GamerNode: News - Xbox 540 coming in 2009

Xbox 540 coming in 2009

Category: Xbox 360, Posted: 05/12/2008 at 02:24PM EDT by Demetri Kouvalis, Contributor

xbox360 About a year ago, Chartered begun the process of creating a smaller CPU for the Xbox 360, from 90 nm to 65 nm. At this point Microsoft ordered approximately 10,000 300 mm wafers from TSMC, which will help Microsoft economically support the company's ongoing strategy to reduce the production cost of the console.

TGDaily reported that the Xbox 360 is scheduled to ship in an "all 65 nm" package this August.

"Consumers won't notice the refresh, unless Microsoft decides to put a Blu-ray drive into the Xbox 360. We were not able to receive a confirmation either way, and we keep digging to find out if the Asustek subsidiary Pegatron will manufacture regular Xbox 360's or units with an integrated Blu-ray drive. In any case, Celestica, Pegatron and Wistron will have a busy summer cranking out millions of refreshed Xbox 360 console. Unfortunately, none of use will actually see much of a difference if we purchase these new 65 nm consoles."

What might be more dramatic in visible change to the Xbox 360 is the integration of the "Valhalla chip" which will be the foundation of the mid-cycle refresh of the Xbox 360, thus called ‘Xbox 2.5' or simply ‘Xbox 540' (360+180), in fall of 2009.

The change and intergration of this chip will most likely follow with a redesign of the console, perhaps bringing a new slim-design that has been due for awhile. "We believe that TSMC will use a 45 nm process for this Multi-Chip-Module package (CPU+GPU+eDRAM)." On top of the new chip and redesign of the case of the console, Microsoft is shopping around for newer, more efficient cooling solutions.

So what do you guys think of the upgrade the Xbox 360 looks like it will undertake? Is Blu-Ray really going to find a home in the hands of Microsoft? Will the new model solve the problem of the RROD?

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Posted by Apafewefcoarp on 05/12/2008 at 02:38PM

if it does solve the RROD then i would pick up this "xbox 540"

Posted by Cobra951 on 05/12/2008 at 03:10PM

Microsoft will not pull the rug out from under its entire installed base of 360s by creating a unit that takes a different kind of disc. That might happen in a future console. It has never happened as a revision to a current console, for that very good reason, and it's not going to happen here. Giving any credence to these rumors is irresponsible.

Posted by Requiem on 05/12/2008 at 03:40PM

I dont thin the Blu-Ray format will replace the dvd format they have for games now. Blu-Ray will probably just act as a movie player, and games will most likely still be in DVD format even in the new model

Posted by lskennedy on 05/12/2008 at 04:13PM

yeah, ima wait then if this is true, even more reason to want to get a ps3.

Posted by SninnaHabbing on 05/12/2008 at 04:59PM

This is a joke. Microsoft is selling out if they ever put any sort of Sony endorsed hardware in their system (aka blu-ray). I am all for an upgrade in the system itself, but why tease us with all of these constant upgrades. First the elite, and now this? I think someone is trying to milk us for all of our worth. We want to see new major changes a frequent rate, not a bunch of little altercations that are barely noticable. Get to work on a NEW console with NEW graphical features, rather than tweaking the old stuff to get a bigger pay check, or we are gonna see another crash in the industry similar to to the crash in the 80's, where developers just kept coming out with more and more crap, and eventually the consumers realized this, and ditched the gaming industry. Remember what this industry is suppose to be all about!!

Posted by eight on 05/12/2008 at 05:48PM

Hardware revisions are not unexpected. I think MS should focus less on making a slimmer box and more on the reliability aspect. Though I haven't had problems I know some people on their 4th box

Posted by Raven on 05/12/2008 at 06:10PM

I guess it would be cool to have a blu-ray player incorporated, but I'm tired of upgrading systems so often. The 360 has only been around for 2 years and now I'm hearing rumors of possible new consoles by 2010 or sooner? What is even the point of buying a $400+ system when it's only relevant for 3 or 4 years at best? MS and Sony need to find something that works and stick with it... I can't afford to keep buying into their bullshit every other year just to stay current with the gaming scene.

Posted by Collision on 05/12/2008 at 07:03PM

Lol, Xbox 540.

Posted by Brendon on 05/12/2008 at 08:05PM

Like me, Creighton? I'm on my... Let's see... fifth 360.

Posted by Disc0 on 05/12/2008 at 11:35PM

I really don't want to have to re-buy 360, but the prospect of some peace and quiet from the console would almost be worth it. Seems a bit wasteful though to push out more units when their obsolescence is drawing closer, only to make people upgrade to another problem-riddled console.

Still rockin' the loud, hot, HDMI-less bundle, still got a noisy drive, still unhappy with paying for live when it's free on all other consoles, really. Maybe this refresh is just what the doctor ordered, but it's a bit late, guys.

Posted by Disc0 on 01/17/2009 at 07:24PM

from today they lowered the price for XBOX 360 PS3 and not the WII

Posted by BenHalamela420 on 08/30/2009 at 02:28AM

with this new chip xbox will dominate the console wars,the only thing that made ps3 so great was thhe blu-ray and therebrowser.