Hello everyone,

I've started manufacturing powered risers that utilize a USB 3.0 cable instead of bulky x16 cables, or even x1 cables.  They're powered via 4 pin HDD Molex, and can work up to 18" (tested so far, waiting on longer cables)

There are varieties of these being sold on ebay and other sites for $25+,  I can produce them for <=$20$, plus shipping.   I've got enough boards right now to make another 40 or so by hand, but I wanted to find out if there was enough interest in them to sent them out to be assembled in a factory (because soldering 164 pins on a PCI-E connector 500 times is a PAIN)

Here is a final shot of the first 6 I've sold:


They feature NON-locking PCI-e x16 connectors, as I was not able to find locking connectors in QTY's less than 1000, and I have found the non-locking slots fit the cards tight enough that slipping or falling off is not an issue.

Please let me know if you would be interested in purchasing these.   I'm currently working on a re-design that would use a sata->floppy adapter, along with any improvements i can make to board layout, so I don't have a final price but I can guarantee less than 20$/set (plus shipping)

Please post here if you are interested.   If there is a small enough demand I can hand-make from the remaining 40 pieces I have remaining, if there is greater than 100 set interest, I will begin a fresh order using a fab that can assemble everything for me to speed up the process(it takes me 1-2 days to hand assemble everything on the weekend).  I test all sets individually in one of my rigs using two XFX R9 290's and an X1 and x16 slot to confirm they work.   I will be testing a 36" cable shortly.  I have 12" and 18" cables in stock as well.  

This thread is to gauge if there is enough interest in mass producing these for the community at a reduced price.

I'm soon starting work on a powered x1->x16 riser cable, similar to the USB 3.0 cables that have been seen around the net for 29.99$.   I've started a BOM, and so far for a 50 unit build, I'm up to 5$ in parts/unit, 7 including a usb 3.0 cable (12"). I have a question though, as I am not trying to waste money unnecessarily.   Would more people use a sata power cable to power these, or would you use a 4 pin molex?   I ask because I can get both (I've tried looking for a cable that does sata AND female molex, no luck yet).   The power cable would add around another 2$, bringing BOM costs to around 9$ so far.   I still have the boards to do, but in QTY's of 100 or so, I believe the total cost should be no more than 15$. 

I welcome the feedback on the type of power cables I should include, I suppose I could do both, but this would add around another 2$ or so to the BOM.   

Also, I am so far unable to find in-stock PCI-E x16 slots that have the card locking clip, would this be a big deal for some people?  I've checked Digikey, Mouser, Aliexpress, Newark.com, and other distributors, but everyone either doesn't have, or is out of stock.  I got a fantastic deal on regular x16 slots (<50 cents each) so hopefully this won't be a deal breaker.    Unlike some sites, If there is enough interest in these I will order enough parts to make 100-200 of them (currently ordered for a build of 50) and I should begin design/board fab within a week or two.

I saw a post in this topic :https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=365181.0

I'd also like to add, I'm trying to copy these usb 3.0 cables because I think it would be cheaper to make them here at this point. It's a really simple board, and I've already priced most of the components. I need help with the board design though, I can't use eagle, pad2pad, whatever else. Have the capital to order enough pieces to make it cost effective...

So, if you are looking to make .5 BTC and think you could copy a basic riser cable routed through a USB 3.0 plug instead of ribbons, and think you could do so off of high res DSLR pics PM me!

I can't pm anyone, or post, but was wondering if someone could contact pontiacg5 for me? he asked if anyone knew how to clone a riser.   I am fairly skilled with SMT/D design using eaglecad, and can do his project for him, if he can provide me some pictures and information.   Since I probably can't reply to him on here, can you have him contact me on my email?  evanrich81@gmail.com

Thanks!