Xbox 360 with Jasper arrives on the scene in all its 65nm glory

Hey, those Jaspers we've heard so much about are finally popping up in Xbox 360 consoles -- a bit behind the anticipated August release date, but better late than never right? If you'll recall these boards come equipped with 65nm chips that draw significantly less power, along with reduced heat output. If you're thinking about picking one of the new models up, you might want to check that the manufacture date is no earlier than August 6, 2008, and lot number is 8031 or above. So if you just bought a new console, it's time to go foraging for that receipt, but if you're still not sold there's always Valhalla to look forward to.

Update: Looks like this may just be some overeager entries in database -- we'll let you know when we get some hard proof. In the meantime, if you decide to launch your own attempt in identifying a Jasper, keep an eye out for changes to components on the board: the tell-tail sign of a Falcon is the orientation of the inductor rings near the CPU heatsink (two laying flat -- as opposed to three standing up.) A lower than 175W power supply would also be an indicator, though there's no telling if that will be the case.

[Via Joey Gadget]

Read - Xbox Forums
Read - Xbox 360 DVD Drive Database

[Ruben @ Sep 29th 2008 10:13PM]

Well, that explains the extreme price drops as of late.

Hopefully the reduced power usage leads to lowered fan speeds. I could use another 360 for a media center extender.

[MC Hampster @ Sep 29th 2008 10:46PM]

If you're using it as a media extender, you won't be using the DVD drive which is what causes most all of the noise. I'm using a Falcon system and it is pretty much whisper quiet except when the DVD drive is in use.

[Ruben @ Sep 29th 2008 11:09PM]

I know all the noise comes from the DVD. I currently have an Elite (picked up when it came out) and the DVD drive has loosened up to create quite the vibration. Im looking very forward to hard drive installs. Newer Elites dont sound nearly as bad as mine, and i suspect Pros and Arcades are the same.

The fan noise isnt too bad, but anything approaching silence is always welcome, and the 65nm can only help (i would hope). Considering some movies can have moments of complete silence, it would be great to also have a completely silent player as well.

But to be honest, i cant complain too much. The thing is so damn versatile.

[ScooterDe @ Sep 30th 2008 6:58AM]

Not so. As a media extender, without the DVD player in use, mine is useless. The fan noise is horrendous. I tried sound-proofing it but that got me the RROD and a replacement, which is no better. I really don't understand why so many people claim it is only noisy with the DVD drive in use. Mine can be easily heard in the next room when doing nothing but idling. My PC is much quieter.

[Christopher @ Sep 30th 2008 7:29AM]

Even by installing into the hard drive, It is still going to make noise. Due to the disc being required to be inside. But i really dont know if its going to be spinning all the time.

[JerkfacedFed @ Sep 30th 2008 5:37PM]

@christopher

dumbass

[aaron @ Sep 29th 2008 10:15PM]

any word if its quieter than the current/older 360's?

[KingBen @ Sep 29th 2008 10:19PM]

Umm.....Finally?

[mirakutea @ Sep 29th 2008 10:17PM]

Hmm I just ordered a 60gb premium, I read its new, is this even newer? o_O

[intrglctcrevfnk @ Sep 29th 2008 10:21PM]

I am one of those who just bought a 360.

Its gotta be worth it to exchange right?

Bought it on the 13th of Sept. So I can only hope that the new lot shows up before my 30 days is up at gamestop.

Hope no one peed on it while it was in the bathroom....

[intrglctcrevfnk @ Sep 29th 2008 10:56PM]

wait a minute.... after looking around at the comments on the drive page, I call shenanigans. Looks like no one is posting pictures, only assuming that they have the jasper board...

Here's a quote:
#13 - posted by AshTR (71.164.22*.*) 2008-09-25 06:31:03
There is absolutely no way this is a Jasper. Someone on the Xbox forums has a 360 from the exact same lot. ""Week lot 0831 seems to be the Falcon chip. My watt readings where the same as AnandTech give or take 1 or 2.I used Halo3 the same as the web site also.Sorry guys,I guess we will have to wait a little longer.At least we know lot 0831 in not Jasper.""

Guess im sticking with my falcon.....

[AshTR @ Sep 30th 2008 2:06AM]

Hey, that's me! I'll even give you the source for that when the Xbox Live forums come back up if you want.

[rooshma @ Sep 30th 2008 10:49AM]

intrglctcrevfnk is right, not a single post is backed up with pictures or concrete evidence so.... gotta call BS for now unfortunately

[Loban @ Sep 30th 2008 3:52PM]

Unless you really care about a little less heat output and saving a couple extra dollars a year on your energy bill, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The RROD issue is basically a non-issue now. Be happy with what you have.

[Brandon Jadotte @ Sep 29th 2008 10:21PM]

how do you check for the lot number?

[no_one @ Sep 29th 2008 10:21PM]

Dear Santa, this new 65nm XBOX 360 just made top of my wish list. Thanks in advance.

[jm @ Sep 29th 2008 10:24PM]

The source went to 360drives.com as their proof, but no one on that site have proven that they indeed are in possession of the Jasper. None of them have taken apart their Xbox and none of them have provided photographs despite repeated requests for it (look at the comments on the site).

Without proof, this can only be a false alarm made by folks who have no conclusive evidence.

[cromas @ Sep 30th 2008 2:19AM]

Indeed! Try actually reading your source next time, engadget. There's only four jasper boards listed, three of them are "I think it's a Jasper because it's quiet," and one is an obvious troll. Sigh.

[MRCUR @ Sep 30th 2008 6:43AM]

Exactly! There is absolutely NO PROOF of Jasper consoles. The last I heard Jasper has been delayed. Everyone on 360 drives is just claiming to have a Jasper (or Casper according to one tool) because it's quiet or looks different.

Engadget needs to remove this post or edit it substantially. Many people read Engadget and take it for truth, as they probably can most of the time, expecting the editors to research before posting. These are just Falcon consoles...nothing else. And I certainly wouldn't trust 360drives as a source. Check the official Xbox forums, there are plenty of long established threads on this topic under 360 Hardware.

[EdgeOne @ Sep 29th 2008 10:27PM]

Look, smaller brick, less hot, less noise, less red! Join Xbox Live, buy stuff, rent stuff - its an online multimedia hub! [Wireless not included (last gadget of 2008 to claim this)]

[Ignatius @ Sep 29th 2008 10:44PM]

Irony that my replacement Elite was manufactured on April 1st, 2008. Microsoft is laughing at me.

[El Taco @ Sep 29th 2008 11:11PM]

so is the brick smaller?

[bob @ Sep 29th 2008 11:34PM]

no more power bicks the size of chihuahuas?

[chris fredette @ Sep 29th 2008 11:46PM]

What I don't get is they don't list the wattage on the power supply. My launch unit was like a 220W and my newer Elite is 175W. I would assume a lowered powered chip set would require even less power. It's not a 100% thing but a lowered power supply would be a clear indication of a new chip.

[Ixon @ Sep 29th 2008 11:56PM]

You Xbox owners make me laugh..

Going through so much fiddling and fussing just to get a revised system.

There all made by Microsoft, so they'll always have big flaws.

It was doomed to that fiat thanks to their incompetence just so they could be the first boy on the block for the next gen console wars.

[Tony @ Sep 30th 2008 1:01AM]

How much is Sony paying you?

[brandoshido @ Sep 30th 2008 1:06AM]

because even with all the flaws, somehow it's still the top system. Oh, it could be the superior online play, good exclusives, games that were formerly exclusives on other systems. Get out of here with your anti microsoft banter, it's not about the company, it's about the games that back the system.

[Ixon @ Sep 30th 2008 1:26AM]

LMFAO!

Fanboi = FAIL

The Hardware blows, don't give me that irrelevant sales or software crap. To stuff it and quit being so quick to jump to defend your holy white piece of Microsoft junk. Korea makes better quality hardware in there iPod knock offs, at least they work and don't need 5 revisions because of massive design flaws.

Funny how you assumed I'm a Sony person, thanks for demonstrating your ignorance and biased opinions.

Suck it fan boys.

[Wally @ Sep 30th 2008 12:24AM]

I just sent my Elite in on this past Wed. for the red ring of death, will I get a new jasper one?

[VedicHymn @ Sep 30th 2008 1:29AM]

No.

[Ixon @ Sep 30th 2008 1:32AM]

ROFLAMO.. You've just been Micro-screwed by Sh!tsoft.

You'll end up with a older refurbished model in return for the possibly new one you just likely bought.

[BBeh @ Sep 30th 2008 11:09AM]

Firstly, can we keep it civil in here please? No need for all this ranting. Secondly, I seem to have bought a 360 with the lot number 8032, which should make it a jasper. The only difference i can see without opening up (I like my warrenty) is that it runs as cool as a fridge. The power brick is the same size i remember it from my old 360. Oh, also, it doesn't kick up so much row when playing a game, i can hear the TV now.

[Steven Yoo @ Sep 30th 2008 12:21PM]

is the manufacture date on your unit mid-august or later?

Is there ANY other way of confirming the jasper-ness?

[Jake @ Sep 30th 2008 3:28AM]

Anyone put a killo wat on one? Interesting to know how little power it draws.. (latest 65nm/65nm PS3's are 110w).

[A.C.E.R. @ Sep 30th 2008 4:30AM]

I tried putting a kilowatt into mine but it turned into a pile of ash :(

[cromas @ Sep 30th 2008 12:57PM]

I was going to try 1.21 jigawatts...but I left my plutonium in 1985.

[Meobius @ Sep 30th 2008 6:27AM]

Brick is 175w instead of 203w i believe, almost no fan noise, and rarely hear DVD rom

[MRCUR @ Sep 30th 2008 6:57AM]

Sounds like a Falcon to me...

[blizz419 @ Sep 30th 2008 7:37AM]

yup thats a falcon not a jasper, i would estimate the jasper will probably be somewere around the 150W mark

[Steven Yoo @ Sep 30th 2008 9:18AM]

How does one check the manufacture date? Is that printed on the outside of the box, or do you have to check the console itself?

[ash @ Oct 2nd 2008 11:44PM]

The lot number tells you the year and week of manufacture,

i.e 8031 tells you it was made in 2008, week 31

[BBeh @ Sep 30th 2008 11:13AM]

It's on the back of the 360, on a sticker. Oh, i forgot to add my power brick is 175W.

[Sharky @ Sep 30th 2008 11:41AM]

Welcom to 2007, dumbass fools.

Thay really dont get to they.

Jay Allard once said "We want to focus on the software, its all about the software."

Well ya cant run that nice software if yer hardware aint working.

(my dream console, apple tv like casing,, hdmi, dualshock 3, no disc just a 250 gig HDD and Steam.)

[dimitrios @ Sep 30th 2008 12:40PM]

why doesn`t anyone of those saying they have the jasper post a picture of the power brick which should be less than 175w?That way we could be almost sure it`s a jasper.Right?

[ps3 kinda sucks @ Sep 30th 2008 12:56PM]

dammit can someone post pics or open one of these up to see if its the jasper or not, i was looking to pick up an elite bc of the new ability to store games on the hd, ill go buy it today if the jaspers out

[cromas @ Sep 30th 2008 2:40PM]

i'm doing the same...don't buy yet. it'll be several more weeks, most likely.

[Tyler @ Sep 30th 2008 6:31PM]

Or if you know someone that works at a Best Buy or other retail store and can get their discount buy an Arcade (they will most likely show up at Jaspers first due to the lower cost and higher turnover) and them zombie-piece together your own Elite. That's what I'm thinking of doing.

[Goloso @ Sep 30th 2008 7:39PM]

Here is a guy with proof : http://www.360drives.com/profile/3661

[Ronaldo @ Oct 9th 2008 6:43PM]

You are complaining, but the Jaspers will be available soon for you, north americans.

Brazilians have to wait until 2009.

[NZway @ Dec 5th 2008 4:58PM]

How to spot a Jasper:

Manufacture date on or after 23 Oct 2008...Lot number 843XX or better (ie. 844XX, 845XX).
Look in the serial number cutout, and look for 12.1A. If it says 14.6A, then it's a Falcon.

This is for FDOU and CSOC team builds.
There are some 843XX manufactured 23 Oct 2008, but have 14.6A.

What is 843XX???? 8 = 2008 43=Week number (52 weeks in a year) XX = Line or shift or day of week 5 being Friday

So if someone is claiming to have a 85304, they are smoking crack! This would actually be 90104

You could see something like this 84305

Justification on the 12.1A indicator being a Jasper Board???:
Some power bricks are being shipped with a 175W for use on a 12.1A, others have a 150W. The console connector is keyed for the Jasper 12.1A board. You can't use an old power supply on a new Jasper or you could possibly fry the board. This is so they can get rid of the redundant 175W supplies. This will have no effect on the console whatsoever. The console will only use what is needed, up to 175W or 150W, which ever you have.
So if the unit used 12 volts and rated at 12.1 amps, it will use 145.2 watts. Yes, 12 volts, because the power supply takes the 110V AC current and transforms it into 12 volts @ 12.1A. Volts x Amps = Watts.

So with a new 65nm GPU and CPU, you don't need more amps to run it. That's why the change to 12.1A. A 90nm GPU and 60nm CPU (Falcon board) requires 14.6A to run it because the 90mn GPU requires more power.