http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3152&p=5
there is also a difference in the GPU die size which suggests that they already had a die shrink between 90nm and 65nm.
| Date: 05/08/08 02:02:51 AM]
IBM, TSMC Land Orders to Manufacture 65nm Chips for Microsoft Xbox 360
[05/07/2008 01:23 PM]Microsoft Corp. reportedly plans to release a new version its Xbox 360 video game system code-named Jasper in August and has already assigned IBM and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to make chips for the new game console. However, there are other important rumours: TSMC got orders to produce the chip for code-named Valhalla Xbox 360 design, which is rumoured to combine microprocessor and graphics chip in a single piece of silicon.
The code-named Jasper design of the Xbox 360 game console will use ATI Xenos graphics and memory controller hub (GMCH) made using 65nm process at TSMC as well as IBM Xenon central processing unit (CPU) produced at IBM’s 65nm nodes. The new system design is projected to consume less electricity, use less complex cooling systems and also produce less noise.
By contrast, current Xbox 360 design named Falcon utilizes GMCH and eDRAM cores manufactured using 90nm process technology at TSMC as well as CPU built at IBM using 65nm fabrication process. The first-generation Xbox 360 used 90nm chips.
TSMC is chosen to make the 65nm GMCH chips, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) is contracted to package and test the chips, and Nanya has won orders to supply flip-chip packaging substrates, reports China Economic News Service.
What is, perhaps, more important than the facts that TSMC again got orders to produce ATI Xenos GMCH and IBM land orders on IBM Xenon CPU at expense of Chartered Semiconductor (which once promised to start making 45nm chips for Advanced Micro Devices in 2009), is that “chips” for next-generation Xbox 360 code-named Valhalla will also be made at TSMC. Earlier rumours transpired that Valhalla features a chip that combines CPU and GMCH. In order to build such chip at TSMC, Microsoft either needs to disclose certain design rules of IBM’s fabrication process to the Taiwan-based semiconductor manufacturer, or completely rework the CPU according to fabrication process of TSMC.
Microsoft did not comment on the news-story.
Microsoft Xbox 360 console is based around triple-core microprocessor developed by IBM, high-definition visual processing unit designed by ATI Technologies, I/O controller engineered by SiS and some other key components. The gaming machine provides a broad set of multimedia capabilities in addition to games. Currently Microsoft Xbox 360 is available for $279, $349 or $449 in the USA depending on the version.
| Date: 05/08/08 02:02:51 AM]
| Date: 05/08/08 10:16:31 AM]
| Date: 05/08/08 12:44:04 PM]
| Date: 05/08/08 07:40:46 PM]
| Date: 07/06/08 05:56:47 PM]3:46 pm | Sony Claims that UMD-Less PlayStation Portable Was Always In The Plans. Sony's Claims Raises Question Whether UMD Ever Was a Compulsory Element of PSP
12:43 pm | DDR3 to Capture 30% of the Market by Year End - DRAMeXchange. Contract DDR3 Prices to Increase in July
10:27 pm | First-Generation Consumer Ultra-Thin Laptops May Have Design, Reliability Issues – Analyst. Notebook Suppliers Save on Materials When It Comes to Notebooks
10:29 am | Taiwanese Blank Media Makers to Double Blu-Ray Disc Output – Report. Blank Blu-Ray Disc Media Gaining Popularity
11:54 pm | Sony Eyes Development PlayStation/Mobile Phone Hybrid – News-Paper. Sony PlayStation Phone Rumours Resurrect Again
11:25 pm | Intel Accelerates Transition to 32nm Process Technology – Report. Intel to Mass Produce 32nm Microprocessors in Q4 2009
6:53 pm | Sony to Approve Third Party Peripherals for PlayStation Through Special Program. Sony Opens “Official Licensed Product” Program for PlayStation Peripherals
6:04 pm | Nvidia Expects Large Cell Phone Maker to Adopt Tegra in Q4 2009. Nvidia Rumoured to Ink a Tegra Deal with Motorola or Samsung
3:37 pm | Over 30% of Netbook Owners Dissatisfied with Purchase - Research. Many Consumers See No Difference Between Netbooks and Notebooks
2:00 pm | Micron Initiates Flash Memory Production Using 34nm Process Technology. Micron Starts to Produce Flash at 34nm Node
11:47 am | AMD Unwraps Phenom II X4 42 Black Edition TWKR: Less Than 100 Chips Worldwide. AMD Creates "Formula 1" Processors for Setting the Records
