[edit] Central processing unit
Main article: Xenon (processor)
The Xbox 360 takes a new approach to hardware compared to its predecessor. The XCPU, named Xenon at Microsoft and "Waternoose" at IBM, is a custom triple-core 64-bit PowerPC-based design by IBM. The CPU emphasizes high floating point performance through multiple FPU and SIMD vector processing units in each core. It has a theoretical peak performance of 115.2 gigaflops and is capable of 9.6 billion dot products per second. Each core of the CPU is simultaneous multithreading capable and clocked at 3.2GHz. However, to reduce CPU die size, complexity, cost, and power demands, the processor uses in-order execution in contrast to the Intel Coppermine128-based Pentium III used in Xbox which used more advanced out-of-order execution. The original chip used a 90 nanometer process, although a newer 65 nanometer process SOI revision is currently in the market. A 21.6 GB/s front side bus, aggregated 10.8 GB/s upstream and downstream, connected Xenon with the graphics processor/northbridge. Xenon was equipped with a 1 MB Level 2 cache on-die running at half CPU clock speed. This cache is shared amongst the three CPU cores.[1] The CPU also contains ROM storing Microsoft private encrypted keys, used to decrypt game data. The heat sink implemented to cool the CPU is composed of aluminum fins with copper base heat pipes. The heat sink is cooled by two 70 millimeter fans at the back of the console. There are several types of fan used in the 360 from manufacturers Nidec, Sunon and Delta Electronics.
[edit] Graphics processing unit
Main article: Xenos (graphics chip)
While the first Xbox's graphics processing unit was produced by NVIDIA, the Xbox 360 had a chip designed by ATI called Xenos. The chip was developed under the name "C1" and "R500" was often used to refer to it.[2] The GPU package contains two separate silicon dies, each built on a 90 nm process with a clock speed of 500 MHz; the GPU proper, manufactured by TSMC and a 10 MB eDRAM daughter-die, manufactured by NEC. Thanks to the daughter die, the Xenos can do 4x FSAA, z-buffering, and alpha blending with no appreciable performance penalty on the GPU.[3] The GPU also houses additional capabilities typically separated into a motherboard chipset in PC systems, effectively replacing the northbridge chip. Microsoft added an aluminum heat sink to cool the GPU in systems manufactured prior to the second half of 2007. Microsoft then revised the GPU heatsink in order to better move heat away from the GPU die. The newer heatsink consisted of different materials and connected to a secondary heatsink (located in front of the CPU heatsink, to the right of the DVD drive) via a copper heatpipe.
[edit] Memory and system bandwidth
Xbox 360 Bandwidth DiagramThe console features 512 MB of GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700MHz with an effective transmission rate of 1.4 GHz on a 128-bit bus. The memory is shared by the CPU and the GPU via the unified memory architecture. This memory is produced by either Samsung or Qimonda.
The Xbox 360 has an extensive amount of bandwidth in comparison to its competition;[4] however this statistic includes the eDRAM logic to memory bandwidth, and not internal CPU bandwidths. The eDRAM internal logic to its internal memory bandwidth is 256 GB/s. The high bandwidth is used primarily for z-buffering, alpha blending, and antialiasing; it saves time and space on the GPU die. Between the eDRAM die and the GPU, data is transferred at 32 GB/s.[5] The memory interface bus has a bandwidth of 22.40 GB/s and the southbridge a bandwidth of 500 MB/s.
[edit] Audio and video
All games made for the Xbox 360 are required to support at least 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound. The console works with over 256 audio channels and 320 independent decompression channels using 32-bit processing for audio, with support for 48 kHz 16-bit sound. Sound files for games are encoded using Microsoft's XMA audio format. An MPEG-2 decoder is included for DVD video playback. VC-1 or WMV is used for streaming video and other video is compressed using VC-1 at non-HD NTSC and PAL resolutions or WMV HD. The Xbox 360 also supports H.263 and H.264 MPEG-4 videos. Unlike the original Xbox, voice communication is handled by the console, not by the game code, allowing for cross-game communication. There is no voice echo to game players on the same console; voice only goes to remote consoles.
Initially there were no digital video outputs such as DVI or HDMI on the Xbox 360; instead, HD-quality output could only be produced over VGA or component video. An HDMI port was introduced to the Xbox 360 by July 2007. All Xbox 360 SKU's currently manufactured feature a HDMI port. A wide array of SDTV and HDTV resolutions are supported by the console hardware;[6] up to 1080p after the October 2006 software upgrade.[7] While most games are rendered natively at 720p, the video from all games can be scaled by the hardware to whatever resolution the user has set in the console's settings; from 480i NTSC and 576i PAL all the way to 1080p HDTV.
[edit] DVD storage
Early production runs of the Xbox 360 are equipped with a 12x DVD drive, capable of a maximum read rate of 15.85 MB/s.[8] The original production DVD drives were manufactured by both LG and Toshiba. Beginning in November 2006, a new model the BenQ VAD6038 was introduced, which is said to run faster than the previous models and, in addition, is much quieter.[8][9] There is a new drive by LiteOn[10].
Games are stored on standard dual-layer DVD-ROMs with 6.8 GB of usable space available for game content.[11] The option to apply a regional lockout to games is available to publishers, although DVD region codes are always enforced for movies. Microsoft has implemented methods to prevent hacking through the drive. Later drive models have the external debug triggering removed and black hard glue added to cover all the chip and controller pins.[12] The drive is able to read both DVD±R and DVD±RW in addition to being able to play DVD-Video out of the box, unlike its predecessor, which required the purchase of an add-on remote. The system is also capable of playing standard CDs along with CD-R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM XA, CD-Extra, WMA-CD, MP3-CD, and JPEG Photo CD.[13] Some users reported problems with the disc drive, as when a user changes the console's orientation, the inserted disc may brush against the drive's pickup assembly and incur scratches to it.[14] The users manual advises against changing the console's position while there is a disc in the drive. Other users report experiencing disc scratching during normal horizontal usage.
Announced at CES 2006 and first publicly shown at E3 2006, an external HD DVD drive was released in North America on November 7, 2006, for US$199.99, and in Japan on November 17, 2006, for ¥19,800. In Europe, the HD DVD drive was released for €199.99/£129.99 in the UK, France, and Germany.[15] The HD DVD drive was bundled for a limited time with an Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote, as well as an HD DVD copy of Peter Jackson’s King Kong.[15] The drive plays HD DVD movies, although all Xbox 360 games will remain on the DVD format.[16] Microsoft has no plans to include an internal HD DVD player in future Xbox 360 designs.[17] The external drive connects to the Xbox 360 via USB and contains two integrated USB ports on the rear. Games can not be played on the HD-DVD drive.
Microsoft has since discontinued the HD-DVD add-on since the format was officially dropped by Toshiba. All remaining drives on store shelves have been drastically reduced in price by an average of US$50.00 to US$129.00 Some retailers have lowered it to as low as US$50.00 to clear it from their inventory.[18]
[edit] List of DVD drives
Manufacturer(s) Model Firmware(s) Notes
Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943 MS25
MS28 The Toshiba/Samsung disc drive is very popular and easy to flash (Hack the firmware). There are small details that mark this disc drive out from the other such as faster disc ejections and only having one hole in the middle. There is a square shaped cut out (where the disc is read).
Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L 0032
0036
0040
0046
0047
0058
0059
0078FK
0079
Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions (AKA BenQ/Philips) VAD6038 62430C
64930C The PLDS drive is one of the newer disc drives, which is said to be quieter while playing games/dvd/cds etc. The Phillips DVD drive is also known to be better at reading damaged discs causing it to be favored by some users.
Lite-On DG-16D2S 74850C
83850C
93450C These firmwares sets are dumpable however a special probe /spear is required to extract the key from the 74850C drive to complete the firmware. This is not the case with the 83850C drive, this can all be done in software. The 83850c V2 and 93450C are now hackable via a hardware modification on the PCB.
[edit] Hard drive storage
Xbox 360 120GB hard driveThe Pro configuration of the system comes with a detachable 60 GB hard drive and it is optional to separately purchase one for the Arcade version of the Xbox 360. The total capacity of the Xbox 360 Pro hard drive is 60 GB. Of this amount, approximately 7 GB is reserved for system use: approximately 4 GB of that portion is reserved for game title caching and other hard drive specific elements in games that support the hard drive, and an additional 2 GB is reserved for use by the Xbox 360 backwards-compatibility software. This leaves almost 54 GB of free space, rounded down to 53 GB in the Dashboard, for saving game files, Xbox LIVE downloadable content, and media files (such as music and video).
Depending on the market, the hard drive comes preloaded with content, such as videos and Live Arcade trial games. Therefore, actual free space on a new hard drive may vary. It is not required for standard games, with the exception of a few games like Football Manager 2006, Final Fantasy XI, BLADESTORM, and Kane & Lynch. The 2.5" hard drive is connected through a SATA interface and rotates at 5400 rpm. The Xbox 360 Elite has a 120 GB HDD. It is packaged in a black case to match the Elite, unlike 60 GB drives which are grey, matching the top of the Arcade and Pro units. The 120 GB HDD retail price is GBP129.99 and USD149.99.
In November of 2009 Microsoft released the "Super Elite" console, as it is known in gaming circles, as a bundle with the highly anticipated game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This console was like the typical black elite with Call of Duty graphics added and included for the first time a 250GB Hard Drive. The new 250GB drive holds 228GB of memory after data information is stored. This was followed closely by the "Halo Super Elite" Bundle in which a black elite, along with the 250GB Hard Drive, was bundled with copies of both Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST. Both new consoles went up for sale at MSRP $399.99 in the United States.
Other independent companies have manufactured 250GB hard drives using hacked firmware since 2008. Many of which infringe on copyrights of Microsoft under use of the Microsoft name and logo along with the Xbox 360 name and logo and the likeness of the removable hard drive design.
The known brands of 2.5 SATA hard disk drives used by Xbox 360 are Fujitsu, Seagate, Hitachi and Western Digital.
[edit] Networking
All versions of the Xbox 360 come with a built in Ethernet 10/100 adapter. No version includes a WiFi card, although a separate adapter can be purchased for wireless networking.
[edit] Motherboards
Microsoft avoids outright announcements of new motherboard production runs and their subsequent appearance in the market in part due to uneven distribution causing buyer's remorse and to prevent purchaser delay[19]. However, several major (and many minor) motherboard revisions are introduced in an attempt to build systems more cheaply (and thus increase profits), and to allow them to run cooler and on less power. Note that there is no clear divide between the appearance of motherboard revisions in retail. Due to individual stock production, distribution and rotation, it may become difficult to find specific versions[20].
The initial motherboard version was known as "Xenon" and used a 203W power supply. The "Zephyr" revision was largely the same aside from the addition of an HDMI port. "Falcon" incorporated a 65nm CPU, but still used a 90nm GPU, and came packaged with a 175W power supply. "Jasper" (released late August or early September 2008[21][22]) used both a 65nm CPU and GPU, as well as 256MB of flash memory on-board (this was to help run a then-recent Dashboard update. Without this internal memory, a hard drive or memory card was required). The power supply was also reduced to 150W in the "Jasper" revision. The power connector on the back of the system incorporated a "keying" system that will prevent plugging a lower-rated power supply into an older system.[23]
[edit] List of revisions
Codename CPU GPU HDMI Power Supply In Production Notes
Xenon 90nm 90nm No 203W No
Zephyr 90nm 90nm Yes 203W No
Falcon 65nm 90nm Yes 175W No
Opus 65nm 90nm No 203W No available as a replacement for Xenon motherboards which have been sent in to Microsoft repair centers.
Jasper 65nm 65nm Yes 150W Yes 65nm GPU and increased on board flash based memory (only on Arcade packages including the Jasper board) to 512 MB (up from 256 MB)
[edit] Connectivity to accessories
An Xbox 360 Wireless ControllerSee also: Xbox 360 accessories
Xbox 360 also has a built-in 100BASE-TX Ethernet port, suitable for connecting to Xbox Live, and three USB 2.0 ports (two on the front, one on the back).[13]
The Xbox 360 supports up to four wireless controllers and three wired controllers (four with the use of a USB hub). The wireless protocol is also used for other devices like the wireless force feedback racing wheel and wireless headsets.
The Xbox 360 can connect to Xbox Live through an optional wireless network adapter on a home network through a wireless router. The Universal Media Remote can be used to control several functions of the console, including the Windows Media Center functions if connected to the network. Various other components for the console exist, such as decorative faceplates to change the physical appearance of the console, wired or wireless headsets for communication over Xbox Live, and an Xbox 360 branded webcam called Xbox Live Vision.
The console also has two front-mounted memory card slots for the system's proprietary Memory Unit. These can be used to transfer personal game data from one Xbox 360 to another. The "Arcade" model formerly came with a 256 MB Memory Unit, but with the Jasper motherboard revision of June 2009, the "Arcade" model began to include 256 MB of built-in flash memory. Memory Units up to 512 MB are available from Microsoft.
The Xbox 360 was also unique for having a 3-prong power plug unlike previous game consoles since it was used for extra electrical safety of the motherboard. The new versions all the way to the zephyr motherboard have 2 prongs.
[edit] Physical appearance
The Xbox 360 physical outline is 309 mm (wide) × 83 mm (high) × 258 mm (deep) and is similar in form factor to its predecessor. It is slightly slimmer in every dimension, and the Xbox 360 is white, black, green or red with a slightly concave, whereas the original Xbox was black and noticeably convex. It was designed by Astro Studios in cooperation with Hers Experimental Design Laboratory.[24] The front of the console features a "ring of light", which displays 4 illuminated quadrants either in red or green. When the lights turn red, the console has encountered a fault condition, the number of sectors illuminated informs a user what category the error falls into. The Xbox 360 has a weight of 3.5 kg (7.7 lb), about 350 grams lighter than the original Xbox. The console uses an external power supply with a 10A / 100–120V AC or 5 A 220-230 V input and DC output of 203/175/150W (depending on revision). An estimated 2 W of power are used while the console is in standby mode, a yearly usage of 20 kWh.[25] Saving the console size and weight, the power supply displaces 1300 cm³.[26]
or just go here to see easy reading version
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360_hardware#List_of_revisions
