Xbox 360 – Soon to be Cooler with HDMI, 65nm CPU

Is the recent price drop on Xbox 360 just a clearance sale of the "old" stock?

You can now get an Xbox 360 Premium for $50 less than it would have cost 24 hours ago. That's $350 for the Premium console.

 

But not so fast – you might want keep that extra $50 handy. 

 

Opposable Thumbs is reporting a rumor that a new Xbox 360 with a few serious improvements will soon be unveiled.

 

The rumor hails from a 'source' known to Ben, the writer of Opposable Thumbs. But the information falls in line with what we already know about the Microsoft product's future.

 

According to the rumor, Microsoft plans a soft launch of a new version of the Core and Premium model Xbox 360 in late August or early September. These new machines will run cooler, ending the overheating problems they've been plagued with. They'll have quieter DVD drives but, sorry, no standard HD DVD. These machines should even have the new 65 nm processors and HDMI output.

 

We know the red circle of death has been a problem for some time and is costing Microsoft a lot of money in extended warranties and repairs. It makes sense that cooler machines will prevail in the near future.

 

But these cooler machines are likely to have other hardware bonuses. The rumors about Xbox 360's GPU and CPU switching to a 65nm process have been around for some time now. These processor improvements are believed to be hitting the streets this fall and will account for a cooler running Xbox 360.

 

It's also nice to see a quieter DVD drive. As it stands, the Xbox 360 is easily the noisiest console of its generation.

 

So, I'd be leery of running out and taking advantage of that price drop unless you absolutely MUST own an Xbox 360 NOW! I'd wait. It could be scant weeks before we see a whole new unit available.

6 comments
Posted by John on August 12,2007 at 6:52 PM

I've looked all over north of toronto and NO ONE has new models, they all sell July 2006 models. So bloody annoying.

Posted by Lalu on August 8,2007 at 9:42 PM

Hi,

I'm up in Canada, just bought a 360 elite from HMV August 3rd...it was the first time I could find one in the Toronto area at a retail store. Also, next to the 360 elite was one 80GB PS3 for $699.99.

My 360 elite was manufactured in june 22nd of this year...you guys think I got the new 65nm chipset? the dvd drive doesn't sound much quieter than my older 360 (which was made october 2006)  I've been curious as hell...and microsoft doesn't help you one bit.

also, HDMI and Component cables look the same on my Panasonic television (they have a reputation for that)

ps. Ps3 SUXXXXXXXXXXX ...at least as a gaming console right now... it's got longevity going for it.

Posted by Wayde on August 8,2007 at 4:56 PM

@ Geek

Oh, Geek. you are such a ... I won't say it but. Thanks for saving me from the horrors of in-HDMI-cablism. Those do happen to be pretty good prices when you consider a fella named Monster wants to sell you HDMI cables at the big box stores for rediculous amounts of cheese.

Folks, don't spend $75 for an HDMI or DVI cable - please! There is no Monster difference.

Posted by Wayde on August 8,2007 at 4:53 PM

Thanks Zeph, rumors are as they say, just rumors.

I listen to half the rumors half as much as I should and all the rumors twice as much as they deserve.

Posted by geek on August 8,2007 at 3:44 PM

if you are looking for HDMI cables.

try

http://www.cablesys.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=204

ONLY $3.50 when 10+ purchased

or just $5.97

Posted by Zeph Greenwell on August 8,2007 at 2:59 PM

The new Xbox 360s will look identical to the old ones. The only difference will that they run a little cooler and a little quieter. The 65nm chip should be installed in any Xbox 360 manufactured July 2007 or later. As far as the quieter DVD drive, I doubt it. Also there will not be HDMI on the premium systems at least for now.