While we've been hearing rumblings of new Xbox 360 motherboards and chipsets, we haven't come across anything solid yet. While not verified, the information from 8bit Joystick is definitely interesting, and if it's right, we'll see two new motherboard/chipset configurations for future Xbox 360s.
You probably already know about the Xenon (original), Zephyr (Elite) and Falcon (current, with a 65 nm CPU) chipsets, and there's also a Jasper, which hss both a 65 nm CPU and a 65 nm GPU. Now we hear about the "Opus" and "Valhalla" -- wow, what epic names.
8bit Joystick describes the rumored Opus to be a Falcon generation motherboard designed to fit in a Xenon case, sporting a 90 nm GPU and a 65 nm CPU. Why would they do that? They say it might be a recycling measure, which would put these new mobos in the casings of old RROD'd systems. How Eco-friendly -- frankenboxes! They add that since the original launch Xbox 360 had no HDMI port, the Opus will not have the feature either.
The other, the Valhalla, seems like a dream Xbox 360. It is said to use a unified chip containing both the CPU and GPU, which would make a cheaper, more reliable, energy efficient Xbox 360. 8bit Joystick says to expect a price drop with this system, as costs would be reduced.
When will we see these? They estimate that Japser will hit this year or next, and the Valhalla will make it out by late 2009 or mid-2010. C'mon, Xbox 360. Hold out until then!
[Thanks, Jake]
Contest:
10:33 AM on 02.15.2008
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I want a damn 360 now just because of this chipset lolol.
/whiny pre-teen rant
SUHWEEET!
Don't look at me like that. It had to be done.
Destructoid helps me learn Photoshop. Hooray!
I feel left out.
The Creature has screws in its neck to support its cranium, and the Xbox360 screws you in the neck with its lack of support.
The Creature fears fire, The Xbox 360 fears overheating.
The Creature is synonymous as having a strange sense of delicacy and morbid strength. The Xbox 360 is dead from dust and a subtle fall off of a coffee table, and the system looks morbid.
The tale of the Creature was made into a satrical and slapstick comedy called "Young Frankenstein". The Xbox 360 is a joke.
I'm so glad I haven't bought a 360 as of yet, so many variations I want the good one and I'm still waiting.
OMG You're a fanboy!
Thanks for that info. Some of us prefer to not get our news from hack interns willing to suck on the teat of AOL.
Which is why we're here...
Also, I guess I'll be buying one of those Valhalla systems when they come out. Anything to avoid paying $16 a month in utilities just to play Xbox.
Maybe Microsoft plans on making this system last longer and focus more on developing the software better where it uses all of the 360's capability.
I mean, when the xbox first came out, the graphics and capabilities ran by the games were different than those of the later games of the xbox. If we compare the first set of 360 games to now, they've gone somewhat better.
shame on MS for making us pay to beta test their shit console for 4 whole years
now if youll excuse me I have a trip to UPS to make
Now my launch console will die of bad DVD instead of flashy lights.
call me when 360 reaches back to 30% RROD installment. right now is what, 70% fail rate?
Xenon (original), Zephyr (Elite) and Falcon (Cure to xbox Cancer) now to make things simpler a Opus and Valhalla...
Well I do hope this solves their problem, but consumers will be x10 times more confused now when it gets time to explaining their SKU's...
@ Gameboi, let me see if I get this straight...
"Hello, My 360 just RR, can I get a replacement package"
"Sure thing! just one Question: Do you have the Elite HD Valhala MB w Xenon chipset w HDD 2008 SKU or the Core Halo no-HD Valhala MB w Falcon chipset but no HDD?"
"Ah so sorry, our warranty only covers the E-HD/XenonCPU/w/HDD/2007 model, yours is not covered, but we will gladly fix it for a low price of $150 and send you a possibly fixed version"
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/45nm-Cell-BE,news-27328.html
And to Yojimbo: this will help stop RROD's because it will greatly reduce the amount of heat generated by the CPU and GPU, and too much heat is what causes the motherboard to warp and thus giving RROD. The Falcon revision (which is I believe a 65nm CPU and a 80nm GPU) already uses a lot less power and generates a lot less heat, and that is with a pretty minor hardware change.
Seriously, though, Quest has no room to talk. Sony is just as spastic with its SKUs. MS has had three up until now (Arcade/Core, Premium, and Elite), and Sony has had four (20GB, 40GB, 60GB, and 80GB). And I don't count the Halo edition Xbox, since that was a limited edition fan-wank. Also, these Opus and Valhalla boxes aren't new consoles, just new innards. Updating the insides isn't really a big deal. So, sorry, dude. You've got nothing, there.
actually only the 40g is new the 80g is only a HDD upgrade version of the 60g. it's like they were adding new hardware like M$ did with hdmi changing color or the name like pro ,arcade elite prenium , optimum , super hot blasting missile ... etc etc etc etc ....
i was refering to another console as a remake console ... they redesign the inside of the 360 so many times vs the PS3 ... sony do it to improve is console ... M$ do it to fix the problems ... big difference here ... so my point is M$ launch the 360 way too early and full of issues
by the way do you have a job ??? i do and i also have a life outside Dtoid ;)
if you don't like what i write on this site ... who cares retardboy loll in every comment you put you mention my name ... must be hard to be you ... i know i call you once a fanboy maybe your not a M$ one but your sure a dumbass
my two cents
-Quest
loll fag
I feel the exact same way. At this rate, I'll pick one up when the next generation comes out :D
your epic fail is so remarkable that i find have to reasons not punch my monitor so far ive come up with two
1. I dont want to get glass everywhere and 2. ok i guess theres just one