I don't get the FPGAs selling on ebay

[twitami1]

I see the BFL singles, and some others going for $1200-1600 each. How can this EVER come even close to breaking even much less making any money?

Am I missing something?

Thanks!

[1715071317]

1715071317

[1715071317]

1715071317

[SgtSpike]

I see the BFL singles, and some others going for $1200-1600 each. How can this EVER come even close to breaking even much less making any money?

Am I missing something?

Thanks!

Buyer buys FPGA single.
Buyer mines on FPGA single for two weeks.
Buyer files dispute that item is "not as described", offers to ship it back.
Seller is forced to accept a refund once the item is shipped back.
Buyer just made $50.

Seems like a lot of work for $50 though.

[twitami1]

Hehe, well...hadn't thought about that route. Not sure you could even make $50 at this point though...

[plectrum]

The reason that FPGAs are still in demand is that they can be reprogrammed and therefore repurposed compared to ASICs which are for one thing and one thing only.  Granted the ASICs could be used for other SHA256 needs, the FPGAs can be used for tons of other uses so that gives them more value.  That and they generally can ship immediately compared to buying someone's place in line for an ASIC device.