Bitcoin Forum

Other => CPU/GPU Bitcoin mining hardware => Topic started by: battmann on March 14, 2013, 06:32:52 PM



Title: I need advice from a miner
Post by: battmann on March 14, 2013, 06:32:52 PM
I have about 5BTC right now to purchase a piece of mining hardware. I would like an fpga, so if you can could you advise me on what to buy and where?

Thank you :)
-battmann


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: MXRider on March 14, 2013, 06:42:07 PM
I have about 5BTC right now to purchase a piece of mining hardware. I would like an fpga, so if you can could you advise me on what to buy and where?

Thank you :)
-battmann

Do not buy any FPGAs. Where did you even get that idea? ASICs are right around the corner. There are actually several ASICs mining already. My advice is to wait or look for a second hand ASIC when someone is selling them. The price will be very high though.

Typical FPGA with 4x spartan chips gives you about 800-900MH/s and consumes 40W. You might get it with 5BTC but don't count on it.

ASIC are 30x faster. Price and power consumption are the same. Only problem is that you won't get your ASIC in a few months if you order now.



Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: notbrain on March 14, 2013, 07:26:28 PM
I have about 5BTC right now to purchase a piece of mining hardware. I would like an fpga, so if you can could you advise me on what to buy and where?

Thank you :)
-battmann

Do not buy any FPGAs. Where did you even get that idea? ASICs are right around the corner. There are actually several ASICs mining already. My advice is to wait or look for a second hand ASIC when someone is selling them. The price will be very high though.

Typical FPGA with 4x spartan chips gives you about 800-900MH/s and consumes 40W. You might get it with 5BTC but don't count on it.

ASIC are 30x faster. Price and power consumption are the same. Only problem is that you won't get your ASIC in a few months if you order now.



Depends on your end goal - huge profits are not on the table if you are just getting started and want in on an ASIC. But you shouldn't listen to anyone telling you "don't buy an FPGA" or "don't buy a GPU" - if the value of BTC keeps going up in concert with the network hashrate/difficulty you will be fine on FPGAs for a few months. Especially if you have some solar or otherwise cheap power. Free power = free BTC no matter what. ASICs still aren't proven in the wild and there will be growing pains. Don't believe the hype. "Right around the corner" is still "not here yet" and they've been "right around the corner" for a long time. Get on the avalon mailing list when you have $1500 ready and you might be able to get in on the 3rd batch. Still a gamble.


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: Gator-hex on March 14, 2013, 10:03:07 PM
All you can get for 5BTC is a few graphics cards.

Might as well wait a week or two and see if BFL come up with the ASIC goods if it's for mining

but if you're looking for something that can be reprogrammed try..

40w/800 MH/s $1000/£600+tax Cairnsmore1 says 4 in stock (UK but they do ship to the US/EU select currency at top)
http://www.enterpoint.co.uk/shop/en/108-cairnsmore1-.html

and also there's

40w/860 MH/s $1200/€959+tax Spartan 6 USB-FPGA Module 1.15y says 4 in stock (German but they ship outside the EU in $ too)
http://shop.ztex.de/product_info.php?products_id=74&osCsid=vcap1tdhb232ggu0cs1njerm66

You don't pay tax if it's taken outside the country of origin, but you might get import duty your end.



Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: battmann on March 14, 2013, 11:32:29 PM
I have about 5BTC right now to purchase a piece of mining hardware. I would like an fpga, so if you can could you advise me on what to buy and where?

Thank you :)
-battmann

Do not buy any FPGAs. Where did you even get that idea? ASICs are right around the corner. There are actually several ASICs mining already. My advice is to wait or look for a second hand ASIC when someone is selling them. The price will be very high though.

Typical FPGA with 4x spartan chips gives you about 800-900MH/s and consumes 40W. You might get it with 5BTC but don't count on it.

ASIC are 30x faster. Price and power consumption are the same. Only problem is that you won't get your ASIC in a few months if you order now.



I have about 5BTC right now to purchase a piece of mining hardware. I would like an fpga, so if you can could you advise me on what to buy and where?

Thank you :)
-battmann

Do not buy any FPGAs. Where did you even get that idea? ASICs are right around the corner. There are actually several ASICs mining already. My advice is to wait or look for a second hand ASIC when someone is selling them. The price will be very high though.

Typical FPGA with 4x spartan chips gives you about 800-900MH/s and consumes 40W. You might get it with 5BTC but don't count on it.

ASIC are 30x faster. Price and power consumption are the same. Only problem is that you won't get your ASIC in a few months if you order now.



Depends on your end goal - huge profits are not on the table if you are just getting started and want in on an ASIC. But you shouldn't listen to anyone telling you "don't buy an FPGA" or "don't buy a GPU" - if the value of BTC keeps going up in concert with the network hashrate/difficulty you will be fine on FPGAs for a few months. Especially if you have some solar or otherwise cheap power. Free power = free BTC no matter what. ASICs still aren't proven in the wild and there will be growing pains. Don't believe the hype. "Right around the corner" is still "not here yet" and they've been "right around the corner" for a long time. Get on the avalon mailing list when you have $1500 ready and you might be able to get in on the 3rd batch. Still a gamble.

I already ordered my ASIC from BFL, and I want something to play with in the mean time. Reprogramming isn't an issue; although a "plug-n-play" type would be fine too. I want something that had the most bang for my buck.

I still would like some suggestions! :)


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: shmadz on March 15, 2013, 12:32:00 AM
I still would like some suggestions! :)

I'd totally recommend you get a 7970. I've got several of these and I love them all (even the red-headed stepchild that will no longer go past 1000 MHz :(

not sure what they're going for these days. 5 btc probably won't get you a new one, but you might be able to find used for around that much (if not now, soon)

plus, once it becomes almost useless for bitcoin, you could switch to litecoin, or use it for video games, or sell it (it's a really good gaming card and should hold fairly good resale value)


-- just my suggestion


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: notbrain on March 15, 2013, 01:13:46 AM
I have about 5BTC right now to purchase a piece of mining hardware. I would like an fpga, so if you can could you advise me on what to buy and where?

Thank you :)
-battmann

Do not buy any FPGAs. Where did you even get that idea? ASICs are right around the corner. There are actually several ASICs mining already. My advice is to wait or look for a second hand ASIC when someone is selling them. The price will be very high though.

Typical FPGA with 4x spartan chips gives you about 800-900MH/s and consumes 40W. You might get it with 5BTC but don't count on it.

ASIC are 30x faster. Price and power consumption are the same. Only problem is that you won't get your ASIC in a few months if you order now.



I have about 5BTC right now to purchase a piece of mining hardware. I would like an fpga, so if you can could you advise me on what to buy and where?

Thank you :)
-battmann

Do not buy any FPGAs. Where did you even get that idea? ASICs are right around the corner. There are actually several ASICs mining already. My advice is to wait or look for a second hand ASIC when someone is selling them. The price will be very high though.

Typical FPGA with 4x spartan chips gives you about 800-900MH/s and consumes 40W. You might get it with 5BTC but don't count on it.

ASIC are 30x faster. Price and power consumption are the same. Only problem is that you won't get your ASIC in a few months if you order now.



Depends on your end goal - huge profits are not on the table if you are just getting started and want in on an ASIC. But you shouldn't listen to anyone telling you "don't buy an FPGA" or "don't buy a GPU" - if the value of BTC keeps going up in concert with the network hashrate/difficulty you will be fine on FPGAs for a few months. Especially if you have some solar or otherwise cheap power. Free power = free BTC no matter what. ASICs still aren't proven in the wild and there will be growing pains. Don't believe the hype. "Right around the corner" is still "not here yet" and they've been "right around the corner" for a long time. Get on the avalon mailing list when you have $1500 ready and you might be able to get in on the 3rd batch. Still a gamble.

I already ordered my ASIC from BFL, and I want something to play with in the mean time. Reprogramming isn't an issue; although a "plug-n-play" type would be fine too. I want something that had the most bang for my buck.

I still would like some suggestions! :)

Keep checking bitmit.net - up until a few days ago there was a guy selling 10+ x6500 FPGA miners for 4.8btc each (~400mh/s @ 20W). Free USA shipping even. Seem to be sold out though, kind of kicking myself for not getting a couple or four.


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: mitty on March 15, 2013, 04:10:06 AM
Keep checking bitmit.net - up until a few days ago there was a guy selling 10+ x6500 FPGA miners for 4.8btc each (~400mh/s @ 20W). Free USA shipping even. Seem to be sold out though, kind of kicking myself for not getting a couple or four.
Different seller, but about the same price: https://www.bitmit.net/en/item/19659-x6500-bitcoin-miners-working-100-400mh-s-for-less-than-20w


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: battmann on March 15, 2013, 05:41:12 AM
Keep checking bitmit.net - up until a few days ago there was a guy selling 10+ x6500 FPGA miners for 4.8btc each (~400mh/s @ 20W). Free USA shipping even. Seem to be sold out though, kind of kicking myself for not getting a couple or four.
Different seller, but about the same price: https://www.bitmit.net/en/item/19659-x6500-bitcoin-miners-working-100-400mh-s-for-less-than-20w

No credit. From Germany. Weird/random picture. Probably a copy/paste job. Looks legit  :-\

Is there an online store I could buy from? One that accepts bitcoin would be bomb.


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: Gator-hex on March 15, 2013, 11:35:36 AM
Quote
"No credit. From Germany. Weird/random picture. Probably a copy/paste job. Looks legit"

Ask them to upload a photo with a piece of paper with their username written on it. Then at least you know it's in their possession.

They also say they will accept escrow which means they won't get paid until your say you received the goods.


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: battmann on March 15, 2013, 05:32:15 PM
Quote
"No credit. From Germany. Weird/random picture. Probably a copy/paste job. Looks legit"

Ask them to upload a photo with a piece of paper with their username written on it. Then at least you know it's in their possession.

They also say they will accept escrow which means they won't get paid until your say you received the goods.

I know your just trying to help but:

Shipping fees. Too much work for obvious scam. I don't need my coins tied up in bitmit escrow of all things.

Thanks though, I do appreciate the help. I might email them, but eh usually something like that just isn't worth the time.


Title: Re: I need advice from a miner
Post by: mokahless on March 20, 2013, 03:52:36 AM
I'm looking for the same thing as you. If you find a seller for more than one, let me know.