Microsoft will soon fit its Xbox 360 gaming console with a new GPU which will consume less power due to the 65nm manufacturing process. In August 2007, the Xbox was modified to include a 65-nm CPU and a 90-nm GPU, under the code name Falcon. The new incarnation, codenamed Jasper, will be out in August and will finally see the replacement of the 90-nm GPU.

BetaNews reports that the 65 nm Xenon microprocessors found inside the Xbox 360 are packaged and tested by IBM, and both the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and the northbridge (memory controller hub) are made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

It is expected that Microsoft will upgrade again the console in 2009 with a 45-nm CPU, that model's codename being Valhalla. The hardware upgrades also seek to address the so-called red ring of death problem which kills Xbox 360s, allegedly due to overheating.

The Xbox 360, unveiled in 2005, is the second video game console produced by the Redmond software giant, and was developed in cooperation with IBM, ATI, and SiS.

Meanwhile, Microsoft claims that more than 60 percent of all GTA IV games sold in the first week were the Xbox 360 version. This is good news for Microsoft’s team that works to promote Xbox 360. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has an important advantage over PS3, as the company has signed a deal with Rockstar to provide some exclusive content of GTA IV to Xbox owners. There are few details about this exclusive content, but Microsoft said it would add hours of gameplay.