Klondike - 16 chip ASIC Open Source Board - Preliminary

[BkkCoins]

Quick question; what would happen if I had a PCIe connector and only ran 14 gauge wire to pin 1 (+12v) and pin 5 (ground) and connected that to a K16? Would it work ok or do I need to have 6 wires connected?

I'm not sure why the PCIe spec says only use 2 pins each for power. Both the Corsair PSU and AMD Radeon adapter cables I have both use all 3 on both sides. So I guess there must be some optional use or something.

I would recommend using 2 wires at least even if jumped between pins on the wires. I'm more concerned with all the current flowing through 1 pin on the PCB joint to copper. It's likely within ratings but will cause more heat than spreading it over 2 or 3 pins.

[fasmax]

NEWS FLASH!!! NEWS FLASH!!!

My K16 is hashing with 1 chip.

It's not giving a correct result nonce yet but I'm almost 99% sure that's due to errors in precalc code or maybe I'm shifting in word order backwards.

I soldered an ASIC on the board this morning and spent all day twiddling this and that, mostly getting the clock config right. Then bamm I saw something that looked like nonce bits coming out but they were stunted little bits trying desperately to reach high. But the twinkle was enough and I went through the Avalon reference design again to check and realized I'd not used the correct pull-up value for the result lines. Somehow I f'd up and spec'd 100k resistors instead of 470R. So I quickly removed them and soldered in some 1K that I had here. And the bits sprung forth to their full heights. I was totally excited and hopping around my work bench. Even my wife was in to see what the big commotion was about.

So... next step, test the UART receiver, and muck with the send data until the right nonce comes back.

BTW I'm running at half clock b/c no heat sink attached yet. The chip gets slightly warmish to the finger. With only one chip and half clock you have to set the scope trigger and hold the probes for a while until a nonce is found. I counted about 4-8 seconds but of course it depends on what point it is in it's cycle. One chip at half clock (128MHz) would be about 33 seconds for a full sweep.

Good job! Thanks for the update!
How do you know its not giving the correct result? Can you see the result on your scope?
What is the rise time on report_P & report_N  with the 1K pull ups?
Thanks again for the updates.

[BkkCoins]

Good job! Thanks for the update!
How do you know its not giving the correct result? Can you see the result on your scope?
What is the rise time on report_P & report_N  with the 1K pull ups?
Thanks again for the updates.

Yes, can see on scope and count the pulses, convert to 1s and 0s. I didn't remember to subtract 0xC0 as mentioned above but it wouldn't matter as the number is completely different. But it is consistent and repeatable.

I didn't note the rise times but next time I'll measure that. It's roughly the same as input data as I didn't notice any "slope", pretty much straight up/down signals (which of course depends on the horz time base).

[dan99]

Good job! Thanks for the update!
How do you know its not giving the correct result? Can you see the result on your scope?
What is the rise time on report_P & report_N  with the 1K pull ups?
Thanks again for the updates.

Yes, can see on scope and count the pulses, convert to 1s and 0s. I didn't remember to subtract 0xC0 as mentioned above but it wouldn't matter as the number is completely different. But it is consistent and repeatable.

I didn't note the rise times but next time I'll measure that. It's roughly the same as input data as I didn't notice any "slope", pretty much straight up/down signals (which of course depends on the horz time base).

Congrats you did excellently well .. Thanks for all your efforts

[fasmax]

Good job! Thanks for the update!
How do you know its not giving the correct result? Can you see the result on your scope?
What is the rise time on report_P & report_N  with the 1K pull ups?
Thanks again for the updates.

Yes, can see on scope and count the pulses, convert to 1s and 0s. I didn't remember to subtract 0xC0 as mentioned above but it wouldn't matter as the number is completely different. But it is consistent and repeatable.

I didn't note the rise times but next time I'll measure that. It's roughly the same as input data as I didn't notice any "slope", pretty much straight up/down signals (which of course depends on the horz time base).

Thanks!
Question when you send work to the Avalon are you going idle during the transfer.
If you are maybe it would be worth a try to just holding the 1 or zero and not go idle until all the data has been sent.
 

[itmiller]

Quick question; what would happen if I had a PCIe connector and only ran 14 gauge wire to pin 1 (+12v) and pin 5 (ground) and connected that to a K16? Would it work ok or do I need to have 6 wires connected?

I'm not sure why the PCIe spec says only use 2 pins each for power. Both the Corsair PSU and AMD Radeon adapter cables I have both use all 3 on both sides. So I guess there must be some optional use or something.

I would recommend using 2 wires at least even if jumped between pins on the wires. I'm more concerned with all the current flowing through 1 pin on the PCB joint to copper. It's likely within ratings but will cause more heat than spreading it over 2 or 3 pins.

I'll go ahead and wire up all 6 pins to be on the safe side. On my PSU 3 pins are +12V and 3 are ground. Just to make sure, are the 3 pins closest to the edge of the board the +12V pins with the inside pins being ground?

Thank you!

[BkkCoins]

I'll go ahead and wire up all 6 pins to be on the safe side. On my PSU 3 pins are +12V and 3 are ground. Just to make sure, are the 3 pins closest to the edge of the board the +12V pins with the inside pins being ground?

Thank you!

That's right. Also the wires need to go to the correct pins as the plug connector is oriented and only plugs in one way, and there is a rib on one side to mark pin 1 (12V).

[Bicknellski]

What are your thoughts regarding powering the bricks? One big PSU or individual ones for each klego (pain to power up...)?

A K16 will use around 32W, so a K64 will need about 128W each (with 4 leads). They're designed to take a PCIe 6 pin connector much like a GPU. I would guess that you could run a K64 off each PCIe lead from the PSU with splitters to feed each of the 4 sections. I haven't gone to check the specs but they would  handle something like that. I wouldn't have a problem running 4x K64 off my 600W supply. I used to run 3 GPUs at 500W without any issues. I'd say you're better off going that route than using crappy low wattage power adapters for each board, or section of board.  Like with GPUs  stick with solid reliable PSU units like Corsair, preferably high efficiency Gold (90%) rated.

With overclocking potentials and the small change in the BOM that can allow for it on the K16 what would the watts for K16 and K64 be with this minor change?

K16 = 38.4W ?
K64 = 153.6W?

When do you think you will decide on this change / no change?


https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=242423.msg2572272#msg2572272

was wondering how long it'd take people to notice ( and more importantly share the constant that we've released on github.)
the number you are all aiming for is 450 of course, that's not really possible on just air cooling.
`Yifu G. | Avalon ASIC Reference Design Release

[loshia]

What are your thoughts regarding powering the bricks? One big PSU or individual ones for each klego (pain to power up...)?

A K16 will use around 32W, so a K64 will need about 128W each (with 4 leads). They're designed to take a PCIe 6 pin connector much like a GPU. I would guess that you could run a K64 off each PCIe lead from the PSU with splitters to feed each of the 4 sections. I haven't gone to check the specs but they would  handle something like that. I wouldn't have a problem running 4x K64 off my 600W supply. I used to run 3 GPUs at 500W without any issues. I'd say you're better off going that route than using crappy low wattage power adapters for each board, or section of board.  Like with GPUs  stick with solid reliable PSU units like Corsair, preferably high efficiency Gold (90%) rated.

With overclocking potentials and the small change in the BOM that can allow for it on the K16 what would the watts for K16 and K64 be with this minor change?

K16 = 38.4W ?
K64 = 153.6W?

When do you think you will decide on this change / no change?


https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=242423.msg2572272#msg2572272

was wondering how long it'd take people to notice ( and more importantly share the constant that we've released on github.)
the number you are all aiming for is 450 of course, that's not really possible on just air cooling.
`Yifu G. | Avalon ASIC Reference Design Release

Dude,
As I said we have to leave it for now. Before that can happen some other stuff should happen

1. Make the board Hash (K1 or K16) whatever is up to BKK
2. Make it hash stable at 350
3. MEASURE ACTUAL CHIP POWER CONSUMPTION at 350
4. DECIDE WHAT TO DO AFTER WE HAVE THE !!REAL!! NUMBER IN AMPS

Excuse my caps but please do not waste BKK time with that issue. I am regretting that i bring it up at this stage


thank you for the understanding

Best

[Bicknellski]

I was asking for future REFERENCE.

It is a fair question to ask at this point as many are in the fish or cut bait boat right now so a little heads up on the timing of the decision be nice? 1 week 2 weeks?

As he has planned to do the overclock TESTS... see the git hub read me I don't think this is too much of burden.

Given we have a potential of 450 Mh/s top end on the chips this is not something we can let twist in the wind for too long it is a critical decision so time frame on it be nice.

No offense taken I am doing everything I can to help move this along any way I can trust me this I am not asking to slow the process down I am asking to put some perspective for many of us who are coming closer to getting our BOM lined up in the next 2 weeks. At some point we will have to make orders and given this little bump it is better to know now how much longer we need to wait on this.  I am patient I just think the question should be asked and if we get a response ok if not ok.

No one wants to start ordering until we have the data in I agree, but we also should have some hint on when to expect this critical decision sorry but it has to be asked. i would have asked in PM but this seems to warrant a reply here in thread.

[loshia]

I was asking for future REFERENCE.

It is a fair question to ask at this point as many are in the fish or cut bait boat right now so a little heads up on the timing of the decision be nice? 1 week 2 weeks?

As he has planned to do the overclock TESTS... see the git hub read me I don't think this is too much of burden.

Given we have a potential of 450 Mh/s top end on the chips this is not something we can let twist in the wind for too long it is a critical decision so time frame on it be nice.

The potential for me is 375 extreme 400 MAX. I want to max it out but i am not ready to pay the price and see magic smoke out there. Let us be realistic about overclocking and cost of the board at 450 it may turn out the we need about 3A per chip = Heat, componets + cooling - too much for a starter project

I am sure that BKK will comment all of it but let us leave him work.

There will be other chips, probably second version of K1 (K16) and so on. In the end it is all open source - You are free to redesign ( change components) and do whatever you want with it. The reasonable overclocking goal at this stage is 350 in my opinion. That is by design from avalon to be aircoled with heat sinks at HOME. Think ABOUT ROI also - I am sure that "imaginary" board can do 450 but at what price? What we need is a compromise and timing. The chips are coming in a week or two First things will need to be done first. Agreed?

[Bicknellski]

I was asking for future REFERENCE.

It is a fair question to ask at this point as many are in the fish or cut bait boat right now so a little heads up on the timing of the decision be nice? 1 week 2 weeks?

As he has planned to do the overclock TESTS... see the git hub read me I don't think this is too much of burden.

Given we have a potential of 450 Mh/s top end on the chips this is not something we can let twist in the wind for too long it is a critical decision so time frame on it be nice.

The potential for me is 375 extreme 400 MAX. I want to max it out but i am not ready to pay the price and see magic smoke out there. Let us be realistic about overclocking and cost of the board at 450 it may turn out the we need about 3A per chip = Heat, componets + cooling - too much for a starter project

I am sure that BKK will comment all of it but let us leave him work.

There will be other chips, probably second version of K1 (K16) and so on. In the end it is all open source - You are free to redesign ( change components) and do whatever you want with it. The reasonable overclocking goal at this stage is 350 in my oppinion. That is buy the design from avalon to be aircoled with heatsinks

Not so hard to answer right?

Now we will see if he has time or not on timeline. Again it has to be asked. If he has no time that is fine. Not trying to slow the process trying to calm the waters for many out there who have already invested a lot of time and money into this. I ask for everyone for me I have confidence in whatever the solution he comes up with is I have faith and will be using his board no matter which direction it takes. I have 11 others in our COOP and we are hopeful we can give our fabricator a rough date on the official BOM so we can order in 1 to 2 weeks or longer depends on BKKCoins timeline.

[loshia]

I was asking for future REFERENCE.

It is a fair question to ask at this point as many are in the fish or cut bait boat right now so a little heads up on the timing of the decision be nice? 1 week 2 weeks?

As he has planned to do the overclock TESTS... see the git hub read me I don't think this is too much of burden.

Given we have a potential of 450 Mh/s top end on the chips this is not something we can let twist in the wind for too long it is a critical decision so time frame on it be nice.

The potential for me is 375 extreme 400 MAX. I want to max it out but i am not ready to pay the price and see magic smoke out there. Let us be realistic about overclocking and cost of the board at 450 it may turn out the we need about 3A per chip = Heat, componets + cooling - too much for a starter project

I am sure that BKK will comment all of it but let us leave him work.

There will be other chips, probably second version of K1 (K16) and so on. In the end it is all open source - You are free to redesign ( change components) and do whatever you want with it. The reasonable overclocking goal at this stage is 350 in my oppinion. That is buy the design from avalon to be aircoled with heatsinks

Not so hard to answer right?

Now we will see if he has time or not on timeline. Again it has to be asked. If he has no time that is fine. Not trying to slow the process trying to calm the waters for many out there who have already invested a lot of time and money into this. I ask for everyone for me I have confidence in whatever the solution he comes up with is I have faith and will be using his board no matter which direction it takes.

Dude,
Ask burnin to measure the chips consumption at 350 and post the result here. You will have pretty quick response from BKK. There will be absolutely no reference available before it. I am leaving this. My English is not native as you can see but i think we are misunderstanding each other

[Bicknellski]

I don't think there is any misunderstanding.

You have rightly DEFENDED BKKCoins against my "aggressive" asking of question.

I don't need to know specifics as most of his posts regarding watts were off the cuff and calculated using what info he had that is why I quoted.

I think you are simply getting a little too defensive considering all I am asking is what would be the cut off line on this decision to go with a change in BOM or not. He put the 3 possibilities up for discussion. I am responding with when do you think you would be able to make that decision? 1 week 2 weeks?

Seriously I have been supporting BKKCoins where ever I can so I think asking a question like this is fair for everyone concerned. Might want to just relax a bit no one is demanding he answer... this isn't an Avalon thread or BFL thread... we all know he is working extremely hard and we all appreciate the effort. The thread is here to ask questions and get information. Sorry if you don't like the question being asked right now.

[loshia]

I don't think there is any misunderstanding.

You have rightly DEFENDED BKKCoins against my "aggressive" asking of question.

I don't need to know specifics as most of his posts regarding watts were off the cuff and calculated using what info he had that is why I quoted.

I think you are simply getting a little too defensive considering all I am asking is what would be the cut off line on this decision to go with a change in BOM or not. He put the 3 possibilities up for discussion. I am responding with when do you think you would be able to make that decision? 1 week 2 weeks?

Seriously I have been supporting BKKCoins where ever I can so I think asking a question like this is fair for everyone concerned. Might want to just relax a bit no one is demanding he answer... this isn't an Avalon thread or BFL thread... we all know he is working extremely hard and we all appreciate the effort. The thread is here to ask questions and get information. Sorry if you don't like the question being asked right now.

Peace

[Ente]

I am an engineer with a background in aerodynamics/fluids and am capable of performing Heat/CFD simulations. Is there any way I can contribute to the heat sink/dissipation design. I can't promise anything but I can try if I had more understanding of what the goals/design are.

Awesome! :-)
Quick question about watercooling:
How about building a simple aluminum "box" from 5mm aluminum, no fins or similar, and screwing the K16s on that? We could use both sides of the cooler and it would be pretty easy to build.
I guess even with a low waterstream it should cool the board enough?
Cooling the water with a big radiator and a fan, outside, 35°C outside-temp worstcase.
With a few dozen watt per 100cm² this should be a piece of cake for the actual cooler?

Your gut-feeling is enough for me now :-)
(Else we might migrate to the K16 DIY thread)

Ente

So the water is running through the inside of the "box"? The largest problem with any setup like this is making sure that there is conduction between the chips and aluminum to the water. There will be no convective cooling in this setup (such as blowing air over the chip without any heat-sink). I also wouldn't consider setting something like this up along with a radiator and fan as "easy" unless you already have this stuff around. But I would have to see a design to make sure I understand what you are talking about.

Edit: OK, I've seen a design similar to what you are talking about. So, these current designs are placing heatsinks/aluminum housing on the underside of the board... how is heat being conducted from the thermal pad on the chip, through the board, and to the heatsink/aluminum? If it is just silicon then there may be a conduction/heat-transfer issue. It seems that this QFN design isn't really made for external heat dissipation.

About silicon-to-heatsink: I collected some numbers here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=190731.msg2295823;topicseen#msg2295823
My conclusion is we'll be in the 10 to 15 degree ballpark, difference between junction and coolingmedium.

Yes, normally we want some turbulence in the water, for quick mixing of the fresh, cold water with the heatsink and warmer water.
In our setup, where we ultimately cool the water with room-temp air, I am sure there will be no thermal gradient over the whole setup at all! I.e. the water going into the heatsink and the water coming out will be the same temperature, in equilibrium. And with such low power over such a high area - I am sure such a minimalistic waterblock is enough. Having a potent enough radiator, with a strong enough fan, is a totally different story though ;-)

So. Who can tell me anything about running a bit of water over flat aluminum, which is heated with <50w per 100cm²?

Ente

[Bicknellski]

Not to be too harsh like Loshia was on me.... (sarcasm)

But do we now need a water block thread? Consider we pushed out the case discussions, heat sink discussion why is this discussion still going strong here? Just asking not accusing.

[Ente]

Not to be too harsh like Loshia was on me.... (sarcasm)

But do we now need a water block thread? Consider we pushed out the case discussions, heat sink discussion why is this discussion still going strong here? Just asking not accusing.

You are right!
I thought this would be finished in less than three posts.
Let's continue here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=215893.0

Ente

[BkkCoins]

Now getting correct Nonce result data.
Have receiver working and posting correct Nonce to host via USB.

Still a bit of funkiness sometimes so will need some work.
I'm not too happy with the capacitor delay for the result clocking. I played with it a bit and got it quite stable but I think I'm looking for something better. Looks like result data is ~400nS / bit so an ideal delay would be 100nS and I don't get that yet.

No time for more today as I'm off again for my Bkk run. Will be offline for ~36 hours.

[NexusFlow]

Great to hear your getting the correct nonce result.

Hopefully, whilst your off to BKK you catch a breath. Your doing a fantastic job.

Cheers
Nex