Liquid Synergy Designs Inc. -ASIC mining hardware

[Rakessh]

Is your K16 going to use the v0.3.0 revision board, and are you planning on using the 25 Amp buck reg (IR3847) for the banks or the original 16A one?

As i understand it there is no pcb design ready for the ir3847, it is not a drop in replacement, the p/s section of the pcb needs to be redesigned.  I think I'm going to remove 4 chips from each board and overclock the remaining 12.  Alternately it might be possible to build a separate pcb with the ir3847 on it.

Exactly why I asked, it is a simple change to the PCB (and the program it was made in, is open source and 'gratis') so depending on if SB is a EE or not, it shouldn't be too difficult to swap out for him.

I am wondering on making a small board with a IR3847 on it though, with traces going down to the correct positions for the K16 board, and remove the original buck reg. However, it's been 15 years since I really touched electronics, and everything is so tiny now

[jimrome]

Is your K16 going to use the v0.3.0 revision board, and are you planning on using the 25 Amp buck reg (IR3847) for the banks or the original 16A one?

As i understand it there is no pcb design ready for the ir3847, it is not a drop in replacement, the p/s section of the pcb needs to be redesigned.  I think I'm going to remove 4 chips from each board and overclock the remaining 12.  Alternately it might be possible to build a separate pcb with the ir3847 on it.

Exactly why I asked, it is a simple change to the PCB (and the program it was made in, is open source and 'gratis') so depending on if SB is a EE or not, it shouldn't be too difficult to swap out for him.

I am wondering on making a small board with a IR3847 on it though, with traces going down to the correct positions for the K16 board, and remove the original buck reg. However, it's been 15 years since I really touched electronics, and everything is so tiny now

The IR3847 is a new part and stock seems to be virtually unavailable. There are many buck regulators available from other vendors though:
http://www.digikey.ca/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?FV=fff40027%2Cfff8029a%2C15c0002%2C2040009%2C204000a%2C204000e%2C2040056%2C20400c3%2C2040230%2C2040437&k=buck+regulator&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=-1000009&page=1&stock=0&pbfree=0&rohs=0&quantity=&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25

[trigeek]

Is your K16 going to use the v0.3.0 revision board, and are you planning on using the 25 Amp buck reg (IR3847) for the banks or the original 16A one?

As i understand it there is no pcb design ready for the ir3847, it is not a drop in replacement, the p/s section of the pcb needs to be redesigned.  I think I'm going to remove 4 chips from each board and overclock the remaining 12.  Alternately it might be possible to build a separate pcb with the ir3847 on it.

From BKK's testing, the last board revision with modifications was good for 320mhz stable... the new board revision should be that good and maybe even a little better.  From other's testing, the chips are only really stable to 409mhz on either water OR air cooling. Since you'll need to buy extra boards, the math just doesn't work out for under-populated boards. It works out to roughly $25 per GH for 12-chip boards and $24 per GH for 16-chip boards.. and you'll have to deal with the instability and shorter life of the OC'd ones too.

[BitCsByBit]

Is your K16 going to use the v0.3.0 revision board, and are you planning on using the 25 Amp buck reg (IR3847) for the banks or the original 16A one?

As i understand it there is no pcb design ready for the ir3847, it is not a drop in replacement, the p/s section of the pcb needs to be redesigned.  I think I'm going to remove 4 chips from each board and overclock the remaining 12.  Alternately it might be possible to build a separate pcb with the ir3847 on it.

From BKK's testing, the last board revision with modifications was good for 320mhz stable... the new board revision should be that good and maybe even a little better.  From other's testing, the chips are only really stable to 409mhz on either water OR air cooling. Since you'll need to buy extra boards, the math just doesn't work out for under-populated boards. It works out to roughly $25 per GH for 12-chip boards and $24 per GH for 16-chip boards.. and you'll have to deal with the instability and shorter life of the OC'd ones too.

Actually burnin managed to push it up to stable 450mhz

Quote from: burnin on Today at 01:30:55 AM
And i have some numbers to go with those from yesterday:
Slightly different air cooling setup therefore different temperatures with
air cooling. (fan placement)
TL;DL : 450Mhz [9Ghash/s] - STABLE
But at the cost of 94Watts of power.
Air:
431 - 54, 48, 1.30V, 87W, stable
450 - 56, 48, 1.30V, 90W, HW Errors
450 - 57, 52, 1.34V, 94W, slightly increased error rate compared to what
i normally call "stable" but close enough
Water:
450 - 54, 32, 1.34V, 94W, slightly less hw errors then with air

[trigeek]

Actually burnin managed to push it up to stable 450mhz

Quote from: burnin on Today at 01:30:55 AM
And i have some numbers to go with those from yesterday:
Slightly different air cooling setup therefore different temperatures with
air cooling. (fan placement)
TL;DL : 450Mhz [9Ghash/s] - STABLE
But at the cost of 94Watts of power.
Air:
431 - 54, 48, 1.30V, 87W, stable
450 - 56, 48, 1.30V, 90W, HW Errors
450 - 57, 52, 1.34V, 94W, slightly increased error rate compared to what
i normally call "stable" but close enough
Water:
450 - 54, 32, 1.34V, 94W, slightly less hw errors then with air

Ah, ok- I hadn't seen that update yet. 450mhz drops the price per GH down to $23, so it certainly is better.

If 320mhz is the real limit of the K16, the "break even" point is around 425mhz for a 12-chip board.

The bigger problem: 94W for 20 chips is 4.7W per chip... I don't know if that would work even with 12 chips.

[steamboat]

Quick update:

Packages are arriving daily. The main bulk of the BOM has arrived, including several of the long lead time parts we ordered a month ago.

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

In regards to the PSU. It is suggested to use a high quality modular unit with a single 12V rail. Most modular units use standard Molex Minifit Jr. connectors to attach their cables. Note: If the 6 pin PCIe lead uses all 3 +12V wires, it should be capable of 150w. Unacceptable posted a link for those who are concerned with which power supply to use, which has very good information regarding what can and should be done. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,3061.html

For questions regarding the Rev1 vs Rev2 Klondike mainboard, please see the following post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg2631423#msg2631423

Each unit will be programmed to configure the unit and allow end user programming if needed. They will also undergo limited testing during each stage of production, with minor ASIC functionality testing once assembled. In order to test the unit completely, the DIY kit must be installed.

In order to stack the units, the fan must be removed, and the unit to be stacked attached. This requires a phillips head screwdriver to unscrew the 4 screws which attach the fan. No additional disassembly is required.

Many thanks to forum member Vigil, who has given us a third party analysis of our heatsink design.

An excerpt from his report:
"The results from the use of the fan look very promising. It appears that the fan is able to adequately move the hot air from between the fins and allow proper cooling. The chips and board in this simulation are at approximately 42º C. The hottest regions of the board at the edges approach 60-80º C."

The model uses an ambient temp of 32ºC, or 89.6ºF, with the same fan which will be shipped with the units. The hosting environment will be maintained at 20-21ºC



More progress updates as we continue.

[steamboat]

If you have a change order request for assembly such as upgrading from full assembly shipped to full assembly hosted, please send an email to asicbuy[at]gmail[dot]com

[ik2013]

Now for the million dollar question: Any updates from Avalon on your end Steamboat? Tracking number/shipment notifications for any of the batches?

[steamboat]

Now for the million dollar question: Any updates from Avalon on your end Steamboat? Tracking number/shipment notifications for any of the batches?

Not as of yet. The moment we receive word from Avalon we will pass it on.

[ipxtreme]

Thanks Steamboat for your update.

When will the deadline be for payment on the other batches from 2 through 7 for the fully assembled boards? In particular batch 4.

[alfabitcoin]

Steamboat, fun direction question...
does fun blow the air to the heatsink or does suck air from heatsink?

[Rakessh]

For questions regarding the Rev1 vs Rev2 Klondike mainboard, please see the following post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg2631423#msg2631423

That post doesn't clarify if you are using the v0.3.0 revision or are you waiting on a v1.0.0 revision? Rev2 work as far as I know haven't even begun (and was not part of my question upthread).
The first revisions posted by BkkCoins doesn't hash properly at intended speeds and required changes.

So as I understand by your update you are confirming going with the original 16 amp reg, but not confirmed if you are using the dual nor gate, ferrite beads and schmitt inverter package from revision 0.3.0 which was recently posted to github. Prior solutions are unstable and full of noise (high error rate)

Please clarify?

[Rakessh]

If the buck reg is cooled sufficiently it appears it's possible to squeeze up to 18 amps out of it without it shutting down (buck reg overamping)
We'll see once people start playing with their boards

[rocks]

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

[cardcomm]

For questions regarding the Rev1 vs Rev2 Klondike mainboard, please see the following post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=192916.msg2631423#msg2631423

That post doesn't clarify if you are using the v0.3.0 revision or are you waiting on a v1.0.0 revision? Rev2 work as far as I know haven't even begun (and was not part of my question upthread).
The first revisions posted by BkkCoins doesn't hash properly at intended speeds and required changes.

So as I understand by your update you are confirming going with the original 16 amp reg, but not confirmed if you are using the dual nor gate, ferrite beads and schmitt inverter package from revision 0.3.0 which was recently posted to github. Prior solutions are unstable and full of noise (high error rate)

Please clarify?

+1 to this. My post asking this was regarding the 0.3.0 with correction for the noise problems. I realize you aren't waiting for another board that will (possibly) over clock better. I think we just all want to make sure you're going with the newest version that has the ferrite beads etc.

As a related question, assuming you're going with the 0.3.0 boards, whats the status of ordering the additional parts that have been added to the BOM?

Thanks again for all the effort.

[s40ward]

This truly is a wonderful project, impressive in so many ways.  I wanted to say something nice before asking..isn't Avalon late here?  I know we're only talking about a week or two but I'm getting nervous!  Having flashes of my refunded BFL orders...   

Ok..I'm done being melodramatic.  THANK YOU steamboat and BKKCoins and all others involved. 

[Foaz]

Now for the million dollar question: Any updates from Avalon on your end Steamboat? Tracking number/shipment notifications for any of the batches?

Not as of yet. The moment we receive word from Avalon we will pass it on.

So delivery time has passed on batch #1 and you're going to wait until something happens? Please inquire why said delivery time isn't followed up on.

[dmcdad]

Now for the million dollar question: Any updates from Avalon on your end Steamboat? Tracking number/shipment notifications for any of the batches?

Not as of yet. The moment we receive word from Avalon we will pass it on.

So delivery time has passed on batch #1 and you're going to wait until something happens? Please inquire why said delivery time isn't followed up on.

He should, of course, but do realize we are talking about Avalon here. So don't hold your breath for an answer. On a positive note it does sound like some chips have been received now (in China), so I do think they are finally starting to go out the door.

I'm interested in how they space out the shipments. That is, will they ship them all out at once or delay shipments based on order time.

[cmbitmining]

Are the "Fusion 16" available for purchase at this point?  I see in stock on the website.  If so,  Are they fully working or do chips need to be purchased as well?  If not,  does anyone have DIY board/chips ready to sell/ship?  Thanks

[lexis200]

Are the "Fusion 16" available for purchase at this point?  I see in stock on the website.  If so,  Are they fully working or do chips need to be purchased as well?  If not,  does anyone have DIY board/chips ready to sell/ship?  Thanks

You would do well to read the OP