Halo 3 edition 360 sports new 65nm Falcon chipset

[Mr Buckshot]

http://users.cescowildblue.com/jwsteed/images/CPU.jpg

That's right, in addition to a H3 paint job on the gamepad and console, plus the inclusion of a charger kit, you get a new 65 nm CPU that makes the Xbox 360 quieter and a little cooler (although the GPU is still at 90 nm, so the console is still damned hot). The first evidence of a 65nm CPU came from the fact that there were fewer heatpipes (you don't need that many with 65nm).

Ironically, while the 65nm CPU makes the 360 cheaper to manufacture, it won't lower the retail price anytime soon. Unfortunately, the 65nm CPU is still uber-rare in the original white X360. Note that only the HDMI versions will have the new CPUs.

Source: http://www.nordichardware.com/news,6879.html

Anyone who hasn't bought a 360 but wants to play Halo 3 can finally make a safe move, since the cooler-running CPU will reduce the proneness to the RRoD. In 2008, the GPU, which is the main heat-producing culprit, will also be reduced to 65nm, which will make for an even cooler 360.

Also, here's how to tell if you have a 65nm without voiding the warranty - just place your newest 360 next to an old version and listen for how less noisy the 65nm version is (about 50% less).

Once again, this is only for the Halo 3 edition of the X360, so I put this in the H3 forum.

EDIT: Here's a picture of the heatsink itself, modified to fit 65nm:
http://users.cescowildblue.com/jwsteed/images/heatsink.jpg

http://users.cescowildblue.com/jwsteed/images/heatsink2.jpg

[Con]

Thanks for the heads up

[Mr Buckshot]

No problem, so are you getting a H3 edition 360? While the extra $50 isn't that worth it in terms of extras in the bundle, you are getting a more stable machine...

At first I was against the H3 edition 360, but now I support its purchase, especially if you haven't yet bought a 360 but are eager to play Halo 3.

[Botolf]

Interesting, might rethink buying a premium, depends on when I have money, and when these new components become common, though.

[Con]

so are you getting a H3 edition 360? While the extra $50 isn't that worth it in terms of extras in the bundle, you are getting a more stable machine...I wasn't planning on it before, I was hoping if I bought a premium it would come with the 65. This is rare you say?

[Masterz1337]

Good thing I have one. :)

[TeeKup]

Quieter? Considering how loud the goddamn fan is I don't even want to know how loud a normal 360 is. :/

Although I don't think I got that.

Either way I love my green Halo 3 360. :3

[Mr Buckshot]

Very true, however the H3 editions are the first to have the 65nm chip be widely available.

Conscars, the 65nm chip in the white Premium has been spotted by a few brave individuals who voided their warranties, and it's still very rare - but expect it to be very common by December.

I wonder how much the 65nm CPU will actually improve the life, because it produced far less heat than the GPU even when it was at 90nm, and the GPU is still at 90nm.

I heard that if you're brave and skilled, you can add your own thermal paste or mod a water cooling system into the 360 (Ben Heck made an Xbox 360 "laptop" with liquid cooling).

one more thing, here's how to see if you have the 65nm chip:


First of all, thank you JWSpeed for doing all of your testing and pulling your Halo 3 console apart. Also, thank you for the great pictures!

Now for the good stuff...

How to see if you have a 65nm (Falcon) console:

First, get a flashlight that is very bright. Then put your console upside down (HD side down). You should be looking at an black or grey piece of plastic which is the bottom vent. Shine the flashlight directly into the bottom of the console (it works best to sit the flashlight on the plastic).

Then move the flashlight to the right side of the plastic. When you look inside of the console directly below the light, you will see a large white piece of plastic. This is the airflow shroud. You can see this highlighted in this picture: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x127/MRCUR/S8000516-2.jpg

Next, move the flashlight to the left a bit and look into the console again. You are looking for the large silver square that is directly in front of the airflow shroud. This piece will tell you whether or not you have a 65nm console.

90nm CPU Heatsink: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x127/MRCUR/S8000516-2-1.jpg

65nm CPU Heatsink: http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x127/MRCUR/heatsink4-2.jpg

(Notice that there is no heatpipe on the new 65nm CPU heatsink.)

[Apoc4lypse]

well thats good to know if you still havent bought a 360 yet :)

thx for the info, I just hope I can get one that isnt over priced cuz its halo 3 edition, I'm still waiting for more price drops lol

[Pooky]

So what does nm stand for.

[Zeph]

nanometer. google mb?

[Pooky]

Effort mb? I asked here and got a reply within 5 minutes.

[TPE]

I'm still want to see the 64nm GPU's. Cause the GPU puts out more heat than the CPU from what I read. I think the GPU overheating is whats causing the lights of death.

[Xetsuei]

The 65nm GPU should have come first.

[Mr Buckshot]

Both TPE and Xetsuei are right. The GPU is the main producer of heat, but it will get its 65nm makeover before I graduate from high school.

For now, the best solution is the revised heatsinks. Still, the cooler-running CPUs will reduce the proneness to overheating.

It's also rumored that 45nm upgrades will also come out.