Inside the Xbox 360 Elite

Llamma.com was fortunate enough to get their hands on an Xbox 360 Elite. They've had a chance to crack it open and document some of the differences between the Elite and the original Xbox 360. Details and pictures after the jump.

[shotty]

So the CPU might be 65nm....

[highps3]

And still using the same horrible heatsink as well..

Going to be real funny when the Elite has the same problem as every other 360.

Motherboards layout is quite a bit different as well.

Be interesting to see if this thing holds up. Id pick it up once its under $400 to be honest its just not worth $500. Luckily you can get a ton of discounts from places...

Definately not buying a launch console. Ill wait a few months to see how the masses are doing with them. Ive had 3 x 360's and thats enough for me for awhile...

Even harder to justify a purchase when every 360 game is on PC.

[shotty]

None of the RARE games are going to PC, Forza, PGR, Fable, Mass Effect, Too Human they all are only xbox 360. Im sorry you feel this way but I still have my launch xbox 360 and it runs fine, just like my launch xbox 1 thats still running (but with new controllers obviously)

[ErcsYou]

interesting. i my self use hdmi to my tv and a optical cable to my stereo. will i be able to use the break out "dongle" and hdmi ???? i really hope so.

[ITR]

A more reliable 360 should sale more 360's.

[PS360PCROCKS]

I love how someone disagreed with your comment about more reliable 360's selling more. You make an honest comment and someone is just an idiot. That is cool to include both cables though espescially since this is the machine basically just for 1080P and HDMI

[ItsDubC]

lol ya, I think that comment hurt a fanboy's feelings by referring to the 360's past reliability issues.

Anyway, I am one of those who have waited / are waiting for a more reliable 360 hardware revision to be released before purchasing one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[ITR]

Wow!

I didn't think I would get this much of a response, but I did.

Thanks to all that agreed with me.

A more reliable 360 might actually get my money because I really want FM2 and Dirt and Revo.

[Ru]

So why didnt they just relaease the damn hdmi port with launch..
was it all just to try to make more money?
Not impressed!
I have not heard anything about 65nm in the elite confirmed
the only thing ms said was ne is hdmi and 120 gb hd.

[Xi]

apple make the first ipod with video support? Because the consumer had no interest for it at the time, microsoft saw that interest for hdmi increased and so they created the elite model with hdmi support.

[bombzombie]

HDMI spec wasn't confirmed. For that matter, it still isn't. I hear rumblings of going beyons v.1.3. :-) Guess the hardware manufacturers won't be happy unless we're all broke.

[ChickeyCantor]

it is confirmed that the elite version has 65nm processors.

[NaAsAr]

says that the die size hasnt changed. the location and quality of some of the caps have changed , and they even got rid of some mosfets......

[Cartesian3D]

for sure it isnt 65nm... both cpy and Gpu are same in both board..

and really sorry for 9 million current user. I think MS fixed 360 .. and ring of death is just for us

I thought they dont change the board... they must change current 360 with alittle charge (about 100 bucks ) :(( Im crying!! F*** ms ...

[BIadestarX]

I have a launch 360. And i am not complaining about it. Everyone knows that eartly adopter for any new electronic device runs the risk (correction... will) have problems... early adopters are beta testers. All consoles had hardware revisions in the past what make you think the 360 wouldn't be the same. You should have waited at least 2 years before buying a 360 if you were expeting a newer revision. Or maybe you should wait another 2 years... since I guarantee you that microsoft will revice the 360 again... and just in case you didnt know... Sony and Nintendo do the same.

[eques judicii]

completely confused me... i don't think i have any idea what you said.

[ACE]

spot on bladestar .

this dudes comment points to the fact that he is a sony fanatic who is upset over the elite .

[Silver Bull3t]

You really can't just look at a chip and say they shrank the die. A die shrink does not a smaller chip (always) make. As for the Xenos GPU, well they never said anything about shrinking it yet. Fewer capacitors and their size reduction MIGHT mean a 65nm chip. All this looks to mean lower heat and lower power and less mobo warpage, which should mean fewer RRoDs due to thermal issues. Keeping fingers crossed it's the 65nm.... but not buying one anyway LOL! (launch unit still flawless).

[power of Green]

You can always tell when they bring up the hole Xbox base got Fuced over speech as if 10 million people that own the 360 all have an HDTV or the kind of HDTVs that can make use of HDMI for other things besides PC's.

I just don't get it! if you do not support MS's console's(PS fan) or a 360 fan that will not!; or can not! make use of this SKU why complain about it. Just how many times do you need to tell people you're upset or hate the idea vote with your wallet and STFU you people sound like far-left loons(man thats f'ed up why!!; Down with th impire Complainers are a part of life)

and far right smear mechants(Its a threat what can we do to destroy this theat we dont agree with and fear).

[ASSASSYN 36o]

After reading this article I feel even more motivated to purchase the ELite.

[Pain70]

i was worried about the optical 5.1. not now. i'm in line to get one of these babys!!!

[NextGen24Gamer]

"In our opinion the Xbox 360 Elite is the best value in gaming to date. Not only do you get the 120GB hard drive and HDMI port but Microsoft spares no expense and included a nice HDMI cable AND the original HD/SD combo cable. This truly was a surprise to see both cables included with the Elite and is very appreciated. The black case, controller and accessories are very sexy. Microsoft has a winner with the Xbox 360 Elite!"

400 for the 360 premium was already a great deal.

But for 80 dollars more....

1. You get 100 more gigs of hard drive space

2. You get HDMI built in

3. You get HDMI and component cables included

4. You get the new revisions in the hardware

All that for 80 dollars more. Oh, and you get it in "Black".

Its a Fantastic Deal.

[IPlayGames]

Wow a free cable that cost me $20 "spared no expense" if they wanted to do then they should have fix the real problem with the 3 lights instead of crossing there fingers and hope the glue holds. Then made a real cooling system. How is thing gonna support the IPTV if it still has posable over heating issues?? looks like M$ makes a product for the here and now. when either blu-ray or HD wins in 2yrs ill get the 720 with it included.

[Diselage]

I'm really on the fence about this one, If I get the trade in deal this really doesn't seem like to bad of a deal. I guess i'll wait and see to make sure all these new things didn't screw the Xbxo 360 up, cause if they're like the launch boxes this could get ugly.

[Kyur4ThePain]

there is no real trade-in. You get store credit, but still have to pay the full price for the Elite.

[HaKeRsCanRotINHEL]

They( llamma ) say its the best value on the market today, sounds tempting. Might just have ta, JUMP-IN. :)

[Mikey_Gee]

.. I'm still on the fence with the Elite. BUT considering I am waiting for a REFURB back to replace my current 360, it makes me want one just to have a NEW machine.

If my local EB Games funs a FAIR trade in deal, I think I just might scoop one up. But I really would love to find out it is the 65nm chip. I also wish they came up with another option other than the terrible heat sink puddy crap as well.

[artman]

elite me~ I'm not gonna take another one, before it confirmed a red light and over heat free~
I still got mine untouched for a few month after red light...
no wonder it's not reliable, the motherboard is like Shuttle PC... with a bad design. it's sure design for mini PC look a like

the HDMI port doesn't interest me at all...

[Kastrol]

I watched the video of the elite and the microsoft guy interviewed said the were working on the elite for 6 months, hdmi and bigger hard drive they couldnt figure that out for 6 months
what are MS bone heads and werent they saying you dont need hdmi to watch high def movies

Well im guessing they will release a BD or HD-DVD 360 when consumers decide on a format

[Marriot VP]

what if they would have said 4 weeks, that would mean that they delayed the release for another reason

Which is what they did, their smart enough to wait for people to double dip in paying again and other reasons. Come on, think a little

[NextGen24Gamer]

Don't let people fool you and lead you into thinking its just a store credit. It can be used for trade in as well. If you don't believe me.....call your local EB and ask. You can bring in your core or premium and trade it in....and walk away with a brand new "black" elite console. For a tad over 100 dollars. WOW....

[kornbeaner]

It's just the 360 just doesn't fit my gaming taste. I hate online play (for most games anyways) And a vast majority of titles are action/shooter. I need more then one RPG released each year.

But for $480 looks like a great deal.

Maybe if some get refurb'ed I'll nab one up

[IBLEEDBLU]

lol u fangirls all talk about oh im on my 4th xbox and paid an extra 200 bucks for repairs but cant wait till the new expensive one hahaha like is the world just fuked???? y would u continue to purchase something that clearly is a sh@tbox?

the elite is plain waste of money - HDMI output yet there HDVD add on doesnt support it hahahahahahahah oooooo bigger harddrive with a cheap 1.2 HDMI and its in black <<<< these are the 3 top only reason to buy a elite? well lets compare

xbox elite - 120GB HDD
PS3 - unlimited = you can always upgrade your HDD
winner PS3 by far

xbox elite 1.2 HDMI - out dated this summer
PS3 1.3 - more color depth - faster bandwidth
winner PS3

xbox elite - color in black
PS3 - gloss black - and was always black to begin with
winner PS3 since it had it first at launch

sooo please explain y u would waste ur money on an elite? and remeber im only point out the new features vs the PS3 - because the features on the PS3 will out do the 360 anyday

now b4 u fansackgirls of the xbox shoebox cult come running ur mouth - b4 u do...rather then talking sh@t provide me FACTS!! thats rite facts that i am wrong in saying the elite doesnt compare 2 the PS3

[Kyur4ThePain]

but it's cheaper!

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

I mean with the 360 kicking PS3s a$$ on everything (100% everything) those who disagree just can't take reality anymore and need medication. I know some of you PS3 fans usually say “wait and see” and we will wait another 7 months just to find out what we already know now PS3 is a monstrosity whose place is in last below the gamecube.

[Why o why]

made cheaper. ms just dont manufacture good hardware. They futureproof their own finances by making sure that if you wanna upgrade anything you have to go through them and they only include what will get you by for the next year or so instead of honestly producing a piece of hardware that would last the distance. Its the same as the 'premium' bar a few differences that should of been available form the get go so why the price hike. The reason most people didnt complain about the ds lite when it launched was because they improved it without increasing the price.

[power of Green]

Did you forget what thread you're in?. So you think the PS3's a better deal whats your point? we no your opinion.

120 gigs: is enough space for the average consumer that may not wan't to use their PC's HDD, Its was smart for Sony to give consumers choice in this matter as MS did. the same type of People waving thier warrenties on upgrading their PS3's HDD are the same types that have their 360 hooked up to their PC's and are already useing HDD's with hundreds of gigs.

HDMI 1.3: is for people with exspensive HDTV's and with Sound systems that cost as much as a cheap car. 1.3 will be good for "future" signal upgrades its only used!; as of right now for sound on high end recievers. The new Xbox will be out by the time any real niche grows big enough to buy into 1.3, Do average consumers spend at least $15,000 on home theater systems?.

Black: Shiny, textured, Yaa-aaH! won't touch that one I guess some people will consider that as an advantage/selling point.

Nothing more to add besides suggesting you should get some anger managemant or help!.

[Why o why]

honestly you speak about what people have now and not what people will probably have in five years thats my point. Futureproof is more rhetoric than reality but ms are just plain ignoring the possibilities or maybe they know the price would of been too close to the ps3 (if implemented from launch or now) which might of lead to less sales. Whats wrong with knowing that the system will be fine for the next 5 to 7 years. If the hard drive gets jammed then both systems can purchase a new 1 its just upgrading ps3 will be cheaper.

[OutLaw]

If anybody is interested here is a site that is selling the 60GB ps3 for $399 but it's a us version. I think it's brand new and not refurbished.

Well here is the site if anybody wants one.
http://etrofield.com/home.p...

[SDS Gamerfiend]

Also have an XBOX 360 premium for $250!!!

[OutLaw]

I have all three systems so it's not like I was trying to put down the 360, so relax.

I was just letting those people who want a ps3 know about the system being sold for 200 dollars cheaper.

[xfrgtr]

ps3,hdmi 1.3,loseless audio,wifi;internet browser,excellent BLURAY player 720p 1080i 1080p native,for only 600doll,what a great deal!

[IBLEEDBLU]

1st off MS didnt give u that choice to choice HDD - what about all those ppl that bought a core or prem system? what choice do they have? oh wait 2 go drop another 500 bucks for a system..that isnt choice thats MS grabbing u fangirls by the ball$ & getting more money from u...remember MS is greedy plain & simple..and FYI upgrading ur HDD does not void ur warrenty...

1.3 is there..u have to remember the PS3 is not just a gaming system - it never has been that - PS3 is a entertainment centre to get the most out of everything..ull never see sony ref to the PS3 as just a gaming console..and as the years go by the HDTV get cheaper...this is what u call future proofing a console - M$ will be releasing a new system every 6 mnths at the rate there going..how horrible is that they dont use the small 65mm chip plus no wifi ?? and if they back HDDVD so much y not include it into the system? oh wait thats rite bc they know HDDVD will lose and if that was in the xbox then they would be fuked...so they want u to go spend 200 bucks on top of ur systemn price for it - which by the way doesnt even support HDMI LOL!!!!

and i dont need help ppl that buy xbox360 do...