Ars Technica is the latest publication to report a rumor on a revision of the Xbox 360 hardware that will feature a 65-nanometer CPU, as well as the quieter DVD drive currently found in some systems. Dean Takahashi revealed last month that the code name for this revision is "Falcon." Furthermore, Ars Technica claims the new Core and Premium editions will feature the same built-in HDMI port found in the Elite.
A 65-nm manufacturing process refers to the wide of the transistors' gates. A processor is made of transistors, which are, basically, tiny electronic switches. The processor executes a collection of instructions based on whether these switches are on or off. A smaller fabrication process, allows a microprocessor to have smaller transistors, which results in less expensive and less power-hungry chips. Ultimately, manufacturers get to build the same processor but as a smaller, cheaper part that also generates less heat.
The current Xbox 360 CPU is using a 90-nanometer Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) semiconductor technology. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced it will reduce the retail price of all Xbox 360 systems beginning August 8 at U.S. retailers nationwide.