Bitcoin Forum

I came here primarily because I want to get into mining. The grand plan right now is to get in on a group buy of ASIC mining units. Preferably something already assembled because, despite my recent aqcuisition of a degree in electrical engineering, I have no idea how I would go about getting a bunch of SMT mining chips assembled onto actual PCBs.

So my questions are really about group buys.

How I get involved is fairly obvious, if they're at all like this one (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.0), so I'm not too concerned about that. The instructions are clear enough so I probably wont get my dick caught in the fan.

Question: How do you find group buys to get involved in? It seems like a waste of time to read through every thread in the custom hardware (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=76.0) subforum. Or is it?

Yes SMT is a bitch to do as a hobbyist, you'll know that as an EE, but its a heads up for any aspiring builders.

You really do have to wade through those threads, and there is also some good advice on getting your own boards assembled if you want to practice your EE skills. Hint: don't do it yourself, get a PCB prototyping manufacturer to do it for you, its not that expensive if you can supply the gerber files.

PS Don't even think about doing BGA packages in your home toaster oven or skillet. Just don't.

Just read the new topic a few times a day, and find them right when they're just starting. :)

MF

Perhaps a daily search with some reasonable key words such as "group buy" and "ASIC"?  Then limit the search to the past 2 days?

steamboat has a thread atm with chips and assembly of klondike 16 boards

Can you please post a link?

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.0

Thank you  :D

here is a summary

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=209750.0

but you need to read if you want to learn

just like IEEE :D

Very useful, I'll bookmark that for my current hobbyhorse of ASCI ROI postings. Cheers  ;D

Speaking of the importance of reading for those that want to learn: In my OP, I already included the link to steamboat's thread. ;-)

Funny thing is, all those chips will probably be sold before I get out of newb jail.

Then just write a few more posts. :)

MF

I think this looks like the most promising group buy atm:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=226319.0

KNCMiner is shipping already? Or buying vapourware shares...?

MF

All Vaporware at the moment. Lots of discussion over at https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=76.0 (plenty of other noise too, that is one busy forum).