Xbox 360 manufacture date?

[Kabob]

I'm looking to buy an Xbox 360 (and there's a good chance it'll end up being used). Where can I find the manufacture date for the console? I'd rather get a later one to avoid any possible...problems. What other things should I look for before purchasing (other than the ring of light thingy which I still don't fully understand...anyone care to explain this further)?

 

[Maximilian]

Me too. I have a few questions.

1. Whens the new 65nm? version out, the one thats supposed to be cooler and more robust.

2. Is it free to play online?

 

[LanceM]

IIRC, you can get the date by calling their support line and giving a number on the bottom of the console. They will tell you the date. As far as I know, units produced after the new year have not been having many issues. For units produced *before* January 1, 2006, Microsoft extended the warranty.

The 360's face has a circle of green lights (divided into four sections) around the power button. If any of the lights turn red (usually green while playing), you can determine your error code by noting which lights have changed color.

Playing online requires Live Gold, which costs in the neighborhood of $50/yr (with the occasional deal in which headphones or Marketplace points are offered).

 

[Kabob]

From what I've heard the new 65nm processors havn't even been announced yet (other than them saying "yes, we have the ability to do so) so expect that to be a few months away.

Online play is not free but there's alot you can do with the subscriptions I know. Question is, do you have to have the Gold package to play online? If so, what's the purpose of the silver packages, etc etc etc?

Is the only way to find the MFR date to call? Thought it might have been listed elsewhere. What is the number you can call? What is the name of the number on the bottom of the console that you have to tell them (is tha tthe MPN or whatever?)

*edit* Is a March '06 manufacture date a relatively safe bet for a good working console?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Soviet
Me too. I have a few questions.

1. Whens the new 65nm? version out, the one thats supposed to be cooler and more robust.

Estimated to be sometime in the first quarter of 2007....so just guess sometime in the first half of next year.

You can find the manufacture date on the console itself.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: kabob983
Online play is not free but there's alot you can do with the subscriptions I know. Question is, do you have to have the Gold package to play online? If so, what's the purpose of the silver packages, etc etc etc?

Gold is required in order to play games online. Silver gives you access to demos, videos, chat, messaging, gamerscore, friends lists, XBL Arcade games, etc.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: QueasyEstimated to be sometime in the first quarter of 2007....so just guess sometime in the first half of next year.

You can find the manufacture date on the console itself.

2 questions for your answers:

1. How big of a benefit is the 65nm processor going to be? Is overheating a really big problem with 360's or something?

2. Where on the console is the date located?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: QueasyEstimated to be sometime in the first quarter of 2007....so just guess sometime in the first half of next year.

You can find the manufacture date on the console itself.

2 questions for your answers:

1. How big of a benefit is the 65nm processor going to be? Is overheating a really big problem with 360's or something?

No way of knowing until they are actually rolled out. The CPU is typically the hottest part of any system so a die shrink should help with the heat.

The 360 gets pretty hot but as long as you keep it in a well-ventilated area it is ok.

Example: I had my 360 sitting in a nice open A/V rack. My HDTV went out today so I moved it up to the bedroom and put it in the little cubby in our TV Amoire. Because that cubby is so poorly ventilated it was noticeably louder as the fans had to work harder to keep the system cool. I put it elsewhere where it can get plenty of ventilation and it is now at about the same noise level as it was downstairs.

2. Where on the console is the date located?

On the back or the bottom. I can't remember and I don't feel like pulling my 360 out for the 3rd time today.

 

[JohnAn2112]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: QueasyEstimated to be sometime in the first quarter of 2007....so just guess sometime in the first half of next year.

You can find the manufacture date on the console itself.

2 questions for your answers:

1. How big of a benefit is the 65nm processor going to be? Is overheating a really big problem with 360's or something?

No way of knowing until they are actually rolled out. The CPU is typically the hottest part of any system so a die shrink should help with the heat.

The 360 gets pretty hot but as long as you keep it in a well-ventilated area it is ok.

Example: I had my 360 sitting in a nice open A/V rack. My HDTV went out today so I moved it up to the bedroom and put it in the little cubby in our TV Amoire. Because that cubby is so poorly ventilated it was noticeably louder as the fans had to work harder to keep the system cool. I put it elsewhere where it can get plenty of ventilation and it is now at about the same noise level as it was downstairs.

2. Where on the console is the date located?

On the back or the bottom. I can't remember and I don't feel like pulling my 360 out for the 3rd time today.

It's on the back, on the sticker that has the console serial number.

 

[Kabob]

Are the consoles made in March of '06 a relatively safe bet?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: kabob983
Are the consoles made in March of '06 a relatively safe bet?

Probably no worse than any others after launch.

 

[ajskydiver]

I've had two 360's...the first died pretty much right away (within a day or two at most) and the 2nd has been flawless for 6 months and I leave it on all the time running Media Center.

If it works after a month or so of use, I'd think it should be pretty safe - esp. if it is a 2006 manufacture date.

 

[Stuxnet]

Mine died and was sitting on an open shelf all by itself. Plenty of ventilation.

This is fscking RETARDED. The whole point of consoles is to simplify gaming. Now people have to buy aftermarket cooling solutions, make sure it's situated just right, etc. Next thing we know we'll have to install antivirus, spyware detection, and disk defrag utilities for our consoles.

 

[Kabob]

I agree somewhat...I know that there are tons of systems being circulated but just the fact that there are so many compaints worries me...