Latest 360 chipset rumor

[Queasy]

Link

Microsoft Corp. 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. to make chips for the new game console. However, there are other important rumours: TSMC 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 piece of silicon.

The code-named Jasper design 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 also produce less noise.

By contrast, current Xbox 360 design named Falcon utilizes GMCH and eDRAM cores manufactured using 90nm process technology at TSMC as well as CPU built at IBM using 65nm fabrication process. The first-generation Xbox 360 used 90nm chips.

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.

What is, perhaps, more important than the facts that TSMC again got orders to produce ATI Xenos GMCH and IBM land orders on IBM Xenon CPU at expense of Chartered Semiconductor (which once promised to start making 45nm chips for Advanced Micro Devices in 2009), is that ?chips? for next-generation Xbox 360 code-named Valhalla will also be made at TSMC. Earlier rumours transpired that Valhalla features a chip that combines CPU and GMCH. In order to build such chip at TSMC, Microsoft either needs to disclose certain design rules of IBM?s fabrication process to the Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer, or completely rework the CPU according to fabrication process of TSMC.

Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.

 

[Jules]

Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: Jules
Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

Yeah unless you do alot of hunting you might be waiting till Sep/Oct or later for them to move old stock out.

 

[Queasy]

Shipping 1st week of September?

I had a tip off today that August 22nd is when Microsoft is scheduled to finish the first batch of "Jasper" motherboard powered Xbox 360. This are going to use a newer cooler 65 nm GPU as well as a 65 nm CPU. They are expected to hit the stores on the first week of September 2008.

I can't totally vouch for the source of this particular tip off but it seems to jive with what I've heard elsewhere.

Now this is just when they are going to switch to the motherboard design. The still could change the bundle (Like changing the 20 gig hard drive on the Pro system to the 60 gig one that they have been working on) or change price between now and then.

I can't wait to see when someone figures out that the Xenon Xbox that they sent off to get RRODed repaired AKA "RnR" was sent back with an "Opus" motherboard. That is likely to be identified by it using the same power consumption as the "Falcon" system but in a "Xenon" case.

Microsoft is probably not going to be making a big deal about the switch to the newer motherboard design but since the "Jasper" is going to be using a new GPU chip it is going to be using less power and can probably be identified by the power consumption rating on the box.

 

[shingletingle]

Originally posted by: Jules
Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

And then there will be a rumor of another chipset on the way and you can decide to wait for that one too.....

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: shingletingle

Originally posted by: Jules
Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

And then there will be a rumor of another chipset on the way and you can decide to wait for that one too.....

There already is. "Valhalla" will be coming out in 2009 and supposedly will unify the CPU and GPU to a single chip.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Jules
Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

If you wait for the final revision of a particular console, you're going to be waiting forever. I guarantee that every console out there will have revisions right up until being discontinued. The 360 probably isn't going to be getting more features any time soon, and the Falcon is far more stable than the original versions. I'd buy now.

 

[Wuzup101]

Just buy it now. If you are worried about it failing... buy it at target and get the warranty for 3 years ($30). There are PLENTY of good games out there for both the PS3 and 360. If you haven't owned one yet, now is the time!

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: shingletingle

Originally posted by: Jules
Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

And then there will be a rumor of another chipset on the way and you can decide to wait for that one too.....

Jasper is only 3 1/2 months away, so if you have a game backlog on other platforms why not catch up on other games and wait? Jasper is the first version to reduce the heat from the GPU, which is supposed to be the main cause of the RRoD.

Valhalla is not expected until next year, so waiting for Jasper is more like waiting for nvidia's g200 and ATI's 4000 video cards instead of buying a 9800GX2 today, or buying a 40GB PS3 now instead of the 80 GB MGS4 bundle next month.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: shingletingle

Originally posted by: Jules
Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

And then there will be a rumor of another chipset on the way and you can decide to wait for that one too.....

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Jules
Was going to pick up a X360 at target yesterday. Good thing i waited as ill just wait for this one to come out.

If you wait for the final revision of a particular console, you're going to be waiting forever. I guarantee that every console out there will have revisions right up until being discontinued. The 360 probably isn't going to be getting more features any time soon, and the Falcon is far more stable than the original versions. I'd buy now.

Thats fine i can wait. Already have a PS3.