Monthly Archives: November 2008

Video Games

Jasper search continues

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Checked out a Best Buy today… lots of new Xbox 360’s in stock. Looked like they do the reverse of supermarkets, ie, the freshest stuff is on top and not in the back/bottom.

ANYWAY it’s been reported elsewhere on the web that the Jasper all-65nm Xbox 360 (with rumored 256 meg onboard storage) has been seen with this data:

  • Manufacture date: 10/23/2008
  • Lot number 0843X
  • 150W power supply

I examined a unit from Best Buy that had the following:

  • Manufacture date: 10/18/2008
  • Lot number 0842X

…and though it was very close to the “Jasper” specs, it still had the 175W power supply. The power supply is always the “key” and in this case, doesn’t indicate a Jasper.

So if the Jasper that’s been found is correct, then its lot/date are likely the absolute minimum to find the new chipset, since the one I saw was only 1 lot # lower and 5 days older.

Once I do find one I intend to rip it to shred and share with the world (I can always use Xboxs, it’s like buying bulk Diet Pepsi) I’m looking forward to it!

I am going to Richland Center tomorrow for a thrilling wisdom tooth removal, it is at that Wal-Mart I found my first Falcon, perhaps I’ll get lucky again!

Video Games

PS360 Controller From Dual Shock 3

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Not sure if I’ve ever shown one of these before, so here it is:

Very similar to my older models, but this one uses the Dual Shock 3 for the super-immersive rumble function and also has the original Playstation D-pad, creating a true Frankenstein’s monster of a controller.

Of note: Does the nonmenclature of calling something “a Frankenstein” rather than the proper “Frankenstein’s Monster” ever bug anyone else?

Anyway, some making of pictures after the break – enjoy!

Continue reading PS360 Controller From Dual Shock 3 →

Podcasts

Benheck.com Podcast Episode 52

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Possibly one of the cheesiest graphics ever on Benheck.com

We’re back with a new podcast. Topics:

  • New Xbox X-Perience – We discuss the latest and greatest Xbox dashboard update, what we like and dislike.
  • Xbox 360 4 America – Regarding the current America economic downturn, we go patriotic and tell everyone that if they need to buy a game console this Christmas, they should buy the only American one – the Xbox 360! This really isn’t rocket science, people shouldn’t complain about the job market while walking out of Target with a Japanese Wii. We aren’t paid to promote the Xbox, and it’s nothing against Japan (I love my Sony stuff) but hey, at some point you just have to do your part in some way. We also discuss how the vast majority of big hit 360/PS3 games are made in America.
  • Blu-Ray vs the Theater – Having seen several movies now on Blu-Ray that I also saw in the theatre, it begs the question – is Blu-Ray better than the theater experience? At least focus-wise? We discuss!

Podcast includes my brilliant idea to get gas-guzzling SUV’s off the road, and other random topics. Enjoy!

Listen to Benheck.com Podcast Episode 52

www.benheckpodcast.com

Podcasts, Video Games

Winner of the Benheck Podcast “Lame Mega Man Robot” Entry

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Gus Douboulidis sent in the following entry, his description follows:


Moneymoto Man shoot dollar bills at you and likes to beat you over the head with the wii moto. Weakness – When he hits you 3 times consecutively he turns around and starts counting his endless supply of money.  This is when you need to sneak up on him and hit his wii moto(which is dangling from his arm).  Sending a bolt of electricity through his body, he drops his money and frantically picks up hundreds of dollars… this is your opportunity to shoot at him as much as possible before he realizes he’s getting hit.

I had a couple Wii-centric entries, but I picked this one because it had the best rendered “pixel art”. Congratulations Gus!

In other news, hopefully we’ll get back to our normal podcast schedule soon… though it’s likely we won’t have a new intro until the Christmas special. Regardless, stay tuned! Should have some new projects up in the next few weeks as well.

Video Games

See me & the Sonic Boom guys at MAGFest 2009!

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I have been invited to attend MAGFest 2009 in Alexandria, VA. It’s a music and gaming fest (hence the MAG) and I’ll probably be doing a panel of some sort.

Remember, smoking can cause health problems and stuff, so ask your doctor before doing it. However society encourages you to drink all you want.

You can also meet George Force and Michael Zucker of the Sonic Boom podcast while we’re there, ask me all sorts of questions, get autographs, try to outdrink me, whatever!

Check out their website using the link below. We’ll be there on January 2-4.

http://magfest.org/

Video Games

New 65nm CPU *not found* in very new Xbox 360

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As probably the most prolific single buyer of Xbox 360 consoles on the planet, I would like to pass along news of NOT finding a new 65nm GPU in the latest Xbox 360 I disassembled.

I was in Target and after dodging the usual throngs of people trying to buy dust collectors – I mean Wiis – and I saw they had the new Kung-Fu Panda 60 gig Xbox 360’s. The manufacture date and lot number were both well above what had been reported to be the new chips, so I bought it.

Upon taking it apart, it had the same old GPU as before, though there were other further changes to the board even past 60 gig units I’d bought a month ago. I have no doubt it’s coming, and I plan to be the first to find one. But alas, not yet.

Reported elsewhere to have new chipset: Manufacture date 8-26-08 and up, lot number 0831 and up.

Benheck confirmed NO new chipset: Manufacture date 9-4-08, lot number 0836.

UPDATE: Apparently one of these has been found in the wild (but not by me, just to be clear) with the following specs:

  • 150W power supply (sounds about right)
  • Manufacture date: 10/23/2008 (that’s very new)
  • Lot number 0843X (what is that, a year in a Mega Man game?)

Once I find one myself I will of course rip it completely apart and share the new GPU with the world! Apparently it also has 256 megs of onboard memory as well, probably because of NXE.

Movies

Read Sal Salazar’s review of “Role Models!”

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A few weeks ago several of us saw the new comedy “Role Models” at an advance screening. Dale Nauertz, who played Sal Salazar in Possumus Woman, wrote a review on his site and it was even linked-to by the film’s director. It is pretty entertaining, like a 1990’s SNL offshoot movie movie but smarter and rated R.

So if you’re considering going to see it, why not check out what Dale had to say?