Chartered delays 65nm CPU production

Dec 27, 2006 08:43 GMT  ·  By

I know that many of you Xbox 360 owners would like for your favorite gaming console to be a lot smaller in size. This might be possible, if Microsoft does some major changes in their system. First of all, they have to change the consoles' processors, and then work their way up (or down).

There were plans for a new Xbox 360 processor, one manufactured by Chartered, which was supposed to have 65nm. According to digimites and their industry sources, plans to produce 65nm CPU for the Xbox at Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing will be pushed back until the middle of 2007.

This is not yet confirmed as Microsoft Taiwan did not want to comment on this issue, and Chartered adopted the same position. If you didn't know, in April 2006, Chartered and Microsoft signed an agreement to produce Xbox 360 chips on 65nm Silicon-on-Insulator technology starting with the first quarter of 2007. Chartered is already a major partner for Microsoft's Xbox 360 division, as they are already producing the 360's 90nm processor.

Many of you don't probably realize the implications of a smaller Xbox 360 processor. A smaller chip should also reduce the power requirement, possibly leading to a smaller power brick. A smaller power brick would mean a smaller shell, a smaller console, a smaller price. Now wouldn't that be great?

I know the Xbox 360 is not as big as the PS3, but it surely surpasses the PS2 and the Wii when it comes to size, and some other categories too. A new smaller Xbox 360 would boost Microsoft's sales for sure, and many would forget about the PS3 and Wii...