The fact that Microsoft has been adding additional heatsinks to Xbox 360s that have been sent for repair in recent days is now common knowledge. The fact that the company is being tight-lipped as to exactly when this process started, and why is also doing the rounds.

We contacted Microsoft's UK offices today to see if there was any more information available regarding the addition of heatsinks. We were quickly and politely provided with the following: "Regularly updating console components is commonplace within the industry and is a standard aspect of the business for a variety of reasons including cost reduction, improved manufacturability and improved performance. We do not provide details on these updates."

All well and good, certainly updating components is good practice if the old components are, "like so last year" or if newer and more efficient fixtures and fittings can be sourced.

'Cost reduction' is also a good thing - even if there is certainly not going to be a reduction in the cost of the Xbox 360 or Elite. You can maybe understand a company not wanting to provide details of a cost reduction in advance; you can even understand it not providing details at because by doing so it may find itself in a position whereby consumers demand the reduction to be passed on.

What we're rather confused by is why a company would not provide details on improved performance - you'd expect that to be declaimed loudly. So, of course, we've asked why it's not policy to comment on this.

Now, we're trying to work out whether the additional heatsinks are for:

a) Cost reduction.
b) Improved manufacturability.
c) Improved performance.
d) One of a variety of other reasons.

We'll update you as soon as we hear back. What is certain, however, is that Microsoft hasn't and won't state that the additional heatsink is the solution to the Red Ring of Death - as this would entail an admission that the RROD has a single cause: over-heating.

Meanwhile you can find more of Maxconsole reader, Ikari's pic right here.

http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=17870