After days of communication with custom, finally they released the package and I managed to fetch the Avalon machine before weekend. I planned to order 2 units, but since that batch is so small and order system is crowded, I ordered just one. But now I know that some people ordered 10 or more, seems centralization is the destiny for everything
![Tongue](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
I opened the Avalon before I connected it, took some photos and admired ngzhang's artworks
![Cool](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/cool.gif)
Chinese cable and wifi antenna are the only accessories
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa01s.jpg&t=665&c=MTANdLKJsUuhcw)
Well protected packaging
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa02s.jpg&t=665&c=bZKNgcuy0cce8A)
Machine feels solid and heavy
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa03s.jpg&t=665&c=0EE-ByURuyWbpg)
The case is very simple but smartly connected by 6 pieces of 3mm thick aluminum PLATE, the material Avalon used are quite generous, if not unnecessary
To my surprise, the overall finish of the machine, especially PCB board is much better than I expected, it is not only used for mining, it can also be used for decorating
![Grin](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Many years ago my first batch of PCB production had much worse layout and components, but still sold for more than 200 dollars each. Consider that Avalon contains 3 large hashing unit and two routing board, many quality components, it worth the dollar spent from a hardware perspective
The protective plast and the IKEA-style conjunction
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa04s.jpg&t=665&c=57lC9kYgXkvKMA)
3 hashunit-v1. On left side of hashing unit, just after the fan, I observed lot's of dirt, it means unit has been thoroughly tested for days
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa05s.jpg&t=665&c=8vV94uTWN2epUQ)
WR703, the usb cable was fixed by the tape
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa06s.jpg&t=665&c=xzvBICChbSANpg)
Power routing module, this part and the data routing module on the left are crowded by lot's of wires, difficult to get a clear photo
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa07s.jpg&t=665&c=0gLg9o56Elb8QQ)
The heatsink is directly mounted on the bottom plate, so bottom plate also works as part of the heatsink
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa08s.jpg&t=665&c=2XpUfqF5YFlVEg)
The special 2x6 power connector and HDD cable, now my HDD cable in closet will have some use again, I think the hashing module can be re-arranged to improve cooling
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa09s.jpg&t=665&c=PtyrXJI7XbX8yw)
A memory of PATA hard drive and 2xPCIE graphic card power supply
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa10s.jpg&t=665&c=QyBCkKMqX97ing)
The backplane
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa11s.jpg&t=665&c=pd-Dejov2kmZQQ)
The backplane connects 8 small hashing units together, part of my unit are full of thermal compound
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa12s.jpg&t=665&c=XC935Ai3-M7iPQ)
Closely examine all the small hashing units, I can see that most of them have only 2-3 screws attached, I don't know if adding more will improve the cooling
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa13s.jpg&t=665&c=ROlkEtTjSDJt-A)
Avalon Project by ngzhang
![Grin](https://bitcointalk.org/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Modulized power supply design proved how much power are required by each small unit
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa14s.jpg&t=665&c=qZdDCCQ2YiHLFg)
Compare to previous popular hashing unit
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa15s.jpg&t=665&c=E3KP81NDf6DxHg)
Now test running, when the fan speed is relatively low, noise is around 55-60 DB at a 50cm distance. Close the case won't improve the noise performance much, since the case is not isolated. Better open it to improve cooling. Anyway such noise is not suitable for putting in the bedroom
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa16s.jpg&t=665&c=7ye47VnRyYzTIA)
It is very interesting to see how these engineers cleverly utilized many existing PC technologys to reduce the custom design effort and accelerated the final delivery process
Now snow fall attacked Avalon
![](https://ip.bitcointalk.org/?u=http%3A%2F%2Favalon.mystisland.org%2Fa17s.jpg&t=665&c=h3cnIGpSMHwtFQ)
Larger version of photos:
http://avalon.mystisland.org/a01.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a02.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a03.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a04.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a05.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a06.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a07.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a08.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a09.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a10.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a11.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a12.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a13.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a14.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a15.jpghttp://avalon.mystisland.org/a16.jpg