How to Upgrade the Processor for the Xbox

By JonathanHuppert

Updated September 22, 2017

Items you will need

  • Xbox 360

  • SATA cable

  • Torx screwdriver (Size 7)

  • JungleFlasher Xbox 360 modification program

  • Computer

Use a SATA cable to connect your Xbox 360 to your computer.
i SATA connector. A close up. Isolated on a white background. image by Andrey Khritin from Fotolia.com

Xbox 360 consoles are manufactured by Microsoft Corp. and shipped with internal motherboards that contain the console's processing chips. The CPU in your Xbox 360 can be upgraded by "overclocking" it to run at faster speeds than normal factory settings. You can use your computer and freeware from the Internet to upgrade your Xbox 360 processor in about 15 minutes.

Disconnect all power cables and accessories from the Xbox 360, then remove the front faceplate. Unclasp the plastic tabs on the outer shell of the console, then remove it. Unscrew the Torx screws on the metal interior case and slide open the metal cover. Unplug the SATA cable from the Xbox 360 to the DVD drive, then connect your SATA cable from the computer to the Xbox 360. Turn on the computer.

Open a Web browser and download the freeware Xbox 360 modification application JungleFlasher from the link in the References section. As of November 2010, JungleFlasher is the most updated and stable Xbox 360 modification program available (earlier programs required MS-DOS and were prone to errors), and it is also the only program capable of overclocking the Xbox 360 processor. Run JungleFlasher, then click "Advanced Options" in the program's main menu. Select "Overclock Xbox 360 CPU" and move the slider to indicate the desired percentage increase of CPU speed (25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent or 100 percent increase over normal factory settings). Click "OK," and JungleFlasher will upgrade the Xbox 360 CPU to run at overclocked processing speeds.

Wait for the overclocking process to complete, then close the program and shut down the computer. Unplug the SATA cable from the computer to the Xbox 360, then reconnect the SATA cable from the DVD drive to the Xbox 360. Close the metal interior case and rescrew the Torx screws. Return the outer plastic case to its original position, then replace the front faceplate on the console. Plug in all accessories and power cables before powering on the Xbox 360 again.

Warnings

Opening the Xbox 360 will void its warranty.

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