New Xbox 360: the tech breakdown

By Richard Leadbetter Published 14 June, 2010

New ports, refined chipset, cooling.

As expected, and indeed widely leaked yesterday, Microsoft has revealed a brand new slim rendition of the Xbox 360.

At the company's E3 media briefing earlier today, details on the new console were finally unveiled: a somewhat Marmite-looking device in glossy black with "chrome accents", featuring a bump in hard drive capacity from the Elite standard 120GB up to the more spacious Super Elite 250GB. Also included is in-built Wi-Fi functionality, at the fastest 300mbps "N" standard to boot.

Subsequent to the briefing, official PR materials from Microsoft offered up further details on the new hardware. First up, it looks as though our story from 17th March was on the money: the motherboard we saw there was almost certainly a prototype of the PCB found in the final console announced today. The big news is that the CPU and GPU are combined into one single package, with a die-shrink from 65nm for both components down to the more power-efficient, cooler 45nm.

This integrated design also allows for a more refined cooling solution: the twin fan arrangement from the original Xbox 360 is gone in favour of a single, larger fan that should be significantly quieter. Indeed, Microsoft is promising that the new console is "whisper quiet" - strongly suggesting that the notoriously loud DVD drives from suppliers including Toshiba, Benq, Liteon and Samsung have been given the heave-ho in favour of a more refined design.

What's interesting is that the external hard drives of the existing 360s are no longer compatible at all with new hardware. The virtually extinct memory units, or MUs, are also a thing of the past and won't work on the new console. Most other existing accessories should work just fine though, and it's curious to note that the existing three USB slots on the current 360 have been bumped up to a far more respectable five. With the inclusion of internal Wi-Fi and the obsolescence of the old dongle, this move is somewhat unexpected: Kinect aside, just what use do the additional ports have?

Over and above that, changes to the new SKU look like more basic refinements. The somewhat agricultural buttons on the older Xbox 360 have been binned off in favour of touch-sensitive versions, and the external power brick has been shrunk once more, featuring a plug connection that makes the PSUs completely incompatible between the old and new machines. Over and above that, other refinements include a Toslink optical audio output, meaning that you can connect your 360 to the HDTV via HDMI and run out an additional surround sound feed direct to your amp.

So far, so good, though any one expecting a price drop to accompany the cheaper-to-produce console is in for a disappointment. For now at least, Microsoft is holding the price at the Elite level $299. While the US market is set to receive the new machine later this week, sources from Microsoft suggest that Europeans will need to wait until 16th July to get their hands on the new edition.

The new Xbox 360 in detail.

Picture of Richard.

About Richard Leadbetter

Rich has been a games journalist since the days of 16-bit and specialises in technical analysis. Commonly known around Eurogamer as the Blacksmith of the Future.

Read more articles from Richard by visiting the Richard Leadbetter archive page.

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Comments (39) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Der_tolle_Emil #1 2 years ago

    It's nice to have the optical out placed somewhere where you don't have to cut holes into plugs to make HDMI and optical fit.

    I'm really interested in the DVD drive's noise levels. The fans weren't that much of an issue but the DVD drive was really, really loud, at least when playing 360 games (barely noticeable when watching DVDs thank god).

    All in all I really like the new design but I doubt I will upgrade. I already have a 250gb HDD, don't use WiFi and don't have complaining neighbours when I up the volume so I don't hear the 360 anymore even at night.

  • ken8mac #2 2 years ago

    Might set up a stall outside the nearest Gamestation selling USB memory sticks to all the traders. A few bob to be had there methinks.

  • OldK1ngCole #3 2 years ago

    As someone who users an MU for transporting my saves and GamerProfile I'm alittle disappointed to hear the new model no longer has MU sockets. The two extra USB ports will help alittle though I suppose, as I could just move them to flash drive now.

    /orders official Xbox360 flash drive. Damn you Microsoft!
    Edited by 1 at 14/06/10 @ 22:36

  • alimokrane #4 2 years ago

    so there is still a PSU unit then.... pffff I was hoping there wasnt :S

  • lockload #5 2 years ago

    There is a price cut the current models are reduced in price, so this article is wrong as usual for eurogamer

  • MrSpew #6 2 years ago

    Why would anyone order an official flash drive? Does not compute.

  • Mr_V #7 2 years ago

    Given that Microsoft has apparently stopped distributing the Xbox 360 controller battery pack in a standalone SKU some time ago, I'm guessing that the Slim will also feature a new controller with built-in Li-ion battery.

  • gjgjg #8 2 years ago

    nice. looks like its for the JP market:p (ms finally copied sce for a change?)

    although the presenter looks like he's not convinced esp on his last line lol

  • Toothball #9 2 years ago

    Ah, good to hear there's extra USB slots. Was trying to figure out whether there were still some on the front or not.

  • Bremenacht #10 2 years ago

    Looks like they've addressed almost every complaint about the original spec. Hooray.

  • Centrifugal #11 2 years ago

    I don't see the point in buying this if you already have a perfectly functional 360. Sure, it looks nice, but is it really worth spending all that money on something you pretty much already own?

  • kimchibaka #12 2 years ago

    'It's the Xbox360 you've been waiting for'.

    Um, how long has the 360 been out now?

  • freakzilla #13 2 years ago

    Why not wait until you can give some actual info? Hits?
    Edited by 1 at 15/06/10 @ 00:52

  • eiocreative #14 2 years ago

    It looks hideous! They've gone mental.

  • StooMonster #15 2 years ago

    No mention of the Kinect connector on the back?

    Apparently "original" Xbox 360 will need a separate PSU for Kinect whilst it plugs into USB; but the "new" Xbox 360 has a power and signal connector for Kinect hardware. So it saves a plug socket.

    Glad the DVD is quieter, but I always cache DVDs on the hard-disc so not a problem for me.

  • spookyzombie #16 2 years ago

    Hope the HD DVD player still works with this model.

  • Drpwnage #17 2 years ago

    Still a separate PSU then?

    Shame MS didn't include this in the box for the redesign. Pesky wires to hide!

  • Tyronne #18 2 years ago

    I always wondered what happened to Troy McClure.

  • sanctusmortis #19 2 years ago

    @alimocrane - PSU OR power supply unit. No need to put unit after.

    And lockload, the article is correct, the new machine is no cheaper than the current top machine, so how the hell has there been a price cut?

  • Skurmedel #20 2 years ago

    He meant the current versions are going to be cut in price, no clue if he's right but it would make sense.

  • OwenD #21 2 years ago

    Can anybody tell me whether or not the current a/v cable and vga cable work with the new model.

  • Shinetop #22 2 years ago

    Given that Microsoft has apparently stopped distributing the Xbox 360 controller battery pack in a standalone SKU some time ago, I'm guessing that the Slim will also feature a new controller with built-in Li-ion battery.

    That would suck. I always have one battery pack in the charger and one in the controller, so that I can immediately swap if it runs out, which always happens mid-game.

  • Chamone #23 2 years ago

    It's a shame that they didn't update the drive to Blu-ray. I guess they're more interested in pushing video downloads/streaming.

  • systems #24 2 years ago

    The controller still uses 2xAA batteries.

  • Colin8703 #25 2 years ago

    Anybody know if this now has HDMI 1.3?

  • Chamone #26 2 years ago

    @paddy29

    It's a bit unfair to call Blu-ray totally pointless. I for one don't want to have yet another box sitting under my TV. Microsoft are all about integrating a complete media experience in one box. The fact that they have released a new 360 at this stage means they plan to keep the format going for at least 2 more years. A little bit of future proofing with the drive would have been a nice addition. As it is I don't see the point in replacing my current 360 with this new one as it doesn't offer any real advantages.

  • muscleblade #27 2 years ago

    I already have two 360s but im still buying this on day one.

  • Goodfella #28 2 years ago

    @ muscleblade

    The phrase 'more money than sense' springs to mind.
    Edited by 1 at 15/06/10 @ 10:32

  • Darren #29 2 years ago

    My heart sank a little when I read the new 360 design didn't take the memory units but then I remembered that the recent update allows the use of up to 8 GB memory sticks and I have a few lying around. Looks like being a nice machine, I hate to say it, the one the original Xbox 360 should have been, i.e. quieter, more reliable, plenty of USB ports, power efficient, etc., etc.

    I hope this one also comes with the same three year RROD warranty as the original design though. After replacing my Xbox 360 so many times I'm still a little wary of it only having a one year guarantee.

  • kingnothing12 #30 2 years ago

    I have a launch 360 which is still going strong after 1 repair but i'm sick of a lack of HDMI and a shitty 20gb hard drive so for people like me this is an awesome alternative to getting an elite, i'm glad i waited.

  • Darren #31 2 years ago

    Also it's good that we get the machine over a month after the Yanks, gives us plenty of time to find out if the machines have any 'issues' or not. :D

  • TopKatt #32 2 years ago

    I don't think it looks hideous as some posters are saying, but I do think it looks like a very generic PC though.

  • SEVQA #33 2 years ago

    So this thing still has a ghostbuster trap power unit?

  • SEVQA #34 2 years ago

    @Kirly_Wombat

    The Xbox 1, ps2 and ps3 all worked fine if not better than the current 360 sku's - the only reason I would see to not included it internally being a design flaw from the outset! Which is why I find it odd that it's still external in this 360 iteration.


  • king2001 #35 2 years ago

    Not the most beautiful of consoles (still love the SNES) but at least they've eventually understood the faults of the existing model. No doubt there will be a significant reduction in power consumption too by going to 45nm (probably dropping into the 70W area going by the last revsion to the PS3).

    Now, any change of an "upgrade" program Microsoft?

  • Marshall2008 #36 2 years ago

    Hope its quieter than my PS3 slim. Its a noisy fucker, way louder than the PS3 fatty.

  • max75 #37 2 years ago

    people when a new console comes out its all ways good to wait a few months just to make sure it doesnt suffer the same fate as past xbox360,i say wait till next year anyway didnt they say ther is another one xbox slim comeing soon to replace the arcade model at discount price? im confused? medic.....

  • photoboy #38 2 years ago

    "just what use do the additional ports have"

    I think it should be quite easy for me to fill all the ports. I have the Guitar Hero battery charger, an SFIV joypad, a play and charge kit and a USB hard drive. So that only leaves one final USB port which could easily by used up with an additional charging device or joypad. So I'm quite pleased they've added so many ports!

    I'm not surprised the VMU is dead, it's an outdated way of transferring data and also a vector for Jtag hacks...

  • Simplex #39 2 years ago

    For me the best and most surprising thing is the european price. For the first time in history, differences between values of dollar and euro will not be used to totally rip us Europeans off. What a shocker!
    The price is 299$/249EUR/199GBP - kudos to MS for that! No, really! Rememer when 1 euro was 1.6$ and ps3 slim was 299$/299EUR? Now 1 eurois 1.2 dollar so MS could easily go for 299 euro price of new xbox, but luckily they did not.
    Edited by 1 at 17/06/10 @ 12:48