Kotaku: 65Nm

Xbox 360 Could Get 32nm Chips By Late 2009

Mark Wilson — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:40:08 MST

IBM made a major announcement today that they will be offering 32nm chips to their partners in the second half of 2009. This would mean that, yes, the Xbox 360 could get even smaller chips than the 65nm "Falcon" CPUs..or the rumored 45nm upgrade. We're talking power savings of 45% and speed boosts of 30% over IBM's last generation of hardware...it's flat-out better technology that will reduce the propensity of overheating drastically, and maybe even make way for a smaller console.

So it will be interesting to see if Microsoft opts to go with 45nm chips (available next year) and then 32nm chips, or ends up skipping one of these technologies. Most of us probably won't know the difference—actually, most of us will know the difference—but only because we're obsessing about it here.

IBM, partners in 32nm device surge [via tvg]

Sony's New PS3s Are 65nm After All, Partially

Mark Wilson — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:00:00 MST

Deep Breath...We heard that Sony was using tiny 65nm chips in their new 40GB PS3s instead of the oringal 90nm chips but then Sony was all like no we aren't doing that and we were all like oh our bad because we heard that you were but then we heard (again) that Sony is really using the chips after all but only the Cell processor is shrunk not any of the other stuff but that makes sense to us because the new model uses way less power and we were confused how that happened without shrinking any chips but since the chips have been shrunk and we know it's true because it came from Kaz himself everything is right in the world again.

New PS3 Uses 65nm Process [IGN]

40GB PS3 Uses Quieter, Cooler Chipset

Brian Crecente — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:00:37 MDT

Computer Base is reporting that the new 40GB PlayStation 3s will make use of the shrinkafied 65nm Cell processor. What that means, according to the site, is that the PS3 will run quieter and cooler and that it will now consume just 135 watts, down from 200.

While I've never had a problem with a PS3 overheating, it's nice to know that running the thing will cost me a bit less and that, perhaps, that overdrive exhaust fan will kick in a bit less frequently.

ComputerBase [via Gizmodo]

Xbox 360 "Jasper" is Coming Next?

Mark Wilson — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:20:54 MDT

According to The Mercury News' Dean Takahashi, having successfully unrolled the Falcon chipset in the Halo 3 Edition Xbox 360s, Microsoft is looking to further cut costs (and heat) from their console. The next project is codenamed 'Jasper.' And where the Falcon shrunk the Xbox CPU to 65nm, the Jasper will continue the shrinkage, miniaturizing the graphics chip to 65nm to match. And memory chips will become smaller as well.

Takahashi also claims that Microsoft engineers feel like the heat problem is under control with both the recent Falcon's and older Zephyr's heat sink solutions, so buyers shouldn't beware when picking up new machines. While we're not waiting until the new chipset hits next August to buy a machine, we're not so certain the Microsoft has solved all their manufacturing issues just yet.

Xbox 360 secrets: After Falcon comes Jasper [via mcv]

Cooler 360s Coming This Month or Next

Brian Crecente — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:59:11 MDT

Opposable Thumbs is reporting that a new batch of Xbox 360s, with built-in HDMI, 65nm processors, quieter DVD drives and resolved heating issues, will be quietly hitting shelves last this month or next month.

The story, which cites an unnamed source, says that the new 360s will be quietly rolled out, but that there will be something on the box that calls attention to the new HDMI out feature.

The story doesn't say anything about a price increase on these new versions of the 360, so I assume that the recent $50 price drop will still apply, otherwise Microsoft would be pulling a Sony and instead of discounting their console, they'd be having a fire sale to get rid of their buggy stock... no pun intended.

360 Cores and Premiums with HDMI? An Inside Source Spills the Beans [Opposable Thumbs]