Motherboard revisions
Motherboard Revisions Overview
Microsoft revised the Original Xbox motherboard several times over its production run. Each revision changed components and capabilities, which is why knowing your revision is essential before choosing a hardware modding method.
| Revision | Notable traits | TSOP flash? | Softmod? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Earliest board; distinctive components | Yes | Yes |
| 1.1 | Minor revisions to 1.0 | Yes | Yes |
| 1.2 - 1.5 | Incremental cost-reduction changes | Yes | Yes |
| 1.6 / 1.6b | Final boards; different flash chip and video encoder | No | Yes |
The most important takeaway is the split at the end of the line. The 1.6 and 1.6b boards cannot be TSOP flashed, because they use a different flash memory chip that the standard flashing process cannot write. Owners of these boards rely on the softmod or a modchip instead.
Softmod works everywhere
Regardless of revision, the ENDGAME softmod is supported. This is why it remains the universal recommendation, and why a 1.6b owner is in no way left out.
Revisions 1.2 through 1.5 are often grouped together because the practical differences between them are small from a modding perspective. The clearest dividing lines are 1.0/1.1, the broad 1.2-1.5 middle, and the distinct 1.6/1.6b final boards. See the following pages for details on each.