MS Xbox-Div and ATI build the Next Xbox 360 after the Falcon.
Dean Takahashi lifts the lid on the Jasper Motherboard . . .
A new motherboard and memory chiipset for the Xbox 360.
The following is from one of the most respected and well-connected games writers in the business, Dean Takahashi . . . Having had some dealings with Dean over time, I can honestly vouch for his ability to nut out the ‘right’ information and make it public where possible.
He doesn’t pull any punches, and will confront even the top brass if needed, and has been privy to many an insider piece of information that has always been shown to be correct in the past.
As he reports here, you’ll see that MS Xbox-Div is due to release a new mother-boarded Xbox360 late in 2008, (possibly sooner if all goes well and ahead of schedule). It will also have smaller memory chios (same capacity size or lager capacity . .?! All of which is being built by ATI under MS’s directions, as they own the Rights to all the hardware in the 360 this time around.
I’ve included the entire article here, and no, it’s not a copyright infringement , as I have Dean permission to post his material/s on my site or in my posts on websites . . . I have it in writing if need btw.
So read on, and slip over to his blog for more of his insightful stories on all platforms, but especially the Xbox. He’s published two major releases on the Xbox. Opening The Xbox, and Xbox360 Uncloaked. Check them both out at Amazon, and get them if you want to know the ‘real’ story behind the Xbox family, Last-gen and This-Gen.
Many thanks again to Dean for his support over the last few years . . . it’s most appreciated.
Xbox 360 secrets: After Falcon comes Jasper
By: Dean Takahashi
Posted: Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Source: Dean Takahashi, Dean and Nooch on Gaming, General. Mercury News (US)
Link: Deans Blog
“Microsoft didn’t want you to know about Falcon, and it certainly doesn’t want you to know about its successor Jasper. But that’s another secret we have to unveil.
Jasper is the code name for the next motherboard for the Xbox 360. It will becoming next August, in time for next year’s holiday season. Jasper is going to have a 65-nanometer graphics chip from ATI Technologies, as well as smaller memory chips. That isn’t much information, but it’s enough to tell us about their cost-reduction plan. If you ask me, it’s a bit of a slow pace.
I don’t know why it will take Microsoft essentially three years to cost reduce the size of the graphics chip through a manufacturing shrink. It doesn’t seem like they’re in a hurry to launch a redesigned Xbox 360 graphics chip, considering that Intel introduced its first 65-nm chips a long time ago. ATI uses TSMC to make its chips out of Taiwan, and TSMC hasn’t been the fastest at moving to 65-nm manufacturing. I understand these tasks are difficult and they take a lot of engineering resources. Microsoft has had to divert a lot of engineers to debugging problems with Xbox 360 reliability. Even so, you would think that they would have moved faster, since the move to 65-nm graphics chip will likely be one of the best things they can do to improve the reliability.
As readers of this blog know, Falcon is being used in Xbox 360s that are currently rolling off the production lines. It has a 65-nm IBM microprocessor on it, instead of the previous 90-nm version. It also has built-in HDMI. It carries lower costs than the previous motherboard, but not dramatically so. And Falcon has a 90-nm graphics chip on it.
Here’s something that Xbox 360 buyers will want to know. Both Falcon and its predecessor Zephyr (used in the Xbox 360 Elite) have different thermal solutions than the original Xbox 360. You’ve seen the heat sinks in the cut-out photos posted elsewhere. The Microsoft engineers believe those heat sinks will be sufficient as a solution for keeping Xbox 360s from overheating. From their point of view, you don’t have to wait until Jasper to get a reliable machine.
From a neutral point of view, I would guess that Jasper would be more reliable than Falcon on heat issues, and Falcon will be more reliable than its predecessors. The Falcon board has the same old 90-nm graphics chip on it. And many have pointed out that the big heat problem in the Xbox 360 is due to the graphics chip. The Falcon board will likely give off less heat. But the real serious heat saver looks like it will come with Jasper.
I’m sure that Jasper will carry lower costs than Falcon. That’s because it will have a smaller graphics chip and smaller memory chips as well. That translates into material savings, which means lower costs. If you’re wondering why you should care? Maybe you don’t need to care. But there are folks on the Falcon thread who want to know this kind of information and here it is. Certainly, Microsoft will be in a position to cut prices again by next August. If you recall, after it got Falcon out the door, Microsoft cut $50 off the price of the Xbox 360.
If I were Microsoft, I would try to pull in the date of Jasper as soon as possible. What they need right now is a lower cost so that they can be more competitive against the Wii and so they leave no openings for Sony. As of now, the 65-nm graphics chip isn’t done. They’re still working on it. Microsoft declined to comment, other than to say that it constantly updates the components in the Xbox 360 but doesn’t comment on them.”
Filed under: Console gaming, Hardware News Tagged: | dean takahasi, falcon, jasper, new xbox 360, new xbox3 360 motherboard, xbox 360 falcon, xbox 360 jasper, Xbox 360 News1
@hardcore gamers – RIght now it seems that yes, the PS3 is somewhat more reliable than the 360, but when it does work, my 360 has alot more games to play on it
why do u guys need to wait for this junk product from M$.. better grab directly the PS3 and I believe this 2008 & towards PS3 console will be on the top like the PS2 generation before.. Look at the exclusive games and 10years of sony planning with PS3 and Bluray just won the HD war… no wonder Sony back on top in this gaming industry..
Yeah it’s getting like that in Brissie too I hear. Amazing the cost of living these days: my groceries are $100 higher than only a few years ago, and I’m not buying much different! I can’t blame the drought on all of that either because I buy frozen cheapo veggies.
Bioshock was fantastic: I agree though; some are multiplayer or quick play focused. Deeper games are more rewarding though….as long as they aren’t too complicated or frustrating.
I think Assassin’s Creed will have Lovers, and haters . .
My feeling is, many gamers are expecting a huge slash-n-gash megafeast . . which the game definitely is not. Much like BioShock. If you loved System SHock, the BioShock was like going home. But for those notused to its ‘style’, some found it ‘odd’ or awkward at times.
Those who did not or do not have the patience, skimmed through it, bagged it and moved on. Same goes for any game that requires some thought and where you need to choose caution over all-out-force.
Great to hear it’s looking good, it should do, it’s had a nice long gestation period .. . I’ll keep the offer in mind once I’m settled, but I have to tell you, finding rental in Sydney atm is like find a hen with teeth, and when you do EVERYONE want a bit of it.
Someone I know working for JB says he’s sold quite a few but still has some left. If you are ever looking for one and can’t find it, I can check for you.
Also he got to play Assassin’s Creed on 360 at a Ubisoft event and says it has the best graphics he’s seen (better than Bioshock he said) and loved it. He wasn’t sold on the game before playing it, and says that it takes a bit to get used to the controls, but it has amazing draw distance and said it rewards the patient gameplayer.
Not yet mate, I’ll hang back for a little while, having to move right now, so funds are a little light-on . . . bit once settled, I’ll scrounge one up off eBay or if there’s some in the shops, see if I can nab a good deal. Those that haven’t moved will most likely start to be reduced to clear. Hopefully . .?!
Did you end up getting a Halo console Oz? I know you like LE stuff.
And the fact that the new xbox360 is due out late ’08 early ’09 . . . I’ll be waiting until later this year, or early next year now to grab a new Jasper equipped 360 . . . I have to move – again, so that’ll take up some $$ – unfortunately, so several games will just have to wait, and those that have been paid for via pre-orders etc, will have to do for now.
Glad to see you over here, hope you enjoy the stay, and feel free to make any suggestions or comments, as they are most welcomed. We’ll have someone else as a contributor soon, writing an article on female gamer/ing etc.
Hmmm….well I guess my new Halo LE console isn’t going to be as ‘cool’ as I’d hoped (literally)…but still it is probably more reliable than my last 3 Pros!!! Hi OZ! Great to see you have a blog and I’ve finally had a look. I’ll keep an eye out for news you write as I tend to enjoy what you and DarkArmada write on the xbox forums.