May 9, 2008Microsoft to Release Xbox 360 with New Chips
Posted by The Ori
Microsoft (reportedly) plans to release a new version its Xbox 360 video game system code-named Jasper in August and has already assigned IBM and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to make chips for the new game console. However, there are other important rumours: TSMC also got orders to produce the chip for code-named Valhalla Xbox 360 design, which is rumoured to combine microprocessor and graphics chip in a single chip.
The “Jasper” design version of the Xbox 360 game console will use ATI Xenos graphics and memory controller hub (GMCH) made using 65nm process at TSMC, as well as IBM Xenon central processing unit (CPU) produced at IBM’s 65nm nodes. The new system design is projected to consume less electricity, use less complex cooling systems, and produce less noise.
TSMC is chosen to make the 65nm GMCH chips, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) is contracted to package and test the chips, and Nanya has won orders to supply flip-chip packaging substrates, reports China Economic News Service.
Its just like the PS3. It currently is on its 3rd generation chip set (not counting hard drive differences) and they are working on a smaller/cheaper version as we speak. As far as bashing Microsoft for (non-hacking ability)…the first generation XBOX360 is very much idential to this new Jasper chip set 360. Unlike the PS3…only the launch consoles could play ps2 games…with compadibility actualy worsening with each revision. XBOX is increasing backwards compadibility…i wouldnt badmouth Microsoft in that department. But I sure do love the ps3 over the 360…
I wish the 360 and ps3 had HB liek the psp, this site is becoming very lonely and uninteresting these days,
Why do you love ur ps3 over the 360? they are the same really, not much difference in it.
I got a PS3 as well, and it SITS! All it is for me now is a fancy BR-D player. I have tested multi-platform games, and most of the time they ARE better on the 360, when the PS3 version is a PORT. They have yet to develop a game that takes advantage of the PS3s power, so until then, the XB360 is what sells games. I do not like GTA:IV on either consoles either, the motion it too choppy, lag issues, it’s a shame!
No one has yet to produce a game console that does NOT get over powered by the games written for it, causing frame rate skipping, slow downs, and choppy motion. No, they always have to push the thing to the limit. If the unit can only do so much, any game should only use 90% of the the power as to NOT cause issues during game play. Well, they can’t do that, so here you have GTA:IV with crappy motion and game play, not to mention the freeze-ups. This game was so hyped and anticipated, and AGAIN, like with Halo III, a major disappointment.
On the PS3 side of it, I haven’t experienced any freeze ups; an occasional slow down online last night while driving when a new player entered the game. Didn’t get that the other nights.
Game’s not perfect on either system so can you blame rockstar for not delaying and clearing up these issues or testing some more before releasing the game?
I’m not even talking about while on-line, just normal single player. The graphics are not as smooth as Halo III, Gears of War, or Ghost Recon AW:II. The GTA:IV’s are too choppy and jittery. If I were to buy this game though, it would be for the PS3, as it has a slight performance advantage.
Besides, as long as there is competition, this mine is better than yours will go on and on, till humans are extinct… The problem is the fanatics that have to swear and curse to explain how BETTER theirs is…
ok so will the existing ones will get replaced wit the new chips when they die…
The Valhalla models (CPU/GPU in one chip) are supposed to have smaller cases too, and M$ is currently shopping around for a cooling solution:
A more dramatic and perhaps visible change will happen next year: TSMC plans to begin producing the Valhalla chip, which will be the foundation of the mid-cycle refresh of the Xbox 360, in fall of 2009. This chip is apparently much more than a die-shrink and end up as a system-on-a-chip design. This change is likely to enable to redesign the Xbox 360 casing and go towards a slim-design, much like what Sony did with the Gen1 and Gen2 PS2. TSMC should/will use a 45nm process for this Multi-Chip-Module package (CPU+GPU+eDRAM).
There are also some interesting pieces of information that Microsoft is shopping for a more efficient cooling solution - efficient in more ways than just one: Several people close to the cooling industry have said that Microsoft approached them, and asked for better and cheaper cooling than what is used in the Xbox 360 right now. Some may claim that the current Xbox 360 cooler design is already as cheap as it gets, but we have no doubts that Microsoft will find a way to drop the cost once again.