Customer Reviews

Xbox 360 Elite

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(27)

 

 

Just received my Fall 2009 Xbox Elite in today. It is a Jasper chip model; the power pack indicated 12.1 A (which I'm told is the telltale sign of the Jasper). I haven't gotten much of chance to play around with it yet, but thought it was important to let people know that they will be getting the newest chip. I wasn't sure when I made the purchase, so I hope this helps...

Also, I just wanted to state that the Elite model only includes standard A/V cables (red, white, yellow). I figured this was useful information. Though many people have stated that the Fall 2009 model did not have an HDMI cable, I assumed it included a component cable instead, which is does not. Not a big deal; just want to help people make informed purchases.

I really like the xbox 360, other than the 3 ring of death issues but want to increase my drive space then decided to upgrade to the elite console and let the kids have the pro in the living room. No need to go into details about what the system does so here are my gripes... 1) no transfer cable included... if you buy the 120g drive you get the transfer cable but you can't get the cable for free no longer... at one time M$ would send you one for free. 2) You no longer get the Component cable that has your optical connector, you get the cheaper Composite cable. Now if you want optical sound you have to buy the component cable OR the optical adapter. Starting to think I should have bought the PS3 slim. Thanks Micro$oft.

If you're in the market for a next-gen gaming system and can't quite decide between Sony's Playstation 3 or Microsoft's Xbox 360, then this review is specifically for you.

First, the good stuff. The Xbox 360 is immensely popular and has the largest library of triple-A games and exclusives. After all, you'll only find games like Gears of War, Halo and Grand Theft Auto on this system [retraction: GTA4 is not 360-exclusive, sorry]. The online community is beyond robust; Microsoft's Xbox Live service has completely revolutionized online gaming. Not only that but you can stream many TV shows and movies from Netflix right onto your television through the "New Xbox Live Experience" (NXE for short). Lastly, the hardware is no slouch either as several cross-platform titles actually have a slight edge in performance on the 360 over their PS3 counterparts (more on that later).

Okay, now the stuff the PS3 does better (and I'm allowed to say this as I've owned both consoles since launch). Remember the NXE I mentioned earlier? Perks aside, the interface is simply horrible. The NXE is a mess of redundant menus and even suffers from noticeable processor lag. The PS3 Media Bar, on the other hand, is clean, neat, and professional-looking, and has a slight advantage in functionality too (and it doesn't force you to create ridiculous avatars). The PS3 is also technically superior to the 360 in terms of processing power and video performance (but some games have an edge on the 360 due to early developmental difficulties on the PS3), and it exclusively uses a blu-ray drive for both games and movies alike, all at an extremely competitive price. The software library for the PS3 is nearly as immense as the 360's, with the vast majority of titles available for either system, and includes a fair share of triple-A exclusives of its own (LittleBigPlanet, Metal Gear Solid 4, Heavenly Sword). Finally, the PS3 is one of the most stable consoles I've ever owned (even over the PS2); I can literally count on one hand the number of times the console has frozen up on me in the last two years.

Lastly, the stuff both consoles fail at (and do I even need to mention the absurd failure rate of the Xbox 360?). The PS3 will initally annoy you with a near-constant slew of software updates. The 360 is stuck with a standard DVD drive and obsolete HD-DVD add-on. The newer PS3's have all but eliminated backward-compatibility with PS2 games. The 360 simply looks and feels like a toy. The PS3....uhm....well the PS3's sleek, glossy finish is susceptible to fingerprints (I'm out of bad stuff for the PS3). Fighting game fans: the 360's d-pad is quite possibly the worst d-pad ever conceived, which is ironic considering the fantastic design of the rest of the controller. And yes, your 360 WILL die on you at some point. It is no exaggeration whatsoever that I don't know a single person who isn't on at least their second system.

While I do genuinely enjoy my Xbox 360 over time I have become more and more fond of my PS3 due in part to those few crucial differences I mentioned. Bottom-line: if you're a hardcore gamer who needs a consistent online fix, go with the 360. If you're not as competetive and are simply looking for a legitimate entertainment/media hub, pick up a PS3.

The Xbox 360 Elite is the most expensive variation of the console. It includes a 120 GB hard drive and a matte black finish. The Elite retail package also includes a controller and headset that match the system's black finish. The initial release price was US$479.99. Early Elite models shipped using the Zephyr motherboard (16.5A), though later models used the Falcon 65 nm chipset instead. These Elites (and other Xbox 360 models using the Falcon) can be identified from earlier versions by a re-designed power connector and a power supply that runs at 175w. As of 2009 Elite models using the Jasper chipset have become available; these are identified by a 12.1V power supply. Holiday 2008 consoles were bundled with Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Kung Fu Panda. The Elite's price tag was cut from $449 to $399 on September 4, 2008, and further reduced to $299 on August 28, 2009. However, the $299 package no longer includes games or an HDMI cable. You can get a HDMI cable for as little as $5 dollars on Amazon.

Zephyr 16.5A = original xbox 360's - 90nm processor, 90nm graphics processor
Falcon 14.2A = die shrunk processer 65nm processor, still 90nm graphics
Jasper 12.1A = die shrunk graphics and normal processer - 65nm process used for both processer and graphics processor. This new chip will consume less power and run cooler which should help alleviate the infamous Red Ring of Death problem.

>Xenos- this is the first version. The launch versions of xbox 360 core and pro came with this motherboard. This has no hdmi port. Failure rate around 33%.
>zephyr- this is also a first version. The launch models of xbox 360 elite came with this one. This included the hdmi port. But microsoft later put this motherboard with all xbox 360 models so all had hdmi port. Failure rate around 33%.
>falcon- this is the first revision that came around september 07. This reduced the cpu to 65nm from 90nm. The power supply was reduced to 175w. This revision also reduced the failure rate to around 16%.
>jasper- this is the second revision that came around september 08. This also reduced the gpu to 65nm from 90nm. So both the cpu and gpu were 65nm. The power supply was reduced to 150w. This reduced the failure rate.
>valhalla- this is supposed to be the third revision that is supposed to come around the end of 2009. This one will combine the cpu and gpu into a single chip and reduce the size to 45nm. The power supply will be reduced to 100w. This one will be cooler and is supposed to reduce the failure rate even lower than jasper.
>opus- this one is a special revision. This one is only given to repaired versions of xenos. That is, if you send a xenos for repair, then you will be given back an opus. This one also does not include a hdmi port.

I was at Target on 9/7/09 and saw the original Xbox 360 Zephyr for $299.

To start the 360 is an incredible machine that has many problems that people can avoid. For one of them is to always place supporters at the botttom of the console in the middle with out bolcking the ventilation system in which is one of the main reasons most people may expeiernce the Red Ring Of Death. i had my Xbox for 3 years and still runs like new with the help of my supporters i place at the bottom of the console. You can put any kind of supporter at the bottom it really dosent matter what it is, as long as it dosent block the ventiltion it ill run great.

I just recieved my Elite today, I had to pick one up due to the Amazon promotion (12 + 1 month xbox live free too bad the promotion is gone now.) So my Elite have the jasper mobo which is great due to it being more quieter than my launch 360 (which i still have and working). I am no fanboy so this is a honest review. I have all three console (Wii, PS3, 360). I love all the PS3 exclusive (LBP, Infamous, MGS4, etc..) and 360 (Gears 2, Halo, Fable, etc..) and Wii (Mario Galaxy, LoZ:Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing etc...)

One thing i notice different between These (fall 2009) and the other xbox 360 (Pro, Arcade, GOTY Elite, RE5 Elite) is that the power brick is WAYYY Smaller than before. I compared it with my RE5 Elite and my RE5 Elite have a bigger power brick even tho its a jasper.

I read some forums and some people said that these fall 2009 are not always jasper, so it might be a risk ordering it from amazon. But i did, and got a jasper, other people have also receive jasper.

So both ps3 and the 360 elite cost $299. Both are great console to own. It all comes down to your own opinion on which to choose from. BOTH DO NOT come HD ready meaning you will have to buy your own HDMI cables or Component Cable But HDMI cables are cheap you can just buy it here at amazon.

PS3: Blu Ray player, WiFi, FREE PSN membership, Sony Exclusive games (God of war 3, Uncharted, GT5 etc...)

360: LIVE membership $50 a year (sometimes cheaper if you can get the LIVE cards on sale), 360 exclusive games (Alan Wake, Halo ODST, Fable 2, Gears 2 etc...)

I have owned 2 Xboxes. A launch unite and now an Elite. The launch unit did RoD on me after a year and Microsoft fixed in about 10 days turnaround. I have since sold that one to a friend who wanted one and I wanted the black Elite. No problems with either unit since. I have purchased a extended warranty just in case but Microsoft has extended their own coverage since and have revised and fixed all the original design issues through hardware chipset revisions over the years. That "survey" was by a game magazine and not very scientific and does not take in account newer units now being sold with the revisied chipsets,
I love the games on my 360 like Halo 3, Fallout 3 and Gears 1 & 2. The Netflix streaming is awesome as I end up watching movies and TV shows I never would have known about otherwise. Rarely a day goes by that I do not fire up my Xbox for gaming or Netflix.
So you know I am not just a 360 fanboy, I did pick up a PS3 Slim because there are some exclusives for both system that I would like to play and Blu-Rays are starting to get more reasonable priced that I will by a select number of movies to own but in the end Netflix streaming has really curbed my movie buying as that is the future.
You do need to pay $50 a year for a Gold account of Xbox Live but it is worth it and still way better than Sony's free Playstation Network which is making better strides but not there yet.
So ignore the fanboys. This is a great system as so is the PS3 now that it is priced appropriately. Own both if you can, I would still chose my Xbox Elite over the PS3 if I had to and when it comes to games that release for both systems, I chose the Xbox 360 version because I prefer the feel of the Xbox controller, the XBL community and the achievement system.

So I just received my Elite 120G Xbox system in the mail, and it has the Jasper unit! brand new console, great black finish, working excellent and super quite. The only troubles I have felt were in the delivery method, there is almost no protection in the box, only a little cardboard spacers. I could see some of them getting damaged in the mail...but mine works great. Also, I dont know what Microsoft was thinking not having any hi-def cables in this package. wtf? it's a next gen console, why make people go out of their way to get the experience they paid for? I actually read between the lines and ordered component cables which should be here tomorow (these Elites have the hdmi port, but my TV doesn't) Overall, a great buy. If you like playing great games, online with friends, and tons of downloadable content, get this. Dont listen to the snobs comparing every microbit of differences b/w xbox and playstation, they are both awesome systems, buy both if you like the games. Xbox is just more my cup'o'tea. But buy the extra cables for Hi-def, and upgrade to rechargable betteries.

I was concerned about buying the Elite. I wasn't sure if I was going to get the Jasper or not. Well, the recent price drop convinced me otherwise and I took a chance. I got the console on Friday (9//4/09) and it has the Jasper! It still gets a bit hot, but I have it setup in an open area under my HDTV. Now for a simple review:

Xbox Live (free Gold for 13 months through Amazon) - Check
Netflix - Check
120 GB - Check
No HDMI cable - Sucks
No Wireless Adapter - Sucks
Great game selection - Check
Games on Demand (downloaded Mass Effect for $20) - Check

Now to complete the package I have Left 4 Dead coming next week and I pre-ordered Operation Flashpoint 2 (10/06) and Forza 3 (10/27). The other two games I want are not dated for release yet (Splinter Cell Conviction and Alan Wake).

I now have both systems (PS3/360), unfortunately gaming addiction gets expensive :LOL:

This was a around a hefty 300 bucks when I bought it, and it was totally worth it.
The reason why I like this product is because it cannot get the infamous red rings of death due to the new Jasper chip inside it. Runs nice and quiet and performs fantastically. All in all a great buy!