When the
Jasper motherboards started showing up in Xbox 360 consoles late last year there was reason for excitement -- quieter fans, more efficient design, and 256MB of internal storage to set gamers free of overpriced memory cards. Now the systems are receiving an unannounced storage boost, with an
XboxHacker forum member braza noticing that his Japanese Arcade model sported a
4GB 4Gb Samsung NAND chip. That's twice the size of the old one, giving the equivalent of a 512MB internal memory unit. That first system was manufactured in April, and they're starting to hit US Arcade units as well. As of now we're not sure if there's a way to tell from outside the box whether you have this beefier revision of Jasper, but we're sure your local retailer wouldn't mind if you just bought their entire stock of consoles and ripped them all open to see.
Update: Oops, that's a 4Gb (giga
bits) NAND chip, allowing for roughly 512MB (mega
bytes) of internal storage.
posted Jun 17th 2009 at 8:03AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
wrs589 @ Jun 17th 2009 8:07AM
What's Microsoft done to result in a 4GB chip providing 512MB storage?
Smacksmackums @ Jun 17th 2009 8:11AM
My guess would be the NXE os.
Bobby @ Jun 17th 2009 8:21AM
"quieter fans" ?! what is this
there should be no fans in 2009 again flawed design crap
mirakutea @ Jun 17th 2009 8:28AM
A carefully chosen and calibrated 12cm fan generates very little noise (checkout quality computer PSUs for example), however I agree the cooling system in the x360 is shamefully pathetic and ridiculously noisy.
GRAMMAR POLICE @ Jun 17th 2009 8:31AM
512MB.
What the hell is this, 2002?
Tarnation @ Jun 17th 2009 8:46AM
NXE is flashed to the firmware it doesn't require storage. Check the lower posts bit vs. byte.
Jon @ Jun 17th 2009 9:09AM
GB != Gb
The chip is a 4 Gb chip. That's 4 gigabits.
4 gigabits is 4/8 gigabytes. Half a gigabyte. 512 megabytes.
wrs589 @ Jun 17th 2009 9:11AM
Ah, sorry. I assumed as engadget wrote it GB not Gb they meant gigabyte.
SewerShark @ Jun 17th 2009 9:20AM
NXE is NOT flashed into the firmware. It's stored into a memory device (HD or memory unit)
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/10/nxe-requires-128mb-space-ms-to-offer-storage-solutions/
Tarnation @ Jun 17th 2009 11:31AM
@SewerShark
My old system would beg to differ with that statement. After I purchased a new console just for the lulz I tried the towel trick on my RRoD Xbox. With no hard drive to speak of attached and no internal memory like what comes on the Arcades the NXE booted right up. It is either flashed into firmware or their is a flash chip on the motherboard solely designed for OS storage. That 128MB is only for "certain features" check it out for yourself if you have a pre-256MB internal console take out your hard drive or memory card. The NXE will still boot it just may not be "the full experience", but it most certainly is stored on the motherboard. That space is probably only required to download it.
sam @ Jun 17th 2009 11:39AM
@Bobby: What? Come on, this is a fairly high-powered triple-core CPU and still a reasonably fast GPU as well. Neither are top of the line, but let's put it this way, it's a hell of a lot faster than an Atom-based netbook with shitty Intel integrated graphics...
...and THOSE still have fans in!
Let's first sort it out in lower-power devices like netbooks (or if you're talking game consoles, then Wii) before we move onto high-power devices like 360s...
Eventually I'd love to see everything fanless. Bigger, quieter fans are an improvement but the real step that's needed is to reduce power consumption so that we can get rid of the things altogether. That has huge benefits - environmental (less power used by the cooler device, oh and we save a little bit by not spinning a fan too), manufacturing cost (fans don't cost much but it's not nothing), design (don't need to restrict design to include a fan that has to be a certain size), and reliability (fans don't break very often but they are still moving parts and I've had them break on me before). So, yes, eventually, no fans would be fantastic (no pun intended). But um, high-powered game consoles aren't the place to start.
Cheng @ Jun 17th 2009 10:10PM
My own 360 died on me here a couple of months ago and I had it serviced, it came back with a note saying the motherboard had been replaced. Now I haven't used the 360 much lately since I had it repaired and I can't say I've noticed anything different with it, so how do I find out if it has this flash storage and how big it is?
Alphathon @ Jun 18th 2009 9:46AM
@Cheng: Just go to the meory section of the settings. If it shows an MU (when there isn't one attached) then you have on-board flash. It shows up as a separaete storage device from the HDD and actual MUs (so the max you can have on the list is 3 MUs and a HDD)
Sneakz @ Jun 17th 2009 8:14AM
Its 4 Gigabit. Which is the same as 512 MegaBytes
Tarnation @ Jun 17th 2009 8:18AM
Yeah Engadget you gadget bloggers should know the difference between b and B. 4000/8 for those who are uninformed. Makes sense though you can't edit your comments so why would someone edit an actual story.
JayC @ Jun 17th 2009 8:30AM
Thank you.
one2wonder @ Jun 17th 2009 8:56AM
4096/8 geeze - if you're going to correct someone....
Bernhard @ Jun 17th 2009 9:24AM
Yeah engadget, you should also know the difference between a Gigabit and Gibibit, hence the correct definition would be 4 Gib.
loosely_coupled @ Jun 17th 2009 8:11PM
Jeez, talk about skimping out... Microsoft honestly couldn't afford 2-3GB at least of flash for the Xbox?
Tarnation @ Jun 17th 2009 8:15AM
Mother F@#%^&* my old premium system finally red ringed after years of services last week. I went and bought me an arcade to replace it and granted I probably won't use the internal storage that still pisses me off that they do that kinda stuff unannounced. I would have rather had the model with the memory card at least that way I could take my live profile with me. Grr...
Nineteen88 @ Jun 17th 2009 8:18AM
May I suggest a PS3?
Tarnation @ Jun 17th 2009 8:31AM
Meh don't feel like spending $200 bucks more than a replacement arcade console for a system I don't already have a bunch of games for. I loved my 360 up until the day she died now I love my new 360 and all her HDMI glory. We are in a recession you know. Plus I still prefer the line up of games being released for the 360 over da PS3 in the near future.
2 new Halo titles
Crackdown 2
Mass Effect 2
Red Dead Redemption
plus a bunch of other ones I forgot to mention not including the ones that are out that I don't have the funds for Ghostbusters, Prototype, and Red Faction.
So you see why no PS3 by the time I purchased a PS3 the replacement Xbox plus 3-4 games and my current library of games is just a better deal. Not to say anything bad about the PS3 Infamous makes me very jealous as do a few others just can't afford one right now.
Why should I have all the fun? @ Jun 17th 2009 9:00AM
yeah, thanks but no one cares. Don't start another lame-ass PS3 vs 360 flame war. It's soooooo played.
freehunter @ Jun 17th 2009 9:10AM
Maybe instead of buying a new system, you could have gotten it repaired by Microsoft. Free repair, free shipping, one week and it's back. Much better than $300 for a new Arcade system.
rock99rock @ Jun 17th 2009 9:56AM
@freehunter
LOL.
Try half that. Where do you get your information? Fire them. "You're Fired". There, did it for you.
Nick @ Jun 17th 2009 12:41PM
@rock99rock. I'm confused why this is funny? I had a 1.5yo Elite red ring two weeks ago. I sent it in and they repaired it and had it back to me in 7 days with no charge.
Brian @ Jun 17th 2009 8:15AM
Any news on the RROD, Have they finally fixed it?
Tarnation @ Jun 17th 2009 8:19AM
I am pretty sure the jasper 65nm chips in the newer ones are unaffected. If not just use the towel trick it will keep your old one going. :)
rattlehead @ Jun 17th 2009 8:22AM
Yes, the main problem now is the E74 error, but that's pretty easily fixable with some machine screws and nylon washers.
Why should I have all the fun? @ Jun 17th 2009 8:30AM
Imagine if you bought a new TV and had to keep it working with towels, machine screws and nylon washers. Would anyone just accept that?
Pretty f ' ed up MicroSoft.
Tarnation @ Jun 17th 2009 8:43AM
Last time I checked my TV cost a lot more too. Does anyone remember the old percussive maintenance on the old Apple ][ I think it was.
PS3 for parts or repair Blu Ray drive doesn't work there have been a bunch. ebay go check it out.
Why should I have all the fun? @ Jun 17th 2009 8:52AM
@ Tarnation
"Last time I checked my TV cost a lot more too. "
So a device should be more reliable if it costs more? An iPhone is a few hundred dollars. Should we use towels and machine screws to keep iPhones operating too? How about a NetBook?
Bandit5317 @ Jun 17th 2009 9:49AM
I've only heard of one Jasper motherboard (on Xbox-Scene) that has ever gotten the RROD. BTW the RROD and E74 are both caused by the same problem. Broken solder joints connecting the GPU to the motherboard. So if one of the problems are fixed, they both are.
@Tarnation: I've never heard of the towel trick lasting longer than a week. Last time I tried it, it lasted 3 days.
Brian @ Jun 17th 2009 10:08AM
Stop complaining Why should I have all the fun? also Tarnation: I got told the towel trick does more damage to your 360 rather than fix it.
godmoney @ Jun 17th 2009 9:54PM
Have they fixed it? Who knows... if it's not red ring it's E74. If It's not E74 it's DVD hardware scratching up your discs, or breaking down completely. A 66% failure rate isn't wholly red ring related, but a fairly good size to be sure.
Pernickety Old G*t! @ Jun 17th 2009 8:27AM
Since its already caused a little confusion, could you make the distinction between Bytes and Bits that there should be?
To illustrate, it should read 4Gb or 4Gbits and 512MB or 512MBytes. If you want to be really clear about it, then stick Gigabits and Megabytes in brackets after the numbers.
That would then mean that you dont get people confused about where their other 3.5GB have gone...
superhobo @ Jun 17th 2009 8:30AM
whee
Carld @ Jun 17th 2009 8:56AM
>May I suggest a PS3?
You may not.
superhobo @ Jun 17th 2009 9:13AM
And now I suppose you'll blame Engadget's commenting system for your comment ending up here instead of under Tarnation's comment as a reply to Nineteen88.
Anyway, PC gaming FTEW!
godmoney @ Jun 17th 2009 9:09AM
Too little too late IMHO. They already have a huge installed customer base using the old faulty technology. That will falter as the technology continues to fail. Hell, we really don't know if this new iteration won't be faulty either. That and the fact they only have one exclusive release a year (PC releases aren't "exclusive" for the morons out there) means it makes no sense for future purchasers of consoles to take the plunge. I've been tempted to buy one for Too Human (huge Silicon Knights fan), but faulty hardware scares me since all the BS I went thru with past Playstations. It took Sony 3 generations to get it right.
With a PS3, Wii and high end PC you can play 99% of all the best games. That's the best combination. Sorry Microsoft your bad rep loses out as a result.
superhobo @ Jun 17th 2009 9:14AM
If you can afford those three, then surely you can afford a 360.
Anyway, PC > all.
Corin @ Jun 17th 2009 9:35AM
You absolutely don't need a Wii to play the best games out there.
That said, while I believe a good PC will trash a PS3 or 360 any day, there are a few PS3 titles that look very tempting.
godmoney @ Jun 17th 2009 9:54PM
@ superhobo - I could buy a 360. I just don't want the headache of dealing with faulty hardware.
@ Corin - I must be stupid because I was unaware Wii versions of Metroid, Zelda, Mario, Smash Bros., No More Heroes, Madworld were multi-platform.
Miles @ Jun 17th 2009 8:38AM
My Arcade 360 is still kicking it.
$200 + $60 for a 120GB drive and I got a great deal.
godmoney @ Jun 17th 2009 9:10AM
XS-cargo in Canada was selling one for $179 CDN including a 20Gig HD. I still didn't buy it because I don't trust the hardware. Some do stay strong like yours and 1 friend of mine's. Another friend redringed the day of purchase. He got a replacement which scratched up his DVDs. He also didn't want to spend $100 on a wifi adaptor. He sold it and got a PS3 and loves it. That's exactly how the market will change. Considering the failure rate of 66% it's not worth the hassle for me. It's not only the Xbox... MS has a shoddy reputation with pretty much any hardware it's ever put out from reading up keyboard and mouse reviews. I would spend the money if there was no headache.
TRAFFICBLOWS @ Jun 17th 2009 11:49AM
@ godmoney
objection: heresay.
Casey @ Jun 17th 2009 12:39PM
You paid $60 for a 120GB hard drive?
deanb @ Jun 17th 2009 1:31PM
@casey - and considered it a great deal. Pretty much anything that plug extra onto a 360 is over priced, but its' all propriety crap.
Miles @ Jun 17th 2009 6:14PM
@Casey
Microsoft wants something like $200 for a 160GB hard drive.
It's a very good deal.
Musouka @ Jun 17th 2009 8:39AM
Does it play RRoD? :3