If you're in the market for a new Xbox 360, you'll want to make sure you know how to spot the new Falcon model of Microsoft's wonder machine. Why? Because the Falcon model Xbox 360s have both the cooler (temperature) 65 nanometer chips as well as the extra heat sinks that were shoehorned into refurbished replacement consoles. In other words, a Falcon Xbox 360 is the most likely to remain RROD-free. The ever diligent fanboys over at Xbox.com have a few several methods for finding out if your console is a Falcon and even how to find out in store without taking a console out of the box. Find out how after the break.If you're looking for a new 360, you'll want to check the label on the side of the box. The power information should read 175w. Older consoles ran at 203w, so 175w assures you a 65nm chip and a Falcon motherboard. Other information to look for on the label is which team manufactured the console, the console's lot number, and manufacture date. Look for the following info:
- Team FDOU
- Manufactured on or after 8/24/07
- Lot number 0734 (on the Halo 3 SKU) or higher (on any SKU)
If you've already picked up an Xbox 360, you can look for the same information on your power supply (the brick), which should also read 175w.
Keep in mind that the methods above aren't the only ways to check to see if your console is a Falcon. There are also other checks you can perform with a flashlight and a sharp eye. You can find them by hitting the "Read" link. Checking the wattage information is still the easiest thing to consider. Right now it's the best way to guarantee yourself a more reliable console, especially if you haven't bought one yet. If you can confirm 175w on a console with a different team, earlier manufacture date, or lower lot number, let us know in the comments.
Update: Clarified some information regarding other methods of checking consoles for Falcon components.
[Thanks, James Taylor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-05-2008 @ 4:56PM
nerrrrrrd said...
I can confirm that there are 360s out there that their box says 203w on the label but the power brick says 175 watts and have the falcon chip & extra heat sink.
I recently purchased a 360 with the Manf date of dec 26 2007. i can't remember the lot # off the top of my head and the team started with a "C". sorry i dont have more info at the moment.
check www.360drives.com other people report the same situation recently.
hope this helps.
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2-05-2008 @ 5:12PM
Loban said...
I would go more by the power brick label than the label on the console itself. The console label could just be outdated.
2-05-2008 @ 5:46PM
Tyronis said...
I can second this observation, while searching for an Arcade box to replace my FUBAR'd Premium, every box I came across had the 203w on the box itself. The team on my box was CSON, and date was December something. Lot was 747 or so.
So anyone looking for a Falcon, I think its becoming more of a crap shoot.
2-08-2008 @ 11:26PM
Tragedies said...
Just bought a Elite tonight.....and
Box says Team: CSON LOT NO: 0748 , 203W
Console says Manufacturer Date: 12/02/07
Power Brick says. 175W
Any idea if its a Falcon?
2-05-2008 @ 4:59PM
George Arauz said...
Figures... oh well. i love my Elite still
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2-05-2008 @ 5:10PM
Rob2251 said...
w00t i have the falcon chip :D
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2-05-2008 @ 5:37PM
Mike said...
I have an inside contact at the service center in Texas and he told me Xbox doesn't have enough cases for their systems. So when you send your system in to be repaired and notice the information tag on the back is not the one you sent in it means they might have given you a new system in a refurbished case. So if people start giving info on Falcons with old S/Ns then this method for finding the new chips isn't going to work. It will have to be with the power supply or by visually inspecting. I just received a new 65nm chip in a case that came out a year ago right when the Elites were first being sold.
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2-05-2008 @ 6:17PM
MRCUR said...
I would love to see some pics of your 65nm replacement console.
2-05-2008 @ 7:07PM
Grant said...
did it come with a new power supply? i can't imagine the old power supply would be simply interchangeable, even though its possible.
2-06-2008 @ 9:42AM
MRCUR said...
The 175W PSU will NOT power older consoles. Although the 203W PSU will power all consoles.
2-05-2008 @ 5:53PM
Dave said...
i've got a UK Elite with the 175w and team FDOU info on the box and power brick and it was 2007-10-06 : MFR Date.
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2-05-2008 @ 6:12PM
Hotaru99 said...
Well I have an odd box apparently, because my power brick says 203, but I did the flashlight test and it has the bigger heatsink and the two flat laying induction coils. So this might be a definitive way to check, but its not the only way.
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2-05-2008 @ 6:17PM
MRCUR said...
When the Falcon consoles first started being shipped, they came with 203W PSUs. So your Falcon isn't odd, just is one of the original ones.
2-05-2008 @ 6:23PM
Hotaru99 said...
Ah, ok. I know it sure helped, not just with the heat but with gameplay.. Oblivion used to crash on me almost every time I went into a gate, and I noticed the top getting hot to the touch on my old one before it gave me my first system error, but this one Ive played oblivion for hours, turned it off and its not even warm on top.
2-05-2008 @ 6:16PM
MRCUR said...
Haha, well I guess I'm a diligent 360 Fanboy now. If anyone has questions for me about my guide, you can either post in the thread or send me a message over LIVE.
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2-06-2008 @ 10:05AM
lharmon said...
MRCUR!!!! I didn't know you were in on the X3F also! Thanks for getting me through some rough times with your extensive knowledge. :)
2-05-2008 @ 6:53PM
Diamondxp said...
My Box Said 203 but when I got my arcase home the brick said 175. Falcon has landed. Look for manufacture dates after November 1 2007. Good Luck GodSpeed.
Rawwrck
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2-05-2008 @ 7:05PM
schatten529 said...
I...sadly, was quite involved in the official xbox forum discussion on Falcons back when they first were discovered in the wild. The team FDOU with a lot date of 734 or later being a Falcon is extremely misleading.
Using data reported from visual tests, it was discovered that suspected non-Falcon units (failing the visual test) were still showing up in later lot #s. After all, M$ isn't going to scrap all the older mobos just because a new one is being produced.
In December, it was widely accepted that looking at the wattage on the label outside the box was about as good of an indicator as one could find.
Then there is the whole debate whether a 65nm CPU fixes the RROD problem at all since it's the GPU that is the real culprit. Enter Jasper mobos sometime in the next year (reduced nm GPUs).
IMO, all later units should be just as reliable and where you keep your 360 is the most important...specifically NOT inside an enclosed area.
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2-05-2008 @ 7:26PM
Jayslacks said...
Mine says 203watts on the brick. Shit. Is that good or bad?
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2-05-2008 @ 7:58PM
schatten529 said...
Not either necessarily. Click the "Read" link above to look at MRCUR's guide. You could very well have a Falcon depending on which team made it and when it was made (lot #).
A 203w PS would power either mobo revision whereas a 175w would only power the Falcon (65nm needs less power).