Xbox 360 getting new CPU

Chartered Semiconductor announces new deal to make smaller 65mm-process chip for Microsoft's next-gen console.

One of the most common consumer complaints about the next-gen console is that its graphics capability requires a central processing unit which needs to be cooled by a constantly running, less-than-stealthy ventilation system. In other words, its fan is loud.

Some disgruntled consumers have even compared the 360's fan to a Blackhawk helicopter. Those same consumers will welcome today's news that the Xbox 360 is getting a new CPU which runs at lower temperature. Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing has announced it will begin making the Xbox 360's CPU using a 65-nanometer (nm) Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) semiconductor technology. Currently, the Singapore-based hardware manufacturer company makes 90nm Xbox 360 CPUs under an agreement with IBM, designer of the CPU. The first Xbox 360s with the new CPU will go on sale in 2007.

For laymen, the change means that the new 65mm Xbox 360 CPUs will have more chips per wafer--which means lower energy requirements, lower heat output, and cheaper chip production costs. That is music to Microsoft's ears. "We look forward to working with Chartered on the production of such an important component of our Xbox 360 system," said Larry Yang, General Manager of Xbox Console Development at Microsoft.

776 Comments

  • ZeEhEiK

    Posted Jun 27, 2008 9:57 am PT

    Smithmattj, I don't know that they will send you a new version of the Xbox... I know when I sent mine in they returned a overworked version that doesn't even work now... I am thinking about getting one of the Elite consoles. I figure, the enjoyment that I've gotten out of the 360 is worth another $400 : )

  • sickside6

    Posted May 17, 2008 9:34 pm PT

    nice work

  • bigdogtim7

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 1:03 pm PT

    New chip must not have worked. Go to Amazon.com and read the reviews. It's 1/2008 and PS3 has taken over.

    Good things come to those who wait!

  • smithmattj

    Posted Oct 14, 2007 9:23 pm PT

    Is the new chip out? I just sent in my 360 for the 3rd time, and was hoping Xbox #4 would have the new hardware. Definitely wait for the cooler-running chip before buying this thing.

  • fowad555

    Posted Sep 17, 2007 10:45 am PT

    MAn, Why cant they add a more powerful chip and a direct x 10 card to make this an ultimate machine................

  • OBK1

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 10:37 pm PT

    ...and same here, as soon as they release the 65nm version in Europe I will buy a 360. I would like to buy one now, but I don't trust them there are sooo many reports of them breaking down (red ring.....)

  • eayoshi

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 3:28 pm PT

    Same here. As soon as the 65nm chips are wide released, I will buy an Elite.

    Until then, no soup for you!!!

  • sdcseg

    Posted Jul 31, 2007 1:00 pm PT

    This needs to happen soon. It is the only thing keeping me from getting a 360 at this point.

  • ctg867

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 1:58 pm PT

    And still, no new chip. *Sighs*

    Microsoft hardware production = teh suck

  • xFifty1ne

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 11:24 pm PT

    Does anyone know when they'll be selling the 360's with the new chip.

  • ptown58

    Posted Jul 10, 2007 9:48 am PT

    65nm chip has been around for awhile now, why didn't they do this in the first place ? Were these chips the ones they (ibm) intended for Apple computers ?

  • Gunguy0194

    Posted Jul 9, 2007 4:30 pm PT

    Damn, when is this going to happen?!!! Hello??!! It's already SUMMER 2007!! I've been waiting for this ever since the Xbox 360 came out. Finally everything is starting to piece together.. price drop, new cpu, more hard drive space, and a BLACK 360.. I NEED this new cpu to come out before Christmas...

  • Da1ShrpSh0trGrl

    Posted Jul 1, 2007 5:19 pm PT

    When is this gonna happen? It definitely didn't when the Elite got released...

  • gamah_killah

    Posted May 26, 2007 2:36 pm PT

    Thanks for that price drop they'll make, I'll get a 360 even sooner.

  • Billipop

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 12:39 pm PT

    All IBM and Microsoft care about is all of your money,not your gaming experience with a console that last forever.

  • Lumenadducere

    Posted Apr 23, 2007 9:54 pm PT

    I'm glad I waited to get a 360 - improvements/fixes to initial releases of new consoles seem to be turning into a regular thing now. Add that with price drops, and I think it's much better to just wait before getting a new console.

  • WarGrad

    Posted Apr 23, 2007 5:31 am PT

    When will this be released?

  • punkdsk8erdude

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 4:17 pm PT

    Can a 360 owner get the new chip installed without having to buy a new system?

  • Daytona_178

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 3:43 pm PT

    cool

  • Johiden

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 2:53 pm PT

    No problems with my 360 at all...

  • Evanrocknuma

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 1:58 pm PT

    The noise doesnt bug me and ive gone playing my 360 for 8+ hours without it over heating just getting a little slower on my oblivion load times. Anyhow its not worth replacing my pro if it ever winds up shipping.

  • omega397

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 6:25 am PT

    I hope it is on the elite....

  • blueflamedino

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 11:49 pm PT

    I hope this will be used soon, its exactly one year since this article has been posted

  • packernation31

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 7:50 pm PT

    has this happened yet?

  • xtremeg4m3r

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 7:24 pm PT

    "and cheaper chip production costs" This might be an indication of a price drop but i highly doubt that.

  • JustQuest

    Posted Mar 11, 2007 4:14 pm PT

    Yes Finally the Xbox is moving on up I just wish they at least give us something concrete as a release or production date.

  • leakepeter

    Posted Mar 9, 2007 5:27 am PT

    omg i have to buy a nexxt gen console in 7 days i was going to buy the ps3 but omg whats the point of having a good system that has no good games and wont have them at all anyway i decided to buy the xbox 360 now i have to wait for the new one to come out a higher price same as the ps3 wtf is that omg that is just ridiculous im gonna buy the wii so that i can save myself from this game hell

  • LS-Injection

    Posted Mar 8, 2007 9:16 am PT

    Thank god i have held off buying the 360 lol. I will buy mid 2007 when thr new CPU is in place.

  • ogretroll123

    Posted Feb 7, 2007 3:51 pm PT

    Yay! So when I go buy a 360, I won't have to buy a replacement.

  • Irve

    Posted Feb 7, 2007 5:50 am PT

    these things always happen .. the difference is more the cost to MS than giving a better machine to the end consumer .. i think the Xbox went through loads fo these sorts of revision

  • Pete5506

    Posted Feb 6, 2007 6:00 pm PT

    Well I hope they replace, I dont feel liking buying a new one if they dont

  • kungfubu

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 7:32 pm PT

    I hope they replace the older 360s

  • kungfubu

    Posted Feb 5, 2007 7:27 pm PT

    Will the 360 have the same processing power

  • Jimbo9981

    Posted Jan 8, 2007 5:31 am PT

    Great news for those of us who have yet to buy one, but bad for early adopters and everyone in between.

  • timmyhasgotagun

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 7:58 pm PT

    Great Idea Microsoft, I only wish you would've thought about us when you thought of this "idea". Us meaning: People who have already forked out the money for one of the existing consoles. You suck Microsoft!

  • s3an_looi

    Posted Jan 7, 2007 7:48 am PT

    I got a Nyko Intercooler to blow the hot air out. In the event that the xbox360 fails, then i'll get the newer one. Which might be a long long time away...

  • Cloud737

    Posted Jan 6, 2007 3:31 am PT

    This is great news, as I don`t want my 360 to sound like it`s taking off into the sky. Also, lower prices (hopefully) and no heat problems sound really great.
    I hope this improvement comes soon.

  • KillaHalo2o9

    Posted Jan 4, 2007 5:14 pm PT

    IMMA WAIT THEN FOR MINES

  • Firedragon644

    Posted Dec 27, 2006 4:13 pm PT

    "dude you guys are tripping nothing is going to change only the heat problem will be different with the new cpu that's all, i don't think it will be like super awesome that there will be no problems at all... " Thats it, try to make it easier for yourself, there you go. Its okay, dont worry.

  • o0ojoeyo0o

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 9:41 am PT

    haha, just put on some music!!!!! As long as it dosen't freeze.....

  • BigC_072

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 1:52 am PT

    Not to mention, Trevor, that they need to build fab plants for the 65 nm redesign. When it becomes economically wise to invest in such a transition, they make the move. As a result, there is mutual benefit between the two parties (i.e., Microsoft and consumers).

  • maquefort

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 8:25 am PT

    Who cares about the noise? It's not that loud, just turn the TV up a bit is all! Punks..

  • Inu7

    Posted Nov 8, 2006 3:07 am PT

    Bah, I can't wait; I have a deranged infatuation with Gears of War. Not to mention all this is going to do is make things cheaper, have a cooler unit, and maybe use a little bit less power. Big whoop for me really...

  • murlow12

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 3:28 pm PT

    This settles it: I'm waiting to buy a 360 until the new chip comes out. I'll go with the Wii now.

  • metalmulisha808

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 11:06 pm PT

    why dont they hurry already with it... so i can buy one.

  • TrevorCouncelle

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 9:52 am PT

    @Matt0ryan
    "I don't like the fact that Microsoft didn't think of this before!"

    It's not as simple as "thinking of it". If it were, we'd all be on 45nm or 30nm CPUs. Going from 90nm to 65nm requires a complete re-design of the chip to take advantage of the smaller process. (You can't just "shrink" the existing one!)

    They've thought of it and planned for it. It just takes some time. The industry dictates what process is used, not Microsoft.
    -T

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