MS installing new heatsinks in refurb 360s

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 13th 2007 at 2:30PM }

The technophiles at Xbox-Scene have uncovered a tasty bit of Xbox 360 news that should serve as some relief to sufferers of the Red Ring of Death. It looks like Microsoft is employing new heat-combating measures when refurbishing broken units. Specifically, a new heatsink is being installed. The heatsink resides directly under the DVD drive, connected to one of the other heatsinks with copper tubing. Blessedly untouched by the Red Ring of Death thus far, we don't know how effective this new heatsink is, but we're hopeful that it will solve perpetually publicized 360 failures. Whether or not Microsoft is also installing the heatsink in new Xbox 360s is unknown. See video proof of the new heatsink after the break.

[Thanks, Josh W]

Tags: 3 red lights, 3RedLights, hacks, heat sink, HeatSink, mods, red ring of death, RedRingOfDeath, ring of death, RingOfDeath

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

refinedsugar @ Jun 13th 2007 2:38PM

lol, I just know a post like this is going to invite the "MS you suck ... I'm on my fifth 360 ... wtf new heatsink, give me money ... where's the smaller chipset you promised to roll out ... you suck, ... blah blah blah"

John @ Jun 13th 2007 2:44PM

just sent back xbox #3 today, so hopefully I'll get this new thing and it won't happen again...and yeah, they ran out of the original boxes (posted about the other day)...they sent me some new big white box.

Hello @ Jun 13th 2007 3:04PM

just sent back xbox #64 today, so hopefully I'll get this new thing and it won't happen again...and yeah, they ran out of the original boxes (posted about the other day)...they sent Bill Gates to give me the new one personally.

Peff @ Jun 13th 2007 3:16PM

yeah so i didnt get the box yet, hopefully today, so hopefully i get the new sink and now more ring or screen freezing.

Peff @ Jun 13th 2007 3:16PM

no**

gibber9583 @ Jun 13th 2007 3:23PM

Have had my 360 since launch....no issues thus far.

SAGExSDX @ Jun 13th 2007 3:31PM

um im not sure why all these blogs are saying the new heatsink is directly under the DVD drive... and not that it's that big an issue. but the new heatsink is actually to the right of (when looking at the front of the 360) the dvd drive. its the one at the top of the shown screenshot

ogvor @ Jun 13th 2007 3:42PM

i got mine back from repair a couple a days ago. Wonder if I got the new heatsink. It's defintely not quieter...

gibber9583 @ Jun 13th 2007 3:45PM

^ You should probably take it apart in the name of science to find out.

mat parker @ Jun 13th 2007 4:36PM

my repair did this months ago

Mustang @ Jun 13th 2007 5:02PM

I've had mine since launch and ZERO issues. I've left it on all night, all day, playing it all day, whatever. Also I play very often so its gotten a lot of playing time out of that machine. Yet no problems. I think some people are just making shit up.

Chain @ Jun 13th 2007 5:03PM

gibber9583, same here. Launch unit that seems to stay on for days at a time. Only problem I ever had was my Gamercard going corrupt, deleted it and recovered it and everything was good as new.

Shamma Banks @ Jun 13th 2007 6:11PM

I have had 2 crap out on me. So I bought a six inch fan that has a clip on the end to secure it anywhere you want. hopefully this will prevent anymore problems.

To all of the people who think people are lying about their 360's failing, how do explain all the things MS has done like fixing all launch systems for free, and extending warranties. They will also give you like a 50% discount on repairs if yours is out of warranty, and now changing the heatsinks.They would not have made all these policy changes unless there actually were problems.

You may think it is funny, but all the people who have had these problems aren't laughing. This is not just some conspiracy cooked up by crazy ps3 fanboys.I took great care of my 360's. I never left them on for long periods, I always had it in a well ventelated area, hell, I never even moved the damn thing.

MaR @ Jun 13th 2007 7:15PM

see that's the thing anyone who doesn't use their system all day and have jobs probably experience failures compared to the ppl who play for hours on end. MS is basically saying play all day so we won't crap the system on you... hah

gibber9583 @ Jun 13th 2007 7:12PM

I dont think that all people are making up that their 360s have crapped out. I honestly think there is a normal failure rate with the 360. People are just more vocal about their issues nowadays. Some people have bad 'luck' while some have good.

BTex @ Jun 13th 2007 7:15PM

I'm on my third and it got the 3 red lights today but after turning it off for 15 minutes it started back up fine. This is the second time this unit has done it.

Now I don't care if it breaks.

gibber9583 @ Jun 13th 2007 7:31PM

Sorry Mar, but I definitely play my 360 less than 10 hours a week. 10 hours would be high for me. I have had my 360 since launch. Never once had any red lights show up. Any more crackpot theories?

vahdyx @ Jun 16th 2007 1:08PM

Mar my friend didn't play his 360 all that much. He used it for music, he's a inspiring (crappy) musician that only has his Zune and a nice home audio system. He get's these weird Songs that have tracks that are missing which he fills in with his drum set. He plays his crap loud and all weekend long and a lot during the week. His Xbox got the 3 ring and he's probably keeps it on for about 3 hours a weekday and 4-6 hours on weekends. I his 360 isn't even using the GPU and it broke down. I play mine all the time and well it hasn't broke down yet, but I also keep a fan on it and my xbox laying horizontally.

vahdyx @ Jun 16th 2007 1:08PM

By the way can anyone link me to what the original looked like? I still haven't seen one

mike @ Jun 13th 2007 8:27PM

I just got a brand new premium system from futureshop because my old one could not be fixed apparently.

Well im trying to unload it, but highest offer I had was $400 cdn and I want to sell for $450 cdn.

Once I get the money, im going to hold onto it until halo 3 come out, then hope they have the smaller chipset by then or at least give them a bit of time to fix more problems

Rick @ Jun 13th 2007 8:31PM

I just wish they'd send me the damn cardboard box to send this in for repair. It's been a week already since I first called. I called to find out what's up yesterday and they said they would have a manager call me back to update me soon. 24 hours later and still no call. WTF is so hard about ordering some cardboard boxes and sending them out when necessary? GAH. Still love this thing, even if it doesn't work. Just sucks that I can't do anything with it but hold paper down if it ever gets windy in here.

Mauricio @ Jun 13th 2007 9:36PM

My 360 Crapped out 3 days ago. i called in yesterday for my Coffin. hopefully it doesnt take as long as its taking Rick to get a Coffin. but it probably will.

i had just bought my 360 in November of 2006 and it was asssembled in June of 2006. so it took my 360 exactly on year to fuck up.

come on Microsoft. I love the xbox. just fix the problem already.

Poodinger @ Jun 13th 2007 10:48PM

i hav had my 360 since launch i love it and have not had any ring of death or freezing problems about 20 of my friends could say the same thing accept most arent launch consles but i just recently had a friend get the ring of death and he just sent it in hopefully this fixes the problem and gets the 360 back to kickin wii and ps3 ass.

ill trooper @ Jun 13th 2007 11:03PM

"11. I've had mine since launch and ZERO issues. I've left it on all night, all day, playing it all day, whatever. Also I play very often so its gotten a lot of playing time out of that machine. Yet no problems. I think some people are just making shit up."

Lucky you... I kinda think you're making shit up.

file id diz @ Jun 14th 2007 1:39AM

I'm on my 5th xbox 360. the 4 other ones had no red rings of death, but because the dvd drives kept crapping out.

tobin92 @ Jun 13th 2007 11:40PM

My system has had a problem where is get the red lights randomly that last for a few hours to a couple of days since launch. It then correct itself and works fine for a month or 2. After having this happen again for the 5th time, I decided to get a repair even when it is working fine now, I fear it will crap out in the fall, rendering me unable to play Halo 3,GTA 4...etc

. While it is out of warranty, MS understood it was the same problem that is reoccurring ,so they agreed to fix it for free.My coffin is in the mail, And I am hoping it will be fixed with this new heatsink.

Sirurza @ Jun 14th 2007 12:03AM

New heatsinks + Pelican Pro Cooler hopefully means better ventilations.

I've got my 360 on an Intercooler that doesn't shut itself on and off (and doesn't have the switch for shutting it off) and my 360's been running happy for a year and a half now.

SToNeP2277 @ Jun 14th 2007 12:31AM

i have the 1 RED LIGHT of death E74 1 flashing red light i just sent in my 360 for repair. :( i wonder if my old 360 really gets repaired or do they send me a factory refurbished one.

DjDATZ @ Jun 14th 2007 1:24AM

Called last night to get me a coffin for my 360. U know what really sucks? Having to open and close the drive about 30 times before it reads the game as a game rather than a DVD and then you get the stupid "If you want to play this game, put it in an Xbox 360 console."

IT IS IN THE FUCKING CONSOLE!!!!!

This'll be #2 that I'm sending in...lets hope I get one with the new heatsinks...and that my problems cease.

ama @ Jun 14th 2007 1:33AM

My 360 just died on me. Yes I played it all the time, it was my main source of entertainment -- I do not get out much.

The 360 problems are systemic and inherit in the design, I think this is becoming more and more apparent. I have a feeling the most hardcore gamers will experience hardware failures sooner than more casual gamers. I think in due time just about everyone with a 360 will suffer a permanent hardware setback.

Spartacus @ Jun 14th 2007 2:18AM

I had a launch unit as well and it ran fine. I thought everyone going through units must be abusing it. I was out of the country for 2 months, came back to a red ringed unit. Grrr. Out of warranty of course, so I sent to to a modder to get it fixed for $50. I also ordered the talismoon whisper fans in green LED (50% more airflow, 7% quieter) to protect my investment. I figured as many stories as I hear of a unit going south multiple times after MS "fixes" it, I'd rather take my chances with someone else (for less money to boot). We'll see how it pans out.