x2.6ce or x3ce on v1.6box...Opinion?

[wantin2mod]

I've perused all around this great big forum and found many opinions yet I have not found this question asked:

Which modchip (x2.6ce or x3ce) should I put on my newly aquired v1.6xbox?

Mind you, this is not the v1.6b, v1.7 nor the v1.5 or anything below. Soldering is not a problem but I have not modded a v1.6.

I want nothing fancy. No LCD screens, no USB ports or the like.
It would be nice to save the $20 by getting the 2.6ce but I installed and totally enjoy the x3ce that I installed on my v1.4.

Does the x2.6ce have the same bios flashing as the x3? I flased via http and it was awesomely easy!
Very cool.
Also, bios' are a question for me. x2 has their newest v5035 and x3 has v3294 (with a new build coming soon). Is one bios better than another since I've only experienced the x3 3294?

The xbox v1.4 modding went like silk. I know I will have the pcb rebuild with the v1.6 and just was wondering which chip would be better/easier or the same.

Just some well educated and experienced opinions would be great to formulate my decision.

Thank you.

 

[MKChampion]

flashbios is on both chips so you'll have the options when it comes to flashing

X3 bios may only be used on an X3 chip, it cannot work on a x2.6

both chips install the same

X3 is more advanced than the x2.6

it's really in your interest in what you want out of it
xbox-scene and these forums have alot info on the 2 chips

 

[Big_Whoopin]

Chip install will be exactly the same for either, with the exception of the on/off switch interface included with the X3. If you look up the install guide for the X2.6CE you will see that it is the same install guide for the X3.

The chips have different physical switches as well. Both provide the same basic status feedback via LEDs but they are considerably different designs. One nice thing about the X3 is that you have multiple options for the switches. Keep the stock unit that sticks to the front of your box, get the nice clip on unit that goes under the controller ports or go all out and get the whole front panel replacement. The two latter options both look pretty sweet.

Flashing-wise, the 2.6CE should come with FlashBIOS on the chip which allows flashing via HTTP. The main difference is that if you replace both banks of FlashBIOS with a mod BIOS of your choice you will then need to do any further flashing in Xbox apps (FlashX, EvoX, etc.) or via a programmer. X3 has a 256KB backup bank that is always there to be used for reflashing, unless you go and (foolishly, IMHO) replace it with something else. If half of the people in the X2.6 forums had X3 chips I think it would be much more quiet in here. On the X2 you can still flash one bank with the mod BIOS of choice and leave the other with FlashBIOS just in case.

For BIOS, the latest X2 BIOS does have many of the features of the X3 BIOS I believe. One major difference is that the "Config Live" on X2 is a config that is contained in an ini file, where on the X3 it is something you can change on the fly in the BIOS at boot. At this time there is no on-the-box app for editing the X2 ini except for text editors. Generally this will be done by FTP'ing over an updated version of the config.

So, you basically need to think about it like this: Do you care about the look of the switches? Do you require a dedicated backup bank for flashing? Do you really need the in-BIOS config live ability? Do you want to pay the extra $20? If you've answered no to all of these then it sounds like the X2.6CE will be a fine choice for you.

Can anyone else think of anything I've missed? Maybe this should be stuck somewhere for quick X2.6CE vs x3 comparison? Short of the mod chip grids at X-S I'm not aware of a comparison existing anywhere either.

-Whoopin'

 

[wantin2mod]

Information: a good thing

Thank you so much for the above information!

I've definately used these forums and xbox-scene.com as my manual before I even make a move on modding my xbox. Invaluable!!

Having someone with experience giving me direction is like saying "An ounce of previntion is worth a ton of cure". Much better having that direction than encountering problems with the install/flashing and killing my xbox. My kids would not be to happy!

I appreciate you all much! Keep up the great and unflaming information coming our way!!