What's the big difference between a 90nm and a 65nm processor? Well, a lot of cash if you are Microsoft or Sony. Arstechnica.com has taken a look at the battle between Microsoft and Sony and the journey to get their respective consoles' processors to be smaller. Not only is there a bunch of technical improvements with a smaller die, but the hardware cost would drop significantly (roughly $50 per console). We don't fully agree with the article's "race" argument, but think that whichever company can do the most with the processor change will be the victor. Whether it be price cuts, a sleeker console design, or the removal of the huge power brick, it's all about what the companies do with the new technology. Which begs the question, who would be up for getting a new Xbox 360 if it had a smaller processor?[Via Digg]
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
2-06-2007 @ 12:00PM
xfan said...
Content is tied to your account, not the hardware. If something happens to your hardware, and you get another one, any content you bought, can be downloaded again for free, assuming you log in with the same Live account.
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2-06-2007 @ 12:38PM
Thlayli said...
A new Phillips/BenQ drive has been sighted, which is much quieter than the old ones. Couple this with the 65nm processor and I might be convinced to buy a replacement. I'd have to get decent trade-in for my original one though.
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2-06-2007 @ 3:17PM
Todd H. said...
I'm waiting on the HDMI version, hopefully an internal HD-DVD drive as well, the new chip would be a bonus.
I'll give my current 360 to my son and I'll get the new one.
Todd
http://www.proxbox360.com
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2-06-2007 @ 4:12PM
Patrick said...
I'm fine with my March 22, 2006 Model, hasn't given me much trouble.
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2-06-2007 @ 4:17PM
ogvor said...
I would buy a new 360 (even though I just got one this christmas) If it also had that quiter DVD drive, and a bigger hard drive(let's say atleast 60 GB)
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2-06-2007 @ 5:25PM
Bangbang... said...
Will the smaller processor allow me to play faster, better looking xbox 360 v1.5 exclusive games? Oh it will play the same games it always has. Then no:)
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2-06-2007 @ 5:30PM
Quarem said...
If they make a significant update to the 360 by adding a smaller processor, new larger hard-drive, and HDMI I certainly will shell out the cash to buy one and place my launch console on eBay for sale.
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2-06-2007 @ 9:57PM
Broken_Speed said...
Your online content is tied to your account meaning you cant play it when you're offline.....there was a big hoopla about this...If the games are truly yours then you should be able to play it whereever you are...your friends house or w/e. I'm probably going to wait for HDMI version to come out My second really is not that bad...It been freezing lately and has some problems at startup but other than that IT IS VERY VERY DURABLE LIKE A ROCK!!!! plus ppl always have some mixed feelings about trading consoles that never let them down...like mine =P
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2-06-2007 @ 9:59PM
Jeramy said...
marketplace items are linked to the account, but they also have to be either on the purchasing system or connected to xbl in order to be viewed. granted, you could always re-download them, but i've been in situations where i had no access to xbl and could only play hexic on another xbox. it sucked.
i prolly won't spring for a 65nm xbox, but i might for an xboxthreesixty whenever that would come out (i would reckon at least another 2 years, if not more), or perhaps a zephyr with a built-in hd-dvd drive, but i might need an hdtv first. and i sure as hell can't afford either of these right now.
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