IBM wins the CPU contract for the Microsoft's X-BOX 2.

[Hammer]

Microsoft Corp. and IBM Corp.'s Technology Group announced today (Nov. 3) that the next- generation Xbox electronic game console will use a yet-to-be-designated IBM processor. IBM's chip will replace Intel Corp.'s Pentium III processor now in the current Xbox version.

Refer to
EE Times Link
EBNS Link

Comments: The type of CPU may not be as important with MS’s dotNET strategy. Amiga and Mac markets may have some serious competition in the PowerPC arena. IF X-BOX’s X86 legacy is important, we also know IBM is a partner of AMD and it’s not the first time that IBM licensed an X86 CPU e.g. Cyrix series CPUs.  

[Hammer]

Erm, what? Does someone need to read up on .NET?

“The Common Language Runtime (CLR) of dotNet is similar to Java Virtual Machines, in that it allows byte-coded applications to run, without the need for applications to be fully compiled for the local platform. “ – Australian PC Authority Nov 2003 Edition.

Example of high performance dotNET game is  Quake II .NET
Refer to http://www.vertigosoftware.com/Quake2.htm

" using the Microsoft Common Language Runtime (CLR) without noticeable performance delays. " - Vertigo Software.

Adding PowerPC to mix only strengthens Microsoft’s position within the embedded market since PowerPC has significant share in this particular market. I don’t think MS has completely abandoned the Windows NT every-where’s goals.

Updated Windows NT (cut-down) PPC edition + MS dotNET framework + ATI GPU (DirectX 9+ Class) should be attainable for MS.

[Hammer]

And what was the last x86 CPU that could run without a large (more than 3cm^2) cooler and fan? 266 MHz Pentium 2?

Intel's "Pentium M".

[Hammer]

wow, i wonder why eyetech think of this. The X-Box was just an x86 PC. This would be perfect for tha microA1... Morethan perfect. I'ts already here with onboard graphix... Im not sure about what chip their using but maybe the chip could be upgraded or a special microA1 supplied for the Xbox?

The current solution from A1-lite (i.e. ATI Radeon 7000 IF the rumour is true) wouldn't be adequate to replace the following;
1. nVidia's DirectX8 class GPU.  
2. nVidia's nForce 1 class core logic chipset, memory bandwidth and APU/DSP solution.

The next question we can ask is “Who will provide the core logic for X-BOX 2?”

ATI’s core logics chipsets (for the Pentium IV markets) may give some clues on what components/performance can be included in the X-BOX 2 (assuming IF ATI will embark on such a project for the PowerPC).

There’s nothing new with the use of non-X86 CPU in an X-BOX2 since Sega's Dreamcast** was powered by  Hitachi SH4 CPU. **It was a variant of MS Windows CE box with DirectX ~6 class GPU i.e. PowerVR.

[Hammer]

From this source i.e.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=12523

It would seem that the cheap & cheerful SIS was contracted to produce I/O chipsets for Microsoft’s X-BOX 2.