Bitcoin Forum

We've seen a lot of boards from Technobit and they all look pretty much the same - 8/16 chips on small board with an industrial heatsink. Now it's time to present you something slighly diffrent in a disgin point of view - The new Technobit board with 4 chips Minion chips from BlackArrow - HEX4M (http://technobit.eu/index.php?id_product=83&controller=product&id_lang=1)

http://t.imgbox.com/DQ676he3.jpg (http://imgbox.com/DQ676he3)

This miner is huge compared to older products, the board itself is 250x250mm and the aluminium heatsink on the bottom is slightly larger 250x300mm
It's great to see that Technobit decided to use standard CPU coolers for this device, but will get to that later.

http://t.imgbox.com/r122v6HI.jpg (http://imgbox.com/r122v6HI) http://t.imgbox.com/zi6B1Pzh.jpg (http://imgbox.com/zi6B1Pzh) http://t.imgbox.com/JhEQ4XEF.jpg (http://imgbox.com/JhEQ4XEF)
As usual the product was well packed, but I highly recommend to order the CPU coolers from your local retailer. First you will get lower shipping fees and it's more secure for the board to travel without the heatsinks attached, despite it's well mounted on aluminium plate.

Specification and Performance:

http://t.imgbox.com/olSq34L6.jpg (http://imgbox.com/olSq34L6) http://t.imgbox.com/23zrt5Z6.jpg (http://imgbox.com/23zrt5Z6)

As mentioned above the board is equipped with 4 x 28nm Minion ASIC chips (http://www.blackarrowsoftware.com/store/minion-asic.html), BlackArrow insist that it's speed is 120GH with efficiency of 0.75 watts per Ghash on the other side Technobit advertise the miner as 400GH/s i.e. 100GH per chip. lets see the real world results:

http://i.imgbox.com/OtL8TcaM

Indeed with a clock settings 1016 Mhz and voltage of 0.805V the board speed is 400GH, however I was unable to achieve the stated speeds from BlackArrow's specifications: 1200Mhz @ 0.82V - 120GH.
Here is the performance chart of the board at various configurations:

http://i.imgbox.com/tYwXUxqT

The power supply used for the test is FSP Aurum S 600W (http://www.fsplifestyle.com/product.php?LID=6&PSN=738), it is rated GOLD which means 90% efficiency, that's what the second power column is representing Wall power consumption minus 10%, the efficiency of the board is calculated with these numbers. The board is power by 2 x PCIe power connector, there is a space for a third connector but apparently Technobit decided that it's not needed. IMO 210 watts per PCIe connector is a lot (70W per wire) and maybe later revisions the board will be shipped with 3 connectors. As seen form the chart the efficiency for the whole miner is around 1W/GH, if we take into account 10-15% loss in DC/DC conversion the eff of the chip itself is 0.85 W/Ghash/second. I recommend running the board at 1016/805 which may differ from the default settings from technobit. Undervolt tests here (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=707386.msg8082173#msg8082173)

Cooling:

http://t.imgbox.com/xJBSd6Mg.jpg (http://imgbox.com/xJBSd6Mg) http://t.imgbox.com/sVDS4vy7.jpg (http://imgbox.com/sVDS4vy7)

The top of the ASICs are cooled by AC Freezer 7 PRO Rev.2 (http://www.arctic.ac/us_en/freezer-7-pro-rev-2.html), but you can use any Intel s1150 compatible, since the coolers are not included by default - you have to order them separately from Technobit or for example they are on sale at **newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134&cm_re=Freezer_7_PRO-_-35-186-134-_-Product) - 25$

The whole board is placed on a big aluminium heatsink which has two functions:
1. To cool down the bottom of the board - chips and regulators
2. To prevent the board from bending

There is an extra Sunon 120mm fan to cool the base.

Keep in mind that I have a pre-production unit, the final revision will have special holdings for the bottom fan and the 4 "legs" will be at the corners of the board with the option for stacking. Also the boards will be shipped with custom made (lower) stands to attach the CPU cooler.

I'm happy to say that this unit is relatively quiet and totally useful in home environments.

Pricing:
At the time of writing you can buy HEX4M from Technobit for 379,00€ without the top coolers. As always investment in bitcoin equipment is risky but let's see where this price sits in comparison with other products from Technobit and various bitcoin mining manufactures:

http://i.imgbox.com/LJvFLLkW.jpg

As you can see from the chart, HEX4M is reasonably priced but once again the BITMAIN offers better price per GH for its Antminers, especially if you live in a country where Customs are not a problem for the rest of us importing an Chinese miner can be a hassle. The other problem for Antminer S3 is that it's currently sold out. Other interesting product to compete with the HEX4M is the new board from Technobit based on AsciMiner BE200 chips, I hope to get mine soon and review it.

Host device and Software:
As all other products from Technobit this is no exception, you need a host device to control the board that can be:
1. Take one TP-Link TL-MR3020 Router and flash it with the firmware from Technobit's website. Here is a great tutorial (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=476326.0) by Zich. You can also order it directly from them at slightly higher price, but pre-flashed and ready to rock. If you plan to use the router you will also need USB hub.
2. Windows based PC with patched version of cgminer that supports the HEX boards, more info how to run it here: CGMINER Windows build for TECHNOBIT's Boards (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=569689.0) (coming  soon)
3. On a Linux based PC it will best to just compile cgminer with the latest patch from Technobit or download my build for Ubuntu x64 (coming  soon)
4. You can also use Raspberry Pi as a host device - but it's not recommended - more info (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=707386.msg7990894#msg7990894)

Here is how to apply patch 0.3.6 and compile cgminer on linux host:

Start cgminer with the following line:
where cgminer.conf is in the same folder and with your regular settings.

http://t.imgbox.com/ilBOCC5K.jpg (http://imgbox.com/ilBOCC5K)

Pros:

• Reasonably priced
• Good Efficiency
• Availability
• Software voltage control
• Quiet

Cons:

• No thermal sensor
• ...

Conclusion:
The efficiency of the board is good, but I was wondering if 1W/GH is good or bad at today's standards. The miner is very stable and pleased with the final product. In the end the Bulgaria based company once again did a great job with this challenge and AFAIK Technobit is the only one to offer assembly service for Minion ASICs.

Full gallery can be found here: http://imgbox.com/g/3gEyEjC5Ck

best
2GOOD

P.S.
===
I personally expected more LEDs (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=564612.msg7148917#msg7148917) on this board ;)

nice miner but expensive (if you add coolers it is much more expensive)

you forgot to place btcgarden miner who is now leader about $/GH

stock
520$/630GH/660W
oc
520$/700GH/780W

Thanks for the info, I'll update the chart later.


IMO it's just not worth it to clock above 400GH.

Excellent review as always ;)

But please do not recommend to use Pi at all. The main issue with Pi is that Ethernet is hooked up to USB internal switch. In other words Ethernet is sharing same interrupt with USB by hardware design. Which is a big disaster for heavy USB I/O.

We are talking about underperforming USB miners in general - no matter if they are technobit miners or other brand. The condition is Pi USB to be used as communication point. However some other manufactures use SPI for communication. In Pi SPI case i do not know if it works or not.

The minor issue is that after a couple power offs / ons Pi etas SD card. You need to reinstall whole thing ;)
It is personal opinion of course
Big folks are using beaglebone.... ;)

Thanks for the review.
Do you have any idea how hot the unit gets, are the bottom/top heatsinks feeling hot or just a bit warm?
I hope I can use the pushpin heatsink/fan combo's that I bought already, looks like the top ones are bolted through the bottom sink?
Would it be possible to just drill oversized holes where the pushpins should go, in the lower sink, so the top one could use the pushpins they come with?

Actually the top coolers are just warm, but thats normal since they are doing a great job, AC Freezer Pro is a decent cooler. On the other hand the bottom heatsink is rather hot, I just did some temperature readings at room temp 28C - top cooler around 36, bottom 39C but IMO it can handle much more so the bottom fan can be replaced with something at 1500 rpm.

About the pushpin heatsink I don't think this would work, the chip is slightly lower than the standard Intel CPU in the socket and I heard from Marto that they will ship the boards with special reisers/brackets. As you can see on my photos the metal holder is bend to eliminate that gap. So your pushpull cooler won't touch the chip's surface unless you take out some of the plastic so it can go further down and actually hook to the aluminium instead of the board if you understand what I mean. Anyway you have to try it out maybe a dremel can help.

Ah thanks, well I really hope an easy fix will be available, sucks if I might have thrown away a load of money on heatsinks as I was told a standard 1150 fitting would be okay.

Nice review.

Have you tested it undervolted to 0.6V?

Wondering if it can go anywhere near 0.5w/gh at the wall like BA claims.

Thank You

I tried 700Mhz at 0.70v it was hashing with ~260GH and some HW errors, but can't recall the consumption, if you give some settings I'll be glad to test the undervolt capabilities.

Great review  :) , bottom heatsink is a  nice surprise   8)

Not sure what the clock freq should be at 0.6v. Maybe try ~500MHz?

Pick up tplink for Technobit products ;)

Great review as always

Thanks for the interesting review 2Good. Your original review of the Hex16A2 was one of the things that convinced me to give it a try last year, and I'm glad to say that thanks to marto and bobsag's efforts to help out after the BlackCrap Arrow failure, I'm now eagerly awaiting delivery of my Hex4M boards. Nice to have a bit of background insight before they land.

Will the new boards have 2 or 3 power connectors?

2 is enough

Would it be possible to run 25 hex4m boards from a single netbook/laptop/pc, of course with the necessary usb hubs?

Cheers for this chap now have a much clearer picture of what I'm getting soon.

Would you be able to take a detail macro shot  of the voltage regulators. I'm curious what Marto has used since it looks like some Infineon FETs. Just wanted to check it out

So pics if you can or chip package number if you can't?

Hello,

Can someone please tell me what is exact wattage at the wall (in Europe) using branded PSU, without any overclocking, at stock speed (as advertised)? And what is exact hashrate of the device (average) on panel and on mining pool?
I would like to add this device to my small chart, showing efficiency of various ASIC miners. Thank you!

I think it should work, maybe 6 host USBs each with one 4 port hub = 24 devices, I'm not sure about nested hubs.


I'll try to take one later.



All the info you need is in the OP.

TL;DR
400 GH/s
470W @wall
423W device consumption
FSP Aurum S 600W Gold PSU 90%

@2GOOD, thanks for posting this great review!

Great review

@Marto wrote that the temp sensor hardware is in place but it needs extra firmware code to get the temps out (to cg-miner I presume?)

Out of my 48 coolers, some of the bases look a little suspect and will probably need lapping a little, knowing the die temp would be super handy for thermal debug.

Some Undervolt tests

http://i.imgbox.com/t98tabMt.jpg

Awesome, most interesting graph yet 2GOOD. 760/740 @ 303G looks like an interesting sweet spot in uses where power draw is a major consideration. It is a shame to waste the potential GH's, but considering I've got a couple of these coming I think I'll use this as a starting point.

Awesome!!! Added to the Mining hardware comparison sheet.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Gtj8ts3zEUZPwSBZQnYZwi__zGfg-0SKVIdH_17GqYw/

Brilliant underclock data and presentation.  8)

+1 thanks 2GOOD

0.72 w/gh is pretty good but still a bit disappointing that it's not 0.5 w/gh at the wall like BA claims. (not surprisingly)

price in euro is hard to compare

Anybody knows when is the shipment if buying now? website still says 15th Aug...

Nobody knows for certain, I was in the blackarrow groupbuy (batch#1), Order for HEX4M boards accepted and paid ~20th July, still awaiting delivery.

ok.. I just found that to be the good platform to build a heater for my parents (watercooled)

The way things are going Marto might actually end up cornering the market with his Hex4M, I'm thinking that the Prospero's might be banned from import into the EU once the RAPEX  (http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/safety/rapex/alerts/main/index.cfm?event=main.search)system catches wind of the latest goings-on with the self combustion and erratic/over-spec power draws.

http://sven-goessling.de/11/09/2014/400-ghs-hex4m-ba-minion-technobit-miner/

New version http://technobit.eu/0_3_9.rar (http://technobit.eu/0_3_9.rar)
!! Recomended for Minion based hex4M

https://bitcointalk.org/Themes/custom1/images/post/thumbdown.gif Technobit  Up to 10 week delays in shipment of some customers Minion Group Buy Units.

The hurt / delays continue for some customers of Technobit who have paid substantial amounts for miners over 10 weeks ago.

Hello led boy how are you today ;D
Did you hired a young gifted boys to write a bot for you?
You are pathetic ...

https://bitcointalk.org/Themes/custom1/images/post/thumbdown.gif to Technobit... they need to REFUND or COMPENSATE those customers. Trying to spam your way out of compensating people is not going to work this time Loshia.

bick BOY
you lost it again.
Now you troll not only my treads but 10+ others ?

:D

There is a thread and Poll to remove and Ban Bicknellski from the forum - https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=800274.0

Can anyone tell me how these fair with p2pool?

Ta  :)

Thief, stole $5000 of me!
https://www.facebook.com/martin.sirakov.9 (https://www.facebook.com/martin.sirakov.9)

order ref ?

Are you taking orders again on your site?

No
At least until we clean up all
Old orders refunds etc

Good luck

still waiting for those 3 hex4m since february....refund also never came....
no answer to me... your client....
youve just stold my money ??? ??? ???
and i didnt forget....youve send me a canceled tracking number for speedy 60168605031 and never return my money or reply to any message...
https://www.speedy.bg/begin.php?nccharset=513B9523&shipmentNumber=60168605031&lang=en
254eur lost in the air.... ??? ??? ??? ???
http://i58.tinypic.com/znrf44.png

Welcome to the club...

And another month of silence past by........

The Minion is a very good 28nm chip, just see the test i've done to a BlackArrow Prospero X-3 with 9/10 operative chips:

At this moment i'm doing some mining tests, using a 80 plus bronze PSU with theese configurations (i use this power meter: http://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B001TL36AK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00 ):
Voltage - Frequency - HashPower - Consumption - eficiency
0.7325v - 800Mhz - 655Gh/s - 650w - 0,99 w/Gh
0.7325v - 700Mhz - 635Gh/s - 580w - 0,91 w/Gh
0.7325v - 600Mhz - 545Gh/s - 505w - 0,93 w/Gh
0.7250v - 700Mhz - 600Gh/s - 575w - 0,96 w/Gh
0.7250v - 600Mhz - 550Gh/s - 531w - 0,97 w/Gh
0.6750v - 600Mhz - 475Gh/s - 400w - 0,84 w/Gh <-- The Antminer S3 eficiency!
0.6750v - 500Mhz - 475Gh/s - 378w - 0,80 w/Gh
0.6500v - 500Mhz - 450Gh/s - 330w - 0,73 w/Gh <-- A very good eficiency, sure
0.6250v - 400Mhz - 370Gh/s - 240w - 0,65 w/Gh <-- Awsome eficiency
0.6000v - 400Mhz -  Not tested yet...

a good overall for this old miner, sure (at low hashpower have a very good eficiency!!)

Yeah, pretty good for a chip intended to run 0.55W/GH top clock, and only delivered 100% off spec and about six months late.

My X-3 are running 700GH at 500-550W. My HEX4M minion boards exist somewhere in limbo between Technobit and Minersource, as do the 50-odd boards I was supposed to be hosting for three different people as of one year ago - never received a single one.

Your X-3 does 700Gh/s at 550w? did you comprobate it with a power meter?  :o

All three companies involved there were scamming bastards

 Odd, my SP20E is getting well under .5w/Gh at the moment - running it at .60 volts while my power cost is high to maximise profit, 864 GH at 400 watts at the wall (measured with a Brand 1850 power meter) putting it at .463w/GH

 I crank it up to .64 volts on weekends (Time of Day rate drops my electric cost then making this the most profitable point of operation), pulling 1291 GH at 710 watts - .55w/gh STILL stomps on your .65

 Due to summer heat issues, the highest I ran it at while testing was .66 volts - 1403 GH at 842 watts - .598w/GH and STILL better than your .65

 Please check your facts in the future before posting such totally INACCURATE claims.

Sorry for that, erased. I did not test the Spondoolies. The SP20E is awsome, then...

Anyone, anything?

Im still waiting for my refund since february  ???

Nice review.  I'd be more than happy to post my own review- we were supposed to have ~50 delivered to out facility for hosting by multiple customers- but unfortunately I do not have access to a telescope powerful enough to observe any of these boards.  Pretty disappointed that multiple customers of ours were screwed by technobit and that they failed to deliver even one board to our facility.

--
novak

Well, if he even cannot come up with your €254.....what can we expect, at all?

Too bad the devices are almost obsolete now, if you can get your money back will be great.

We will never get anything from this Technomachinex cluster-fuck, just headaches.

I was a happy Technobit user, I know they get shit around here for missed orders but always worked for me. I got out of the mining game early 2014 so not very current.

I was thinking about picking 2 of these up to throw in to a solo pool for a lottery try a few months ago as the price dropped to 70 Euros; in my view worth the risk to sit in a dark corner and just hash on the off chance of hitting gold.

However I have sent 3 emails to Martin/Techno bit, no response, they have removed the paypal option on the website while leaving back transfer bitcoin payments (non reserve able) which does concern me.

All in all, hold off, I think technobit are gone :/

Just ask for a used one, I'm sure someone here has one sitting in their garage doing nothing. =)

I can confirm, DO NOT order from Technobit, they are plain faced liars. I first got into Bitcoin only a few month ago and wanted something to start playing with so ordered one of their DICE, mistake. After a little looking around after ordering, I found they didn't have the best track record so emailed them saying about my order. Well they replied back saying they received my money and they'd send it out the next day, but I'm still waiting 2 month later and no other replies to emails.

So in short as everyone else is saying stay well away from these thieves, 100% con.

Also I would be interested if anyone has any of these DICE they'd be willing to part with.

ask here, seems loshisa has taken marto.s place https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=906773.new#new (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=906773.new#new)

and martos ran with the money :(

also my money gone promice refund and bye bye ??? ??? ???

Got this in my mail, if you want to see your money back, at least try and pm me the data to get your case along with mine, or email what is asked to the Chief Directorate National Police directly at BBSimeonov@mvr.bg.

Dear Mr./Ms. xxxxx,

 

We’ve received your e-mail with the information about Martin Sirakov. In order to check it and link it to a real person in Bulgaria we need to know, do you know the actual victims of this fraud, the exact date, amount and currency of the payment, from which accounts the payment was made, what is the purchased equipment. We need to know do you have e-mails, which were received from mail boxes used by Martin Sirakov and which are related to a purchase of equipment from that person? If you have that kind data, it’ll be of great help for us. In order to prove that this activity is actual internet fraud or other type of crime we need that information and we need the correspondence between Sirakov and the victims, who purchased a specific equipment and still don’t have it delivered after the announced shipment period.

 

I hope that you can give us the needed information.

 

Best regards,

B.Simeonov

Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria

Chief Directorate National Police

Cyber Crime Investigation Unit