Two New Rumored Xbox 360 Designs
Posted by Brian Vaughn at 2/15/2008 12:01 PM 
Categories: Xbox 360, Zephyr, Microsoft, Opus, Rumors, Valhalla, Xenon, Jasper, Gaming
Categories: Xbox 360, Zephyr, Microsoft, Opus, Rumors, Valhalla, Xenon, Jasper, Gaming
One fo the goals Microsoft had this generation was to remodel the hardware every year. The first model was the Xenon wich featured a 90 nm CPU and GPU, then the Zephyr that introduced HDMI and the current model is the Falcon which has a 65nm CPU and 90nm GPU. The goal of the Falcon was to make the Xbox 360 more reliable and cut costs. It has taken Microsoft a long time to get this done but now the systems run cooler.
It has been reported that the 4th hardware revision is in the works and should be ready next Fall. This model, named Jasper, will feature a 65nm CPU and GPU for cooler running and a savings on silicon. The two new models are Opus and Valhalla.
The Opus model is not actually a design that will ever make it to retail. The Opus design is essentially a refurbished Xenon with Falcon parts. Ever wonder what Microsoft does with those XBox 360's that get sent back? Well it seems they are ripping out the current motherboard and
throwing on a Opus motherboard to send back to customers. So if your Xbox 360 doesn't have an HDMI port you will not be getting one on your refurb from Microsoft.
The Valhalla model will be the joining of the GPU and CPU on one chip. This combined 130nm (2x 65nm) chip will save on costs for Microsoft. This model is still in very early design with a projected release of Fall 2009. This model may be the last revision to the Xbox 360 before the 3rd generation Xbox is revealed. I would expect Microsoft to try to get to 45nm but since it took Microsoft so long to isolate the issues with the Xenon they may not have time to get to this chip size.
Really this news has no real impact on any of us. Every game console goes through chip revisions and the hardcore fans tend to take notice more than others. The only significants to this is it means the console makers are now saving money making the game console so maybe they will pass some of this on to the consumers. One can also look at the planned chip set releases and presume that Microsoft will not be releasing a 3rd generation Xbox until 2011 or 2012. Why release a new chipset in Fall of 2009 if it will be replaced in a year?
xbox360fanboy - rumor-two-new-xbox-360-motherboards-in-the-works
8bitjoystick - jake_next_xbox_360_designs_are_opus_and_valhalla
It has been reported that the 4th hardware revision is in the works and should be ready next Fall. This model, named Jasper, will feature a 65nm CPU and GPU for cooler running and a savings on silicon. The two new models are Opus and Valhalla.
The Opus model is not actually a design that will ever make it to retail. The Opus design is essentially a refurbished Xenon with Falcon parts. Ever wonder what Microsoft does with those XBox 360's that get sent back? Well it seems they are ripping out the current motherboard and
throwing on a Opus motherboard to send back to customers. So if your Xbox 360 doesn't have an HDMI port you will not be getting one on your refurb from Microsoft.
The Valhalla model will be the joining of the GPU and CPU on one chip. This combined 130nm (2x 65nm) chip will save on costs for Microsoft. This model is still in very early design with a projected release of Fall 2009. This model may be the last revision to the Xbox 360 before the 3rd generation Xbox is revealed. I would expect Microsoft to try to get to 45nm but since it took Microsoft so long to isolate the issues with the Xenon they may not have time to get to this chip size.
Really this news has no real impact on any of us. Every game console goes through chip revisions and the hardcore fans tend to take notice more than others. The only significants to this is it means the console makers are now saving money making the game console so maybe they will pass some of this on to the consumers. One can also look at the planned chip set releases and presume that Microsoft will not be releasing a 3rd generation Xbox until 2011 or 2012. Why release a new chipset in Fall of 2009 if it will be replaced in a year?
xbox360fanboy - rumor-two-new-xbox-360-motherboards-in-the-works
8bitjoystick - jake_next_xbox_360_designs_are_opus_and_valhalla
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