Microsoft: New Xbox 360 Heatsinks 'Commonplace' Update
Red Ring still rules them all
The added heatsink: Pic courtesy Maxconsole reader Ikari
The fact that Microsoft has been adding additional heatsinks to Xbox 360s that have been sent for repair in recent days is now common knowledge. The fact that the company is being tight-lipped as to exactly when this process started, and why is also doing the rounds.
We contacted Microsoft's UK offices today to see if there was any more information available regarding the addition of heatsinks. We were quickly and politely provided with the following: "Regularly updating console components is commonplace within the industry and is a standard aspect of the business for a variety of reasons including cost reduction, improved manufacturability and improved performance. We do not provide details on these updates."
All well and good, certainly updating components is good practice if the old components are, "like so last year" or if newer and more efficient fixtures and fittings can be sourced.
'Cost reduction' is also a good thing - even if there is certainly not going to be a reduction in the cost of the Xbox 360 or Elite. You can maybe understand a company not wanting to provide details of a cost reduction in advance; you can even understand it not providing details at because by doing so it may find itself in a position whereby consumers demand the reduction to be passed on.
What we're rather confused by is why a company would not provide details on improved performance - you'd expect that to be declaimed loudly. So, of course, we've asked why it's not policy to comment on this.
Now, we're trying to work out whether the additional heatsinks are for:
a) Cost reduction.
b) Improved manufacturability.
c) Improved performance.
d) One of a variety of other reasons.
We'll update you as soon as we hear back. What is certain, however, is that Microsoft hasn't and won't state that the additional heatsink is the solution to the Red Ring of Death - as this would entail an admission that the RROD has a single cause: over-heating.
Meanwhile you can find more of Maxconsole reader, Ikari's pic right here.
http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=17870
We contacted Microsoft's UK offices today to see if there was any more information available regarding the addition of heatsinks. We were quickly and politely provided with the following: "Regularly updating console components is commonplace within the industry and is a standard aspect of the business for a variety of reasons including cost reduction, improved manufacturability and improved performance. We do not provide details on these updates."
All well and good, certainly updating components is good practice if the old components are, "like so last year" or if newer and more efficient fixtures and fittings can be sourced.
'Cost reduction' is also a good thing - even if there is certainly not going to be a reduction in the cost of the Xbox 360 or Elite. You can maybe understand a company not wanting to provide details of a cost reduction in advance; you can even understand it not providing details at because by doing so it may find itself in a position whereby consumers demand the reduction to be passed on.
What we're rather confused by is why a company would not provide details on improved performance - you'd expect that to be declaimed loudly. So, of course, we've asked why it's not policy to comment on this.
Now, we're trying to work out whether the additional heatsinks are for:
a) Cost reduction.
b) Improved manufacturability.
c) Improved performance.
d) One of a variety of other reasons.
We'll update you as soon as we hear back. What is certain, however, is that Microsoft hasn't and won't state that the additional heatsink is the solution to the Red Ring of Death - as this would entail an admission that the RROD has a single cause: over-heating.
Meanwhile you can find more of Maxconsole reader, Ikari's pic right here.
http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=17870
Companies:
Microsoft
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Comments
Joji 15 Jun 2007 16:53
1/11
Ah, the dreaded Ring of Red. At least they are moving to address the problem. Beats having to shell out for a second one.
dazzel 15 Jun 2007 18:09
2/11
sounds to me like the heatsink should have been there there from day one and as such there should have been a product recall or free upgrade, hence the deadly silence about advertising the fact!
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RiseFromYourGrave 15 Jun 2007 20:41
3/11
yeah, exactly ^
thats why theyre not shouting it from the rooftops SPOnG, because itd be an admission that the 360 was designed inadequately. maybe if they start putting it in all 360s made in the future, and offer current owners a free upgrade, they may announce it as a miracle of customer service by a dynamic company
thats why theyre not shouting it from the rooftops SPOnG, because itd be an admission that the 360 was designed inadequately. maybe if they start putting it in all 360s made in the future, and offer current owners a free upgrade, they may announce it as a miracle of customer service by a dynamic company
haritorihanzo 17 Jun 2007 18:10
4/11
I just got my xbox back the morning that i first saw this on engadget so i assume my xbox has this new heatsink fitted, as the reason M$ said my box was broke was due to motherboard fault, but i aint got the guts to open my box and check as if it doesnt and it breaks again well im stuffed, but good on M$ at last sorting some problems, as to why its not annouced is because they stated there was no problem in the first place and they wouldnt want to look like liers now!
Justen 18 Jun 2007 02:19
5/11
I am sending my 40 day old Elite off to get a new dvd-drive tomorrow, I wonder if they will add the new heat sink into mine? I sure as heck hope so, I will not be very happy if it breaks down again (especially the ring of death).
Lee 18 Jun 2007 08:41
6/11
i have had the ring of death problem a few times now and have fixed it by a purposeful over heat a la the towel fix and seems ok but does sometimes crash with a pixelated screen which usually means a graphics problem so it would seem that this is the case
crimson 25 Jun 2007 12:22
7/11
wee its about time this is my 3rd xbox with the "ring of light" problem oh well besides that when is the xbox 360 elite coming out
spot c 15 Dec 2009 20:34
8/11
I've fixed myself RROD-well known x-clamp fix so I know that the GPU cooler sucks and I'm afraid that RROD could ocure once again due the GPU overheat the ''new'' emproved GPU heatsink seems OK I was wondering if we could make this by ourself like some kind home made GPU heatsink if someone has this one could he give me data about heatsink size and angle of the heat pipe I'm sure I could make one by myself just like the oroiginal
spot c 16 Dec 2009 15:47
9/11
I would not ever do the towel method you can melt down all parts of your xbox and damage the motherboard try to do the hybrid x clamp fix or just buy that new one(which I can not find in my country-Bosnia) I've done myself x clam fix seek for clips how to do on youtube its easy f :D it's easy to remove gpu heatsink only problem you'll find out is to remove plastic case of xbox go to llamma.com you can find the opening tool and do the xclamp fiy alone...it worked for me(have older vers. of xbox with toshiba dvd)
Cody 29 Dec 2009 17:31
10/11
Thats the heatsink I have and my xbox was manufactured in August 2007... So how is this new?
Joe 21 Jun 2010 14:02
11/11
@Cody You could have a refurbished xbox