Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →“Valhalla” was AnandTech’s codename for the Xbox 360 Slim it inspected in 2010. The teardown’s central finding was a major motherboard consolidation: the CPU, GPU and eDRAM that had occupied separate packages on earlier Xbox 360 boards were combined into one chip. AnandTech’s June 18, 2010 report describes one 250GB console, so its component details should be read as observations about that unit—not as specifications for every Xbox 360 revision.
What changed inside the Valhalla Xbox 360?
The most consequential change was on the motherboard. Earlier Xbox 360 revisions placed the CPU and GPU/eDRAM in distinct packages; the Valhalla board brought the CPU, GPU and eDRAM together on a single chip. This was an architectural consolidation, not simply a smaller enclosure around the old board design.
AnandTech identified the GPU as part of ATI’s Xenos lineage and reported 48 shader processors running at 500MHz. It also noted that the memory units used on the earlier design were no longer supported. The board retained other distinct components, including a South Bridge, a HANA scaler/video encoder, two SATA ports and a 16MB Hynix SLC NAND chip. These are details from AnandTech’s inspection of the 250GB unit, not universal specifications for every 360 model. AnandTech’s motherboard and component inspection
How did the redesign affect the console’s layout and connections?
The Slim added integrated 802.11n wireless, removing the need for the earlier external wireless adapter for Wi-Fi connectivity. It also added front USB ports that could be used for USB storage. On the rear, AnandTech lists optical audio, the Xbox 360 AV connector, HDMI, three USB ports, Ethernet and the Kinect sensor input. The collection of connections makes the redesign more than a board-only change: networking and Kinect connectivity were built into the console’s external layout.
#1 Best Overall
The report describes the inspected unit’s connections; it does not establish that every Xbox 360 revision has the same port arrangement. AnandTech’s exterior and connectivity overview
What hard drive did the 250GB model use?
The 250GB console AnandTech examined contained a Hitachi HTS545025B9SA00 2.5-inch SATA hard drive. The reported specifications were 5400RPM, a 1.5Gbps SATA interface and an 8MB buffer. The drive’s basic form factor was not new compared with the preceding model, but the Slim placed it in a smaller enclosure inside a removable carrier accessible from the bottom of the console.
The carrier used a flexible mount intended to reduce vibration and shock. AnandTech also found that opening the drive’s enclosure was difficult without damaging it. That observation is not evidence that arbitrary laptop drives are compatible, nor does the teardown establish a general replacement-drive procedure. AnandTech’s hard-drive and carrier inspection
Which optical drive was in the inspected console?
AnandTech identified the DVD drive as a Lite-On DG16-D4S and contrasted it with the DG-16D2S used in newer Jasper consoles. A rubber strip on the drive was described as damping vibration. The report does not establish that the optical-drive model or mounting details apply to every Xbox 360 Slim or later production run. AnandTech’s DVD-drive inspection
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- There is NO EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE included; the console comes with built-in 4GB internal memory storage.
- If attempting to create a Microsoft account, please carefully research how to do so as Microsoft made it difficult to do and should not be at the fault of the seller.
- Comes with the slim console, OEM controller, power cable, and HDMI cable.
- Tested and working!
Was the Xbox 360 Slim easier to open?
No: AnandTech said this console was not simpler to open than the earlier Xbox 360. Its teardown describes clips and T8 screws, with a T8 Torx driver, flathead screwdrivers, a Phillips screwdriver for fan removal and thin prying tools involved in disassembly. AnandTech explicitly warned that opening the console would void the Microsoft warranty. These are source-reported observations from 2010, not current service instructions; anyone considering work on a console should check its warranty status and seek model-specific service guidance rather than treating the teardown as a repair manual. AnandTech’s disassembly overview
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the teardown does—and does not—show about cooling and reliability
The report is useful for understanding how Microsoft consolidated the board and rearranged components, but it does not provide a controlled reliability comparison or establish that the redesign fixed a particular failure problem. A reader comment asking whether the fan provided sufficient cooling is a question, not a measured thermal result. The teardown therefore supports a description of physical and architectural changes, not a quantified claim about lifespan, failure rates or cooling performance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 4GB Console only
- No hard drive, cables, cords or games included
Rank #4
- Includes: Microsoft Xbox 360 S (Slim) model; 4GB Internal Storage (extra storage not included, but encouraged for saving and data) -- and 1x Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Black Controller (takes 2x AA, Not Included)
- Also includes up to date HDMI cable, and Power Adapter.
- Disc-Based Game Compatibility – Supports all physical Xbox 360 disc games and SELECT (not all) backward-compatible original Xbox titles.
- Important Online Info – Xbox 360 digital store was discontinued in 2024; online play & downloads still supported for users with pre-2024 Xbox accounts.
