Confirmed: 65nm CPU and GPU now in Halo 3 edition Xbox 360's

[Zeus]

News has come to light that some of the Halo 3 limited edition Xbox 360 consoles incorporate the 65nm CPU and GPU, which in essence make the console more reliable and less power hungry than the normal 90nm boxes which are to be found in every other Xbox 360 console released to date. We were all unsure when the 65nm consoles would hit, but it took us all by surprise that they have indeed debuted in the Halo 3 machines and not the Elite. However, finding out if you have the 65nm console isn't easy, as you need to take your console apart.

<center><a href="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/newsink.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/newsink1.jpg"></center></a>


First of all, thank you JWSpeed for doing all of your testing and pulling your Halo 3 console apart. Also, thank you for the great pictures!

Now for the good stuff...

How to see if you have a 65nm (Falcon) console:

First, get a flashlight that is very bright. Then put your console upside down (HD side down). You should be looking at an black or grey piece of plastic which is the bottom vent. Shine the flashlight directly into the bottom of the console (it works best to sit the flashlight on the plastic).

Then move the flashlight to the right side of the plastic. When you look inside of the console directly below the light, you will see a large white piece of plastic. This is the airflow shroud. You can see this highlighted in this picture: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x127/MRCUR/S8000516-2.jpg

Next, move the flashlight to the left a bit and look into the console again. You are looking for the large silver square that is directly in front of the airflow shroud. This piece will tell you whether or not you have a 65nm console.

90nm CPU Heatsink: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x127/MRCUR/S8000516-2-1.jpg

65nm CPU Heatsink: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x127/MRCUR/heatsink4-2.jpg

(Notice that there is no heatpipe on the new 65nm CPU heatsink.)


News Source: <a href="http://forums.xbox.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=15804553" target="_blank">Xbox.com</a>

[nwo504]

wow they really want us to buy that halo 3 xbox

[So-Unreal]

Wait so just because the put in a new heat-sink that means its the new 65nm chip in the 360?

[brywalker]

Smart.

Get a chip that runs cooler, but change the heatsink so that less heat is transferred and what do you get?

Systems that still run hot.

[dee]

Finally!!! just waiting for the bundles for the Elite then I'll finally get one, hopefully this will help with the RROD problems.

[So-Unreal]

Smart.

Get a chip that runs cooler, but change the heatsink so that less heat is transferred and what do you get?

Systems that still run hot. Well I guess since you sound like a expert.;)

[DaFireStarter]

Why would Microsoft be doing this purposefully doing this when they're losing money on repairing them for free?

[mmicrosysm]

What proof does this MRCUR have other then a pic of a new heatsink that this is indeed the 65nm? I want pics of the chips themselves.

Note: That supposed CPU heatsink sucks! Why did they ditch the copper base for an all aluminum design? Any overclocker will tell you a copper/aluminum hybrid make the best heatsink for heat dispersal.

[poisonousjuice]

now all the dorks who've been waiting for the chips can get their green machines and then realize it doesn't make any difference. tards.

[RockmanNeo]

but does it have hdmi??

[vercat]

I have the Halo 3 limited edition Xbox 360 console, i can see the copper pipe, and the extended gpu heatsink. i guess i didnt get the 65nm. i did return another Halo 3 limited edition Xbox 360 console to futureshop cause it had that open tray error, the drive wouldnt read **** and it just said open tray.
it was funny cause the lady at futureshop said this was there first Halo 3 edition Xbox that has come back so far, and she also said "i hope its not like the other ones" :)

[vercat]

but does it have hdmi??
Halo 3 limited edition Xbox 360 has HDMI

[kidman64]

delete me please

[end3rbr0]

Why would Microsoft be doing this purposefully doing this when they're losing money on repairing them for free?

So by that thinking they are just incompetent then? They obviously aren't doing it on purpose as that would be just plain idiotic......oh wait....so even when they are ignorant on how to properly design and construct a console, they get defended?

You touched on another good point though, loosing money, that seems to be the only thing Microsoft is good at these days. Like that Euro chap stated: "If we can't turn a profit with Halo 3, when will we ever?" Everyone else is making money, why can't M$? Why does Microsoft charge for XBL? Because they can't afford to give it for free like Nintendo or Sony. I guess pouring money down a drain and essentially shooting yourself in the foot is considered admirable these days, as the Xbox brand has never in it's entire lifespan, turned a profit. You think Sony has catching up to do? Nah, son...they making a profit off the Playstation brand, and you know Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank.

I know this sounds like blatant hating, but I'm just trying to illustrate the fact that no matter how good a particular company or it's products are. There is always gonna be flaws. Microsoft has the biggest user base and best games right now, but has crappy hardware. Sony's hardware is fine, but they have NO games. Sure Nintendo is cheap and has fun games plus online is free, but who gives a crap if it's free when there are NO online games.

The point is, that for every dis, flah, selling point, accomplishment or otherwise for a particular console, there is always a counter-point to be made by someone else's console. Accept it already. Play the games you like, on any or all of the consoles. Why does it FUCKIN MATTER WHAT SOME NERD SAYS ABOUT HIS **** BEING THE BEST?!?!? It doesn't, never will. Play games, as many as you can from as many different places as you can get them and STFU. As long as you have fun, it's all good.

[hacktek]

This does not prove anything, it's just that MRCUR dude spewing the usual bullsh1t and a whole lot of dumb people following behind giving him props for nothing at all. He talked a lot of crap about the 65's that in the end became just that, crap, yet people still believe him when he's a completely unreliable source. A different heatsink does not automatically tell you it's a different process and if it is it's not gonna make any difference since the gpu is not 65nm and the gpu has way more problems than the cpu with that low profile aluminum heatsink.

[kidman64]

i don't think that sony is making money off ps3, really. Halo 3 just earned 170mil bucks for MS but still, they're loosing much more on repairs and stuff like that. Basicly only Nintendo is making money right now:) (i don't count PS2, since were're talking about so call next-gen consoles)

[JacKz5o]

Halo 3 edition...

[foundmy]

we have to sit back and think about this, this is a great move by microsoft.

can you image if they didn't do this, and people with these H3 elite units started to get the RROD, they could return it to stores for FULL REFUND, that would derail the PR train. so those of us with x360 already if we get RROD, we are not going to get a full refund from the store, we are forced to deal with M$ for repairs (Free or not).

so it was in their best interest to put this in the H3 limited editions period.

wow a smart move, so lets hope we do not see any more RROD because of a design flaw.

[jerzmob]

Why would Microsoft be doing this purposefully doing this when they're losing money on repairing them for free?

c'mon DFS, with all due respect, your post is stupid. Don't you get it, it's Micro$haft, since when do they make high quality products.:o

[kidman64]

since you've been using their OS:) i agree, they messed up with 360, but xbox was instructable, and i hope 360 will become too, one day;)

[end3rbr0]

i don't think that sony is making money off ps3, really. Halo 3 just earned 170mil bucks for MS but still, they're loosing much more on repairs and stuff like that. Basicly only Nintendo is making money right now:) (i don't count PS2, since were're talking about so call next-gen consoles)

I was talking about Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo Brand Names. That includes Xbox1 Xbox 360, PS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, NDS. The bigger picture, which is what I was discussing. As far as the state of Video Games is concerned, then YES Nintendo and Sony continue to turn profits while the Xbox franchise has been in the hole since it's inception.

[Bon Scott]

I hope this true... My Premium resuscitated thanks to mods that I had to make. At least it is alive. M$ is not a serious company. 3RL's issue became a big dark stain that will last an endless time to clear up.

[MadMax31]

This does not prove anything, it's just that MRCUR dude spewing the usual bullsh1t and a whole lot of dumb people following behind giving him props for nothing at all. He talked a lot of crap about the 65's that in the end became just that, crap, yet people still believe him when he's a completely unreliable source. A different heatsink does not automatically tell you it's a different process and if it is it's not gonna make any difference since the gpu is not 65nm and the gpu has way more problems than the cpu with that low profile aluminum heatsink.

I agree, if they don't use 65 nm technology for the GPU I'll pass, I was interested for a 2nd x-360 since I am banned from Live, but I'll buy only the 65nm version.

IMHO the whole problem is the heatsink and the clamps of the gpu, the cpu is fine, maybe they should also re-layout the components on the pcb, to dissipate the heat from the gpu in a better way.

[grapeape]

So by that thinking they are just incompetent then? They obviously aren't doing it on purpose as that would be just plain idiotic......oh wait....so even when they are ignorant on how to properly design and construct a console, they get defended?

You touched on another good point though, loosing money, that seems to be the only thing Microsoft is good at these days. Like that Euro chap stated: "If we can't turn a profit with Halo 3, when will we ever?" Everyone else is making money, why can't M$? Why does Microsoft charge for XBL? Because they can't afford to give it for free like Nintendo or Sony. I guess pouring money down a drain and essentially shooting yourself in the foot is considered admirable these days, as the Xbox brand has never in it's entire lifespan, turned a profit. You think Sony has catching up to do? Nah, son...they making a profit off the Playstation brand, and you know Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank.

I know this sounds like blatant hating, but I'm just trying to illustrate the fact that no matter how good a particular company or it's products are. There is always gonna be flaws. Microsoft has the biggest user base and best games right now, but has crappy hardware. Sony's hardware is fine, but they have NO games. Sure Nintendo is cheap and has fun games plus online is free, but who gives a crap if it's free when there are NO online games.

The point is, that for every dis, flah, selling point, accomplishment or otherwise for a particular console, there is always a counter-point to be made by someone else's console. Accept it already. Play the games you like, on any or all of the consoles. Why does it FUCKIN MATTER WHAT SOME NERD SAYS ABOUT HIS **** BEING THE BEST?!?!? It doesn't, never will. Play games, as many as you can from as many different places as you can get them and STFU. As long as you have fun, it's all good.

Sony is no where close to breaking even and they are coming off their own 2billion dollar loss year last year, plus the overhead of the "free" network means that expenses come out of their pockets. MS has its own problems but is actually much closer to breaking even on the hardware. The only company making any money at this point is Nintendo and thats likely to continue at least on the hardware side for the foreseeable future.

[end3rbr0]

Sony is no where close to breaking even and they are coming off their own 2billion dollar loss year last year, plus the overhead of the "free" network means that expenses come out of their pockets. MS has its own problems but is actually much closer to breaking even on the hardware. The only company making any money at this point is Nintendo and thats likely to continue at least on the hardware side for the foreseeable future.

Again, you are basing your comments on PS3 SALES, Sony lost some money because of a new console launch, but be sure that their games division is still turning a profit. They make money on every PS2 and PSP system they sell and with the PS2 having 120 million users and an available library of over 8,500 games with new ones being released even now, it is kinda hard to see your reasoning. Sure the PS3 isn't making any money yet, but rest assured that it will. The same can't be said with the same certainty for Microsoft's game division, which has STILL never turned a profit for them.

[Xenogears V]

The 360 brittleness is by now known by everybody, will be that this smaller processor will be delicate even more...:o

[kidman64]

Xenogears V: so.. you don't know that 65nm is better than 90nm since it produces less heat? besides, 360s have no problem with CPU, the whole rrod thing is because of GPU (which should be 65nm first if you ask me). Really, do some research.

[aic007]

Again, you are basing your comments on PS3 SALES, Sony lost some money because of a new console launch, but be sure that their games division is still turning a profit. They make money on every PS2 and PSP system they sell and with the PS2 having 120 million users and an available library of over 8,500 games with new ones being released even now, it is kinda hard to see your reasoning. Sure the PS3 isn't making any money yet, but rest assured that it will. The same can't be said with the same certainty for Microsoft's game division, which has STILL never turned a profit for them.

Sony's game division is not doing as well or else they wouldn't have done this

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/76590-Sony-Sells-Financial-Stake-to-Fund-Games-Unit

Nintendo is the only one profiting right now on everything they sell, consoles and games.

[SnakeCL]

Not to rain on everyone's parade, but that definitely does not look like 65nm. Its waaaaay too big. Looks closer to an 80nm optical shrink.

In fact, there's the mention that XENOS might never be able to go 65nm, due to the EDRAM.