Topic: The 65nm Xbox 360 is now reality

[Cobra951]

It looks like the Falcon version of the 360 is reality now.  It has been introduced in lot 734 of the Halo-3 edition of the 360.  I was over at the Xbox MBs, and there's a huge thread on ID'ing the changes through the bottom of the console with a flashlight.  The big deal is the new 65nm CPU (down from 90), better heatsink, much lower power consumption, and hopefully the disappearance of the officially acknowledged heat problems that cause hardware failure.

About time.

[idolminds]

About damn time. Now I may actually buy a 360. Theres rumors of a new "Arcade" package thats set to replace the Core system that looks rather tempting.

[Ghandi]

Nice. I will not buy a 360 until two things are addressed: This, if it works, and the cost. Once that happens, and perhaps the library picks up a bit, I will be willing to purchase one.

[Cobra951]

I have no problem at all with the library at this point, especially for a first-time buyer.

[Ghandi]

Well, I'm more interested in MP games than SP games.

[Quemaqua]

Mine's still solid.  I just pray it stays that way.

[scottws]

Doesn't some company called Nyko or something make a fan setup for the 360?  I've been thinking about buying that.  They recently made a version that is compatible with the 360 wireless adapter.

[Quemaqua]

I'd be wary of it.  I heard at one point that one of the aftermarket fans actually made things worse somehow.

[scottws]

I saw a review where the original version of the Nyko Intercooler could short-circuit, but apparently they fixed that problem in the EX version.  Every review said that they thought it helped, but it was difficult to quantify and to see if it would actually help prevent the Red Ring of Death.

[Cobra951]

If all it does is supplement the airflow, it can't be bad.  Does it have its own power supply now?  I think it used to get its juice from the already very busy console power brick.  That's not good.

It doesn't feel to me like my 360 is putting as much air out the back as it used to.  That worries me, and I have thought about this cooler recently because of it.

[scottws]

No, it doesn't have it's own A/C supply.  But really, how much juice can some motors for little 60mm fans need?  Not much.

[Cobra951]

I would first ask, how much power can the brick spare under the worst possible load?  If the fans move any significant amount of air, they need some appreciable power.  (Don't know numbers.  Will try to find some.)  Otherwise, why bother blocking up the bottom vent with this?

Edit:  Quickly found:

Copper Heat Sink Design for Pentium 4 1U
Systems

CPU Socket               478, 423, & P4 Xeon 603
Rated Voltage            12 VDC
Rated Current            0.22 AMP
Power Consumption    2.64 W
Bearing Type             Ball Bearing
Fan Speed                 4300 RPM
Airflow                      27.2 CFM
Noise Level                38.0 dBA
Outline Dimension      70 X 70 X 10mm
Life Time                   50,000 Hrs

from here.

So, I'll assume around 4-5 watts for 2 fans (or is it 6-7.5 watts for 3?).  That's low, but not insignificant.  It would help to know how much headroom is allowed in the brick's design.