A
AirRaid
65nm 'Falcon' X360 50% cheaper to manufacture - future 45nm X360
could result in a smaller redesigned Xbox360 ala PSOne & PSTwo
http://tinyurl.com/2qwggu
I'm sure everyone is well aware of the issues regarding the 360's
internal design shortcomings and the problems that it can cause.
Microsoft's reputation as a console manufacturer has been severely
tarnished over recent months after rumours of a 33% hardware failure
rate (aye right!) and the following knee jerk reaction to extend the
360's warranty up to 3 years.
Today, word escaped from Asian component manufacturers that Microsoft
have accelerated the planning for the redesigned Xbox 360 mainboard.
Project 'Falcon' as it's known internally aims to reduce the size of
the main console components such as CPU & GPU from the standard 90-
nanometer process down to 65-nanometer. Smaller components mean less
power is required to drive the console which has the benefit of
producing less heat. There is no information available at the moment
to suggest the GPU will be moved from it's current troubled location
directly under the DVD-ROM drive.
Another outcome from the redesign, and possibly a more important
factor is a reduction in costs. Moving from 90 to 65 nanometer
fabrication could in fact reduce component costs by a staggering 50%.
A price cut from Microsoft later in 2007 is widely expected and should
place the 360 in a good position as we move forward in to the festive
season. I would expect to see a cut of around 20% of RRP sometime
between September and November when the 'Falcon' 360's are set to
arrive on store shelves.
Looking a little further ahead, Microsoft are expected to move to a 45-
nanometer process which will reduce component size still further. Once
this happens, we could expect to see a properly redesigned unit along
the same lines as the PSOne and PSTwo released by Sony. Hell, they may
even stick the power-brick in side.
____________________________________________________________________________
posted to ATI, AMD, IBM news groups because these companies designed
the Xbox 360's
CPU & GPU, and are working with Microsoft on producing smaller &
smaller chips, which are manufactured by IBM, TSMC and possibly in the
future, AMD fabs.
the success of Xbox 360 is important to both IBM and AMD.
could result in a smaller redesigned Xbox360 ala PSOne & PSTwo
http://tinyurl.com/2qwggu
I'm sure everyone is well aware of the issues regarding the 360's
internal design shortcomings and the problems that it can cause.
Microsoft's reputation as a console manufacturer has been severely
tarnished over recent months after rumours of a 33% hardware failure
rate (aye right!) and the following knee jerk reaction to extend the
360's warranty up to 3 years.
Today, word escaped from Asian component manufacturers that Microsoft
have accelerated the planning for the redesigned Xbox 360 mainboard.
Project 'Falcon' as it's known internally aims to reduce the size of
the main console components such as CPU & GPU from the standard 90-
nanometer process down to 65-nanometer. Smaller components mean less
power is required to drive the console which has the benefit of
producing less heat. There is no information available at the moment
to suggest the GPU will be moved from it's current troubled location
directly under the DVD-ROM drive.
Another outcome from the redesign, and possibly a more important
factor is a reduction in costs. Moving from 90 to 65 nanometer
fabrication could in fact reduce component costs by a staggering 50%.
A price cut from Microsoft later in 2007 is widely expected and should
place the 360 in a good position as we move forward in to the festive
season. I would expect to see a cut of around 20% of RRP sometime
between September and November when the 'Falcon' 360's are set to
arrive on store shelves.
Looking a little further ahead, Microsoft are expected to move to a 45-
nanometer process which will reduce component size still further. Once
this happens, we could expect to see a properly redesigned unit along
the same lines as the PSOne and PSTwo released by Sony. Hell, they may
even stick the power-brick in side.
____________________________________________________________________________
posted to ATI, AMD, IBM news groups because these companies designed
the Xbox 360's
CPU & GPU, and are working with Microsoft on producing smaller &
smaller chips, which are manufactured by IBM, TSMC and possibly in the
future, AMD fabs.
the success of Xbox 360 is important to both IBM and AMD.
