Microsoft beefs up Xbox 360 cooling -- freaking finally

Only took 'em a couple of years, but Microsoft is finally taking a bit more of a proactive approach to its perennial "ring of death" problems of overheating 360s. Yeah, that means instead just doing the towel trick to get your 360 up and running again, you can send your Xbox off to Microsoft, and they'll actually improve the cooling internals -- in some countries anyways. MaxConsole had been getting some reports of French Xbox 360s getting this special treatment, and now they've got the first solid proof from Czech reader Ikari. We're no cooling experts, but it sure looks fancy in there!

[Thanks, Dutchman]

[Aaron @ Jun 13th 2007 11:30AM]

Who the heck is having these problems??? Mine doesn't even get that warm!

[paloooz @ Jun 13th 2007 11:34AM]

You're right. Apparently all of this hubbub about Xbox360s overheating, rings of death, etc... are all just a bunch of liars who like to make shit up because they are Apple fanboys who want to diss on Microsoft. Oh wait...

[Aaron @ Jun 13th 2007 11:48AM]

palooz:

Dude, I didn't say that. "I am not having this issue" is not the same as "ZOMG APPLE FANBOYS!!!1!". I think that perhaps some of these problems come from having the machine in a cabinet or something like that. Like I said, mine doesn't get that hot.

[Shawn O @ Jun 13th 2007 11:57AM]

I thought the same way you did, no problems with my year and half-old 360, until the day it started freezing and refusing to boot. My 360 sits in a huge cube with nothing above, next to, in front of, or below it, pretty much in the wide open. Until you start having friends whose 360 die you tend to think it doesn't happen. I now personally know 4 people whose have died and I've grown a wee bit more understanding.

[Aaron @ Jun 13th 2007 12:00PM]

Shawn:

Check out the post down below... Sadly, mine is freezing too. After less than a year. But damned if it doesn't stay cool while doing it. That's all I'm sayin'.

[Paul @ Jun 13th 2007 11:37AM]

@ Aaron and palooz

you're kidding right? have you ever opened you 360 and touched the heatsink in the 360 after turning it on for like 30 seconds to a minute? get out of denial and open your eyes microsoft rushed there console and made crappy hardware

[Aaron @ Jun 13th 2007 11:48AM]

...Excuse me, but why the fucking hell would you OPEN the 360, TOUCH THE HEAT SINK, and then be SURPRISED that it's hot? That hardly means it's "crappy". If this disturbs you, try opening your computer and touching the same part. But you might not like the shocking results. Also you might start saying your computer is crappy. Don't say I didn't warn you.

[Paul @ Jun 13th 2007 11:52AM]

yes Aaron but my computer dosent die after 2 months or a year after use.im on my 4th 360 and if this one breaks there wont be a 5th!

[Aaron @ Jun 13th 2007 11:56AM]

Yeah fair enough, but is it from heat? All I was saying is mine doesn't get very hot. I'm not defending the longevity of the device... in fact, mine went to shit just two days ago. Freezes after 10 minutes whenever I play a game. I'll be sending it in soon.

[Manuel @ Jun 13th 2007 12:13PM]

mmm 4th xbox? that can´t be just bad luck,
better check your voltage or wires , you sound like a retard i knew who complained about his 9th xbox burned, then he moved to another apartment and problem solved!

[paloooz @ Jun 13th 2007 12:20PM]

Wow you people are so dull. Maybe next time I should put [SARCASM][/SARCASM] tags on my comments so that they don't get ranked low by people with no sense of humor.

gg

[Paul @ Jun 13th 2007 12:22PM]

@Manuel

no it's just the fact that it was christmas time and microsoft was trying to get consoles in the stores wither they were bad or good.i had 2 bad ones in the same day but best buy took them back and i got madden o7 for free lol

[Drew @ Jun 13th 2007 2:25PM]

I'm on my 3rd 360 in a little under a year. It just can't be out of chance. I keep mine in an open space with plenty of ventilation. Also may I mention the cause was some type of hardware failure. My best friend is having the problem with his 360 scratching his discs, it's obvious that it's the 360 fault. I love it to death but I think Microsoft could of taken more R & D before putting these things to market, there has been so many bugs here and there.

[Britboyj27 @ Jun 13th 2007 11:44AM]

Yes, but is it QUIETER?!

[supermeerkat @ Jun 13th 2007 11:47AM]

WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU! XBOX360 TOO LOUD!

[Paul @ Jun 13th 2007 11:47AM]

no! how would a heatsink make it quieter? they need to fix the dvd drive

[Neal @ Jun 13th 2007 11:54AM]

No, most of the noise is from the DVD drive :(

[FermitTheKrog @ Jun 13th 2007 11:59AM]

The xbox 360 sounds perfectly fine to me. Not loud at all.


Fermit The Krog
Airplane Mechanic and part time Smoke Alarm Tester

[Dave @ Jun 13th 2007 11:43AM]

That sure doesn't look like a fix to the X Clamps. That looks like a tacked on heatsink.

[Andrew @ Jun 13th 2007 11:46AM]

Yeah, I understood the ring of death problems were caused by the X-clamps putting pressure on the center of the chips causing them to actually start to separate from the board. I actually had an out of warranty XBox with the 3-lights that I never bothered pay to have it repaired. I read about a fix where you remove the X-clamps and screw the heatsinks to the motherboard so I did that and it's running like a champ again.

[Fatal Exception @ Jun 13th 2007 11:52AM]

All thats changed is a bolted on heatpipe going to a heatsink in the one bit of available space in the 360 case. It might lower the CPU temp by a few deg's, I'd be more comfortable with a fan on that heatsink to lower it a bit more.

Still, my 360 has just been repaired, I wonder if I have the extra heatsink on my launch unit.

[Dave @ Jun 13th 2007 12:18PM]

I just bought an Elite about a week ago. I was a little wary because I know someone who's sent their 360 in three times already--so I've been checking the box for excessive temperature. I've checked during in-game and while in the dashboard after long periods, and it's remained cooler than most any component I own. I realize that it's probably not a 65 nanometer processor on the board--but does anyone know if there are differences in the Elite or in other recent revisions that could account for a lower temperature?

[Aaron @ Jun 13th 2007 12:21PM]

That's what I'm saying man, they don't get that hot. I don't doubt that people have had problems with the system, but I don't believe they were all due to heat.

[Dave @ Jun 13th 2007 12:37PM]

Well, I think my friend's box DID get that hot, though. So I think there may be a difference in some models.

[Mak @ Jun 13th 2007 1:40PM]

The elites have been clocked back, to reduce heat, and uneliability issues.

Microsoft won't admit that, but there is a site that shows the framerate differences between a Gen2 regular 360, and a new Elite...

Seems Microsoft have shafted Xbox owners again...

[Dave @ Jun 13th 2007 2:33PM]

Could you send me that link? I can't seem to find that information anywhere.

[ben w @ Jun 13th 2007 12:19PM]

can sum1 link to pics of the old 1
is it worth getting this now from amazon uk (dont know if id get this model) or should i w8 4 65nm chips

will the 65nm gpus and cpus come in at the same time - or if not any idea which will come in l8r???

[hangfire @ Jun 13th 2007 12:22PM]

IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME,
i just sent off my xbox 360 on tuesday for repair, i had 3 red lights from friday, called up ms, they where extremely professional, gave me a reference number and emailed me info on where to mail to, (reply paid) but i had to pay to package the thing , and emailed me to confirm they have received my xbox, now i wait and see what happens when i get it back,

[Dale @ Jun 13th 2007 12:29PM]

I keep my Xbox 360 in an open-fronted cabinet with plenty of space for ventilation, and it still gets extremely hot after minimal use. Touch wood, I haven't had any issues with it, but it's hardly the coolest running piece of technology I've ever owned.

Disclaimer: I aems teh Appl3 faneboi!!!!!

[StrangeBum @ Jun 13th 2007 12:35PM]

I haven't had any heating issues with my 360..and I've had it for well over a year now. The only thing I seem to be having problems with is my disc-drive gets stuck when I try to open it. I keep it in the vertical position...anyone have ideas.

[DigitalDeus @ Jun 13th 2007 12:37PM]

I'm not sure which version/model everyone else has but I have a 360 that I bought on launch day and yes it does get incredibly hot. Microsoft tried to squeeze too many components in as small and quiet box as possible because of the complaints about the original xbox. One of the reason I believe mine is still running is because one the warranty expired I opened it up and replaced the stock thermal paste with a name brand and better application. I'm just glad Microsoft is finally working on a fix for this problem.

[Landlocked @ Jun 13th 2007 12:41PM]

Wow -- my Elite is already obsolete before the new 65 nano cores came out! UGH!

[Britboyj27 @ Jun 13th 2007 12:43PM]

Most of the noise from mine seems to be coming from the fans (its an Elite) if I use the HD-DVD add-on the internal DVD drive isn't being used and I can't watch an HD-DVD without turning the volume up so loud my neighbours complain.

WTF is up with that?

[tyba @ Aug 5th 2007 4:04PM]

The PS3 has a very low failure rate. The few problems I've heard about have been with the Blu-Ray drive eating discs. I leave my PS3 on maybe 75% of the time and have had no issues what-so-ever. When the system is running at an appropriate temperature it is virtually inaudible to my ears, and I keep it in a fully open AV rack, but it does have an audible "buzz" whenever the fan kicks in. Not as loud as a 360's DVD drive, but loud all the same. I'm getting a 360 in September for Halo, I had been holding out for the 65nm chip, but since it appears that revision won't be dropped anytime soon I guess I'll just have to take my chances.

I'm an equal opportunity tech head... I just like technology. The PS3 is one of the most impressive pieces of gear that I own. The 360 has a lot going for it too, great games, cheaper price, rumble controllers!!!, and an excellent online service second to none. But the PS3 is the far superior piece of technology, it just "feels" to be worth a lot more than you paid for it.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jun 13th 2007 12:47PM]

Question? Are PS3 being sent in like this for heat issues as well? Just curious...

[Paul @ Jun 13th 2007 12:58PM]

no and if you've seen the ps3's fan and heat sink you'll know why

[david @ Jun 13th 2007 1:24PM]

LOL, Yup, my PS3 doesn't overheat, but the fan is HUGE and sounds like a jet at full speed when it gets hot. The heatsinks must do a good job of pushing out heat cause my cabinet gets very hot after an hour.

[Mak @ Jun 14th 2007 7:10AM]

No, mine runs very quiet (not silent as some claim), but quiet. And it's reliable, no reboots or freezes...

[daijin @ Jun 13th 2007 12:48PM]

magic words: checkerboard pattern. If you are in warranty they will send you a new one as soon as they get your old one back. Turnaround for new 360: ~7 days from calling them.

[Andy S. @ Jun 13th 2007 1:23PM]

Seriously? Seven days? I just bought my first 360 and it started showing the red ring within a week. Called Xbox support last week, and they said that they'd repair it under warranty... and yet here I am, seven days later, and I haven't even seen the box that they said they were sending for me to pack it in. At this rate, I can't even imagine how long it'll be before I have a replacement in my hands.

[daijin @ Jun 13th 2007 1:27PM]

To be fair, I am in texas already, so it just had to go to McAllen from dallas and back.

[Tim @ Jun 13th 2007 4:42PM]

You're crazy. From the time I called tech support to having a refurbed unit in my hand was like 4 weeks. It took nearly a week and a half to get my empty box, 3 to 4 business days to send mine back and from their time of receipt of my broken one, 9 business days to get my refurb. This is all recent, too...as I just got mine back in the middle of last week.

[daijin @ Jun 13th 2007 4:56PM]

Here is the breakdown: I called on a wednesday, got the empty box monday, (not counting sunday) thats 4 days. Sent mine back overnite that day for the 3 PM pickup. I was watching my tracking number to see when they got it. it was in San Antonio by the end of the first night. no updates on it till friday morning, and the UPS thing said out for delivery. I was like, OK 8 or nine days to get mine back... I got the new one monday night. (on reflection thats 9 days, not counting sundays, 10 if you count that first day when I called, which I didn't since it was after 3PM.) But it wasn't 4 weeks to get the box, and apparently they sent out the new one as soon as the old one arrived.
I was on the phone with the guy (from Quebec or something?) for 20 minutes trying to tell him the problem, about freezing and glitching during a game, no rings, etc. I said "there's like this checkerboard pattern on the scr-" and before I could even finish he was like "checkerboard? Ok we're replacing your box at no cost you'll get your box soon and it will be 8 or nine days after that."

I wonder though if its a refurb or new. I guess its probably refurb, since this was just 3 weeks ago maybe it has the new heatsink stuff.

[shocks @ Jun 13th 2007 1:13PM]

resurrected my system that had 3 rings with the simple removal of the X Clamps after my 360 went dead after a year. I don't get how some people go through 9 xbox coffins. You'd think after your second or thrid dead one you'd be pissed with them and not send it back. Well the 360 has a design flaw. I removed those things and my 360 has been working like a charm.

[jason @ Jun 13th 2007 1:29PM]

how are we sure ms is doing this and it's not just a 3rd party mod?

[Chris @ Jun 13th 2007 1:26PM]

Anybody know if this only applies to repaired consoles or new ones as well? I plan on buying an Elite in July and would love to have this sort of thing already in place.

[Mark @ Jun 13th 2007 1:30PM]

People let's focus on the most important issue in this story. The proof was supplied by Czech reader Ikari the hero of one of my all time favorite NES games.

[Mak @ Jun 13th 2007 1:41PM]

I can't believe people are still falling for Microsoft's lies. Only 2 weeks back, they lied and said there are no issues. Now there is a revision to cure the overheating (without having to underclock, like the Elites).

http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,2091221,00.html

Newly asked questions

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What is the real failure rate of the Xbox 360?


Tim Anderson
Thursday May 31, 2007
The Guardian


We asked Game, one of the largest console retailers in the UK. "That's not information we're able to give out. It's commercially sensitive," it said. As for Microsoft, in the early days after the console's 2005 launch it claimed that failure rates were no higher than an industry average of between 3% and 5%. That now seems wildly optimistic.
Last month, its vice-president of entertainment, Peter Moore, refused to answer the question, telling the Mercury News: "I can't comment on failure rates." According to Moore, if someone has a faulty console they should worry about the customer service.


Article continues

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Anecdotal evidence about how many have suffered the "red ring of death", where the power button sticks on red, not green, is hard to assess because it is those with faulty boxes who make most noise, but Microsoft seems to have a problem. A notable feature of surveys such as one conducted recently by the magazine 360 Gamer is that multiple failures are common, with some users on their sixth or seventh console.
Third-party repair specialists also cast doubt on the 360's reliability. Simon Donn at Undercutter UK in London Colney, Hertfordshire, says: "There's a particular problem in relation to overheating. Quite often it's to do with the soldering on the board, and the fact that the fans, which are already very loud, can't seem to extract enough air. "

In a statement, Microsoft said "there is not a single root cause or systemic issue with any of the Xbox 360 consoles ... there are obviously many things that can malfunction at any given time."

[Dave @ Jun 13th 2007 2:43PM]

Could you post a link to the information regarding the underclocking of Elites? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

[Dave @ Jun 13th 2007 4:40PM]

You're the second person to say that the Elite is underclocked in this thread--and the second person to not provide a link. It sounds like FUD. I've read comparisons from reliable sites--and I've never heard that claim before. A Google search actually sent me to this thread.