We all knew it was only a matter of time, and now it looks as if that time has come: Microsoft is implementing codename Falcon in order to reduce overheating in 360s and also greatly reduce the price of manafacturing costs which will translate to a long-overdue price drop across all SKU's. Not a moment too soon either, as Sony has already unwillingly announced the PSDoorstop is getting it's own price rolled back.
Now if only there was a way Microsoft could announce this price cut in a grand fashion, perhaps like a show or some kind of big press event, an expo perhaps. If only...
Hit the jump for all the sexy details and sexy impressions.*
*Note: May not be all that sexy.
Via The Mercury News:
Falcon is the name for the latest internal electronics in the Xbox 360. It will have an IBM microprocessor and an AMD/ATI graphics chip that are manufactured in a 65-nanometer production process. These are cost-reduced chips that do the same thing as their 90-nanometer predecessors, but they’re smaller.
With smaller chips, Microsoft gets a bunch of benefits. They won’t generate as much heat. So the risks of overheating — one of the main reasons behind Microsoft’s billion-dollar write-off for repairs and extended warranties — are much lower. The chips may also cost half of what it took to make them before because they use less material and fewer manufacturing steps to produce.
Everyone knows that console makers cut the prices and costs on their consoles over time. But you may not be aware that the primary chips – microprocessor, graphics, and the Ana video processing chip – are the bulk of the cost of the machine. Microsoft started making the Xbox 360s in August, 2005, with a 90-nanometer process. It is overdue to switch to the newest technology, 65 nanometers, but that day has finally come. It may be some time — a year, maybe two — before it moves on the a 45-nanometer process.
Joe Burling had nothing to do with this tip ... ... ... ... ... ... ... NOT!
Contest:
4:53 PM on 07.09.2007
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Do we have to wait for our 360's to crap out to get the new chips?
Unless the Wii drops to $150.
Then, the usual Wii dominance will continue as usual.
The 360 is expected to see a $50 drop tomorrow, except for the Elite which may go as low as $399, in which case Sony will probably take a bunch of pills and lock themselves in the bathroom.
I know it's easy for most of us to doubt the casual gamers taste, but they seen pretty intense about their love of the Wii.
Wii Sports on Monday, Wii Play on Tues, Wario Ware on Wed, Big Brain on Thurs, and Rayman on Friday. They call it their "Force Five", each game for a half an hour on it's day. They don't seem to be getting sick of it.
It is pretty much collecting dust in the corner at the moment. Once in a while I'll bust it out when I'm at her place, but she doesn't buy many games.
I was her date to the Transformers premier in New Zealand, by the way. It was a blast, for those who were curious.
Anyway, this is good news. I don't think there will be a huge difference to the RROD epidemic, but there will probably be some small decrease.
YEAH DATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!
CAUSE THIS IS MY THIRD XBOX 360!!
how many refurbished systems can i get??
if this one gives me red lights again,
GIVE ME A BRAND NEW SEALED 65NM X360 AND
I'LL BE THE HAPPIEST GUY ON EARTH!