When should I buy a XBOX 360? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Gumba · 2007-11-29, 09:30 AM

I've been holding out on buying a 360 since they were released fearing overheating issues and the RROD. I bought the original XBOX a few months after it was originally released and had nothing but problems with it. I don't want to go down that road again.
I've heard Mircrosoft is/will be producing 360s with new processors that run 10-20% cooler. It's difficult to find a lot of info on these though, when they'll be released. Does anyone know the timeline for 360s with the cooler processors?
thanks.

calvin940 · 2007-11-29, 09:42 AM

I believe the falcon processors are in use in the Arcade console variation and the Halo 3 special edition console. The majority of RRODs were caused by the GPU overheating so while the smaller CPU will help, the smaller GPU release slated for next year will yield the better quality. It certainly seems that the number of reports of new console with RRODs is less than the original versions, but I have still seen reports of it.

MS has gotten better with the returns (timing, end to end turn around), so if you are in the market for one, it's probably not a bad idea to hit up one of the above console versions.

Eluder · 2007-11-29, 11:20 AM

I replaced my premium console with a Falcon based Elite on Monday. I bought it from EB and I lucked out that it has the Falcon processor and the BenQ drive. I've yet to play anything on it (hooked it up and transfered data last night before going to bed), but it seemed a tad quieter than my premium 360 at idle, but the test will be at full load how it sounds, including the dvd drive. Check the official xbox forums for a thread on how to try to get your hands on a Falcon.

sean_mc · 2007-11-30, 03:42 AM

My Xbox 360 literally received the rrod an hour or so ago so I need to contact tech support tommorow morning. Knowing that, I would probably still go out and buy an elite today for the following reasons:

1. rrod incidents have a 3 year warranty.
2. there are hdmi ports.
3. there's not much point waiting for the next version of any console design because you could always wait longer and get the better one. I mean, Sony is set to release another version of the PS2 (one exception to this is, of course the DS, where the original one was extremely ugly).

Joeskie · 2007-11-30, 10:05 AM

I just sold my 360 pro that got the ring once to get an elite. Cost me an extra 300 out of pocket, but I'm okay with that. 3 yr FS and MS warranty, by then xbox720 should be out.
no need to worry, be happy.

Rebelwax · 2007-11-30, 11:06 AM

Eluder....what EB did you find your Elite with the Falcon? I want to trade in my premium for an elite and i want the same as what you have with the Benq drive. Also...whats the lot# and does it say 203W or 175W on the box?

skyfire2261 · 2007-11-30, 12:18 PM

I believe the Jasper 360's are due out late next summer 08.

Eluder · 2007-11-30, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebelwax

Eluder....what EB did you find your Elite with the Falcon? I want to trade in my premium for an elite and i want the same as what you have with the Benq drive. Also...whats the lot# and does it say 203W or 175W on the box?

EB at York Mills gardens. It was Lot 0741, says 203w on the sticker, but the power supply is infact a 175w as per the sticker on the power brick. I was going to do the same thing as you, but I sold the console seperately and got more money than EB was giving me for the trade.

clipper99 · 2007-12-02, 08:04 PM

For me (seeing as I have returned my 360 Pro bundle a few months ago), I'll be purchasing one when they stop sounding like a 747 taking off in my living room. A seriously great gaming expreience that was more than cooled off by the sheer noise of the unit. Hopefully the newer units that are coming will require less cooling from the fans, but I doubt the noise will be that much less as it was the combination of the fans and the DVD drive making all the noise.

my 2 cents
D

Anteater · 2007-12-02, 08:48 PM

I was worrying about the same but then I went ahead and bought the system and haven't had any problems... yet.

For some reason I'm wishing I got a PlayStation 3 instead though. >.<

Gumba · 2007-12-02, 09:57 PM

Is it true that all the Elites from lot 741 and up are Falcons, or is it just luck of the draw? A salesman at EB told me they are, and that come Dec 7 EB is selling the Elite Holiday bundle w/ an additional bonus game (Call of Duty 4, NHL 08 or Assassin's Creed) for $499. Sounds like a sweet deal if true.

Eluder · 2007-12-03, 08:57 AM

Not true that all units are Elites, it's just a higher chance of getting one. The only sure way to know you have a Falcon based Elite w/o opening the box is to look at sticker on the box that says the wattage of the power supply, if it says 203w, then it's luck of the draw, if it says 175w, then you definitely have a Falcon. And the new units are much quiter; it's not the fans that make the biggest racket, it's the DVD drive, and the Elite I got has the BenQ which is probably half as noisy as the other DVD drives, so the experience is much better now IMHO.

lgplasma · 2007-12-04, 07:58 PM

Have a look at 360drives.com and you will see that on or around lot 738 things change and all models appear to be Falcons. I got a lot 741 Elite Falcon from Future Shop.

romstah · 2007-12-05, 09:01 AM

im looking to get one, maybe on boxing day. So does the falcon chip really lowers the chance of getting RROD or is it too early to tell?

Eluder · 2007-12-05, 09:51 AM

Too early to tell, but RROD for the most part is a thing of the past. Yes there are still some unlucky folks, but it's not like it was previously. The Falcon uses less power, and therefore less heat, so it should logically mean a lower chance of RROD.

2007-11-29, 09:30 AM	#1
Gumba Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13	When should I buy a XBOX 360? I've been holding out on buying a 360 since they were released fearing overheating issues and the RROD. I bought the original XBOX a few months after it was originally released and had nothing but problems with it. I don't want to go down that road again. I've heard Mircrosoft is/will be producing 360s with new processors that run 10-20% cooler. It's difficult to find a lot of info on these though, when they'll be released. Does anyone know the timeline for 360s with the cooler processors? thanks.

2007-11-30, 10:05 AM	#5
Joeskie Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 205	I just sold my 360 pro that got the ring once to get an elite. Cost me an extra 300 out of pocket, but I'm okay with that. 3 yr FS and MS warranty, by then xbox720 should be out. no need to worry, be happy. __________________ Samsung 58B650-Toshiba A30-Yamaha YSP4000 YSTFSW100-Elite 360-BEV 9242-6100-H 880 - PS3 40GB

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2007-11-29, 09:42 AM	#2
calvin940 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 1,600	I believe the falcon processors are in use in the Arcade console variation and the Halo 3 special edition console. The majority of RRODs were caused by the GPU overheating so while the smaller CPU will help, the smaller GPU release slated for next year will yield the better quality. It certainly seems that the number of reports of new console with RRODs is less than the original versions, but I have still seen reports of it. MS has gotten better with the returns (timing, end to end turn around), so if you are in the market for one, it's probably not a bad idea to hit up one of the above console versions.

2007-11-29, 11:20 AM	#3
Eluder Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,446	I replaced my premium console with a Falcon based Elite on Monday. I bought it from EB and I lucked out that it has the Falcon processor and the BenQ drive. I've yet to play anything on it (hooked it up and transfered data last night before going to bed), but it seemed a tad quieter than my premium 360 at idle, but the test will be at full load how it sounds, including the dvd drive. Check the official xbox forums for a thread on how to try to get your hands on a Falcon.

2007-11-30, 03:42 AM	#4
sean_mc Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 18	My Xbox 360 literally received the rrod an hour or so ago so I need to contact tech support tommorow morning. Knowing that, I would probably still go out and buy an elite today for the following reasons: 1. rrod incidents have a 3 year warranty. 2. there are hdmi ports. 3. there's not much point waiting for the next version of any console design because you could always wait longer and get the better one. I mean, Sony is set to release another version of the PS2 (one exception to this is, of course the DS, where the original one was extremely ugly).

2007-11-30, 11:06 AM	#6
Rebelwax Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1	Eluder....what EB did you find your Elite with the Falcon? I want to trade in my premium for an elite and i want the same as what you have with the Benq drive. Also...whats the lot# and does it say 203W or 175W on the box?

2007-11-30, 12:18 PM	#7
skyfire2261 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 56	I believe the Jasper 360's are due out late next summer 08.

2007-12-02, 08:04 PM	#9
clipper99 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Campbell River Posts: 45	For me (seeing as I have returned my 360 Pro bundle a few months ago), I'll be purchasing one when they stop sounding like a 747 taking off in my living room. A seriously great gaming expreience that was more than cooled off by the sheer noise of the unit. Hopefully the newer units that are coming will require less cooling from the fans, but I doubt the noise will be that much less as it was the combination of the fans and the DVD drive making all the noise. my 2 cents D

2007-12-02, 08:48 PM	#10
Anteater Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 450	I was worrying about the same but then I went ahead and bought the system and haven't had any problems... yet. For some reason I'm wishing I got a PlayStation 3 instead though. >.<

2007-12-02, 09:57 PM	#11
Gumba Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13	Is it true that all the Elites from lot 741 and up are Falcons, or is it just luck of the draw? A salesman at EB told me they are, and that come Dec 7 EB is selling the Elite Holiday bundle w/ an additional bonus game (Call of Duty 4, NHL 08 or Assassin's Creed) for $499. Sounds like a sweet deal if true.

2007-12-03, 08:57 AM	#12
Eluder Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,446	Not true that all units are Elites, it's just a higher chance of getting one. The only sure way to know you have a Falcon based Elite w/o opening the box is to look at sticker on the box that says the wattage of the power supply, if it says 203w, then it's luck of the draw, if it says 175w, then you definitely have a Falcon. And the new units are much quiter; it's not the fans that make the biggest racket, it's the DVD drive, and the Elite I got has the BenQ which is probably half as noisy as the other DVD drives, so the experience is much better now IMHO.

2007-12-04, 07:58 PM	#13
lgplasma Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North of Nanaimo Posts: 433	Have a look at 360drives.com and you will see that on or around lot 738 things change and all models appear to be Falcons. I got a lot 741 Elite Falcon from Future Shop.

2007-12-05, 09:01 AM	#14
romstah Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 115	im looking to get one, maybe on boxing day. So does the falcon chip really lowers the chance of getting RROD or is it too early to tell?

2007-12-05, 09:51 AM	#15
Eluder Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,446	Too early to tell, but RROD for the most part is a thing of the past. Yes there are still some unlucky folks, but it's not like it was previously. The Falcon uses less power, and therefore less heat, so it should logically mean a lower chance of RROD.