Is anyone else waiting for the new CPU?

jkam

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I have been following the 360 and the PS3 for awhile and I'm thinking about going with a Xbox 360 instead of a PS3 (well at least for now who knows what the future will bring). However I am really trying to hold out for the new CPU. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about:

http://gear.ign.com/articles/736/736297p1.html

I'm just thinking this should alleviate some of the overheating problems. I'm also thinking a price drop may occur after the holiday season. Is anyone else in the same boat? For those of you that have the console do you think it is worth the wait?
 
Tons of games coming out, oh...right about now...for 360 which I must play now, so no it's not worth the wait. I would understand the hesitancy to wait on the smaller chipsets to alleviate the overheating problem. MS seems to have fixed my system this time though (*knock on wood*) and I'm picking up the warranty to cover myself anyway.
 
I disagree with waiting. Just factor in $50 on top of the 360 price for the 2 year warranty (which I'd do anyway WITH the new CPU) and there is really nothing to stress over.

These are advanced machines with parts that can and will break. Just because one part is being slightly improved to be more stable doesn't really mean you still shouldn't have a backup plan if it breaks.

Edit: And if you are really paranoid and don't wan to wait for the mail system if it breaks, just buy it at Costco. They'll exchange it no questions asked for pretty much eternity.

I just don't really see what you gain by waiting for the new CPU. Lower chance it breaks? So? It still could.
 
I am waiting as well. I have heard there is a redesigned 360 coming - not sure if the redesign is referring to the CPU only or not. I am hoping they will add a black model. One reason for holding out is price, although there have been some decent deals. But my main reason is there just aren't any games that I have to play on it, although I am excited to play Burnout. To me there is nothing different on the 360, or even the PS3, to warrant a purchase (aside from graphical upgrades). I am more interested in trying the Wii since that, to me, offers different gameplay.

I think the main thing is to ask yourself if there are any games that you are really excited about and if those games justify a purchase. Sometimes it is hard to not be playing the latest and greatest but the current gen still has a lot ot offer.
 
[quote name='kell']I am waiting as well. I have heard there is a redesigned 360 coming - not sure if the redesign is referring to the CPU only or not. I am hoping they will add a black model. One reason for holding out is price, although there have been some decent deals. But my main reason is there just aren't any games that I have to play on it, although I am excited to play Burnout. To me there is nothing different on the 360, or even the PS3, to warrant a purchase (aside from graphical upgrades). I am more interested in trying the Wii since that, to me, offers different gameplay.

I think the main thing is to ask yourself if there are any games that you are really excited about and if those games justify a purchase. Sometimes it is hard to not be playing the latest and greatest but the current gen still has a lot ot offer.[/QUOTE]


You know what? All your logic was exactly my logic, that made me wait until August to buy. I finally had some extra money and thought "why the hell not"..... But I have to say since I've had my 360, I was dead wrong with that logic.

It turned out the whole live marketplace / live / XBLA / Achievement experience offered enough of a different experience to justify it. Sure the graphics are A LOT better, but that's not all you are getting that's better from last gen.

I really look forward to new content to download on live marketplace and seeing my friends come on and playing with them or at least chatting with them while I play. Now when I fire up my PS2 it feels like a rather lonely and thin experience. It's amazing how much FREE entertainment you get (videos, demos, xbla trials) that can keep you occupied.

There is just a lot of little things that go into the 360 experience that add up, that I couldn't really understand until I had it.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']You know what? All your logic was exactly my logic, that made me wait until August to buy. I finally had some extra money and thought "why the hell not"..... But I have to say since I've had my 360, I was dead wrong with that logic.

It turned out the whole live marketplace / live / XBLA / Achievement experience offered enough of a different experience to justify it. Sure the graphics are A LOT better, but that's not all you are getting that's better from last gen.

I really look forward to new content to download on live marketplace and seeing my friends come on and playing with them or at least chatting with them while I play. Now when I fire up my PS2 it feels like a rather lonely and thin experience.[/QUOTE]

I hear ya. But I am not into the online experience, nor do I want to be. Although I have heard great things about it, it just isn't for me. Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to owning a 360 and will probably buy one in the next year, but I don't mind waiting.

You bring up a good point about going from the 360 to the PS2. Seeing the 360 games may make it harder to play some older games and I still have too big of a backlog to kick the PS2/Xbox to the curb.
 
[quote name='kell']I hear ya. But I am not into the online experience, nor do I want to be. Although I have heard great things about it, it just isn't for me. Don't get me wrong, I will probably buy one in the next year.

You bring up a good point about going from the 360 to the PS2. Seeing the 360 games may make it harder to play some older games and I still have too big of a backlog to kick the PS2/Xbox to the curb.[/QUOTE]

I know I sound like a salesman, but I also felt like the online experience wasn't for me. Keep in mind I'm not even talking about playing with/against others. Just all the extra content you continually get by being online.

And graphics aren't THAT important to me. Honestly, if I could have had all the Live type experience and features with my PS2, I probably still would not have bought a 360.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']I know I sound like a salesman, but I also felt like the online experience wasn't for me. Keep in mind I'm not even talking about playing with/against others. Just all the extra content you continually get by being online.

And graphics aren't THAT important to me. Honestly, if I could have had all the Live type experience and features with my PS2, I probably still would not have bought a 360.[/QUOTE]

SOLD!! j/k.

What type of content? Stuff you have to buy?
 
I have yet to have a system die on me within 2 years. Having to throw $50 in case it break down tell me I should wait until they get it right.
 
:lol: Have fun with the first batch of a redesign. I'm sure they'll have their share of problems too.

Personally, I'd say grab one now and a warranty, because there's lots to play now and in November.
 
[quote name='kell']SOLD!! j/k.

What type of content? Stuff you have to buy?[/QUOTE]

No. 90% of it is free. Live Marketplace is just a place where they put all kinds of HD eye candy like videos, trailers, gameplay of upcoming games etc.... As well as tons of demos. Then you have Live Arcade, where a new game is released nearly every week (we are all having a good time with the latest release Mortal Kombat 3 kicking each others asses online), and there is a free trial of each of those as well.

So where as like the previous gen (PS2, XBOX) you are left with a box sitting there waiting for a $50 game for it in order to entertain you. With the 360, there is constantly new FREE content going up to browse, look through, play with etc.... And you can buy Live arcade games for $5 - $10 here and there if you like the free trials.

[quote name='62t']I have yet to have a system die on me within 2 years. Having to throw $50 in case it break down tell me I should wait until they get it right.[/quote]

Or you can look at it like this: Maybe when you are plopping down $400+ for a toy, you probably shouldn't "hope for the best" when someone says "They got it right!". The $50 warranty (or free, if you buy from a place like costco) is definitely worth the peace of mind.

I am certainly not ever going to assume that Microsoft or Sony "got it right" when I buy their consoles from now on. It's just a very expensive/risky assumption to make.

I've had mine since August without a problem. My friend bought his at FYE and it died in 2 weeks. Took 10 minutes to drive to FYE and swap it. Big deal.
 
Hmmm... I wonder if you could take the bastard apart, and put new thermal grease on the CPU? That would cut down on a little of the heat.. but it'd screw up a warranty. I'm curious as to what the guts of a 360 look like, time to google that.. there's got to be some at-home fixes for the heat issue.
 
[quote name='Skylander7']Hmmm... I wonder if you could take the bastard apart, and put new thermal grease on the CPU? That would cut down on a little of the heat.. but it'd screw up a warranty. I'm curious as to what the guts of a 360 look like, time to google that.. there's got to be some at-home fixes for the heat issue.[/QUOTE]

There is the nyko cooler, which I've had good luck with.

I've noticed a lot of it just has to do with the environment it's in. You won't have any problem with heat unless your xbox lives in a very hot environment that it can't breathe well in.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']There is the nyko cooler, which I've had good luck with.

I've noticed a lot of it just has to do with the environment it's in. You won't have any problem with heat unless your xbox lives in a very hot environment that it can't breathe well in.[/QUOTE]


I'm leaving work, but I found an interesting article that details the 360's mobo:

http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2611

I also found a mod page that included directions on changing the LED color, but closed it without keeping the link. The mobo has an odd form factor, that's for sure. The HD carries some oddball SATA interface for the HD.

I've heard great things about that Nyko cooler. If I had a 360 in a closed environment, I'd definitely consider it a must-buy. If I remember correctly, they're also fairly cheap ($29.99 at some store I saw it, can't remember off the top of my head).
 
[quote name='Skylander7']

If I remember correctly, they're also fairly cheap ($29.99 at some store I saw it, can't remember off the top of my head).[/QUOTE]


Nah, it's $19.99
 
There is enough I do want to play but I also have enough of a backlog right now that could tide me over to early next year. I really don't want to have to pay an extra $50 on top of the $400 or so for the console. I also have to buy it at gamestop since I have some credit saved up.

It's not just the possibility of added reliability that intrigues me. I like the fact that it will consume less power and I'm also thinking it may be a little quieter. I too thought about the prospect of a black console and I'm thinking there may be some holiday bundle or something in the works for PS3 and Wii launch time. I may be able to get a little bit more for my money.

I realize there may also be problems with the newer consoles. Nothing like this will last forever. Part of me wants to go grab it tonight especially with Ultimate Alliance out but I think I might have to wait a little bit longer on this one.
 
I don't think that by itself is enough of a reason to wait, but if it's that combined with not wanting any games out for it (what's wrong with you?) then it's probably a good idea to wait.

Once in a while I wonder if a quieter model of the 360 will be released. Seems feasible with the new chip. Like I said though - not worth "waiting" for really.
 
Nope. Bought one in March. Little bastard was fine til a month or so ago when the DVD-ROM drive started going out. Never once, EVER had an overheating problem. Just that blasted DVD-ROM drive and it never being able to read discs.

Based on my experience with my 360 - I gets the feeling that maybe 10% or less have legitimate overheating problems, and the rest are cuz of dumbasses cramming the 360 into tiny entertainment-center compartments.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']I don't think that by itself is enough of a reason to wait, but if it's that combined with not wanting any games out for it (what's wrong with you?) then it's probably a good idea to wait.

Once in a while I wonder if a quieter model of the 360 will be released. Seems feasible with the new chip. Like I said though - not worth "waiting" for really.[/QUOTE]

I said there IS enough games I want.
 
I'm in the "I'm waiting for the redesign" crowd, for that, and for the fact that I'm not getting a 360 until I get an HDTV to go with it. Which is a 1st or 2nd qtr 2007 decision for me.
 
[quote name='shrike4242']I'm in the "I'm waiting for the redesign" crowd, for that, and for the fact that I'm not getting a 360 until I get an HDTV to go with it. Which is a 1st or 2nd qtr 2007 decision for me.[/QUOTE]

Smart man.

I thought my brother was really stupid when he started planning out his 360 layout back in late 2004. He stopped buying games and started saving up for his HD set and a better surround sound system. By the time the console was launched, he had a nice set up ready to go.
 
I say buy one now, why wait. The 360's that have the biggest problems are the release models. Mine was made in March of 06 and it works fine. I probably have 1000 hours in it. The only benefit to the new chip is lower heat which wouldn't be that significant IMO.
 
I'm on the fence to. I want to wait until after the holiday to grab one, but I honestly don't see a price drop happening. With the PS3 priced at what it is, and the limited number they will have, I just don't see MS dropping it, until the PS3 is easily found in the stores. (Probably Summer) I'm thinking there will be a holiday bundle with a game at least, to try to get the 360 in as many homes as they can, but is it really worth waiting just for a game? (I don't see it being a game that is that great anyway) I think the X factor for me will be Gears. If it comes out and rears its head like Halo did for the Xbox, I think i'll have to bite the bullet. I'll have to rely on you guys to let me know if Gears is worth it!

What do you guys think about a price drop, or a decent bundle this holiday?
 
[quote name='hx214']

What do you guys think about a price drop, or a decent bundle this holiday?[/QUOTE]

Microsoft said no to an official bundle. However, stores may offer their own bundles. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a couple Black Friday deals.
 
Microsoft said no to an official bundle. However, stores may offer their own bundles. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a couple Black Friday deals.

See the thing I don't believe about that is, why would MS say they are going to do a bundle or a price drop? If they announce it now, then nobody would buy their systems until the price drop/bundle, its almost like freezing all your profits.

I don't know if I could go out on Black Friday hunting bundles. I can't see myself throat punching someone for a bundle with a copy of Madden 06....But then again....
 
[quote name='hx214']See the thing I don't believe about that is, why would MS say they are going to do a bundle or a price drop? If they announce it now, then nobody would buy their systems until the price drop/bundle, its almost like freezing all your profits.[/QUOTE]

Microsoft has typically announced their Christmas bundles before now (they're usually available around Mid October...except maybe the Forza one). I know I picked up my Sega GT/JSRF bundle back in 2002 on the first day it was available at my local EB...October 16th.

I think they realize there is no reason to offer a bundle just yet. Its sold well enough so far. PS3s will be in short demand. The Wii is cheap enough for folks to buy it in addition to a 360.

Next Christmas? I wouldn't be surprised to see a Viva Pinata/LEGO Star Wars II kids pack and a GoW/Other Mature product adult pack.
 
The real question should be whether you are more interested in the hardware's reliability or the games that are available for the system. Microsoft doesn't have a good "reliable hardware" track record so if you are interested in reliability then you may be waiting a long time. I think the 360 is going to have a much better Christmas season than last year in terms of game content so if that is your focus then now is the time to buy. And get the warranty just in case. It will lessen your frustration when you can't play that awesome game you have burning a hole on your shelf because you are waiting for a replacement.
 
Personally, I am dying to get a 360. However, I plan on getting an HDTV on Black Friday for some crazy cheap price somewhere (Hopefully for around $300) and then, this summer when the price drops for the 360 I'll pick that up. I wish I could get both now but I just don't have the money. Plus, by then all the new games coming out now will (Hopefully) drop in price so I can pick them up cheaper.
 
I just got my 360 in September and I have to say the online experience is worth the price of admission alone. I was not a big online gaming fan last gen, but now I look forward to seeing who is online to play with or against. It is hard for me to play offline games now.
360 truly does have the online concept figured out nicely.
I wish I didn't wait so long to pull the trigger on this thing.
 
I'm with you. I'm waiting for some magic combination of a die-shrunk CPU, a price drop, a hard drive upgrade, and/or a good bundle. I'm guessing the tipping point for me will come around the time Halo 3 ships.
 
[quote name='radjago']I'm with you. I'm waiting for some magic combination of a die-shrunk CPU, a price drop, a hard drive upgrade, and/or a good bundle. I'm guessing the tipping point for me will come around the time Halo 3 ships.[/QUOTE]
Thats how I feel. I know I need one by the time Halo 3 and GTA 4 ship. Those two are both games I am dying to play. Hopefully by then they will have a larger hard drive/price drop/smaller cpu. That would be perfect.
 
I keep reading about all these people that say stuff like "I really want a 360 for Halo, or GTA" and it makes me feel like I must just be in a minority then. Because the way I look at it, those are old news, established licenses. What I find most exciting about the 360 game line up are the NEW games on the horizon that are totally new IP's that will hopefully give us something original and cool in gaming.

Mass Effect
Gears of War
Assasins Creed
Crackdown
Lost Planet

These games are the reason I pulled the trigger on getting a 360. They are something new, and exciting, and all look like awesome games.

Halo and GTA sequels up the wazoo, to me, are merely bonuses. I've been there, done that, and I'll be happy to revisit it, but my boner belongs to the other games.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']Halo and GTA sequels up the wazoo, to me, are merely bonuses. I've been there, done that, and I'll be happy to revisit it, but my boner belongs to the other games.[/quote]

This is how I feel, all the sequels don't get me all that excited. I am looking for the power of the new systems to bring about experience changes. And my boner belongs to my wife...

Aother reason it seems some of you have forgetten is the games aren't cheap enough, at least for me. While price drops are starting, they still aren't cheap enough for me. I don't like paying more than $15 for a game (since I assume most games will go down to $20 minus a $5 GGC at BB).
 
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