AfterDawn: News

Xbox 360s will have 65nm GPU soon

According to Digitimes and Arstechnica, the much talked about 65nm version of the Xbox 360's "Xenos" GPU will be coming out sometime this fall.

The new GPU will be made on TSMC's 65nm process, due to the new availability of the 65nm eDRAM that goes into the product.



The console's "Xenon" 65nm CPU however, according to Chartered Semi, will be available by mid-2007 and so in theory a version of the console with a 65nm CPU and 90nm GPU could be available in the next few months.

Microsoft will want to begin using the new, smaller chips as soon as possible because the chips run cooler and that will help in redesigning the console's interior for lower costs and higher reliability.

The changes of instituting the new chips will eventually make the 360 cheaper to manufacture and those savings will be passed along to the consumer eventually when the console drops in price.

Basically, wait until the 65nm CPU and GPU are both in the console, as they new units will run cooler, and last longer.

Source:
Arstechnica

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 30 Apr 2007 19:57

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• 30 comments

• theridges

  DVDBack23 isnt as cool as me,even though he is a mod over here too...
  
  anyways on the note of this hopefully this will stop the overheating problem.......

  1.5.2007 00:44 #1

• aratsu

  I would be sad too if i own a 360, because they make ten different versions of their console with different hardware. So if i have the first version of 360 with its overheating problems, should i put another 400€ for a better version which doesnt overheat?

  1.5.2007 01:55 #2

• Kasper45

  I originally felt bad for all the original 360 owner's now that the Elite has been released. No I feel bad for anybody that didn't read this article and bought an Elite. The Roller Coaster ride continues my friends. I'll give MS some credit, they could've just sat there and let Sony catch up. "A" for effort MS, but effort isn't the bottom line in sales. You might of pissed a few people off with this one.

  1.5.2007 06:29 #3

• Shinraboy

  Wait at least a until december to buy next gen... it will clear the fog

  1.5.2007 06:59 #4

• ChromeMud

  I don't understand people here at all!
  All consoles are updated.Do you think the PS3
  will stay at 90nm for it's cpu?
  Do you think that Sony won't upgrade the Blu-ray
  laser diode for a more reliable one?
  If Sony upgrade the Blu-ray drive to 8X to improve it's
  loading then I think that's great for the consumer.
  People can either be happy with the older model or
  splash out a lot of extra cash to upgrade.
  Does any manufacturer of any product stick to it's
  intial base design and not upgrade anything over the course
  of it's life span?
  Well if they did,my car would be belching out 3 times as much
  CO2 and weigh twice as much.
  Get a grip people.
  My 360 should of died ages ago and yet it still
  plays without a hitch.Mine must of been put together
  by an engineering genius and I guess I'm just lucky.
  I won't buy the new model as I'm happy with mine but for
  anyone considering buying a 65nm 360,the new models will be very
  enticing.

  1.5.2007 06:59 #5

• 26r0cK

  wow another hardware change so soon? and i thought sony changing the ps3 from 60gb to 80gb was too fast. poor new elite owners. quickly get ur refund and wait for this if you just got yours. dont let MS get the most of ur $. :P

  1.5.2007 07:00 #6

• AXT

  At least with the ps3 you don't have to spend $180 to update you hard drive. If you want you can go to the store and purchase any size laptop hard drive and stick it in there.

  1.5.2007 07:08 #7

• aratsu

  ChromeMud, is there need to change PS3 cpu? No, there isnt, because PS3 doesnt overheat like 360. I dont say that Sony wont upgrade the PS3 someday, but its totally different thing to upgrade the hardware to better in performance than upgrade it because of overheating problems etc.

  1.5.2007 08:44 #8

• ChromeMud

  Mine doesn't overheat and I've played it to death.
  Three rings of death does exist but mine probably
  wasn't made on a Friday.
  Millions of 360 owners are not all getting overheating problems
  so don't exaggerate the truth aratsu!

  1.5.2007 10:19 #9

• handsom

  First off, this is absolutely *NOT* the place for 360 vs PS3 discussions. Not even remotely.
  
  Secondly, as a 360 owner, you know-the one who bought those first overheating systems; I can honestly say that it comes down to one thing: Your own intelligence.
  
  If you're going to buy a system that runs even $200, it just might be a good idea to get an extended warranty. If your system is three, four, five, or six hundred-You'd be stupid not to, especially in the first year of release. The longer the in-store warranty the better, if it's mail-in, it's valueless because it doesn't give you a new working system that day, does it?
  
  That said, more recent 360's have been known to have less problems, it's the first few batches that were evil. The 65nm is simply a 'complete' fix to give almost(Nothing is certain for any hardware manufaturer... Ever) a garauntee that this overheating problem will go away entirely.
  
  The 65nm has been known for over a year now. As someone looking to replace, I've been deliberately holding off until the 65's come out. If people "didn't know" it goes to show that they didn't really think out their investment too well; and considering the cost of the 360(or PS3) is so high, it's an investment that really should be thought out; and at least warrantied in-store for more than 90 days.
  
  But those are conclusions I've come to the hard way over the years.

  1.5.2007 10:22 #10

• ChromeMud

  Well,we could all wait 50 years and get a 5nm CPU that
  relies on solar power and runs at sub zero temperature
  but by that time I'd have arthritus and my eyes probably won't appreciate 1080p either.
  People waiting a year later to get a cooler chip is fine but
  when your mates are playing online for a year while your
  twiddling your thumbs is a SAD place to be!

  1.5.2007 10:46 #11

• ThaJazz

  i agree and when the new 65mm chipset comes out just wait a little while and turn your system in on the warrenty and get the new chipset.problem solved

  1.5.2007 12:25 #12

• rihgt682

  This is why it's good to wait about 2 and 1/2 yrs before buying new systems. Unless it's from nitendo. like wii.

  1.5.2007 12:40 #13

• ZippyDSM

  I really hate the sloppiness of MS but when the new 360s have double 65NM cpus I will buy one.

  1.5.2007 14:07 #14

• handsom

  @chromemud
  
  Good point. Personally, I say if you've got the money and you're considering it, go for it; just make sure you get a warranty. You'll be glad you did(on the system, AND the in-store warranty). As long as you aren't modding your system, Gamestop offers a very good almost no questions asked warranty; I just wish they'd sell a LONGER one. I would be willing to pay double warranty for a two year on something that is four hundred or more, it's worth the peace of mind.
  
  There are a wide selection of games for the system, something for everyone. And the online play cannot be surpassed(Sorry Sony; but you're a long way off, but the fact that you're free is really great; you're just not fleshed-out and 'connected' enough yet.)
  
  Like I said, if you're waiting, don't. The major bulk of system death passed a while ago; but get a warranty to be safe, it just can't be stressed enough.

  1.5.2007 14:55 #15

• ThaJazz

  [quote=handsom]@chromemud
  
  Good point. Personally, I say if you've got the money and you're considering it, go for it; just make sure you get a warranty. You'll be glad you did(on the system, AND the in-store warranty). As long as you aren't modding your system, Gamestop offers a very good almost no questions asked warranty; I just wish they'd sell a LONGER one. I would be willing to pay double warranty for a two year on something that is four hundred or more, it's worth the peace of mind.
  
  There are a wide selection of games for the system, something for everyone. And the online play cannot be surpassed(Sorry Sony; but you're a long way off, but the fact that you're free is really great; you're just not fleshed-out and 'connected' enough yet.)
  
  Like I said, if you're waiting, don't. The major bulk of system death passed a while ago; but get a warranty to be safe, it just can't be stressed enough.[/quo
  
  
  you can extend the gamestop warrenty this is how you do it when you turn in your 360.all you have to do is pay for a new warrenty on the new console.and that is all you have to do yes this way cost more than the ms warrenty but at least you know you are getting a new system not refurbished

  1.5.2007 15:15 #16

• oofRome

  you know, it's not like the new 360's will be able to do anything that current 360's can't. besides run cooler. I don't see too much to be upset about.
  
  Plus, "consoles getting hardware revisions" should't exactly surprise anyone. It always happens.

  1.5.2007 18:48 #17

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by oofRome:you know, it's not like the new 360's will be able to do anything that current 360's can't. besides run cooler. I don't see too much to be upset about.
  
  Plus, "consoles getting hardware revisions" should't exactly surprise anyone. It always happens.it effects the people that have the over heating 360s,all in all MS has handled all this sloppily....

  1.5.2007 18:54 #18

• borhan9

  This sounds like good news. In how in the long run its going to make it cheaper. But still i am not going to but Microsoft's console. I think they need to work on Vista's issues at hand first and then deal with consoles. In saying that Vista is not that bad if the user is somewhat knowledgable on how to fix or get around things.
  
  Back to the consoles i would like to see what the difference would be besides the price as they say.

  1.5.2007 23:37 #19

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by borhan9:This sounds like good news. In how in the long run its going to make it cheaper. But still i am not going to but Microsoft's console. I think they need to work on Vista's issues at hand first and then deal with consoles. In saying that Vista is not that bad if the user is somewhat knowledgable on how to fix or get around things.
  
  Back to the consoles i would like to see what the difference would be besides the price as they say.meh is not like MS is going out of their way to fix "ME 2" and the 360.....

  1.5.2007 23:52 #20

• handsom

  I'm not sure what is meant by the whole "ME 2" thing....
  
  As for the prices, I think this will relate to a price drop on the systems a few months after they hit. It'd be really good if they dropped the price on the same day as the Halo 3 release. That would sell a lot more systems and games all around for M$.
  
  Console revisions happen a lot. Hopefully just for things like cost efficiency, but sometimes for defects and problems, etc. Apparently everyone's forgotten the launches of the PS2 and the Dreamcast altogether as they complain that this sort of thing is unheard of, or some awful new thing. When you buy a console in the first year it's out, you get two things:
  
  -Bragging rights
  -A Potential Brick/headache
  
  That's the risk you take. Considering the track record M$ had with the first xbox, they've done pretty well for themselves up until the 360 mess. Furthermore, M$ has made a LOT of effort to help people with these broken units, they extended warranties, use RMA's, and ship another system instead of making you wait for YOURS back. That's more than competitors have done in the past. Unless you are honestly expecting Gate$ to show up at your door, shake your hand and apologize while they set up your new system; you can't realistically ask much more from them as a company.
  
  Did a lot of bad units go out? Yes.
  Did M$ do something about it? Yes. More than their competitors/predecessors have in the past.
  
  Sony refuses to help customers with problems like this until they are taken to court, and forced to do so. This has happened a few times.
  Sega basically didn't even acknowledge that bad batch of Dreamcasts that were on our shelves opening day, they were nearly all returned and replaced with a swift second shipment Sega sent out. I think they knew, but wanted to say they shipped a larger number right away, lol.
  Nintendo.... Well, they manufacture their own product, unlike their competitors; and they start far enough ahead to be able to test and quality check before launch.
  
  The people talking about how M$ gave everyone the shaft seem to be comparing their level of service to a non-existent manufacturer who knocks on your door to apologize and fix the problem the minute you call. Comparing them with other companies, I'd say M$ is handling it very well.
  

  
  

  2.5.2007 10:38 #21

• hughjars

  I always liked the idea of them going back to black, the 'proper colour' for all the CE a/v kit (it goes with everything so well).
  
  I think they missed a trick by not holding off the 'Elite' until the 65nm stuff was ready.
  
  They could even make a bit of a plus-point of the new more reliable & better spec by renaming it the Xbox 365.
  
  But I like the idea of not building in the HD DVD drive, it's totally unnecessary to do so when it is available now in such a versitile and inexpensive add-on form.
  
  If they had built it in we wouldn't have such an easy time using it as a very handy multi-format external ROM drive with our PCs.

  2.5.2007 15:17 #22

• ChromeMud

  When the 360 gets a 65nm CPU and GPU,it could be overclocked
  to offer slightly smoother framerates in busy scenes and still run cooler.
  Mind you,keeping the chips locked at the current speed will suck less
  power, so cheaper running costs and being greener could also be a good incentive to upgrade.

  2.5.2007 16:35 #23

• hughjars

  True ChromeMud, and we all know how 'green' today's consumer likes to think they are.
  
  But as mentioned on the other thread (about lower XBox 360 shipments, stocks and revenues.....which are merely a sign of getting saet for this 65nm version) the lower costs of the 65nm CPU and GPU will allow Microsoft a lot of room to act.
  
  They can either go for actual substantial profits per unit (which IIRC they are already now at, or are just on the verge of with the existing mk1 version)
  or
  they could go in for some very aggressive price competition which, thanks to the lower production costs, would still cost a lot less than before
  or
  they could maintain the costs of subsidy as it originally was and take the XBox 360 retail price through the floor.
  
  If I were a competitor I'd be very worried about this.

  3.5.2007 04:43 #24

• ChromeMud

  @ hughjars
  
  I agree with what you say.
  Microsoft are going to have a lot of room to manoeuver,
  whatever happens.
  I think the market is big enough to sustain all three
  consoles and the PC gaming platform too.
  There isn't a one stop gaming solution anymore like there was
  with the PS2 when it had the market to itself.
  This situation now is the best ever for the consumer and
  great for gaming.
  WAR is GOOD!

  3.5.2007 06:09 #25

• zru2u

  ok
  
  to all those people advising to buy the extended warranty for the 360
  
  maaybe you should read this here: LOOK FAMILIAR?
  cuz ya know, it is on the same site you're all looking at :P
  
  >on a side note, i didn't buy it..and my 360 died after about 8-10months
  (i can go look it up if you want..i wrote down its Birth/Death dates :D
  at any rate...i was pretty ticked off but i found out about the ^^ above mentioned extension and i had a fixed (still working strong) 360 shortly after.
  
  If you're going to mod, an extended war wouldn't be a bad idea.. but have fun trying to keep that void sticker in nice shape..you'd probably be better off by just removing/cleaning the crappy thermal compound M$ stuck on the GPU and using some good ol artic silver, if you do some googling you'll probably find that a lot of people have turned some "Red Lights of Death" into nice Green lights by doing just that ;)
  
  
  >and that 1year warr is renewed after having the 360 repaired i believe...but don't quote me on that
  
  k, my lil tiff is over... just felt like mentioning a lil something before everyone spent money when they don't have to.
  
  
  OH...and my 360 is working fine (for now) i'm probably just going to buy a wii...why would i need 2x 360's anyhow?... only ONE HDTV here!

  3.5.2007 10:37 #26

• StarKatz

  Personally I think it is a total rip-off!
  To think they put something on the market know full well that within the year of release they will be putting out a better version.
  My DH bought one originally from the UK wasted that much money!
  Then it craps itself and he outlays another $700+ to get one in Aus and now there's a newer version!! Give me a break!!
  Sony are so bloody greedy!

  5.5.2007 00:38 #27

• StarKatz

  I meant to say Sony and Microsoft are bloody greedy!!

  5.5.2007 00:43 #28

• handsom

  And you would be right in saying that. :D
  
  But then again, that's kind of why 99% of corporations are created. So it's about as significant as saying that 90% of human beings that are currently on or above the surface of the earth are breathing air. (It's probably a good estimate that ten percent are yet-to-be-buried corpses, morbid, eh?)
  
  I will say Sony and MS are more... Blunt about it. But they're all in it for your wallet. Some just look nicer than others while they're trying to snag your precious pennies(Nintendo). But that's the way it's always been, it's still up to you to make the conscious decision of who's effort you think has merited their shared goal.
  

  
  

  11.5.2007 16:29 #29

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by handsom:And you would be right in saying that. :D
  
  But then again, that's kind of why 99% of corporations are created. So it's about as significant as saying that 90% of human beings that are currently on or above the surface of the earth are breathing air. (It's probably a good estimate that ten percent are yet-to-be-buried corpses, morbid, eh?)
  
  I will say Sony and MS are more... Blunt about it. But they're all in it for your wallet. Some just look nicer than others while they're trying to snag your precious pennies(Nintendo). But that's the way it's always been, it's still up to you to make the conscious decision of who's effort you think has merited their shared goal.
  ======================================================================
  Blunt?? I dunno MS jsut droped the live bomb about Live...its vista only (we knew that already) but its setup the same as Live with the silver and "premium" services.
  
  So the Live infected games cant act like normal online PC games...thank god its only vista.....
  

  
  
  FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A.
  

  11.5.2007 16:41 #30