As an experienced PCB designer, I would like to get a datasheet from CoinTerra before designing a PCB, preferably with a reference design.  If they release a datasheet, and the project is feasable, I would be happy to make a PCB for it, but the design needs to be there.

ASICs do not have uniform speeds across technology nodes.  A SHA-2 core operates close to 500 MHz at 45 nm depending on architecture.  The entire speed of the chip depends on the architecture, not just the technology node. 

A 333 MH/s chip at 65 nm is going to be smaller, and thus probably cheaper than the 4 GH/s chip.  In bulk terms, it is usually not cheaper to buy 12 of them.  Underclocking generally is more economical than redesign for a chip manufacturer.

This is a natural result of the appearance of mining ASICs.  ASICs are so much faster than GPUs that soon GPUs will be unprofitable.  I would not buy a GPU specifically for bitcoin mining any more, you need FPGAs or ASICs to compete in this bitcoin economy.

Hi guys,

I am a hardware and software developer who is going to be making hardware (ASICs) for mining bitcoins.  These chips will be on fast, low-power 40nm technology, which allows hash rates on individual chips of up to 60 GH/s! More detail to come on the Mining Hardware forum, but I am going to be setting up for an initial run of 150 devices either through Kickstarter (only if they accept BTC) or my own website.  There is still a little bit of development to complete and a lot of money to raise.