http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=901401
Xenon/Zephyr/Falcon/Opus/Jasper/Valhalla
A guide to what they mean for those interested in learning what they are getting in an Xbox360:
Xenon Launched Approx: November 2005 CPU: 90nm GPU: 90nm HDMI: No Power Supply: 203w This is the launch console, the console that was given a huge amount of bad press due to the Red Rings Of Death problems where a large percentage of consoles would die from an overheating GPU that would pop out of its socket.
Zephyr Launched Approx: July 2007 CPU: 90nm GPU: 90nm HDMI: Yes Power Supply: 203w This revised edition brought in HDMI socket that was causing an outcry of whether it was a true High Definition machine if it didnt have a HDMI socket. It didnt provide any cure for the RROD issue other than the use of epoxy glue to hold the GPU down better. It did however bring about a 3 year warranty for the RROD issue.
Falcon Launched Approx: September 2007 CPU: 65nm GPU: 90nm HDMI: Yes Power Supply: 175w This version of the Xbox 360 brought about a smaller cooler CPU. As this was not the chip causing the RROD it was considered to be little effect at combating the RROD issue, however it did bring a lower power consumption and the cheaper smaller CPU allowed flexibility for price reductions.
Opus Launched Approx: June 2008 CPU: 65nm GPU: 90nm HDMI: No Power Supply: 175w This version was released to allow Microsoft to refit the old Xenon consoles that were returned with RROD issues with an updated version of the Falcon. The problem with the Falcon was it had HDMI support and yet the old Xenon never had HDMI when launched so the console case was incompatible. Microsoft had thousands of old Xenon consoles coming in and having to be replaced with brand new consoles while the old broken consoles just mounted up in storage. With Opus (Falcon minus HDMI) it was to allow refurbishing of these old consoles as and when RROD issues occurred. This reduces the number of old consoles to be scrapped and allows the replacement of the Xenon>Opus board rather than the entire console, thus saving Microsoft millions of £££ in not having to replace entire consoles (case and other parts).
Jasper Launched Approx: September 2008 onwards CPU: 65nm GPU: 65nm HDMI: Yes Power Supply: Not Known The Jasper is the first proper attempt to combat the RROD issue by finally having a smaller, cooler and hopefully more reliable GPU. The issue of the RROD was the overheating and eventual disconnecting of the GPU and the Jasper should go a long way towards making the Xbox 360 a lot more reliable with regards this particular issue. As with all changes to the Xbox 360, Microsoft do not announce when they start releasing the updated machines so it is a matter of time before people start to discover it. Because of the cooler CPU and GPU and possible further reduction in power supply, it is believed that the internal cooling will be revised and as such will lead to a much quieter Xbox360.
Valhalla Launched Approx: Late 2009 CPU: 65nm or 45nm GPU: 65nm or 45nm HDMI: Yes Power Supply: Unknown Valhalla is predicted to be the final (or at least scheduled) revision of the Xbox 360 before the next generation Xbox is launched. Apart from the possibility of the CPU and GPU being further reduced to 45nm reducing cost of production (which will help with price decreases in retail) it is believed that both the GPU and CPU will share the same piece of board together. The benefits of this (along with the reduced need for cooling systems with a much cooler 45nm chip) is that the entire internal board within the console takes up a great deal less space (possible as much as 30% less) and as such the Valhalla could lead to an Xbox 360 Slim version. The console having a redesign and being far smaller in height or width. Due to the Hard Drive limitations it is believe that it will be shortened along its long length rather than its narrower width leading to a machine upto 30% shorter when stood upright. With a smaller design, smaller cooling systems and lower power supply it is believed this could be the most reliable, smallest and quietest of the Xbox 360 family.
Finding a Jasper: So how do you know if the Xbox 360 you're about to buy is a Jasper model or not? Well, there's one blatantly-obvious method, and that's to open the box and check the manufacturing date on the back of the console itself, it's shown in YYYY-MM-DD format. It's believed that consoles manufactured on or after August 31st (2008-08-31) will feature the Jasper revision - though, this hasn't yet been confirmed. The later the console was manufactured after this date, the better the chance is that you may get a Jasper.
If that process seems like too much hard work, there could be another way, too. Flip the box over, and you should find a flap with a serial number located beneath it. The serial number will be in the format LNNNNNNYWWFF, where the Y is thought to represent the year of manufacture, and the WW is thought to represent the week - if the theory is to be believed. August 31st translates to week 35, so you'd be looking for a serial number somewhere along the lines of LNNNNNN'835'FF. This is by no means a foolproof option but it could be worthy of consideration when making a purchase.
