After the horrendous failure rate of the Xbox 360 console, Microsoft finally did something about the issue. Actually they did two things. As we all well know by now, if your 360 goes belly up, the big M will fix it free of charge. Also, the newer consoles will feature 65 nanometer microprocessors which will considerably reduce the machine's infamous heat issues.

So, problem solved, right? Sort of. The new motherboard and chipset combo, called Falcon (the old ones were named Zephyr, fyi), will be replaced in August of 2008 by yet another fine tuned iteration called Jasper.

Jasper will feature not only the aforementioned 65 nm microprocessors, but will also include a 65 nm ATI graphics chip as well. This will result in even less heat, and therefore a (hopefully) reliable piece of hardware. (finally!)

My question is, however, why not now? If you are taking immense heat from gamers and the industry itself, not to mention losing buckets of money, on a console with an unacceptable failure rate, wouldn't you want to put out the most reliable product immediately?

The Falcon boxes are going to be more reliable, yes, but the Jasper is being described as the solution to the issue. So, why not skip Falcon altogether and go directly to Jasper? Why not put the minds of current and potential 360 owners everywhere to rest?

Tags : Falcon : Jasper : microsoft : red ring of death : Xbox 360 : Zephyr

Comments

By: Dragonfly

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On: 10:34 Oct 14th, 2007
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Hmmm.

Anything that can resolve the Red Ring of Death problem is a good issue. It'll certainly increase my chances of buying the machine, if nothing else. Still apprehensive though.

As for why now? I guess that either 1) they weren't available until now, or 2) it's an easy way to make people buy more consoles.

By: Samuel

On: 10:41 Oct 14th, 2007
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I'd like to say it was becuase the chipsets have not been available, but it's probably just a money-making scheme. Anyway, it's not needed. As long as you keep your xbox well ventilated in a dust-free environment, it should never overheat. And if it does, it's definately not your fault.

By: MistaRob

On: 10:01 Oct 14th, 2007
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"Screwing over the consoles to increase sales" doesn't really sound like a great sales plan. I'd probably go with the "It wasn't available at the time." I'm a little miffed as it were at all the "Oh now they get it fixed." attitude (everywhere, not just here) a bit.

Yeah I have my reservations at all the new hardware and all but I'll give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt that they were going with what was available to them at the time. Granted they could have waited and all but they wouldn't be where they are now if they didn't. I'd like to think that they aren't scheming and have all the good 360's in a secret vault somewhere.

At least that's my two cents.

By: Tiamat

On: 05:45 Oct 15th, 2007
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It is probably because ATI has only relatively recently upgraded the factories to be able to produce 65nm parts. As in, they don't have a PC card that uses it yet. So the parts are just not availeble yet, at least, not in large enough amounts. It was the same with the Falcon upgrade. We get the stuff when it can be manufactured.

What I want to know is, will this lead to another price cut? In theory, the low parts size makes for a greater yield, so the parts are cheaper, so the console costs less to make.

Or, are Microsoft going to try and actualy make some money off the console itself now?

By: Corrine

On: 03:20 Oct 16th, 2007
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I certainly hope it leads to a price cut, because good prevention of RRoD + lower price = Very, very happy Corrine. I'm waiting to buy my own 360...

By: LeoFerus

On: 06:54 Oct 26th, 2007
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It's official...Your beloved (ok, better be beloved dang it! :) ) owner has officially experienced the dreaded red ring of death. The warning signs were there - games crashing after a little time, etc. The cause of death - having used the 360 for the first time ever to watch a DVD, a process which meant it was on for 2+ hours. I game a lot but in small doses so this did it in.

Sigh, guess I'll be spending a lot more time doing other things for the next 3-4 weeks. Or maybe I'll buy a PS3 ;)

Will keep you updated on the RRoD saga...I think I need a hug

By: Dragonfly

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On: 07:01 Oct 26th, 2007
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Ouch. 2 hours? That's pretty harsh

Just so you know Dave, you should be able to get a replacement model free of charge, direct from Microsoft themselves. I'm not sure how it works, but get a contact number for them, and they should be able to let you know.

And another suggestion; put the big box that's part of the console in a nice, ventilated area! My play sessions are well over two hours long when I'm really into it, and my flatmate's machine is still fine six months later.

ANYTHING to save you from having to buy a PS3. That's like... a total last resort for any gamer! :o

By: Tiamat

On: 08:06 Oct 27th, 2007
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LeoFerus;34896

I think I need a hug

*hug*

One hug for our beloved owner ^^

By: LeoFerus

On: 03:09 Oct 27th, 2007
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Yeah, Microsoft is replacing the units free of charge but the process takes 4 weeks. FOUR WEEKS WITHOUT GAMING?! Are they crazy?

Words of Ivory;34897

ANYTHING to save you from having to buy a PS3. That's like... a total last resort for any gamer! :o

Uhh, just got back from Best Buy with a new PS3 80gb model in hand and a couple of games. Will report on it later but it's important for me to stay up to date on all the recent platforms....yeah, that's my excuse, anybody want to try to explain it to my girlfriend ;)

By: Dragonfly

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On: 03:21 Oct 27th, 2007
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LeoFerus;34967

Will report on it later but it's important for me to stay up to date on all the recent platforms....yeah, that's my excuse, anybody want to try to explain it to my girlfriend ;)

Hahahaha.

I'm sure she'll understand the sacrifices you needed to make.

"It's all in the name of research!"

By: Corrine

On: 04:00 Oct 27th, 2007
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Words of Ivory;34968

Hahahaha.

I'm sure she'll understand the sacrifices you needed to make.

"It's all in the name of research!"

"No honey, we won't be taking that trip to the Bahamas this year... I... I need to play Little Big Planet...?"

By: Dragonfly

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On: 03:46 Oct 28th, 2007
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Now, lets be honest here Corrine... which would you rather do?

Go to the Bahamas, or play Little Big Planet?

It's a no-brainer!

By: Corrine

On: 06:25 Oct 28th, 2007
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Words of Ivory;35062

Now, lets be honest here Corrine... which would you rather do?

Go to the Bahamas, or play Little Big Planet?

It's a no-brainer!

I'm of the same mind, but then again, I'm not most women