I have a xecuter 2.6ce, it's a fine chip, the xecuter3.0 is really only worth it if you wanna install an lsd screen and all that jazz. I have softmodded a few xboxs for friends who didn't want to lay out money on a chip and they are plenty happy with thier softmods. so really it's up to you. if you decite to softmod go get a used memory card and a breakaway cable, should cost you like 30 bucks total, then use the breakaway cable and an old usb cord to make a usb adapter for an xbox controller, download the action replay software from thier site. and BAM you have an action replay to transfer the exploit to memory card. it's not hard and cheaper then a chip.