Microsoft Xbox 360 to get new 65 nanometer based processor

Microsoft Xbox 360 to get a new 65 nanometer based processor

Software giants Microsoft have signed on a new deal with Chartered Semiconductor for a new processor to power their recently launched gaming console Xbox 360.

The systems with this upgraded chip are expected to hit the market sometime next year. These new processor for the Xbox 360 would be based on the more efficient 65 nanometer process.

Chartered Semiconductor would be using their advanced Silicon-On-Insulator technology to develop these new chips for this first next generation gaming console to hit the market.

The current generation processor powering the Xbox 360 is based on 90nm SOI processes. The new processor would potentially reduce both heat and power consumption. The manufacturing costs would go down as well.

Kay Chai Ang, SVP of fab operations at Chartered said in a statement on this new development: “We are excited to expand our manufacturing relationship with Microsoft and leverage the innovative 65nm SOI technology made available to us through our agreement with IBM. By working closely with IBM to enable manufacturing compatibility and dual-sourcing capability, our goal is to continue to be a reliable manufacturing source to Microsoft.”

Larry Yang, GM of Xbox console development at Microsoft added: “We look forward to working with Chartered on the production of such an important component of our Xbox 360 system. We plan to continue with our strategy of dual sourcing from Chartered and IBM’s fabs, which are operationally aligned and compatible, to give us the consistent product quality and flexibility we will need.”