|
Hi, I am just starting to look at Primecoin and wanted to know if anyone has advise on which miner is best. After looking through the threads it seems there are two main options:
1) Use mikaelh's miner from this thread and solo mine only.
2) Use the jhPrimeminer and pool mine at yPool.
From reading, it seems that mikaelh's miner is more efficient and will mine more blocks over time. But if you want the stability of a pool the only option is jhPrimeminer which sounds like it is a little bit less efficient.
Is this correct? If not what's the best option to get started mining? Any opinions appreciated. Thanks
|
|
|
|
at the moment of writing, another 130k chips have gone out, and will proceed to ship more as we get them. ( and no, they are not samples.)
any chance these could be ours? ;-) Maybe a batch or 2........or 3   Y I FU's tracking shows up after delivery...........unfortunately  Best of luck Steamboat!!!!!!!!!!!!  zefir has 6 batches in and SebJ has 2 batches in before us -- probably a couple other group buys/private buys before us too. I doubt we get chips this go around. From watching the batch 1, 2 and 3 rig orders, Avalon seems to ship in no particular order and doesn't ship exactly in order of purchase dates. Apparently that would require some level of organization... |
|
|
|
Sure, you can ask the government for help, but please realize that that is like asking the Mafia to fix your problem. It will get fixed, for sure, but in a way that will make all of us losers in the end. I suppose this is how the government grows in size indefinitely: by us inviting it to govern more and more of our affairs.
If the FEDs took down pirate there is no reason to think they will not pursue an $8M scam and get Yifu. In fact I think they will be highly motivated to so. |
|
|
|
|
You guys need to stop blaming steamboat seriously.
The group buy was very clear, it is simply an organized pool to purchase and divide larger batch orders of 10K chips, so that you did not have to shell out ~$100K for a minimum order but could order chips in much smaller quantities.
All of the risk of non-delivery or late delivery by Avalon falls to individual purchasers and is shared by all. You should view this if as you purchased chips directly from Avalon (not steamboat) and it is Yifu and Avalon who screwed you. There is nothing steamboat can do until they deliver.
I have several thousand dollars riding on this, knew the risks and am pissed too, but steamboat is not the issue and has run the group buy well so far.
|
|
|
|
|
The FEDs want 100% visibility into the transfer of fiat to and from BTC.
This will happen in the end, there is no way around it. This is also why firms such as coinbase are moving towards full compliance with FED rules.
In the end however, all this does is legitimize Bitcoin. There is nothing inherently illegal with it, so the FEDs just want their tax money and to stop any possibility of using it for money laundering, purchasing drugs, etc.
As long as your interest in bitcoin is for legal reasons, and there are plenty, then none of this matters.
|
|
|
|
What's the point in getting chip refunds when we've already paid for assembly etc? I'd rather have a miner with chips in it than a miner without chips sitting on my desk.
Yes, so would I - If I got them in a timely manner. But I DON'T want miners even WITH chips in them at a cost of $325+ US each if they are only earning pennies a day. If you're losing money on them, it makes no sense to have them. One way to look at it is this: I get a refund on the chips, the assembler keeps the assembly costs that I've already paid, but refunds the overnight shipping (since he's not gonna ship me anything). I've lost the assembly costs, but I've regained the chip cost. Even that undesirable outcome would probably result in more actual cash back in my pocket than waiting for my batch 4 miners to arrive sometime in oh... let's just say October? Gee, I wonder what the difficulty will be at then... (I realize this scenario would potentially present somewhat of a windfall for the assemblers - they would have to eat parts cost, but would be spared the cost of having boards manufactured. It'd sure be ironic if the only people to make money are the assemblers, for not assembling...) I agree with a lot of what you said, if we could recover the chip cost plus I think at least 1/2 of the assembly costs (which is more than reasonable) then walking away with ~75% of your initial investment (a ~25% loss) is better than having H/W that does not return as much. But at this point I don't think a chip refund is possible, does anyone seriously think Yifu will send tens of thousands of BTC back, not happening. Only thing to do is wait for steamboat to receive the chips and support him in getting the H/W out as fast as possible. |
|
|
|
I've looked through the FAQ and SCRYPT-README file, but could not find an answer to this. If I run the following with version 3.3.2, the following error comes back: cgminer --scrypt
cgminer: --scrypt: unrecognized option Every thread I found from Googling says to recompile the source in linux and enable scrypt. However I am using windows and can not rebuild. Does anyone know where to find a cgminer binary for windows with scrypt enabled? I would have thought it would be included in the standard build. Well, 3.3.0 is in my cgminer-binaries (as listed in the first post) https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer-binariesI just added 3.3.1 in there now also. I added 3.3.2 yesterday, however, the 3.3.2 in my cgminer-binaries doesn't have the updated windows zip file unfortunately ... 3.3.0 worked fine, thank you |
|
|
|
I've looked through the FAQ and SCRYPT-README file, but could not find an answer to this. If I run the following with version 3.3.2, the following error comes back: cgminer --scrypt
cgminer: --scrypt: unrecognized option Every thread I found from Googling says to recompile the source in linux and enable scrypt. However I am using windows and can not rebuild. Does anyone know where to find a cgminer binary for windows with scrypt enabled? I would have thought it would be included in the standard build. |
|
|
|
Yifu has posted a response regarding the chip delivery delays, which can be found here: http://avalon-asics.comUnfortunately, the post does not provide any specifics on shipping dates moving forward, and offers very little information about the delays experienced to this point. Our inquiries by other means specifically regarding our orders have remain unanswered, and we have not received any information as to the status of our batches from either Yifu or any member of his team. For these reasons, we have chosen to close Batch 7. Those who have placed an order for Batch 7 have been sent an email with further information. We remain optimistic the chips which have already been ordered will be delivered, though we do not have any information as to when our orders will be fulfilled. We are exploring our options, and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will post an update the moment we have definitive information. I suggest you apply for a refund ticket of all batches with avalon.. That could bring some fire up their asses.. Some other group buys have already done it. But that would be up to you and all the participants i guess.. Given the support Avalon has provided, I think all that would happen is the refund request will be ignored while other batch orders slowly are shipped (whenever that is), then after everyone else gets their chips maybe you'd see your BTC back. Best to just hold tight for now and see. If other batches get refunds, then I'd reconsider. |
|
|
|
|
I have up to 10 K16's from steamboat's batch 4 with full kit and assembly/testing. If anyone is interested PM me too.
|
|
|
|
|
So if Avalon is coming out with a gen2 55nm chip in October that is "for immediate delivery" what does that mean for our gen1 chip orders? Do we receive something in September at best that has one month before becoming outdated? That update was maddening.
|
|
|
|
So you guys really think there will be an additional $92,000,000 (give or take 10,000,000) invested in mining by the end of the year?
Yes. No, a 10x increase in the network hash rate from today's rate, results in roughly a 2 year payback for K16s if BTC stays stable around $100. Based on network growth during the FPGA/GPU era, the hash rate growth quickly slowed and then stopped when the payback reached around 1 year. This is logical, when it takes over 1-2 years of mining just to break even and there are risks that some new technology will disrupt that, why not just buy BTC? Maybe now with professional mining companies a slightly longer payback will be accepted, but I don't think we're ever going to see network growth when payback exceeds 10 years anytime soon. Network BTC/day $/day profit/day payback (months) Thash/sec 200 0.1008 $10.08 $9.95 0.92 400 0.0504 $5.04 $4.91 1.87 <<-- We are almost here & going up quick 600 0.0336 $3.36 $3.23 2.84 800 0.0252 $2.52 $2.39 3.83 1,000 0.0202 $2.02 $1.89 4.86 2,000 0.0101 $1.01 $0.88 10.44 4,000 0.0050 $0.50 $0.37 24.48 <<--- Hash rate growth will stop here 6,000 0.0034 $0.34 $0.21 44.41 8,000 0.0025 $0.25 $0.12 74.89 10,000 0.0020 $0.20 $0.07 127.31 20,000 0.0010 $0.10 $(0.03) 40,000 0.0005 $0.05 $(0.08) 60,000 0.0003 $0.03 $(0.10) 80,000 0.0003 $0.03 $(0.10) 100,000 0.0002 $0.02 $(0.11) <<-- Need quantum hashing or $10K BTC to get here Assumes the board costs ~$275, each chip is overclocked to 350MHash, draws 45W at overclock range, electricity costs $0.12 & BTC is $100. |
|
|
|
Sigh, here's to hoping Avalon doesn't screw us with our chip orders. The ROI of these unit is lowering at an alarming rate. Batch#4's 9-10wks is up in mid August and Batch#1's late by a few weeks already. As it stands with difficulty rising as it is, 1 week of lost mining in August is the equivalent of mining lost for the entire month of November. Ouch.
I feel ya. I calculated profit (after including what I spent on chips+assembly for 16 boards of which is ~$5,000 ive spent), and profit was to be around $3800 total, now as days pass my projected profit is just dying. At this point I'm just hoping I can break even and make my $5,000 back. I would be fine with making less than breaking even as well (like $4,000) because I would be okay with knowing that I spent ~$1,000 to jump into this mining venture world and look at it as an experience, cause hell ive spent $1000+ on vacations that I honestly think i would regret more than this kind of excitement (plus I get to keep the boards! AND there are other sha-256 coins to be mined that are young with low difficulties as well). This ^ Here is the profit calculator I put together a while back for a K16. Assumes the board costs ~$275, each chip is overclocked to 350MHash, draws 45W at overclock range, electricity costs $0.12 & BTC is $100. Keep in mind the current network speed is 315 THash/sec Basically if the network goes up another 10x before you get your K16, then it will take ~1.5 years to payback. If the network goes up 100x then it does not cover electricity costs. Come on Avalon, ship those chips!! Network BTC/day $/day profit/day payback (months) Thash/sec 200 0.1008 $10.08 $9.95 0.92 400 0.0504 $5.04 $4.91 1.87 600 0.0336 $3.36 $3.23 2.84 800 0.0252 $2.52 $2.39 3.83 1,000 0.0202 $2.02 $1.89 4.86 2,000 0.0101 $1.01 $0.88 10.44 4,000 0.0050 $0.50 $0.37 24.48 6,000 0.0034 $0.34 $0.21 44.41 8,000 0.0025 $0.25 $0.12 74.89 10,000 0.0020 $0.20 $0.07 127.31 20,000 0.0010 $0.10 $(0.03) 40,000 0.0005 $0.05 $(0.08) 60,000 0.0003 $0.03 $(0.10) 80,000 0.0003 $0.03 $(0.10) 100,000 0.0002 $0.02 $(0.11) |
|
|
|
|
It won't keep growing at 20% forever.
By the time the network reaches 2,000 THash/sec (it is ~285 THash/sec today so that is only a 7x increase) a K16 board will take roughly 12 months to payback at current BTC prices.
It was at this payback range that people stopped investing in more GPU or FPGA equipment and the network hashrate flattened and even decreased for a period during 2012.
I expect we will hit 2,000 to 3,000 THash and then purchases will slow or even stop unless: 1) BTC rise in price significantly or 2) ASICs decrease in price significantly (in terms of $ per GHash).
But yes, it would be best to get your ASICs as soon as possible....
|
|
|
|
Sweet! Looks like that batch was ordered mid April.
I wonder if our May order 1st will REALLY be two more weeks before shipping... I'm betting/hoping I'll be sooner. (knock on wood)
Many here are probably more interested in the time frame for later batches 2-6. There was some talk awhile back that Avalon planned to group many 10K chip orders into a single order at the fab plant for efficiency purposes, resulting in many batches being shipped at the same time. Does anyone have any updated information on this? From the pictures Avalon put out last week of their chips coming in, it definitely looked like they have many 10K batches ready to go... So much suspense. |
|
|
|
Hi Steamboat, Can you clarify what we should purchase to power full kit units in addition to a quality power supply. The first post does not mention that any PCIe power cables are included in the full kit. Full kit: Includes the assembly service and a DIY kit which includes: heat sink, standoffs, fan, screws, thermal paste, and USB cable.
But your post above states that you've ordered and received PCIe extension cables for the full kit Parts for the DIY and assembled units are here or en route:
Heatsink- delivered
Fans- en route
Spring loaded screws- en route
Standard screws- en route
Standoffs- en route
USB cables- en route
IC2 cables- a solution has been found, and should arrive before the first Batch is completed.
PCIe extension cable-delivered
Thermal paste- delivered
Just want to make sure I don't overlap power supply items on my end with what is coming in the full kit. Can you update us on which PCIe extension cable you are referring to above that are included in the assembled units? Thanks again for all of your work on this |
|
|
|
|
So now that difficulty is going through the roof and many of us either have ASICs or will soon have an ASIC, soon it will make little sense to continue mining BTC with x6500 boards. Once difficulty hits 100M then in my area a x6500 is only break even with electricity cost...
What do people plan on using their x6500 boards for? Are any specific alt coins compatible and worthwhile?
|
|
|
|
Now that the chips are arriving hopefully soon, what power supplies and cabling do people plan to use or recommend? There was a discussion in this thread a while back, but I think that was before the overclocking rates were known. The best I found was this discussion below, but haven't been able to find definite conclusions on what will work for an array of K16's or what is best: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=239377.msg2536272#msg2536272 |
|
|
|
|
Show Posts
