Microsoft Valhalla X360 may be confirmed

Microsoft's rumored Valhalla redesign of the Xbox 360 may have been seen for the first time through a new leak on Wednesday. A photo shows a mainboard, supposedly tested in China, which is considerably smaller than on the existing Xbox and where just one chip needs cooling. The design hints at Microsoft merging both the main processor and graphics on to a single chip, much as had been speculated in previously accurate rumors.

It's not certain how accurate the Kotaku representation might be. Although the example uses an off-the-shelf Cooler Master heatsink and fan rather than custom equipment, a controller chip nearby clearly says "Microsoft Xbox 360" and is more difficult to fake. The layout doesn't represent any regular computing platform.

If real, it hints that a smaller, possibly slimmer Xbox 360 could be on shelves later this year. The most obvious candidate for an unveiling is E3 in mid-June but isn't necessarily certain. Microsoft quietly released its cooler, HDMI-equipped Jasper revision in late 2008 without an announcement and might only introduce Valhalla through a formal launch if it includes a significant cosmetic change.

By Electronista Staff