Check out your Xbox 360's heatsink without voiding warranty

Leave it to Ben Heck -- warranty thrasher and modder extraordinaire -- to point out an incredibly simple (and warranty-friendly) method of checking out your Xbox 360's heatsink. Put simply, you invert your console, snap a photo (or three for good measure) through the mesh, and compare your image with the above picture in order to determine if your box is rockin' the beefed up heatsink we've been hearing about. Go on, give it a go yourself, and make sure you report back with details of your findings (and photos for extra street cred).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Andir3.0 @ Aug 4th 2007 2:05PM]

Seems like Ben needs to get off his ass and buy a real web host.

[mattclarkie @ Aug 5th 2007 6:53AM]

I just keep getting the 404 error. But as I have a console made in November 2005 it is safe to assume what Heatsink it contains.

[Rob @ Aug 4th 2007 2:23PM]

This is the lamest thing I've ever seen.

Xbox 360 owners really amaze me. Why do you guys keep on putting up with this BS from MS?
Please, don't tell me because it's an amazing gaming unit.
Look, Mercedes Benz puts out very beautiful cars, but that doesn't mean I should accept the fact that they all come with defective radiators and that one day, sooner than expected, it WILL die out on me at the least convenient time, breaking down my engine, and I'd be out of my expensive item for a few weeks while it's getting repaired. And, the manufacturer will only accept repairs for just one problem, not the others that are quite obvious.

Come on people. It's not about bashing the Xbox or MS. It's about responsibility from the manufacturer and self-respect from the customers. Sure MS extended the warranty to 3 years, with certain fine print details. But, it's the aggravation of having to deal with a clearly defective item and an irresponsible manufacturer that bothers me. Yes, it's irresponsible when a company puts out a clearly defective item on the market. You guys are being taken for a ride and/or fools and seem to be enjoying it too.

[Jon Graft @ Aug 4th 2007 2:31PM]

I agree 110%. The funny thing is when they turn around and try to bash the Playstation 3. You XBOTs have no room for bashing considering freaking half of your consoles over heat within 6 months! I'd rather spend $500-600 for a PS3 compared to $600 for 2 XBOX 360s because the first one fried!

[Neebs @ Aug 4th 2007 2:46PM]

Jon, since when do you spend $600 on two Xboxes if the first one breaks?

[Dave @ Aug 4th 2007 2:47PM]

Look. It's ultimately a consumer choice. Some people are willing to accept a three-year warranty and the potential for possibly not being able to play for a week or two while their console is being repaired. For some people playing good games is worth the risk--particularly when you consider the alternative: buying an overpriced console with relatively few worthwhile games.

I wouldn't bash anyone who made the decision to buy a PS3. Some consider it an investment for the future. Others may really be into Blu-Ray movies. Personally, I'm a gamer--and I want to play good games right now. So I'll stick with my Xbox 360, thanks.

[Aaron @ Aug 4th 2007 2:47PM]

Yeah, you're right... From now on, I'm going to start using that OTHER Xbox 360, from the OTHER company that makes them.

...

Listen, if you want that experience, with those games and Xbox Live and everything, what choice do you have? Yeah, they shouldn't break, but it's not like they're saying there's no problem and they won't fix it. They screwed up and they know it. Besides, if one DOES break, why wait "weeks" to get it back? Buy a new one at the store and return the broken one. Takes one day.

Bottom line: I have a 360 because I want to play those games. It's that simple. There's nowhere else to go for it.

[Mark S @ Aug 4th 2007 2:49PM]

I didn't know that another system had Halo 3 coming to it... Did you think that dealing with some issues is worth the quality games that are exclusive to a system?

[Chris @ Aug 4th 2007 2:55PM]

Ummm, Jon Graft, there's a 3 year warranty to cover repairs. You don't have to buy a second xbox if the first one breaks...

The fact that some people enjoy their xbox shouldn't bother you this much. Are you really that insecure about your console purchase? Do you get this upset when you see that your neighbor has a different brand of toaster in their kitchen?

[kirby @ Aug 4th 2007 2:56PM]

If you're thinking Halo 3 is a quality game....

[Rob @ Aug 4th 2007 2:57PM]

Aaron, where do you get that you can just buy a new one and exchange the old one in. Is that a policy or just a scheme you pulled off on some ignorant person at the store. It's not as if they don't have a serial number that matches with what's on the box and receipt. They do have ways to verify that what you're returning is what you've just purchased and not some older and non-working unit.

If MS was doing that "exchange your old and defective Xbox360 for a spanking brand new one by just visiting your nearest seller." If that was the case, then they would've never agreed to expand their "repair period" to 3 years.

And yes people, it's a matter of choice. I'm not criticizing anyone's choice to buy the Xbox360 because at the end of the day it's your time and money. I'm criticizing the major problem and hassle that many of you are being dealt with.

[Drew @ Aug 4th 2007 3:13PM]

Alright, here's my response for why I still put up with my Xbox 360. They have quality games and lots of them, with an improving line up of exclusives and great solid titles. I'm not an MS fan! Hell, I friggin typing on my iMac right now for christ sake lol! I've also been a life long nintendo fan (yes I own a Wii). I'm on my 4th 360 right now. I'll probably not buy the next console from MS rolls out with until further down the road, but the fact of the matter is that: this system has a big enough warranty to keep me happy for now, abundance of quality games, and plenty of other people who also own a 360. I don't care that the PS3 is more powerful and reliable because it has a very limited and nonexistent library of games (it very much resembles the PSP). Of coarse I'm not happy with the quality of the unit, so I hope that MS learns a lesson with the 360 and maybe will win my vote for the next console I choose.

[threefingeredlord @ Aug 4th 2007 3:27PM]

Rob, I when my 360 stopped working, I called Microsoft and they told me to exchange it for a new one at HMV. Took a day.

[Jeff @ Aug 4th 2007 5:07PM]

"Ummm, Jon Graft, there's a 3 year warranty to cover repairs. You don't have to buy a second xbox if the first one breaks..."

So you only ever use a console for 3 years before moving on to something else?

What if your Xbox breaks 3 years and 1 day after you bought it, not from wear and tear but from a known and acknowledged design flaw?

Yesterday, Ford recalled 3.6 million cars. I guarantee you that's costing them more than an Xbox recall would. MS should be immediately fixing or replacing every single defective Xbox out there, right now. Not waiting until they break. That's called being a responsible company. What MS is doing is continuing to try to avoid paying for all those systems that are going to break 3 years and a day, or 3 years and 20 days, or 4 years or 5 years later because of a flaw in the system that is MS's fault. And yet some people act as if they're actually being charitable. What they're really doing is avoiding their responsibilities.

And if you're going to come back and tell me I can't compare the auto industry and the game industry, then go back and look at what Nintendo did with the Famicom when they realized it suffered from a design flaw. Not only did they recall every single Famicom on the market, they stopped selling the system completely for 6 months until they figured out what the problem was and fixed it. Only then did they put the system back on the market. This is how responsible companies act.

[Dave @ Aug 4th 2007 5:28PM]

@Jeff

"What if your Xbox breaks 3 years and 1 day after you bought it, not from wear and tear but from a known and acknowledged design flaw?"

That's still three years of playing great games. Although the PS3's library may improve in the future, currently, the library of quality games just isn't there. After three years, it may be time for me to buy a new console. Hey, if the games are there, maybe it'll even be a PS3. Or, since we're talking 2010, maybe it'll be a PS4 or XBox 720.

The repaired units coming back from Microsoft have the additional heatsink installed. They believe this solves the RROD issue. As an XBox 360 owner, I'm satisfied with that. Anyone who isn't is free to buy something else.

[Aaron @ Aug 4th 2007 10:05PM]

"Aaron, where do you get that you can just buy a new one and exchange the old one in. Is that a policy or just a scheme you pulled off on some ignorant person at the store. It's not as if they don't have a serial number that matches with what's on the box and receipt. They do have ways to verify that what you're returning is what you've just purchased and not some older and non-working unit."

Well I'd say it leans to the 'scheme' side of things, but whatever. No ignorant employees involved, actually: there is no serial number on the box, and the window on the box allowing you to see the serial sticker on the 360 would suggest that none of the markings or barcodes on the box correspond to the unit inside, so there is likely no way to know the machine doesn't match.

No, it's not "official", and it is slightly dishonest, but I was simply pointing out you really don't have to wait multiple weeks, if it matters that much to you.

[Mike Jenkins @ Aug 4th 2007 11:44PM]

Aaron is right, partly, since Target doesn't record the serial number when you buy it so you can return any console instead.

[Mike Jenkins @ Aug 4th 2007 11:44PM]

Aaron is right, partly, since Target doesn't record the serial number when you buy it so you can return any console instead.

[OmegaRed @ Aug 5th 2007 12:39AM]

@ Jeff
"And if you're going to come back and tell me I can't compare the auto industry and the game industry"

Yes, that is exactly what I am going to tell you. I can buy any car and drive anywhere across the country. It doesn't matter if it is a Ford or a Toyota. I cannot however buy a PS3 and play Gears of War. The car industry analogy is a huge fallacy. Every industry has recalls.

Oh, and all I have is a Dreamcast, PS2, Wii, and PC.

[Poom @ Aug 5th 2007 9:17AM]

Oh no... I was just glad that people stopped bashing the PS3 and now we have 360 bashers...

Guys, can't we just... get along?? I really like those "I prefer my XBox and it's ok you choose the PS3." comments...

It's just a matter of preference.

[SaNcTuS @ Aug 4th 2007 2:31PM]

well I have the Xbox 360 Elite Launch version. So i'm guessing the first Elites have the big old heatsink...

[HARITORIHANZO @ Aug 4th 2007 2:41PM]

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/[e-mail]/detail?.dir=/f052scd&.dnm=9a64scd.jpg&.src=ph

hers my pic fresh from repair centre int he UK

[Andir3.0 @ Aug 4th 2007 3:15PM]

Account is locked
[e-mail]'s photos are currently moving to Flickr. You'll need to go to Flickr to view their photos.

[MRCUR @ Aug 4th 2007 2:56PM]

You've got to be kidding me...

I wrote up a guide how to do this right when the heatsink came into existence...

Here: http://forums.xbox.com/13223656/ShowPost.aspx

Here: http://www.weplayxbox.com/2007/06/20/feeling-cool-how-to-tell-if-your-repaired-xbox-360-has-the-new-additional-heatsink/

And Here: http://www.wiispace.com/microsoft-xbox-360/4567-how-tell-if-your-repaired-xbox-360-has-new-additional-heatsink.html#post59977

Wow...

[Joel Purvis @ Aug 4th 2007 3:29PM]

Props for being on the ball. You should've submitted it to Engadget back then.

[MRCUR @ Aug 4th 2007 3:31PM]

Yes, that I should have. I did submit the links to them after I read this, maybe Engadget could put an "Update" with the links to my guide.

[Andir3.0 @ Aug 5th 2007 3:09PM]

But your name isn't Ben Heck, so your not important. You first have to appeal to fanboys everywhere to become a demigod. Then you can start to get recognition.

[joe @ Aug 4th 2007 3:22PM]

It would be nice if people who make a Xbox sucks post could come up with an original idea and not something I have already seen posted on every single Engadget story that mentions the 360.

[Andir3.0 @ Aug 4th 2007 3:31PM]

The XBox sucks because aliens came to Earth and decided that any civilization that would use that device should be ignored for another century.

[joe @ Aug 4th 2007 3:35PM]

That was original and funny. So what your saying is the Xbox is protecting us from alien invasion.

[Dan @ Aug 4th 2007 4:01PM]

Dammit. Yes, that's actually what it's doing.

[Slvrgun @ Aug 4th 2007 5:03PM]

Give some credit to MRCUR, Engadget.

[TNP @ Aug 4th 2007 5:08PM]

I wonder if the new heatsinks add appreciable weight; if so, people could just weigh their box.

[MRCUR @ Aug 4th 2007 9:15PM]

The heatsink is not only very small, but hardly weighs anything. You cannot tell a difference in console weight with or without the new heatsink.

[Ren @ Aug 4th 2007 6:14PM]

Got my 360 Premium in April this year, its got a manufacture date of 2006-10-12 and would seem to have the standard heatsink in the image below. (sorry its a crap phone image)
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1022/myxbox360europremium200qx3.jpg

[MRCUR @ Aug 4th 2007 9:23PM]

Yep, that's the CPU heatsink.

[Judson @ Aug 4th 2007 7:30PM]

havnet got my elite yet but I am gonna by a warrenty from best buy since they just swap it out for a new one off the shelf like when I had to with my early ps2.

[Phi Nguyen @ Aug 4th 2007 9:25PM]

@ Jeff.

Do you realize how impossible an Xbox360 recall would be? Sure, Nintendo recalled the Famicom in 1983 for a loss of half a million USD but that was an isolated incident in Japan. Times have changed. The Xbox 360 is a global seller. Around 12 million of them have been sold so far and there is no service center big enough to store all of these systems, let alone fix them. I think it's funny how you compare Ford's recall of 3.6 million vehicles with the Xbox. Think about this. Just in the US, Ford has 7,600 dealers that can repair their (faulty) vehicles. Now, I'm not a betting man, but I'm almost 100% positive that Microsoft does not have that many service centers, even globally. Also funny is how you equate Ford with with the word "responsible". Ford is not a responsible company. They have known about this cruise control problem for a while now. Case in point, they recalled 6 million vehicles in 2005 for a very similar problem (active circuitry in cruise control causing fires.) The reason that they recall vehicles is to save themselves from class-action lawsuits and Firestone-esque debacles, which is in itself another case of Ford not being responsible.

Now, before you call me out as an XBot, please know that I have never owned an Xbox or Xbox360. Currently, I have a Wii, PS2, and a PSP.

Thank you for reading this long post,
Phi

[eyehategod @ Aug 4th 2007 9:57PM]

I liked halo the first time it came out, you know when it was called doom. yawn. I just saw some guy in line at best buy returning yet another Xbox 360. I hope he just got his money back, or bought a wii.

[joe @ Aug 4th 2007 11:37PM]

Have you even played both games? You can't possibly be a gamer and make that comparison.

[F3 @ Aug 5th 2007 8:48AM]

Oh, you're so clever. You've never heard of Marathon, have you?

[eyehategod @ Aug 5th 2007 12:13PM]

I have played marathon, many times. So what? Name the game, ive probably played it. I think Gears of war is a better play than Halo still. But who cares. Its a matter of personal opinion and i dont want to knock yours.

[Doug @ Aug 4th 2007 11:29PM]

The comparison to a vehicle has a fundamental flaw... if an Xbox 360 dies, it doesn't leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. You just give up your gaming for a few days (couple weeks?). You aren't put in any kind of mortal danger.

My 360 is a launch console and it still works. The RROD problem isn't quite as widespread as some make it out to be. The heart of the matter here is that Microsoft has owned up to the problem and they are fixing it.

Would you PS3 fanboys please stop posting on every single article relating to the Xbox? Makes you look insecure and jealous. And BTW, I own a PS3 myself, so don't accuse me of being anti-PS3 or a 360 fanboy, though I do like my 360 better.

[shuyin198x @ Aug 5th 2007 3:10AM]

Can't wait till the xbox0c comes out ;), maybe in 3 years time m$ plans to scrap 360 altogether so you can use it as paperweights[xbox], btw you can tell m$ are just money hungry %#$%# by all the GREEN they add to their designs.
Anyways ,as far as electronics go, reliability is a must. Cheap stuff breaks, deal with it.
Next gen is quite boring so far, im still playing rpg's for the ps2.Stick ff13 to a next gen console then i'll buy it, until then ff12 still has its moments.

[NB @ Aug 5th 2007 10:33AM]

why do people that dont own a 360 care! own a ps3 fine own a 360 fine it dont matter. unless u own stock it has nothing to do with u

[LK @ Aug 5th 2007 11:54AM]

I had my XBOX 360 repaired on June 25th and I have the new Heat Sink. Thanks for the easy method for checking...this news about the new heat sink broke on the internet about the same time we were getting ours fixed and I always wondered if we were lucky enought to get it.

[travistaylor @ Aug 5th 2007 2:22PM]

I just bought an Elite on Friday (August 3rd) and it was manufactured on June 20th, 2007. It does, indeed, have the newest heatsink.

By the way, you don't have to take photographs to see it. Just grab a flashlight and close one eye while you look through the mesh stuff. It's pretty easy to see!

[Webterractive @ Aug 8th 2007 9:25PM]

I looked underneath and I have the old CPU Heatsink, which its funny because I sent my 360 back to MSFT for repairs but they did something else other then put in a new heatsink.

[Uncool @ Aug 6th 2007 8:49AM]

Not Fridgin that!

[damien @ Aug 9th 2007 1:48AM]

well, i just got a unit back from the repair center & it looks to have the new heatsink.

date was 09/2006, but then again this is probably a refurb unit since the one i bought in 11/2006 was manufactured in 04/2006...