Beta
| CPU | 2.8 GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon (Beta 1) 3.2 GHz PowerPC Tri-Core Xenon (Beta 2) |
|---|---|
| Memory | 512MB of GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700 MHz |
| Storage | 80GB SATA 2.5" |
| Graphics | 500 MHz ATI Xenos |
| Networking | 100Mbps Ethernet |
History
Beta hardware came in two flavors; internal kits, and eventually development kits. As previously noted the nomenclature of "Beta 1" and "Beta 2" was created by the scene and not accurate, but commonly known. A more accurate way to identify beta hardware is by board revisions. You can find the revision string behind the ROL, it will say X801054-005 through 008 or X803600-009 through 010.
Internal units will be in a white case with stress wires. Known board revisions that came as internal units are 005-008. It wasn't until board version 007 when Microsoft made a full development unit to send to developers. That unit is the only beta development kit referred to as Xenon Development kit (XeDK) on the mfr (no mold branding on case). Board revisions 008 - 010 are given final branding of "Xbox 360" on MFR and case.
Beta development hardware were later replaced with final Xenon XDKs. Microsoft required that studios return their Beta units after their use had ended. They were intentionally damaged by Microsoft before and then shipped overseas with the intention of being destroyed.
Chinese sellers on marketplaces such as TaoBao began selling the damaged Beta units which is where the term "China Kit" originated from. These kits often came with destroyed AV/ethernet ports, missing sidecars and also had their serial numbers defaced with a disc grinder. With the ports being identical to the launch model Xenon, the damage was relatively easy to repair and were obtained by many different community members.
Board revisions 007 and below are restricted to pre-release software, making them more of a collectors piece then a useful unit. Board revisions 008 and above are capable of going to latest recovery, making them more useful for enthusiasts.
In order to prevent confusion between users, using the PCB part number of an XeDK is usually preferred over using the Beta 1/2 moniker.
Beta 1 (Revs 001-008)
Unlike board revisions 008 and 009, board revisions 005-007 feature a Titan debugging board. 005-007 board revisions also use an earlier XCPU that was clocked at 2.8GHz instead of the final 3.2GHz clock speed. As a result, they are only able to run XEX1 applications and are not able to run retail or retail patched games. 008 an onward use final 3.2Ghz clocked XCPU
All Microsoft custom chips in 005-007 are labelled as engineering samples. It is believed that there is little (if any) difference between the Beta 1 GPU, Southbridge, ANA chip and their retail counterparts.
Revisions 005-007 can not run recoveries later than 1838.1.
Internal kits
As Mentioned above Internal kits are white kits with stress wires. They also might have there Argons programming wires sticking out aswell. They were used for internal hardware stress, configuration and software programming. We haven't seen any internal kits of board revisions 009. Known board revisions as internal kits:
005
Very early console and parts. Rubber USB doors. Case is a glossy white. Titan board is rev 00.80
007
these are not known as XeDK! they are just 007 internal kits, not development kits.
Titan board version earlier then titan board in the XeDK units. Common titan board revision seen to be Ver 1.7. Seen with and without inverted Argons. Still feature rubber USB doors.
008
Xbox 360, no titan board.
Development kits
Beta hardware sent to developers.
007 (XeDK)
007 development kit is the only beta development kit refereed to as Xenon. MFR labels this kit as Xenon Development Kit (XeDK). The case of 007 Beta 1 is an early dark black that is darker than the retail Elite or XDK gray colors. There is also a distinct lack of any Xbox 360 branding on the console with the exception of the rear serial label. The faceplate of the console also different including a convex bind button, extruded text on the first memory slot cover and rubber USB doors.
XeDKs were not approved by the FCC and have multiple warnings to deter the possible resale of the consoles. Two varations of these consoles exist; one with the orange warning label and one without.
008
Features pitch black case. Blacker then XeDK. No titan board. Able to run final software. Case branded with Xbox 360. No MFR. Secondary serial number only. Sidecar is molded in the same color as XeDKs but lacks engraving label "DBG" after "PIX" for the port.
007 and 008 Development Kit Sidecars
As stated notable difference between 007 Dev kits sidecar and 008's is the labeling of the "PIX" port.
Beta 2 (009-010)
Development kits
009
Appears final. Still Features prototype Ethernet port that is featured on all prototype versions below 009. Have both noraml MFR sticker and secondary serial sticker. Earlier 009 Kits have been known to come with 008 sidecars, these units are extremely rare.
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