Black Arrow 28nm 100Ghash Bitcoin ASIC from $0.49/GH/s

[Biomech]

News/Updates can be found here:
http://www.blackarrowsoftware.com/store/index.php?dispatch=news.list

And for those people that cannot be satisfied by this:
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/anger.html

 

I have another update that I was informed of:

The minion has passed the DRC checks. Mask manufacturing has begun. (This was as of last night)

For us laymen, does that mean they are on, ahead, or behind schedule?

It means the tapeout was successful and the next stage has begun. Basically, on schedule. Building the mask, as I understand it, is the most time consuming part of the process from here out. Once it's built, tested, and if necessary revised, they can make Minions until they run out of money or interest.

It unfortunately says nothing about the PCB's, SMT lines, or firmware. But the ASICS appear to (finally) be on track.

Anyone want to bet on whether Technobit has a working unit before BlackArrow using the Minion chip? They beat Bitmine...

[Biomech]

Well I'll probably be using Eligius and there's no option for adjusting difficulty. The internet at the apartment is pretty shitty (free, included in rent) so I don't wanna run into any troubles there.

Thanks guys

While the math is rather intensive, the bandwidth isn't. I can't recall where I saw the post, but someone had calculated that you could run close to ten TH/S on a 56k modem without ever really pushing it's limits. About the worst broadband available wouldn't be bothered by that.

I mine at Eligius, and the vardiff works well. I do occasionally have a noisy connection, and it will drop me down to diff 32 for a few minutes, but mostly it feeds at 64, and with almost no hiccups. When a block is found, I might get a reject or two, and that's it. I don't know where Eligius is physically hosted, but I'm pretty sure it's not anywhere close to Mountain Home, ID. (though it could be in Boise, conceivably. There's a lot of high tech there). Running at the speeds you're talking, I would imagine it'll set your diff around 256, so bandwidth should never be an issue.

[mr.minhghi]

Didnt get any response from Matt at support@minersource.net
He said the refund will be sent on Monday 24-02
But until now, nothing happens.

[bobsag3]

News/Updates can be found here:
http://www.blackarrowsoftware.com/store/index.php?dispatch=news.list

And for those people that cannot be satisfied by this:
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/anger.html

 

I have another update that I was informed of:

The minion has passed the DRC checks. Mask manufacturing has begun. (This was as of last night)

For us laymen, does that mean they are on, ahead, or behind schedule?

It means the tapeout was successful and the next stage has begun. Basically, on schedule. Building the mask, as I understand it, is the most time consuming part of the process from here out. Once it's built, tested, and if necessary revised, they can make Minions until they run out of money or interest.

It unfortunately says nothing about the PCB's, SMT lines, or firmware. But the ASICS appear to (finally) be on track.

Anyone want to bet on whether Technobit has a working unit before BlackArrow using the Minion chip? They beat Bitmine...

Firmware is being worked on (Im not sure if Kano can comment on that or not, but I know hes been working with them at least on Cgminer). PCBs for the X1 and X3 have gone thru at least 2 revisions, so still being worked on.

Not sure about technobit... He never reached out to me for chips, and as far as I know did not purchase any from BA.

[Vortuarackne]

Looks good

[Dogeprevails]

Does anyone know how much the "3rd party fees" will amount to when getting a refund from minersource?
Is it like 100$ or something?

[Colin Miner]

Does anyone know how much the "3rd party fees" will amount to when getting a refund from minersource?
Is it like 100$ or something?

I am not speaking on behalf of MS or anyone other than myself, but, I would think that:

If you paid in BTC and getting a BTC refund, 3rd party should be zero or just the BTC transaction fees. But if there is a bit of conversion to/from fiat, then those costs would be the 3rd party costs.

[Biomech]

How can you see what difficulty you're mining at in elugius?

3rd line in cgminer "connected to [...] at diff 64 as user [...]

Also, from time to time you'll see "pool difficulty changed to X" in your accepted shares list.

[Biomech]

News/Updates can be found here:
http://www.blackarrowsoftware.com/store/index.php?dispatch=news.list

And for those people that cannot be satisfied by this:
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/anger.html

 

I have another update that I was informed of:

The minion has passed the DRC checks. Mask manufacturing has begun. (This was as of last night)

For us laymen, does that mean they are on, ahead, or behind schedule?

It means the tapeout was successful and the next stage has begun. Basically, on schedule. Building the mask, as I understand it, is the most time consuming part of the process from here out. Once it's built, tested, and if necessary revised, they can make Minions until they run out of money or interest.

It unfortunately says nothing about the PCB's, SMT lines, or firmware. But the ASICS appear to (finally) be on track.

Anyone want to bet on whether Technobit has a working unit before BlackArrow using the Minion chip? They beat Bitmine...

Firmware is being worked on (Im not sure if Kano can comment on that or not, but I know hes been working with them at least on Cgminer). PCBs for the X1 and X3 have gone thru at least 2 revisions, so still being worked on.

Not sure about technobit... He never reached out to me for chips, and as far as I know did not purchase any from BA.

I thought I had seen him mention that he was working on a Minion based board. I know that there is a Wasp variant being worked on.

I just found it rather amusing that Martin beat Bitmine to the punch with their product. And from the reviews, it works good.

[shaohui]

Interested. I have 3 Lancelots to trade in.  BlackArrow can be trusted. Feb is a long way off though.

I want to buy your microarrays, how to get technical support, I am also in Shenzhen, there are contact details tired fine way? My QQ: 33007500

[slap254]

Interested. I have 3 Lancelots to trade in.  BlackArrow can be trusted. Feb is a long way off though.

I want to buy your microarrays, how to get technical support, I am also in Shenzhen, there are contact details tired fine way? My QQ: 33007500

You Want to buy from BA ? Im sure there sale's team would be more than happy to help !

[ChuckBuck]

Hope all is cool over here in this thread. AMT's been digging me a new asshole for the past couple days.

Yes, PG.  BA and Bobsag3/Minersource have actually thrown us some bones to pick apart for a couple days.

Better than the period of silence before the delay news.

Thanks for always checking in and keeping these guys on their toes.   

[Zman8881]

Hi, I'm new to bitcoin mining. I am starting with a small budget and thinking about beginning with an X1 from minersource.net. I am wondering if BlackArrow and minersource (authorized reseller) are legitimate.

[TinkerTom]

Hi, I'm new to bitcoin mining. I am starting with a small budget and thinking about beginning with an X1 from minersource.net. I am wondering if BlackArrow and minersource (authorized reseller) are legitimate.

You're probably better off buying an AntMiner S1 and getting delivery right away. Minersource carries those and posted a pic a few days ago of pallets full of them. The X-1 delivery won't happen until May -- if you decide to go that route I wouldn't prepay at this point -- wait and make your decision then depending on difficulty, etc.

To your point, I think other than one prolific poster here, people tend to feel bobsag3 is legit. He's been in business quite a while and does hosting and sales. The guy disparaging him here hasn't turned up any disgruntled customers, just a steady stream of minutia.

[Unacceptable]

Hi, I'm new to bitcoin mining. I am starting with a small budget and thinking about beginning with an X1 from minersource.net. I am wondering if BlackArrow and minersource (authorized reseller) are legitimate.

You're probably better off buying an AntMiner S1 and getting delivery right away. Minersource carries those and posted a pic a few days ago of pallets full of them. The X-1 delivery won't happen until May -- if you decide to go that route I wouldn't prepay at this point -- wait and make your decision then depending on difficulty, etc.

To your point, I think other than one prolific poster here, people tend to feel bobsag3 is legit. He's been in business quite a while and does hosting and sales. The guy disparaging him here hasn't turned up any disgruntled customers, just a steady stream of minutia.

Good advice!!  Antminers are awesome & should have a decent resale value for few more months,so you can sell em & upgrade to newer miners later 

At least for me....bobsag3 did well with communications about my BA orders & refunded me with no qualms at all.I have not bought anything from him,but I have dealt with him on my Drillbit stuff & he did very well there 

I'm waiting to see if BA can actually hold to their "new" timeframe before "pre-ordering" any thing AGAIN from them 

[Zman8881]

Hi, I'm new to bitcoin mining. I am starting with a small budget and thinking about beginning with an X1 from minersource.net. I am wondering if BlackArrow and minersource (authorized reseller) are legitimate.

You're probably better off buying an AntMiner S1 and getting delivery right away. Minersource carries those and posted a pic a few days ago of pallets full of them. The X-1 delivery won't happen until May -- if you decide to go that route I wouldn't prepay at this point -- wait and make your decision then depending on difficulty, etc.

To your point, I think other than one prolific poster here, people tend to feel bobsag3 is legit. He's been in business quite a while and does hosting and sales. The guy disparaging him here hasn't turned up any disgruntled customers, just a steady stream of minutia.

Thanks. The problem with an AntMiner is that it's $900. I'm on around a $200-$400 budget. Any other good miners or should I wait and see about the X1?

[jimmothy]

Hi, I'm new to bitcoin mining. I am starting with a small budget and thinking about beginning with an X1 from minersource.net. I am wondering if BlackArrow and minersource (authorized reseller) are legitimate.

You're probably better off buying an AntMiner S1 and getting delivery right away. Minersource carries those and posted a pic a few days ago of pallets full of them. The X-1 delivery won't happen until May -- if you decide to go that route I wouldn't prepay at this point -- wait and make your decision then depending on difficulty, etc.

To your point, I think other than one prolific poster here, people tend to feel bobsag3 is legit. He's been in business quite a while and does hosting and sales. The guy disparaging him here hasn't turned up any disgruntled customers, just a steady stream of minutia.

Thanks. The problem with an AntMiner is that it's $900. I'm on around a $200-$400 budget. Any other good miners or should I wait and see about the X1?

Wait for asicminer gen3 devices or wait until blackarrow is shipping prosperos.

[Zman8881]

Just did some calculations and if the difficulty rises to what it's expected to be at (19,637,607,557) in May 2014, the X1 won't be profitable at all. Will probably go with the AntMiner S1

[Unacceptable]

Hi, I'm new to bitcoin mining. I am starting with a small budget and thinking about beginning with an X1 from minersource.net. I am wondering if BlackArrow and minersource (authorized reseller) are legitimate.

You're probably better off buying an AntMiner S1 and getting delivery right away. Minersource carries those and posted a pic a few days ago of pallets full of them. The X-1 delivery won't happen until May -- if you decide to go that route I wouldn't prepay at this point -- wait and make your decision then depending on difficulty, etc.

To your point, I think other than one prolific poster here, people tend to feel bobsag3 is legit. He's been in business quite a while and does hosting and sales. The guy disparaging him here hasn't turned up any disgruntled customers, just a steady stream of minutia.

Thanks. The problem with an AntMiner is that it's $900. I'm on around a $200-$400 budget. Any other good miners or should I wait and see about the X1?

It takes money/BTC to make money/BTC,you gotta start somewhere & Ants are about as cheap as your gonna get & GET EM NOW!!!!!!!!!!! 

ALL ASIC makers are going to large hashrate,massive power consumption miners that can only be used in a datacenter.They are sick & tired of us little fokkers & dealing with "chump change"........  

ASICminer has 40nm coming,but we have no idea of hashrate & cost per miner....as of yet.I'm watching though    

They look to be about .65-.80 watts per GH,MAYBE.so if they come up with a 250GH miner using 200 watts,it'll be a great thing!!! Watch for em!!!!!!!!!!!!  

[ernie-]

Just did some calculations and if the difficulty rises to what it's expected to be at (19,637,607,557) in May 2014, the X1 won't be profitable at all. Will probably go with the AntMiner S1

AntMiner are smart, they adjust their sell price as the diff goes up.