Xbox 360 CPU Upgrade in the Works
- April 21, 2006 16:53 PM PST
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Will these new chips possibly pave the way for a sexy Xbox 360 redesign? Read on for more details!
In early 2007, new CPUs will begin to appear in Xbox 360s. These redesigned processors should run cooler and be more energy efficient that the CPUs currently installed in Xbox 360s around the world.
To achieve this goal, Microsoft is pushing forward with its plan to shrink the die manufacturing process for the Xbox 360's CPU from 90 nanameters to 65 nanometers. A semiconductor foundry named Charted will handle the conversion to 65 nanometers, a size that is currently used by only a few of the most high-end, ultra-sophisticated desktop CPUs.
A key foundation of modern electronics is that the smaller a processor is, the faster, cooler, and more efficient it becomes. This is the principle that fuels the rush from PC CPU manufacturers like AMD and Intel to shrink their die sizes in order to improve speed and performance. Another advantage is cost: smaller CPUs use less silicon, which helps improve chipmaker profits.
It's unlikely that the new, smaller Xbox 360 CPUs will run any faster or boast any noticeable performance improvements over the current crop. It is, however, possible that this CPU will help pave the way for a smaller, sleeker Xbox 360 redesign. Not long ago, Sony used a similar strategy by waiting for improvements in chipmaking technology before redesigning its PS2.
