Rumors of new Xbox 540 on way - Valhalla model to compete with PS3
By Dave Parrack
For some reason the Xbox 360 seems to generate rumours in a much higher number than either the PS3 or the Wii. And here we have another one - and this time it’s a biggie. If true, it means there will be a new and improved model of the Xbox 360 released over the next 18 months.
Before you all get your knickers in a twist, this isn’t a next generation console. Even though Microsoft killed the original Xbox off quickly to switch to the 360, there’s no indication that a similar thing is about to happen again. Instead, the new model, codenamed Xbox 540 (at least by the people putting the rumour out there), will be a new and improved version of the Xbox 360.
Similar to what Sony did when they launched the slimline version of the Playstation 2 back in the day, the new Xbox 360 would be essentially the same machine, just smaller, faster, quieter and with some added features.
The rumours, reported by T3, are coming out of Taiwan, where the new Valhalla chipset is due to be manufactured. The Valhalla will form the basis for the new model, and enable Microsoft to make the console skinnier, speedier, and quieter than the current model.
While there is no mention of the long rumoured Blu-ray drive, this could also be the opportunity to introduce the rumoured Newton controller, the Wii Remote-like handheld device for operating games. The other advantage is that this model would be cheaper to produce, which could lead to further price cuts.
Microsoft has actually broken with tradition and replied to this particular rumour. They contacted Engadget to say:
“While we don’t normally comment on rumors like this, we can tell you that we have no plans to release a new console in 2009.”
But of course, this wouldn’t really be a new console, but rather a new model of an existing console. Also, the representative only mentioned 2009, which leaves the possibility that the new model could arrive at the end of 2008, or beginning of 2010 instead.
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Tips N4G
May 15th, 2008
meh… its just a rumor… but if they come out with another model… it would be PR suicide… it would prove that the current console is not as “nex gen” as the PS3…
so its probably “just” a rumor…
May 15th, 2008
DAVE PARRACK!!!
May 15th, 2008
PARRACK DAVE!!!
May 15th, 2008
i don’t have the heart to tell dwh how many different SKU the ps3 has had in ONE year. lol.
May 15th, 2008
Bwahahahaha
“Valhala model to compete with ps3″
What they been doing then so far? Annihilating the PS3??
Can’t wait for the NPD numbers later today.
Sorry it’s taken me so long to come to this conclusion too . . . but this site is pretty pathetic.
May 15th, 2008
Jonathan - what is your favorite site, i.e., the one you judge this one by?
May 15th, 2008
http://www.drudgereport.com
May 15th, 2008
and sometimes I compare it to:
http://www.whenisbritneygoingtodie.com/
May 15th, 2008
The real question is: will it be CHEAPER? Because I’d be all over that, if so.
@Jonathan: They word things like on purpose to comments. More comments = more web hits.
May 15th, 2008
After the whole RROD faico nobody with a little bit of inteligence will buy another xbox in their lifes.
i know i wont.
May 15th, 2008
uh oh . . . . NPD data released. . . PS3 outsold again.
http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-drive-us-game-industry-sales-to-123-billion-in-april/?biz=1
1. GTA IV – Xbox 360 – 1.85 million*
2. Mario Kart Wii – Wii – 1.12 million
3. GTA IV – PS3 – 1.00 million*
4. Wii Play w/ remote – Wii – 360K
5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Wii – 326K
6. Gran Turismo 5: Prologue – PS3 – 224K
7. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness – DS – 202K
8. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time – DS – 202K
9. Guitar Hero III – Wii – 152K
10. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Xbox 360 – 141K*
I ask again . . . I wonder if developers look at these numbers?
May 15th, 2008
So someone do the math for me . . . PS3 sells 1,000 fewer consoles each month than the Xbox 360. . .
how many years until they surpass the Xbox 360’s install base?
Also . . wasn’t GTA4 supposed to be a PS3 brand? Weren’t we supposed to see a huge uptick in PS3 sales?
May 16th, 2008
Well well well….. so much for Mr Patcher’s prediction that GTAIV is going to sell more PS3s than 360s. Has he got anything right yet???
May 16th, 2008
Jonathan
No, this site even informed you that GTA IV wouldn’t be a PS3 brand and it wouldn’t make a huge difference in PS3 vs 360 sales:
http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/04/30/gta-iv-will-not-sell-more-ps3s-than-xbox-360s-or-vice-versa/
May 16th, 2008
if they take out region lock… all the better…
May 16th, 2008
The 360 is actually the 6th best selling console in 2008.
1. DS - 1,537,000
2. Wii - 1,427,000
3. PS2 - 832,000
4. PS3 - 807,000
5. PSP - 770,000
6. 360 - 747,000
the console that is (according to Microsoft) ‘leading the charge in the U.S. and abroad’.
LMAO!
May 16th, 2008
Xbot - Looks like the PS3 is actually the 5th best selling console in 2008, too bad they can’t sell as many games as well.
The console where “its all about content, its about games” seems to still have some catching up to do.
Still waiting for Killzone 2? I guess that’s what happens when a game design plan is changed in order to meet a false presentation.
Have fun buying another controller!
May 16th, 2008
Hey look, Carl Borrowman shows his bias, congratulations, That one article you wrote was great, but now I know it was all lies and bias, you f-ing tool. Who’s the real xbot here?
May 16th, 2008
carl - “Still waiting for Killzone 2? I guess that’s what happens when a game design plan is changed in order to meet a false presentation. ”
THANK YOU!!
Guerrilla really dug their grave with that E3 movie.
May 16th, 2008
oa3 - no worries, there will always be something wrong or right with one system or the other. I like balance, and statements based on facts aren’t exactly biased. I take it you will be one of the few PS3 owners who will actually enjoy spending more money on another controller? If you are, I am sorry to have offended you.
In any case, Sony did very well in April. I hope they continue their success in the name of competition, unique game contribution, and quality:
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/tretton-april-software-was-a-one-two-punch-for-sony
Hopefully their software compatibility issues with GTA IV will be isolated to only a few gamers, and the issue does not repeat in future software.
May 16th, 2008
Carl, statements based off facts are nothing more than opinions and as such are bias.
May 16th, 2008
OA3 - the bias factor is eliminated when you have a published history of criticizing and applauding all 3 current consoles for actual weaknesses and strengths.
For instance, I don’t like the fact that I would currently have to spend $150-$170 if I wanted to upgrade my XBox 360’s hard drive, over twice as much as what a regular plug and play external pc drive with the same storage capabilities goes for on the market today. I imagine other 360 owners don’t like having to spend more money either. Is this a bias against the 360 and for the PS3?
If I owned a PS3 (which I plan on doing eventually - so not that biased either), I would similarly not like spending another $50 dollars on a console that was considered to be “future proof” to justify it’s purchase price. I imagine other PS3 owners will not like this either. Is this a bias, or more of an educated opinion?
However, I must admit, the original statement could have been worded much better, so I’ll try to do so in the future. I am still getting used to this site’s reader’s high standards and history of being unbiased, so my apologies go to both you and XBot.
May 16th, 2008
Eeerily quiet after NPD numbers released . . .
Methinks it would be different if PS3 had won last month.
May 16th, 2008
PS3 is 100$ more expensive then the 360 in the USA and it still kills it.
the situation is even worst outside of the USA.
360 IS DEAD.
May 16th, 2008
Xbot, sorry the 360 is still quite alive and doing well… and before you start up kevin, Sony isn’t exactly “in the toilet” either.
May 17th, 2008
Carl,
Xbot is a troll. Whoever he/she is, they don’t actually believe the things they’re posting. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of Blorge’s own editors trying to stir up more comments!
-Arvis
May 18th, 2008
I like Xbot, he’s better than Kevin.
This whole arguing over sales thing is a bit inaccurate at the minute.
I think we should set a date to come back here and see what the situation is with sales in 2 years time, then we can rub it in each others faces properly.
No doubt we will be here every day until then anyway.
I wonder if Xbox 540 will be more reliable than the 360 and the Elites or whatever.
May 20th, 2008
so anyone want to defend Haze anymore? Yet another huge embarressing exclusive title for PS3.
What is really amazing, really, truely amazing . . . It ACTUALLY scored lower than Lair. . .
that’s a feat.
http://www.ign.com - they give it a 45/100.
May 24th, 2008
so now we can hear Haze being bandied about forever instead of Lair, oh well, at least it’s a change… speaking of which, will the PS3 rule 2009?