**Official Xbox 360 Jasper Hunting Thread**

JasperHunter · 11-19-2008, 02:26 PM

AnandTech's in depth look at the Jasper Xbox 360:
http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3472

It covers:
- What exactly Jasper is and means
- Identification (on the box and on the console)
- Internal, high resolution pics (make sure you look at the galleries)
- RRoD theories
- Power consumption

Somewhat older stuff:

Identifying Jasper:
1. Any console that comes labeled 12.1A on the +12V rail is almost guaranteed to be Jasper. Only a fluke at the factory would result in one of these being Falcon. This can kind of sort of be seen through the packaging with some work. A pic posted by our own RRo

http://i60.photobucket.com/alb...6chicago/360window.jpg
Note that 14.2A labels do not mean it's definitely Falcon - it could still be a Jasper.

2. Any console that has 256MB internal memory. Again, we have never seen a Falcon with the increased internal memory and we've never seen an Arcade Jasper without it. Pro Jaspers don't report it, but it's unclear what's really inside.

3. Any console that comes with a 150W PSU. Falcon will not function with a 150W PSU. Jasper, however, would work fine with a 175W PSU and we have definitely seen some 175W PSU's come with Jasper.

4. And finally, probably the most reliable method: just look at the power connector. It would be a pretty serious problem if the factory let out a Falcon with the Jasper power connector. A nice diagram of the various power connectors posted at xbox-scene by fahrenheit:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albu...box360_Model_Guide.jpg

Lot numbers are not a reliable method yet. 0842 and 0843 lots from both FDOU and CSON have been identified as either Jasper or Falcon. No specific manufacturing dates are a guarantee just yet either. My guess is that 0844 from both teams will ultimately be all Jasper, but we'll have to wait and see.

Also remember that teams TMEM and ADUE are repackaging teams and will usually put a new lot number on an old box. The only reliable way to know the real lot # is to look at the serial number in these cases. the last 5 digits will be XXXYY where XXX is the real lot number. Every once in a while, you will see a 1 week variation between the box and the serial number on FDOU/CSON machines as well.

Jasper dissection pics:
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=668104

older info:
Looks like we have a probable Jasper sighting! Or two actually!

Yet more evidence is posted at xbox-scene with 12.1A 0843X FDOU consoles:
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=668034
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=668038

Both of those xbox-scene threads show Xboxes with 12.1A/150W power supplies and consoles labeled with 12.1A current requirements. This corresponds with what I predicted for Jasper a couple months ago. I firmly believe these are Jasper, even without actual power measurements or even opening the console. I'm sure at some point soon we'll get that data as well to confirm the change. They also have not provided pics of the PSU connector, which would be nice as well.

Looks like all our hard work has paid off!

Original post: Due to deteriorating conditions from anonymous trolls in the original 8bitjoystick blog post, I'm restarting the Jasper Discussion here at AnandTech. There's still a lot of good information over there, so consider reading there first.

Please see my original AnandTech articles for background information :
http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3424
http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3440

As of now, we are up to lot 0841 with no sign of Jasper so far. This is based on power consumption measurements with a Kill-a-watt as mentioned in my 2nd article above.

Some newer lots with X attached to the end of the lot # have been discovered, but the meaning of the "X" remains unclear.

I will try to post updates here when there's anything important.

secretanchitman · 11-19-2008, 02:41 PM

thanks for making this topic!!! ive followed you on multiple sites, and it looks like you're the best one for jasper info IMO.

i wont even consider buying a 360 until i know for certain that i will be getting a jasper.

arent some people supposedly getting it now?

WaitingForJasper · 11-19-2008, 02:52 PM

Although an anonymous poster posted that the 0842x was a prank, I wonder if its only another individual trying to make a false claim about the previous post with the 12.1A info.

I'll look at BB in my area tonight to see if I can find some 0842x. Hopefully they are jaspers

vi edit · 11-19-2008, 02:54 PM

I honestly don't care if I have a Jasper or not but I am curious.

I got an Arcade holiday bundle in this week from Dell. It has a Manf Date of 9-29-08 (not sure on lot number) but it runs immensely cooler and quieter than an older Zephyer based Pro that I had a year ago.

My power brick is 175w.

imported_Darrell · 11-19-2008, 02:56 PM

I'm here....

You guys aren't getting rid of me that easily.

imported_Darrell · 11-19-2008, 03:01 PM

I kinda feel responsible for the thread getting out of hand.

It was right after I had linked 8-bit's thread on a forum on xboxscene that the decline started. If it was me, I sincerely apologize.

-Darrell

imported_Darrell · 11-19-2008, 03:07 PM

vi edit,

More than likely you got a newer Falcon. Several people have gotten kill-a-watt readings from units made around the same time as yours. I'm not saying your machine is a bad one as we have found many newer falcons are made a little differently....ie. newer/different capacitor combinations, possible GPU revisons/stepping updates. But several people, me included feel these run a little cooler (purely subjective, of course) than the older Falcons.

-Darrell

Adauctus · 11-19-2008, 03:07 PM

No worries, Darrell. Crap happens. We all knew that it wouldn't last forever.

NikoP · 11-19-2008, 03:09 PM

Hehe, shame on you Darrell

btw, I ordered a Pro bundle with Tomb Raider UNderworld from Amazon Germany. Should arrive on Friday, let's see if it's repackaged stuff or sth fresh

Cheers,

Niko

piter · 11-19-2008, 03:14 PM

I just started reading that thread like 4weeks ago and BOY did it rocket it's way down!
I'm here now....who's got my Jasper?!

imported_Darrell · 11-19-2008, 03:17 PM

you guys have no idea how quickly it went down....

Some tool just posted a link to some gay porn spoofing it as a link to a Jasper sighting!!

-Darrell

Taro Sarask · 11-19-2008, 03:25 PM

Hey folks, I'm also making the migration. I didn't post much, but I read everyday.

Firstly: I've seen an 842x Team FDOU at my local best Buy (Portsmouth, NH). Unfortunatley it was an Arcade. I have a dead falcon Pro (e74 error code), but I have a product replacement plan from Best Buy, so I'll be getting a new Pro. Unfortunately the Pro's were all 836's. In any event 842x are out there.

Also, I'm curious if anyone thinks that the idea that it was Jaspers that were being stockpiled with NXE preloaded in anticipation of the Holiday season, while the last of the Falcons were being released as they were produced.

That's my theory... I'm sticking with it. My bet is that as such, we'll see Jaspers released to resellers starting this week.

Taro Sarask

RogCor · 11-19-2008, 03:44 PM

First, thanks for all the jasper information thus far JasperHunter, et al. Lets keep it coming.

second, anyone know the latest CSON sighting? Im still anxious to see if there is anything behind the mystery 841x posting from a while ago.

RogCor

footballrunner800 · 11-19-2008, 04:11 PM

Good to see this thread in AT. For those in SO cal there are some 840 Arcades at Best buy cerritos.

Jopopsy · 11-19-2008, 04:39 PM

Woo hoo !!! Okay guys, I'm the NE Bucks PA dude. Nice to see you all !!!!

TravisO · 11-19-2008, 04:50 PM

Consider me one more user that also feels the Madman Muntz forum has seriously deteriorated. Of course all of us posting the "I'm here" posts are only junking up this forum too (Yes I'm just as guilty posting this). I tried to never post because I wasn't hunting and wanted to keep the forum free from chatter, nor do I plan on posting on this forum (although I will read it daily) for the very same reason.

Darrell, I'm not going to be as forgiving as others here, but you had to find out the hard way; when it comes to the Internet, it's quality over quantity. Telling the bottom feeders of the web where the "in the know" people chat only bring it down for everybody and scare off many useful people. The past dozen pages started to really go downhill with people asking Jasper 101 questions (ex: people who don't know what 65nm means or asking if their 834 is a Jasper or not). Nothing good comes out of these n00bs joining in. They have their own forum, they should have stuck there. Notice that virtually every post from page 1 to 20 were really good, reports of versions, some educated theories, pics of mysterious changes, etc. The cat is out of the bag now, it's water under the bridge, I'm noting holding any hard feelings or grudges, just wanted to express my thoughts.

8bitJoystick had his glory, it was great while it lasted, let's face it, that thread died about 10 pages ago. He would have to do something really draconian at this point in order for that thread to get back to the post quality that would make me come back.

PS: With the number of people reporting of "opened" consoles they are buying off the shelf, maybe there are way more Jasper hunters that we realize, and they are buying, seeing it's not Jasper, and returning?

PPS: Wow these avatar icons are really garbage, stock images and absolutely nothing related to the subjects these forums cover (how about some gamer, console or computer icons?) and I can't even upload my own.

JasperHunter · 11-19-2008, 05:05 PM

Thanks for joining me here guys. Once everyone joins in, I'm sure we can increase the signal to noise ratio here pretty quickly. Luckily I missed the porn links because I too was reading at work. That would definitely have been the last straw. The AT moderators are very good at dealing with these sorts of problems.

Darrell, I don't think you made a mistake by posting this thread elsewhere. IMO, the more people we have searching, the more likely we are to find these things early. I mean hell, millions of people read AnandTech every day and I posted the link to the other thread in my article as well. Maybe it's just the type of reader here vs elsewhere. Anyways, it doesn't matter anymore.

The other pluses are that I can update the first post when there's significant new info and there are some smart cookies that read AnandTech that may be able to assist us in the hunt.

Branj812 · 11-19-2008, 05:08 PM

Just thought I would post over here aswell. I bought a pro FDOU 0839X at target yesterday. it had 4x4 capacitors. It looked like it had been opened before so I took it back and got another FDOU 0839X this one has 4x2 capacitors. Both had the same manufacture date of 9-25-08. what one is the newest falcon revision then 4x4 or 4x2. Just want to make sure I have the newest falcon revision for now until the jaspers come out. IF its the 4x4 capacitors i guess i need to return mine again.

blurredvision · 11-19-2008, 05:30 PM

Hmmm, are us Anandtech lifers allowed to join in on the discussion?? Weird seeing a lot of new blood around these parts.

Welcome!

leglez · 11-19-2008, 05:38 PM

I am going to be watching this. I plan on getting another box pretty soon.

Schfifty Five · 11-19-2008, 06:01 PM

Holy new jr. members batman!

JasperHunter · 11-19-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: blurredvision
Hmmm, are us Anandtech lifers allowed to join in on the discussion?? Weird seeing a lot of new blood around these parts.

Welcome!

Please do! I'm an AnandTech lifer myself

I've known Anand since 1998 (if I remember right) and wrote for him until I got too busy with school.

XFiler · 11-19-2008, 06:36 PM

Hello everyone- I also made the jump from the other thread. Good luck in the hunt all, and I look forward to contributing where I can!

Jopopsy · 11-19-2008, 06:38 PM

Hey Gang. Quakertown area of PA:

Target: 836 Pros
BB: 834 Pros, lots of stuff older
Gamestop (x2): 837s and lower

I think I lucked out by getting the 839X. Well, at least its a later batch - not sure what it bought me as I haven't even opened the cardboard up yet.

Hey Darrell, if you are going to return your Xbox, why don't you open her up? The clerks don't check for that, and you can really get in there and get us educated. I'm leaning towards keeping my 839X unless somebody hits gold like REAL soon. Fable 2, GOW2, Fallout 3, and COD4 are really calling to me from their wrappers right now ...

Jopopsy · 11-19-2008, 06:41 PM

Hey Gang,

Would it be possible to post what we know about Falcon Rev 1, 2, and 3 someplace up top? When I get around to cracking the seal on my cardboard, I'd really like to know exactly what it is I got. Links to pictures (or the pics themselves) would be wonderful.

Jopopsy