**Official Xbox 360 Jasper Hunting Thread**

[bodybag]

Originally posted by: RRoD
Well guys I couldn't resist, after having my other 360s taken apart every few days, I wanted to pop this one open and check it out. Still runs too hot for my liking. Also wanted to be 100% that my motherboard was labelled a Jasper. The rear fans do look a bit different than what I'm used to from my old console. Contemplating whether I want to install extra fans or just leave this one alone.

Mmm, god knows what MS are gonna do IF these start to RROD....but at least they are trying to fix the problem/headache

 

[Blayze]

Anyone found any Jasper Pros?

Next week Target has a $40 gift card with a Pro or Elite. Would rather buy a Pro since I don't have a hard drive. Are the refurbished 20GB hard drives that Microsoft's offering any good? How do they look? I'm a little uneasy about getting a refurb on something like a hard drive.

 

[Sal NJ]

Blayze how do you kno if Target is giving a $40 girft card for Pros? If you have a lank for that can you post it please? I went to Target by me and they only had 1 Arcade left and no Pros so hopefuly they will get a new stock in on hopefully Jasper

 

[Blayze]

Its in the Dec 7th ad. Its posted early on a few forums like DVDTalk.

 

[Blackjack61]

Amazon has two good deals going on right now:

1. When you buy an Arcade for $200 you can buy the 60GB Starter Pack for $50 (usually $100). This starter pack basically turns your Arcade into a Pro - the only thing missing would be the component cable and the free games, but they give you 3 months of XBL gold. They don't give an expiration date for this promotion - just "for a limited time only".

2. Until midnight PT on Monday night (12/1), when you buy a Pro for $300 they will give you a code for $60 off any future video game purchase. Assuming you plan to buy any video games in the future, this is basically like buying the Pro for $240.

I like the second one, but you are more likely to get a Jasper from the first deal. Has anyone received a Jasper from Amazon yet?

 

[bullet68]

A little comparison data

839x w/20gig hd
the flaming start screen at the beginning of GOW2 is 117 to 119 watts


Jasper w/20gig hd
flaming start screen of GOW2 is 105 to 107 watts

Data taken with same kill a watt

You all should be able to repeat this to see if you get the same with your console. This is a known starting point and everyone can compare if they want too. I don't have halo 3 with me at this time.

Fan noise... I don't seem to notice any. The fans do stay on a little while after you turn it off. Kill a watt says the fans take 63 to 67 watts

 

[Branj812]

Found a Jasper Arcade today. Team FDOU Lot# 0842X Manufactured 10-14-2008. Still came with the 175 Watt power brick, but says 12.1a on the console. Also Checked through the vent holes by the Fans with a flashlight and could see the sticker that says Jasper on it.

 

[obomba]

Sunday 11/30

843x elite, 842 arcade, 840 pro @ fry's palo alto, ca

i feel sorry for the poor shmuck who buys the returned 807.

 

[Secretp755]

Originally posted by: bakesalee
People from Connecticut please report your findings. I can tell you now to avoid all 6 Gamestop matches when you type in zip code 06517. Also avoid Branford Walmart, Hamden Walmart, CC on Universal Drive, Frys on Universal Drive, Best Buy on Universal Drive.

No dice at the Meriden BB or Wallingford Walmart/BJ's (did have some 841/42 Pro Bundles) North Haven's didnt have anything on the floor =/

 

[Sal NJ]

whens Hanuka this year, is it before xmas? Hopefully a lot of Jewish kids get that this year to clear some of those old lot #s off the store floors

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Sal NJ
whens Hanuka this year, is it before xmas? Hopefully a lot of Jewish kids get that this year to clear some of those old lot #s off the store floors

It's before, after, and on Christmas this year. December 22-29, IIRC. First night is the night of December 21. IOW, I wouldn't count on those Jewish kids clearing anything for you. (Also, Jews are like 1.5% of the US population, so they're not even statistically relevant to your theory in most regions.)

 

[obomba]

yeh 838s are good enough for em.

 

[RRoD]

Wow GRID just froze twice on me, I was almost expecting to hit reset at see the red lights start flashing. So far it seems like GRID is the problem, but I dunno.

 

[Sal NJ]

lmao i just wanted to know because there is a whole town full of them and thats all i see at the Palisades Mall and in the Best buy there over in the NY area. hoping they can help my cause

 

[adiposity]

Originally posted by: chdude3

Originally posted by: JasperHunter
chdude3 - 256mb of flash is really really cheap these days. I firmly believe it would cost them more to make motherboards with varying amounts of flash than it will be to just include 256mb all around. As I said before, only time will tell.

As I said before, I agree that you'll see the 256meg on all consoles. I just don't see it being caused by the logistics of having different motherboard layouts (which they wouldn't anyways) or different population options (which they've already done by not installing HDMI connectors on some boards which could have accommodated them).

The consoles NEED storage for system firmware, that's why the 16meg chip was there in the first place. It makes sense now to put the same 256meg chip in all variants to take advantage of economy of scale, and not have to worry about two different parts. That's why all should get 256meg.

Your argument here:

I agree that you'll see the 256meg on all consoles. I just don't see it being caused by the logistics of having different motherboard layouts (which they wouldn't anyways) or different population options

Is answered by your statement here:

It makes sense now to put the same 256meg chip in all variants to take advantage of economy of scale, and not have to worry about two different parts.

Buying only 256MB chips is cheaper than buying two different chips--both in terms of assembly line simplicity ("not hav[ing] to worry about two different parts"), and cost of parts, due to "economy of scale." These are the very things that make "different population options" cost more, yet for some reason you disagree that "different population options" are the motivating factor behind Microsoft's decision.

You don't seem to be making a very different argument from the one you are taking issue with.

Bottom line: Microsoft made a decision to simplify their production line. Yes, in the past they have had "different population options," but probably because doing so saved them money (HDMI connectors, for example, must be licensed). In this case it probably wouldn't. All other things being equal, simplification saves money--which is all the original poster meant, I'm guessing.

-Dan

 

[AMartin56]

Originally posted by: Blackjack61


1. When you buy an Arcade for $200 you can buy the 60GB Starter Pack for $50 (usually $100). This starter pack basically turns your Arcade into a Pro - the only thing missing would be the component cable and the free games, but they give you 3 months of XBL gold. They don't give an expiration date for this promotion - just "for a limited time only".

This doesn't seem to be working. Always comes up at full price (at least for me).

 

[Blackjack61]

Originally posted by: AMartin56

Originally posted by: Blackjack61


1. When you buy an Arcade for $200 you can buy the 60GB Starter Pack for $50 (usually $100). This starter pack basically turns your Arcade into a Pro - the only thing missing would be the component cable and the free games, but they give you 3 months of XBL gold. They don't give an expiration date for this promotion - just "for a limited time only".

This doesn't seem to be working. Always comes up at full price (at least for me).

Try this link:

Amazon Arcade Deal

It looks like they have updated the page - there are only 500 units available for this deal and it will end on midnight Monday night. If the link doesn't work for you, try searching for Black Friday deals.

Added in Edit: I just tried to test this myself - while the link works, the checkout process does not appear to take off the $50. Maybe the 500 units have already been sold and the page with the deal details needs to be updated/inactivated.

 

[r31ncarnat3d]

So if my 842x console says 12.1A on the 12V rail, is it still a Jasper, even if the power brick is 175W?

EDIT:

Proof I'm not a troll spreading rumors: PICTURES!
I apologize for the quality of the pics, taken by an old digital camera with shaky hands (Blame Pepsi)

Xbox 360 Arcade Box w/ Lot # and Team:
http://i37.tinypic.com/ng52iw.jpg


Xbox 360 Arcade Power Brick with Wattage Rating:
http://i33.tinypic.com/ixuj9j.jpg

Xbox 360 Arcade Unit with Amperage Rating:
http://i36.tinypic.com/aelcmc.jpg


Unfortunately, I do not plan on testing the power consumption as I do not own, do not know where to buy, or how to work kill-a-watt.

Some other interesting things about my unit: It does not come with a memory card, the advertised 256mb memory is now onboard, and the tray open button is made of the same white plastic as the rest of the 360, and not of metal as other 360s I've seen.

And any answer to whether or not my console is a Jasper would be appreciated

 

[Branj812]

Originally posted by: r31ncarnat3d
So if my 842x console says 12.1A on the 12V rail, is it still a Jasper, even if the power brick is 175W?

Yes it is still a Jasper. If you want to make sure get a flashlight and look through the vents behind the fan. It really hard to see but you can see the sticker that says Jasper right below the right fan. Also just check you conector on the xbox itself. and reference the pictures a few pages back.

 

[Jopopsy]

Originally posted by: JasperHunter
First post updated with a summary of information we know with regards to IDing Jasper.

Is it just me or did we lose a lot of my SeattlePI peeps right after Jasper was found?

No. We are just festering having just purchased VERY late edition Falcons just 2 or 3 weeks ago. I've been playing my Falcon for a few hours a few nights a week. Its not hot by any means (not like the original 360s I've seen/heard), but just knowing that something 'better' is out there and I just missed it makes me stew on it. I can't return my 360 as its already opened.

Anybody find any pros out there?

 

[Jopopsy]

Originally posted by: Blackjack61

Originally posted by: AMartin56

Originally posted by: Blackjack61


1. When you buy an Arcade for $200 you can buy the 60GB Starter Pack for $50 (usually $100). This starter pack basically turns your Arcade into a Pro - the only thing missing would be the component cable and the free games, but they give you 3 months of XBL gold. They don't give an expiration date for this promotion - just "for a limited time only".

This doesn't seem to be working. Always comes up at full price (at least for me).

Try this link:

Amazon Arcade Deal

It looks like they have updated the page - there are only 500 units available for this deal and it will end on midnight Monday night. If the link doesn't work for you, try searching for Black Friday deals.

Added in Edit: I just tried to test this myself - while the link works, the checkout process does not appear to take off the $50. Maybe the 500 units have already been sold and the page with the deal details needs to be updated/inactivated.

Anybody know what LOT number Amazon is up to nowadays?

 

[Jopopsy]

Originally posted by: Jopopsy

Originally posted by: JasperHunter
First post updated with a summary of information we know with regards to IDing Jasper.

Is it just me or did we lose a lot of my SeattlePI peeps right after Jasper was found?

No. We are just festering having just purchased VERY late edition Falcons just 2 or 3 weeks ago. I've been playing my Falcon for a few hours a few nights a week. Its not hot by any means (not like the original 360s I've seen/heard), but just knowing that something 'better' is out there and I just missed it makes me stew on it. I can't return my 360 as its already opened.

Anybody find any pros out there?

Hrm .... now that I think about it my system has been unboxed for under 30 days. According to Gamestop receipt I can return exchange within 30 days. I might have to go give this thing back ....

Eh, that won't work. Traded in the games that came bundled w/ it. Bah !

 

[nickfd]

I bought a lot 0843x 10/20/08 manufacturing date arcade 360 and it ended up being a falcon

 

[bakesalee]

Have any Jaspers been spotted yet outside of CA, NY, PA, MD, and D.C.?

 

[XFiler]

There were some spotted in Northern VA. I haven't found any in Southeast VA yet though. Anyone here looking with me in the Hampton Roads area?