[Hands On] Bitmain AntMiner S7 - Batch 8 - Notlist3d

[notlist3d]

Hands On with the AntMiner S7 Batch 8

0) General information
1) Unpacking
2) The Miner
3) Install
4) Running the miner
5) Conclusion
6) How to purchase

0) General Information
The Bitmain S7 has been a very popular miner with current gen miners. With most reviews covering the earlier batch (most batch 1's) I felt it was worthy to do a more current one with a batch S7 from batch 8. They have now went to a specification which I expect them to keep for at least the near future and possibly longer. They currently are shipping out within 5 day's after payment.  The efficiency and recent drop in price make this a real contender in current gen miners.  This miner consists of 3 main modules with 3 blades in each.  Together they bring a hashing speed of 4.73 TH at only 1293 watt's, making it run approximately at a efficiency of 0.25 J/GH. All of this with the familiar Bitmain GUI you have come to expect, making setup very easy.

Specifications:
1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25C ambient temp)
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25°C ambient temp) **Has been questioned as shown below.  Email sent also asking for people to report their efficiency.
4. Rated Voltage: 11.60 ~13.00V
5. Chip quantity per unit: 135x BM1385
6. Dimensions: 301mm(L)*123mm(W)*155mm(H)
7. Cooling: 2x 12038 fan
8. Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C
9. Network Connection: Ethernet
10. Default Frequency: 700M

1) Unpacking
The miner is very well packed as you can see below.  It is within a special styrofoam packing, that helps keep the miner in the center of the box.  This helps keep the miner safe during shipping, and there is a message to owner that is on-top so you read it before running miner.

2) The Miner
Below are images to showcase the miner.

For Slideshow and higher resolution: http://s100.photobucket.com/user/notlist3d/slideshow/S7?sort=3

3) Install
One of the big things before install is to make sure all heat-sinks stayed in place during shipment.  There are different way's to do this. I did not want to void warranty during my check.  I chose to take fans off on both ends and look inside to ensure no heat-sinks had fallen during shipping.

The install can vary greatly for each person on electricity. For those of you familiar with my guides I used the same 240 volt 30 amp connection to a 30 amp PDU I used in my S5+ review.  From this PDU I used one of the Bitmain server PSU suggested which came with the needed 10 PCIe cables, making the install very easy. ( https://bitmaintech.com/productDetail.htm?pid=000201505040743496917U7kGsCm0694 ).  

The install time of S7 and PSU went very quick plugging into PDU (I did turn off power to PDU to not be plugging in cables that are live).  This was done in only a few minutes.  After install I did set a static IP as I always do then went to the very familiar and easy GUI to set up my pool information.

Below is a picture of the S7 installed with the Bitmain PSU:

4) Running the miner
Was very easy to set up and get running if you are familiar with the AntMiner GUI.  At this point I changed network settings to set up with a static IP, and my pools are inputed after. Below you can see the S7 hashing away after setup.
 
Below shows the miner actually mining:

5) Conclusion
This miner takes the BM1385 chip and makes a powerful and efficient miner.   For me it was a very simple and easy install, there were no issues during it.  Using the recommended Bitmain psu really does help make it a simple install for those with 220/240. The hashing power you get with efficiency makes the new batch 8 with the price drop from batch 7 a great choice currently.  I will continue to run and test out the S7 batch 8 and update this, but I expect there to be no issues.

6) How to purchase
You can go directly to the Bitmain's website: https://www.bitmaintech.com/productDetail.htm?pid=000201511170341298180m44675v0613

Please don't bash others, or try to turn into a ROI/other debate.  Yes things such as ROI and other topics have a valid point, but this thread is to show the hardware

[notlist3d]

Reserved Q/A

[notlist3d]

Reserved

[VirosaGITS]

Here's something to get out of the way right away;

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH

1293/4730 = 0.27~ Efficiency. So it is 0.25 efficient or not. It says +10% at the wall, as if you have to add it to the 1293W, then that would be even less efficient. So what is the truth?

[notlist3d]

Here's something to get out of the way right away;

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH

1293/4730 = 0.27~ Efficiency. So it is 0.25 efficient or not. It says +10% at the wall, as if you have to add it to the 1293W, then that would be even less efficient. So what is the truth?

They do give it a percentage where at the wall it could be higher like you mentioned.  

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25C ambient temp)
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25°C ambient temp)

I will send them a email to verify if it is closer to .27 on actual at wall. (It's weekend in China I might not have a instant anwser).
*Sent them a email asked on 240 with recommended PSU (The Bitmain PSU) well update once I get anwser.

[Prelude]

Here's something to get out of the way right away;

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH

1293/4730 = 0.27~ Efficiency. So it is 0.25 efficient or not. It says +10% at the wall, as if you have to add it to the 1293W, then that would be even less efficient. So what is the truth?

They do give it a percentage where at the wall it is higher like you mentioned.  

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25C ambient temp)
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25°C ambient temp)

I will send them a email to verify if it is closer to .27 on actual at wall. (It's weekend in China I might not have a instant anwser).

Don't bother, they aren't to be trusted. We need to measure these things our selves. I'll eventually get around to measuring DC and AC on my B8 and post results.

[notlist3d]

Here's something to get out of the way right away;

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH

1293/4730 = 0.27~ Efficiency. So it is 0.25 efficient or not. It says +10% at the wall, as if you have to add it to the 1293W, then that would be even less efficient. So what is the truth?

They do give it a percentage where at the wall it is higher like you mentioned.  

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25C ambient temp)
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25°C ambient temp)

I will send them a email to verify if it is closer to .27 on actual at wall. (It's weekend in China I might not have a instant anwser).

Don't bother, they aren't to be trusted. We need to measure these things our selves. I'll eventually get around to measuring DC and AC on my B8 and post results.

I should get an official anwser in email, but I expect it to be during the business week most likely.  But your input is very much appreciated if you do measure it and post your results in thread.

[VirosaGITS]

Here's something to get out of the way right away;

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH

1293/4730 = 0.27~ Efficiency. So it is 0.25 efficient or not. It says +10% at the wall, as if you have to add it to the 1293W, then that would be even less efficient. So what is the truth?

They do give it a percentage where at the wall it is higher like you mentioned.  

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25C ambient temp)
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25°C ambient temp)

I will send them a email to verify if it is closer to .27 on actual at wall. (It's weekend in China I might not have a instant anwser).

Don't bother, they aren't to be trusted. We need to measure these things our selves. I'll eventually get around to measuring DC and AC on my B8 and post results.

I should get an official anwser in email, but I expect it to be during the business week most likely.  But your input is very much appreciated if you do measure it and post your results in thread.

Bah, why not check with a wattmeter what the draw at the wall is for Batch 8? For example the S5 says 0.51J/W, and i get 0.49J/W actual. If for the S7, its 0.27J actual at the wall, then its not 0.25J efficiency at all. If you add a 10% to that, you're almost at 0.3J/W efficiency. Either way it sound like its not 0.25J anymore, since the first few batches which actually were.

For previous batches people reported that this time around (For the S7 overall), the efficiency rating listed was DC, not actual consumption. And that J/GH has been getting worse as later batches came to be.

[notlist3d]

Here's something to get out of the way right away;

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH

1293/4730 = 0.27~ Efficiency. So it is 0.25 efficient or not. It says +10% at the wall, as if you have to add it to the 1293W, then that would be even less efficient. So what is the truth?

They do give it a percentage where at the wall it is higher like you mentioned.  

1. Hash Rate: 4.73 TH/s ±5%
2. Power Consumption: 1293W + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25C ambient temp)
3. Power Efficiency: 0.25 J/GH + 10% (at the wall, with APW3, 93% efficiency, 25°C ambient temp)

I will send them a email to verify if it is closer to .27 on actual at wall. (It's weekend in China I might not have a instant anwser).

Don't bother, they aren't to be trusted. We need to measure these things our selves. I'll eventually get around to measuring DC and AC on my B8 and post results.

I should get an official anwser in email, but I expect it to be during the business week most likely.  But your input is very much appreciated if you do measure it and post your results in thread.

Bah, why not check with a wattmeter what the draw at the wall is for Batch 8? For example the S5 says 0.51J/W, and i get 0.49J/W actual. If for the S7, its 0.27J actual at the wall, then its not 0.25J efficiency at all. If you add a 10% to that, you're almost at 0.3J/W efficiency. Either way it sound like its not 0.25J anymore, since the first few batches which actually were.

For previous batches people reported that this time around (For the S7 overall), the efficiency rating listed was DC, not actual consumption. And that J/GH has been getting worse as later batches came to be.

Part of the reason for this thread is that things have changed since Batch 1's so much.  The reason I don't have a wattage like I normally do is it's on a 240 which with current equipment closest I can get is in amps... so not to good.  We want more accurate then me guessing, and I expect that to come.  

I realize you want exact and correct numbers so were on same page as far as what we want.   Just give it a few day's or little time before bashing it to much.  The goal is to get accurate information as most of reviews were based on old batches (1 was most).  I think we need a more up to date look at it.   And as people report usage with different PSU's it will come I think.

Also put the ** above in specs showing it is being looked at.  I hope that will allow us a little time to get different PSU's and efficiency. 

[scyth33]

I'm getting about 1440watts. Using 2 ibm 1440watter to power the miner.

[notlist3d]

I'm getting about 1440watts. Using 2 ibm 1440watter to power the miner.

Thank You! I appreciate measuring it.  With my current 240 setup my normal means of measuring are not working.  What speed are you getting at that wattage?

[scyth33]

Barely 4.73th as advertised. Getting about 4.6-4.7th

[notlist3d]

Barely 4.73th as advertised. Getting about 4.6-4.7th

Mine has still not been on very long around 4 hours my average is: 4,710.30 .   It is using the bitmain PSU on a 240.  Still don't have the tools to measure watts yet.

I will let it run over the night and post a screenshot in morning a 12 hour test hopefully will be a little faster then my 4 hour one but chances are it will remain close to what it is now.

[RichBC]

If you have the fans off again can you do a picture at the best angle you can get to show the back of the board on the other side from the new big inductor? I am beginning to have doubts about there being a buck converter chip there? Various reasons, which I won't go into for the moment.


Rich

[scyth33]

Right behind the inductor. There are 3 TPHR9003NL mosfet. I didn't take a photo when I took out the hashing board

[RichBC]

Right behind the inductor. There are 3 TPHR9003NL mosfet. I didn't take a photo when I took out the hashing board

Well those a pretty beefy mosfets, so just need some sort of controller chip and we are back to perhaps having a way to adjust the voltage?

Would be great for someone to measure the voltage across the full chain? but understand the warranty issues.

Rich

[notlist3d]

Here is running at around 17 hour's.  Getting right around 4.7 TH all default settings.

[papadrams]

 All in all. Do you think it's the best choice for the money??

[philipma1957]

All in all. Do you think it's the best choice for the money??

The s-7 is way cheaper then the Avalon six is and does more hash.

These are the only two you can buy with .25 to.32 watts a gh


I have an S-7 and two Avalon sixes.  All three overclock well.  But if you were in my garage and asked me to tell you phil should I buy the s-7 from you or the avalon six from you.

Based on money I would tell you buy the s-7.
Based on sound I would tell you buy the avalon sixes.

[kilo17]

Any chance that you have messed with the Default Frequency?  The range has been all over the place on each batch and I was wondering if the Default Frequency of 700 on Batch 8 limits the overclocking ability?

thanks....