Back in June, when we interviewed Todd Holmdahl, Corporate Vice President of the Xbox Product Group at Microsoft,
and the man in charge of more than 1,000 engineers, we asked him if he could provide further details on the Xbox 360 CPU such
as manufacturing process, the amount of transistors and other technical data that geeks like me find exciting. Unfortunately,
Microsoft could not disclose such information at that time.
Today the desired photos showing the CPU and GPU die in
complete nudity have made their way onto the Internet. We presume, due to some of the labels, that these pictures come from
Asia.
The picture below is the first photograph of the Xbox 360 processor die, showing the physical design of the
three-core CPU that powers the next-generation Xbox. In the picture you can see the three cores and the shared 1MB L2 cache
among other sections:
The Xbox 360 CPU die
A second set of pictures shows a system diagram
for the Xbox 360 CPU that explains the different units that make each core as well as the entire processor and how these parts
interacts with the other areas of the Xbox 360 architecture:
Block diagram of the Xbox 360 CPU
Last, but no least, also accompanying
these new pictures comes a photo of a die, but this time showing the physical design of the Xenos GPU; the graphic chip designed
by ATI for the Xbox 360. In the picture, you can see both the GPU parent die (photo provided by TSMC, the manufacturer of
the chip) and the daughter die, the GPU embedded DRAM provided by NEC Electronics.
The Xbox 360 CPU die
This new picture also reveals, for the first
time, the transistor count for each part of the two-die design. The parent die has a total of 232 million transistors while
the daughter die has 100 million, making the whole package a 330+ million transistor design. In comparison, an AMD Athlon
64 processor has approximately 205 M transistors while the PlayStation 3 Cell processor has ~234M and the RSX GPU designed
by nVIDIA has some 300M.
By looking at the pictures and photos above, one realizes the tremendous complexity and state-of-the-art
technology that Microsoft has packed into the Xbox 360; a console that for the first time will remain competitive against
desktop PCs for more than a year after it launches.
Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Price for Europe and North America: Starts at $299.99 U.S./€299.99/£209.99 Feature-packed
system brings high-definition gaming to the masses this holiday season. LEIPZIG, Germany — Aug. 17, 2005
— Ending weeks of speculation about which upcoming video game platform will give gamers the most bang for their buck,
today at the German Games Convention, Microsoft Corp. revealed that consumers can get their hands on Xbox 360™ —
the most powerful and feature-packed next-generation video game and entertainment system — for as little as $299.99
U.S./€299.99/£209.99 starting this holiday season. For gamers who want to experience the ultimate digital entertainment
thrill ride, Microsoft also announced a model with hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for $399.99 U.S./€399.99/£279.99,
giving consumers the definitive entertainment experience at an unbelievable value right out of the box. The Xbox 360 and
Xbox 360 Core System — along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world’s best publishers
and developers — will make their debut in North America, Europe and Japan in time for this Christmas holiday, several
months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September,
the unprecedented three-region launch signifies an industry first. The Xbox 360 platform will deliver the most powerful console,
the best games, the next generation of the Xbox Live® service, and amazing digital entertainment experiences never seen in
console entertainment. “The sheer entertainment value of Xbox 360 cannot be overstated,” said Robbie Bach,
chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. “While the system has the muscle to power awe-inspiring graphics, audio and online
play, it’s also got the intelligence to serve as a one-of-a-kind entertainment device that plays CDs, DVDs, MP3s and
digital content from an array of devices, including portable music players and digital cameras.” With its built-in
Ethernet port and free Silver level of service right out of the box, Xbox 360 also connects players to Xbox Live, the premier
global online console games and entertainment network. With Xbox Live, gamers can chat with friends online, build and share
gamer profiles, send and receive text and voice messages, and access Xbox Live Marketplace for new content such as game demos,
trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade. Subscribers to the Gold level of service will also enjoy access to online
multiplayer gaming in their favorite games, as well as great promotional programs such as worldwide tournaments, the chance
to play online with their favorite celebrities, and opportunities to win big prizes.
For gamers who want the ultimate experience (and the best value) right out of the box, Microsoft will offer the $399.99
U.S./€399.99/£279.99 Xbox 360 console. This premium edition — distinguished by signature metallic detailing on
the console itself — comes fully loaded for the ultimate gaming experience, with components and accessories that would
cost more than $200 if sold separately: • Xbox 360 console. Sexy styling that packs a punch —
three powerful core processors are poised to pump out 720p/1080i output, 16×9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth
textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box. • Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20
GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created
content from Xbox Live Marketplace. • Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Hassle-free high-performance
precision wireless gaming features the Xbox® Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries as
well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries. • Xbox 360 Faceplate.
The removable Faceplate comes in stylish “chill” (white) and can be swapped out with custom Faceplates
to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor. • Xbox 360 Headset. This lets gamers strategize
with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games on Xbox Live. • Xbox 360 Component HD-AV Cable.
This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360 games and graphics through high-definition and standard-definition
connections. • Xbox Live Silver membership. With this, gamers can chat with friends online, send
and receive voice and text messages, and access new content from Xbox Live Marketplace demos such as trailers and casual games
from Xbox Live Arcade. • A bonus Media Remote. Included for a limited time, the integrated control
center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as access their Windows® XP Media
Center Edition 2005-based PC’s controls with a single remote.
At $299.99 U.S./€299.99/£209.99, the Xbox 360 Core System comes standard with what consumers need to jump right
into next-generation games and media, and is fully expandable to the complete Xbox 360 experience: • Xbox
360 console. As with the premium edition, three powerful core processors pump out 720p/1080i output, 16×9 cinematic
aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box. • Xbox
360 Controller. This wired controller features an extended nine-foot cable and a comfortable, enhanced ergonomic
design. • Xbox 360 Faceplate. Like no other console before, the Xbox 360 console allows customization
and a removable Faceplate that comes in stylish “chill” (white), which can be swapped out with other custom Faceplates
to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor. • Xbox 360 Standard AV Cable. This connects gamers
to the world of Xbox 360, delivering great next-generation graphics and games using standard-definition connections.
The Xbox 360 console also comes ready for customization. With an array of Xbox 360 accessories, gamers can trick out their
systems to suit their individual tastes and personalize their experiences. In addition to an ever-growing selection of eye-catching
Faceplates ($19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99), Xbox 360 Controller (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€34.99/£24.99*)
and Component HD AV Cable (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*), the lineup includes a wealth of accessories
that brings next-generation gaming entertainment to its optimum:
• Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their
games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace and more (estimated
retail price $99.99 U.S./€99.99/£69.99*).
• Xbox 360 Memory Unit (64 MB). Easily portable, this lets gamers save games, in-game achievements
and unique gamer profiles for quick and easy access on the go (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€34.99/£22.99*).
• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. The same hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming
that comes with the premium edition features the Xbox Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries
as well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries (estimated retail price $49.99
U.S./€44.99/£32.99*).
• Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit. This allows plug and play for high-performance, precision wireless
gaming with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Gamers will be given ample warning when the end of battery life is nearing so
they can connect the Play & Charge cable for uninterrupted play (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99*).
• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery pack. This provides up to 25 hours of gameplay for wireless gaming
fun (estimated retail price $11.99 U.S./€14.99/£9.99*).
• Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter. With this, gamers can chat with friends and play games
via Xbox Live, as well as stream videos and music to Xbox 360 from a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC, all without
the clutter of wires (estimated retail price $99.99 U.S./€79.99 /£59.99*).
• Xbox 360 Headset. This heightens the Xbox Live experience by letting gamers strategize with teammates
or trash-talk opponents while playing games (estimated retail price $19.99 U.S./€19.99/£14.99*).
• Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote. Sold as an accessory, this integrated control center for the
entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as control a TV and their Windows XP Media Center
Edition 2005-based PC controls with a single controller (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*).
• Xbox 360 S-Video AV Cable (U.S. only) Xbox 360 SCART AV Cable (Europe only).
This versatile cable works for both high-definition and standard-definition TVs that use S-Video or composite video inputs.
It provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $29.99 U.S./€24.99/£17.99*).
• Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable. Gamers can experience high-definition gaming on flat-panel TV or VGA
monitors. This cable provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $39.99 U.S./€29.99/£19.99*).
“With both the Xbox 360 and the Xbox 360 Core System, we’re offering consumers real choice and real value,”
said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for the Home Entertainment Division at Microsoft.
“We’re bringing true next-generation experiences into gamers’ living rooms this Christmas holiday.”
Made and posted by: major Nelson Link at Top page!
Simultaneous witht the German Game Show, Microsoft lifestyle writer Major Nelson conducted an online chat/Q& session
with Vice President and Chief XNA Architect J Allard about the recent Xbox 360 price announcements. For the most part Allard
repeated the mantra "it's a great value for the money," but the articulate executive also tackled the more pertinent issues
of backward compatibility, high definition uses and the AV cables, memory cards, the necessity for having a hard drive, upgradeability,
and more.
The most crucial element of the conversation revolved on the subject of hard drives. Allard admitted the
HD is a necessity for backward compatibility to play Xbox 1 games. He said backward compatibility will require a hard drive,
rendering the thriftier Core System far less useful for gamers intent on playing backward Xbox games.
"Because we didn't
abstract storage in the first generation Xbox, backward compatibility [on Xbox 360] will require a hard drive," Allard said.
"The good news is that the core system owners can upgraded if they decide to update at a later date."
Allard explained
the hard drive can help speed load times, but Microsoft has worked with developers to ensure games load efficiently without
it. Allard pointed to the efficiency of the system's dual-layered 12X DVD.
Allard touched on potential buyers of the
Premium Package who don't own an HDTV yet. The AV pack in the $399.99 package contains component and composite cables so you
can connect to both standard and HDTVs.
"This means it will pretty much work with all HD and SD sets out there," he
explained. "The other cool thing is that you can take that cable between high def and standard def TVs."
Engaging in
the upcoming battle for standardized formats, Allard said the future will be "interesting." "When we designed the initial
Xbox many people asked if SACS or DVD audio would be the successor to the CD format for music. As everyone knows the real
successor was mp3 and digital distribution with things like Napster, Ipod and MSN music. While there is a lot of talk about
this in the industry it will be interesting to see what the exact future of this is for movies. Of course I think there will
be a need for higher capacity optical media for storage applications. We prefer HD-DVD to Blu-Ray in terms of the flexibility
it offers to different applications as well as the infrastructure costs to the market."
When addressing wifi, Allard
explained that the power of the CPU and GPU were the bulk of the design investment, emphasizing the importance of "kick-butt
games."
"We had a fixed budget and could not do it all," He said. "In the end we had a budget and had to offer wifi
as an option, but we did decide to add "a" as a standard in addition to b and g. We are also compatible with existing devices
already on the market."
When asked why Microsoft even offered the Core System at all, the talkative executive explained
that the Core System wasn't designed around "you guys," i.e, the hardcore gamers in the chat room.
"Similar to the
shuffle, the Boxter, the 4:3 TV, the 1mpix camera, we designed the core system as a way to get folks to come into the family
at a cheaper prices and decide if and how they scale the system," he said. "The great thing about our approach, unlike these
examples, is that the core owner can upgrade the system and match the capabilities of the premium system when the time is
right for them."
Allard mentioned that while there is no current plan for a black Xbox 360 at launch, but that customer
feedback will help Microsoft detemine faceplate designs and additional console colors: "I expect down the line we will get
feedback that people want other colors and we will provide it."
Finally, on the subject of the $399.99 package, and
its steep pricing, Allard put the 360 I perspective.
"I think that the capabilities we are offering with Xbox 360 are
unmatched in the history of videogaming. It's a great value. And the system that most of the folks in this chat room are going
to prefer. I saw a posting earlier today where someone looked up the historical prices and capabilities of games systems.
It was worth noting that the ps2 launched at $368 (in Japan) with no hard drive, no online service, no memory unit, no wireless,
no voice, no network adapter, no remote, and only support for two controllers. That's not the reason we priced the system
this way but it does provide a comparative frame of reference for what you are getting. When you consider you are getting
the most powerful games system, best CD player, digital media player, movie player, etc. it's a great value."
