Xbox 360 Console Revision(s) Information Thread - Overclock.net

halifax1 · 01-21-09

Xbox 360 Console Revisions Information

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Console Amp Ratings

Take a quick look at the back of your console. Depending on your revision, the information could be on the right or left side. You are looking for a small bit of information which says "12V--X.XXA". The following shows which revision you have by simply checking the 12V rating.

Xenon = 12V--16.5A
Zephyr = 12V--16.5A
Falcon = 12V--14.2A
Jasper = 12V--12.1A

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The Revisions

Xenon
The original Xbox 360 configuration used in the initial Premium and Core machines released in the end of November 2005. These are also know as the RRoD (Red Ring of Death) machines because the GPU chip warps away from the motherboard because of excessive heat.

IBM 90 nm CPU
ATI 90 nm GPU and 90nm on-chip eDRAM
Low profile GPU cooler
Standard CPU cooler
203 Watt output power supply
Original four-pin fan connector
16.5A on back sticker

Note: This is the original console which is the most prone to the RROD problems, as well as numerous other overheating problems.

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Zephyr
Zephyr was the first revision with HDMI connector and supposedly fixed the RRoD problem cause by the inadequate GPU cooling on Xenon boards.
It was introduced with the Xbox 360 Elite in May 2007. In July 2007 Xbox 360 Premium machines began appearing with the Zephyr motherboard.

New Elite model includes 120 GB hard drive
Updated motherboard layout
HDMI output
Glue around the CPU
Extended GPU cooler
Still 90 nm CPU and 90 nm GPU/eDRAM
Customized three-pin fan connector; Middle pin is a shared ground for the exhaust fans
16.5A on back sticker

This revisions is also very prone to the RROD, even though it is claimed to have fixed the problem. This version is still not the best to have, but does have HDMI.

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Falcon
All Xbox 360 Premium machines and Arcade machines manufactured August 2007 introduced the new 65 nm CPU accompanied with a new cooler and still 90 nm GPU with the Zephyr cooler. The motherboard is based on Zephyr and requires fewer components (some capacitors and coils removed) for the new 65 nm CPU, resulting in lower costs.
Starting September 2007 the newest Xbox 360 Premium machines shipped with the Falcon board. Xbox 360 Elite machines were eventually updated to Falcon boards too. Xbox 360 packages with LOT number 0734 or higher will most likely be Falcon machines.

IBM 65 nm CPU
ATI 90 nm GPU with 80nm on-chip eDRAM
Bigger and enhanced CPU cooler
Fewer voltage regulators, capacitors and inductors
175 Watt power supply, 12V rated for 14.2A, new connector
Same fan connection as Xephyr

This versions is not as prone as the rest of the first revisions, but have been known to still have the RROD, but there is a smaller amount of consoles with the error.

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Opus
This is an intermediate motherboard with 65 nm CPU and 90 nm GPU, new coolers, but no HDMI. It will be used in Xenon chassis for repairs and RRoD affected machines.
Started to appear end of July 2008 in machines coming back from repair.

Falcon based board
No HDMI output
IBM 65 nm CPU
ATI 90 nm GPU with 80nm on-chip eDRAM
Falcon CPU cooler
Zephyr GPU cooler

Like said above, this revision is a simplified revision of different parts which Microsoft used to repair the original Xenon machines.

This version is not able to be purchased in stores, as it is strictly a repair console.

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Jasper
Jasper was released in late 2008 and cropped up in Arcade machines at the end of November. It introduced the 65 nm GPU to reduce power usage and cost further. The new powersupply is rated for 150 Watt, down form 175 Watt on the Falcon. The Amperage on the 12V rail is down to 12.1A (12.1A x 12V = 145.2W).
The on-board flash has also increased to allow the new NXE (New Xbox Experience) dashboard update to reside internally, instead of requiring a memory unit or the hard drive.

IBM 65 nm CPU
ATI 65 nm GPU with 80 nm on-chip eDRAM
150 Watt power supply, 12V rated for 12.1A, new connector
The new 150 Watt power supply is slightly smaller than the older versions
Larger 256 MB on-board flash, up from 16 MB, to accommodate the NXE update
On-board flash memory only on Arcade Console, other versions have an HDD
Same fan connection as Xephyr

This is the newest and best console to have at this point. It has both 65nm chips which reduce heat in a large amount, as well as onboard memory.

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?
Valhalla
A future version that will have both the CPU and GPU on a single die. Slated for 2009.
This is the next version that is currently in the works. It is supposed to solve the problems 100% and have both the chips on one die. There is not much information about this console, but the Jasper revision is the only known solution so far until Valhalla is released, if it is released.

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Current Revision in Arcades: Jasper
Current Revision in most Elites: Jasper
Current Revision in most Pro/Premiums: Jasper

There are numerous reports of Jasper's appearing more each day other consoles besides Arcade, but there is almost a 100% chance that getting an Arcade will get you a Jasper.

UPDATE: Pretty much every brand new Retail box of an Xbox 360 console will be a Jasper now.

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How to get a Jasper Console?

In order to be 100% certain when purchasing a new Xbox 360 Console, check on the side of the box where the serial number of the console is that the store scans. Slightly push the Console down and to the left in order to view the writing on the console. You are looking for this:

12.1A

If you see this, then it is 100% a Jasper revision.

The following is how to easily check which revision is what:

12.1A = Jasper
14.2A = Falcon
16.5 = Xephyr/Xenon

I hope this all helps you guys and makes it much easier in understanding the differences and what to look for if you want a console that won't fail.

Please do not think that all consoles out in stores are the newest revisions. Stores like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc sometimes have old stock, and will continue to sell the stock until it is gone.

When going for a new console, be sure to be cautious, and remember this article, because it will help you a whole lot and save you from sending in the console three, six, ten, twelve months from now.

Better safe, than sorry.

Thanks timxirish for the extra information.

timxirish · 01-21-09

Cool post, and a very clean overview. REP+

Only two things I'd say to add to it:
*Xenon = 4 pin fan connector; Zephyr and above = custom 3 pin fan connector (unlike standard 3 pin, middle pin is a shared ground for the custom 2-in-1 fan)
*Either the Zephyr or Falcon model introduced the new Pro/Premium HDD standard-- Changed from 20GB to 60GB.. The change was around August last year.
*Xenon DVD Drives = Hitachi LG or Toshiba Samsung. Zephyr DVD Drives = Same, plus addition of the BenQ drive... Dunno when the LiteOn surfaced.

Also, should be noted that some Xenons that went in for "repair" came back with an extended GPU cooler. But it's true that only Zephyrs came with an extended "out of the box".

halifax1 · 01-21-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by timxirish

Cool post, and a very clean overview. REP+

Only two things I'd say to add to it:
*Xenon = 4 pin fan connector; Zephyr and above = custom 3 pin fan connector (unlike standard 3 pin, middle pin is a shared ground for the custom 2-in-1 fan)
Either the Zephyr or Falcon model introduced the new Pro/Premium HDD standard-- Changed from 20GB to 60GB.. The change was around August last year.

Good point pointing those out. I will add them in where they need to be added. + Rep.

Also, not sure about the HDD change of when it happened, but that's more of an accessory so I will leave it out unless someone can find the exhaust revision the HDD storage changed. I thought it was Falcon, but I am not positive and cannot find a source.

Also, I didn;t include the Opus revisions. I believe that is the revision you're talking about when Xenons came back with a cooler. I will update it with that information just for the hell of it.

Updated with all known revisions, even Opus.

timxirish · 01-21-09

Ah, alright. Haha, last I can think of is Microsoft's second "fix" for the RRoD... Dabs of clear epoxy around the GPU and CPU chips.

http://llamma.com/xbox360/news/insid..._360_elite.htm

A bit of a more technical view on Xenon and revisions Zephyr on.. Xenon's video encoder chip was ANA. When Zephyr hit the market to introduce HDMI, the encoder chip was changed to HANA ("H" for HDMI, I assume).

Personally can't wait to get my hands on a Jasper or Valhalla.. Still chuggin' strong on a Xenon though.

halifax1 · 01-21-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by timxirish

Ah, alright. Haha, last I can think of is Microsoft's second "fix" for the RRoD... Dabs of clear epoxy around the GPU and CPU chips.

http://llamma.com/xbox360/news/insid..._360_elite.htm

A bit of a more technical view on Xenon and revisions Zephyr on.. Xenon's video encoder chip was ANA. When Zephyr hit the market to introduce HDMI, the encoder chip was changed to HANA ("H" for HDMI, I assume).

Personally can't wait to get my hands on a Jasper or Valhalla.. Still chuggin' strong on a Xenon though.

Yeah, I could go on and on and on and get extremely technical, but I wanted it to be as short as possible but still be informative. The main goal here is to inform everyone of the revisions and to know how to get a Jasper and what to look for when getting one

Congrats on you still on a Xenon. That's impressive.

Also, Llamma is one of the best sites to get information, as well as one of the best shops for everything possible regarding consoles.

my77stang · 01-21-09

they all still fail, and here's the proof

taken at the CES show this year, and i find it hard to believe MS wouldnt put their best product up for display (in hopes that it wouldnt puke on them)

halifax1 · 01-21-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by my77stang

they all still fail, and here's the proof

taken at the CES show this year, and i find it hard to believe MS wouldnt put their best product up for display (in hopes that it wouldnt puke on them)

That doesn't say a damn thing. That doesn't mean at all that that console failed because of hardware failure, and it doesn't say at all that that's a brand new Jasper console. Also, it has a silver tray, which means it's not an Arcade, so it most likely isn't a Jasper since when it was taken there weren't even any Jasper Pro models out in the open or even in stores.

I also don't see how the console gets an ventilation or air being in sealed plastic.

That's not proof at all.

my77stang · 01-21-09

1: it was taken like 2 weeks ago, so its as recent as it gets
2: while it may not be visible in the pics, there were vent holes in various places in that clear cover
3: any way you look at it, seeing a failed 360 at their own booth IS pretty ironic.

and just so you know, im a 360 owner myself (falcon) so its not like im an anti-360 fanboy just bashing on them.

timxirish · 01-21-09

In general, a percentage of Xbox 360 consoles still do fail.. But my77stang, I believe you're missing halifax1's point. There's nothing in that picture that proves the console to be a Jasper. I'm willing to bet the console in the picture could be as early as a Zephyr.. M$ probably thought they'd get away with showcasing an older console they've put on display before, and it bit them in the rear.

The main cause of the RRoD problems are the X clamps. When faced with a large amount of heat and inefficient cooling.. They tend to warp the motherboard. Considering the Jasper has a 65nm CPU and GPU (significantly less heat)... I find it very hard to believe that it would be one of those failing so soon.

**Kamakazi** · 01-21-09

I am hoping Valhalla brings with it a dimensions shrink/price cut (kind of like the PSTwo did). A quieter DVD drive would be nice also.

I am chugging along on a Zephyr personally, I hope it lasts me until the next gen comes out.

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Xbox 360 Console Revision(s) Information Thread

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