidien

"Does a reduction in fan noise typically come with an overall cooler system"

well, it depends, im almost sure that a larger fan moving at a slower speed will be quieter and possibly make the system cooler as well.

last i checked, the cooling isn't a result of the speed of the an, it's just about how much cool fresh air is pushed into the system, so if a larger fan can do the job while spinning slower, it would reduce noise as well.

but like the other poster said, i don't think the 360 got it's noise from the cooling fan.

@Temidien

@skeet
I'm not trying to be nitpicky, because your post was spot on-- but it's 45nm, for nanometer. Not mm (millimeter).
Just thought I'd help clarify.

@Nintari
Anandtech's inside look (linked in the article above) showed that the system overall runs 5db quieter, with and without the disc spinning. The disc is definitely the loudest factor... but they did manage to make the overall system quieter.

@Temidien It is important to note the reduced power consumption as well. Lower power consumption means less heat is produced, combine that with the compact single chip design, and the single fan should more than do the trick. I run my games from the HDD and my system still makes quite a bit of noise. This model being quieter is a HUGE plus.

@Co I don't feel like it's fair to downrank Co for this comment. I mean, we are talking about a five year old system; it'd be downright stupid for Microsoft to keep the chips at 90nm.

I'm honestly surprised that the new 360 is as large as it is, given that we have laptops that are far more powerful and considerably smaller.

This is what happened to my Valhalla 360 last night. Red Dot indeed, only on the power brick. Keep in mind I do not normally keep it where it is in the video I had it there for optimal lighting because the normal area the Droid camera couldn't see enough light.

@wwinkler

RDOD? lol

@wwinkler

That to me looks like it would be an issue with the power brick, and hopefully not the 360. The 360 not getting sufficient power from the brick would shut it down like that, and the light turning red on the bright to note it's having the issue.

Hopefully anyway!

@wwinkler

This is fricking unbelievable. I was expecting Valhalla to be of more quality, due to it having a redesigned chip from the previous models.
I can't believe that just two days after it being publicly available and already yours is not working. Good thing you seem to have another 360, otherwise you wouldn't be able to game, etc. during the 2-3 weeks it takes Microsoft to 'fix' your system.

@wwinkler

(sorry if this is a double post, joystiq is rubbish for it).

It looks like the brick is dead rather than the console. The red light indicates there is a problem either with too much current, voltage is too high or temp is too high in the brick itself.

You're running through a surge protector but how many other things are connected to it? Surge protectors won't prevent any of the problems above in reality and if you have numerous products sucking power, you'll hit this problem.

Have you tried directly running it from a wall outlet (no extensions) or perhaps another brick?

The youtube video is all very well but unless you test the obvious then its next to worthless.

@wwinkler


Were you able to exchange it?

@GQ1980

I'm confused as to how you think that using a surge protector can cause a problem with too much current. If this thing is able to generate current out of nowhere, then we're one step away from building a perpetual motion engine. The surge protector can't possibly add current to that coming from the wall (without messing with the voltage, but who would build that into any surge protector?). Additionally, too much voltage also is improbable (for the same reasons as above), as the voltage is constant throughout all lines.

Under-current is possible (especially if he lives in an older house), but improbable if the setup is the same as before with only the new Xbox replacing the old one, if the old setup worked perfectly. Additionally, the presence of a previously working setup running off the same surge protector indicates that the surge protector itself is good. As it appears that the TV is still on running off of the surge protector (presumably) it also seems like the surge protector is still good post-Xbox failure (as they generally either work all the way or not at all).

Basic electronics logic indicates that the problem is forward of the surge protector: either the plug/cabling is defective (unlikely), the PSU has failed, or the Xbox itself has a problem.

Ultimately, while unfortunate for Mr. Winkler here, electronics do fail (computer PSU's are sometimes DOA), so this does not really indicate a general problem with the redesign.

EDIT: REPLY FAIL!!!! lol

Unfortunately, it's not the power brick. Over the weekend, me and my friend bought the 360 Slim. While on the phone with the Microsoft Rep I drove (10 minutes away) to my friends house. Hooked my power brick up to his 360 and it turned on.

Then we hooked his power brick up to my 360 and his brick red lighted as well. Leaving us, and the rep to the conclusion the problem lies in the 360. Which is why they've submitted a repair order for it.

On a lighter note Microsoft put in a order for repair and asked me to see if Gamestop couldn't simply swap it out. So I called my Gamestop this morning and they found a store with 1 in stock and are holding it for me. So I will cancel my repair order with Microsoft and pick up the new box tonight.

I HOPE and PRAY that I do not experience this again.

@wwinkler

Yeah, I just read through the Youtube comments, and saw the results of your moving-forward-until-failure tests indicating that the Xbox was to blame. If I was MS, I'd pay for you to mail that boy next-day air (and somehow arrange for GameStop to still release a new one to you for free) so that I could immediately try to determine if this could be a widespread problem. Not saying it is, but given the general conception of the previous Xbox, I wouldn't want to take any chances with the redesign going the same way.

Tone, read his video comments.. he brought it to a friends, etc. etc. and it did the same thing. :p

RRoD is gone, but the RLoD has moved in!

That's unfair. Losing the Xbox means losing the investment on all the games purchased for it as well. It's a lot more expensive to replace them with PS3 versions (of multiplatform games only) in addition to having to buy a PS3. Expecting reliability from a product you buy from a reputable source should not be a "fool me" any number of times situation. Kudos to MS for working diligently on improving the system and its reliability. But that does not excuse them from their responsibility to their loyal customers stuck with a dead box for no good reason.

@DreamerAbe

This was a reply @wwinkler, reply fail.

@TOYBOXX Video above, shows.. its not that decent. and read the comments before you say its the powerbrick.

:/

2 days and Red Light of Death - wow.

@TOYBOXX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLQxV13kF3s

@GQ1980
Do you work 7 days a week? Sheesh - chill out.

@GQ1980
Actually, a continuous stream of E3 articles was pouring out of Joystiq throughout the weekend.

@GQ1980 My mother works 7 days a week, dont act like it doesnt happen

Unfortunately, it's not the power brick. Over the weekend, me and my friend bought the 360 Slim. While on the phone with the Microsoft Rep I drove (10 minutes away) to my friends house. Hooked my power brick up to his 360 and it turned on.

Then we hooked his power brick up to my 360 and his brick red lighted as well. Leaving us, and the rep to the conclusion the problem lies in the 360. Which is why they've submitted a repair order for it.

On a lighter note Microsoft put in a order for repair and asked me to see if Gamestop couldn't simply swap it out. So I called my Gamestop this morning and they found a store with 1 in stock and are holding it for me. So I will cancel my repair order with Microsoft and pick up the new box tonight.

I HOPE and PRAY that I do not experience this again.

@GlennFrank

Yeah, actually I do work 7 days a week if its anything public facing (which is half the year) (but not through choice :) )

But yeah, fair enough. There is always a constant stream of stuff coming from joystiq so I guess I was a little harsh :)

Yeah, actually I do work 7 days a week if its anything public facing (which is half the year) (but not through choice :) )

But yeah, fair enough. There is always a constant stream of stuff coming from joystiq so I guess I was a little harsh :)

god damn it :) reply fail

7 days a week, Prostitution?

@myself: EDIT:

My previous post is meant for Tamidien. Not sure why "@Tamidien" didn't show.