Xbox 65nm Falcon chipset hits the streets

Rumours are floating around the official Xbox forums that the 65nm chipset for the Xbox (codenamed Falcon) is real and it’s now being installed into the latest Xbox 360 hardware.

Unfortunately the only way to check is to up end the console and shine a torch through the air vent. If you have a copper pipe across the heatsink then it’s unhappy faces all round as you’ve got the old chipset. However, if there’s not a hint of copper in sight, you’re got yourself an Xbox with Falcon-inside (TM).

Currently it’s only the special edition green Halo Xbox systems that are likely to have the smaller chip, whether we will see it filter through to the Elite, Pro and Arcade is anyone’s guess.

All this means is that your 360 should run quieter and cooler as the chipset requires less energy to operate. Non-Falcon systems will still run fine (probably) so there’s no reason to head down to Cash Converters just yet.

I did take the time to check inside my Xbox 360 and I think I can see the Falcon, but I’m not 100% convinced. I’ve highlighted the area in question…

Falcon inside my Xbox 360