It was announced in the last day or two that in early 2007 the 360 will be switching to a smaller (but same speed) chip that will be significantly cooler and as a result quieter.

I love the line about the helicopter... :)Xbox 360 getting new CPU Chartered Semiconductor announces new deal to make smaller 65mm-process chip for Microsoft's next-gen console.

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpot
Posted Apr 21, 2006 11:50 am PT

One of the most common consumer complaints about the next-gen console is that its graphics capability requires a central processing unit which needs to be cooled by a constantly running, less-than-stealthy ventilation system. In other words, its fan is loud.

Some disgruntled consumers have even compared the 360's fan to a Blackhawk helicopter. Those same consumers will welcome today's news that the Xbox 360 is getting a new CPU which runs at lower temperature. Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing has announced it will begin making the Xbox 360's CPU using a 65-nanometer (nm) Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) semiconductor technology. Currently, the Singapore-based hardware manufacturer company makes 90nm Xbox 360 CPUs under an agreement with IBM, designer of the CPU. The first Xbox 360s with the new CPU
will go on sale in 2007.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148098.html

First of all, read this thread about people finding XBox 360 consoles to be too loud for Home Theatre use: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=54226.

Microsoft has announced plans to combat the noise and heat issues with a new XBox 360 model sporting improved hardware specs. This raises an interesting question: if the "XBox 360 2007 Xtra Cool Silent Killer Edition" or whatever the MS marketers make up to call it :D turns out to actually be quieter and cooler as promised, would anyone here at DHC consider switching?

Long term, would we see a lot of used XBox 360 first generation consoles show up on eBay and in the For Sale forums at discount prices?

Also do you think MS might take this upgrade opportunity to replace DVD with HD DVD drives in new XBox 360s to better match the PS3 feature set?

I'd love to see a another release of the XBOX 360 with an integrated HD DVD and power supply. I don't have a 360 currently but would definitely buy one if it was available. The PS3 outclasses the XBOX 360. I like the games on the XBOX 360 better though (so far).

-Mike

We own a 360 that was bought the week before Xmas 2005 so it's not the initial build, but soon enough.

It sits in a reasonably well ventilated area and to be honest we never really notice the fan noise when games are playing. The loudest noise is when it's spinning up a game and then it quiets right down.

In short, no plans to replace ours.

I am curious if the people who complain about the 360 noise play games at a really low volume level. Once the system is up and running and I am into a game like GoW or COD3 even on medium surround sound levels I cannot hear the 360. I do not plan to upgrade to a more "silent" 360.

where did you read this announcement? I can't seem to find any info anywhere.

Once the system is up and running and I am into a game like GoW or COD3 even on medium surround sound levels I cannot hear the 360.

I mean its nice that they are getting a smaller chip because presumably it will use less electricity and if it's quieter then great but I really can't see it being an issue when you're fragging someone!

Having said that, I find the Playstation3 fan to be quite loud which is someone problematic when watching Blu-ray movies.

I guess the 360 would suffer the same problem if you were using it to watch HD DVD movies.

If a new chip came out I wouldn't upgrade. To me personally it wouldn't be worth it. I would only upgrade if they integrated the hd-dvd with the console. As for the noise issues, I have the HD-DVD drive with the 360 and I don't notice the 360 noise at all in my setup. The only way I can hear the 360 is if I have the volume down very low on my receiver. Also the only time I consider it to make excessively loud noise is when I first power it on and it's spinning up, other than that it's fine. Of course noise level is a subjective thing and different people consider different volume levels loud/not loud.

Edit: To be more clear, the drive in the 360 is loud, the external HD-DVD drive is not from what i've seen.

-Regards, RP

How do you propose buying one of the "new" cpu 360s?

Do you honestly thing that Microsoft is going to slap stickers on the box "NOW WITH NEW CPU!!!!!"

If you're interested in the 360 then there really isn't any reason not to buy one now. Lots of good software, warranty to match their competitors, bright future...

pr0cs, the question is: when a newer, better model comes out, will people buy it? I'm not sure I understand your post.

I think he's saying that unless they introduce some other new feature there will be no way to distinguish the new CPU versions from the old CPU versions.

this new cpu to old cpu version is older news, not out yet, but has been spoken of.

I think the CPU now runs at what 3.2 or something x3? i think there just bringing it down a tad, at like 2.8 or 2.5 or something??

i wont make a major difference. But the statement will be.

Ha Ha my xbox is faster then yours. lol :D

As for the HD DVD drive, dont expect one to be put in the box its self. games will not come out on HD DVD's (for the moment, year). this way your HD DVD eye isn't being used for everylittle thing. Kinda good i find.

what i'm saying is that it will be impossible to tell if you're getting the revised hardware or not, microsoft isn't going to advertise the different manufactured units. To the end user there will be no difference so really if you're interested in a 360 there really isn't any reason to wait (unless there isn't any software that interests you).. (and if there still isn't there probably won't ever be at this point).

I haven't heard what Microsoft's marketing people have planned yet - has anyone? I'd be shocked if they didn't leverage the newer hardware as some sort of "New, Improved, Turbo-XBox" or something of the sort. Maybe some more chrome, or the return of the black box look, or something else.

According to the following, it looks like consoles with the new cpu probably won't hit store shelves until sometime in the 2H07.

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12487/Sources-65nm-Xbox-360-CPUs-Delayed-Until-Mid2007/

I'll "upgrade" if the new box is quieter and has built-in HD-DVD.

It wont have HD DVD.

Why would ppl think it would have it? The HD DVD is an ADDON for movies, NOTHING to do with gaming. the Next NEXT gen consols will need HD DVD for games, not now. ;)

like pr0cs said, M$ wont say get this one its newer! and slower!

The regular xbox had 6 versions, near the end the HD's were a tad bigger, and the motherboards were different.

So don't expect nothing big from them.

Why could't we have a version with built-in HD DVD ?? WHY ?

HD DVD read regulars DVD so what's the damn problem ? Not everybody want an ugly add-on with another PSU and a another bunch of cables !!!! This solution stink.

Games will still be on DVD but movies would be on HD DVD, and the noise problem would be gone forever. I really hope Microsoft will not listen to people like you and release a new version with a premium price if necessary for people who want silence and everything in one ELEGANT console. It could be the Xbox 360 HDVD version, I don't know, but if they can release 10 different versions of mice, keyboards and Vista.. why not do the same for the Xbox 360 as long as they all played the same games !!

For those who like noise and add-on then buy the cheap version. Also the new CPU revision will lower the cost of the console, Microsoft will then cut the price of the Xbox 360, so HD DVD built-in for same price is possible , now bring it on.

Microsoft's Second Coming of the Xbox 360 Revealed

Brandon Hill (Blog)
January 5, 2007 9:58 AM

Microsoft's "Zephyr" leaked to the press complete with HDMI, 120GB hard drive and 65nm processorhttp://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5591