GekkoScience NewPac / Terminus R606 (BM1387) Official Support Thread

[gt_addict]

So one thing I had to work through was that not all chips are made the same. they cant ALL hit 650Mhz, its overclocked after all.  For my personal rig, I start with a single stick and work that up to as high as I can slowly tweaking over days at a time, most (but not all) can get to 600 Mhz stable. I take a magic marker and write the max hashrate on the side and set it off for later use. do this with each stick you want in your rig till they are all done. You can either then run multiple cgminers targeting the individual sticks, or just a single copy, set the to the max frequency of your lowest unit. (the second is what I do, I'm to lazy to deal with multiple copies).

Watch your USB hub too, the plugable your running on should be able to run 4 at 600Mhz before it maxes out the power, but that's if they all are running at top efficiency and cooled perfectly.

Looks like I will have to buy some more sticks then. I was hoping for a nice 100ghs each and run 5 on sidehacks new hub eventually.

[1713481756]

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[sidehack]

The best mass-stable results I got when load-testing my hub was six sticks each set to 860mV (stock is 830) and all six were stable at or above 600MHz.

Note that S9 stock settings would be closer to 900mV for 600MHz and up (14TH S9 clocks at 650MHz) to guarantee stability across chip batches, so to hit the higher speeds on this still a bit of overvolting is to be expected.

I usually look for 98-99% target hashrate. Over 99% is going to have an unfavorable power tradeoff (more than 1% increase in heat for that 1% increase in effective hashrate) but below 98% probably means something's wrong.

I would be skeptical of a Plugable 7-port being able to handle 4 sticks at 600MHz, given that it only has 3 regulators so somewhere you have to double up. If one will handle two sticks, they all will, so it'd be capable of six sticks if you had a strong enough 12V brick. However, even with AB the best-case power draw at 600MHz is about 12.5W and the rated load for one Plugable regulator is 4A, so 20W peak.
The best I'd expect for two sticks per regulator would be more like 475MHz (with AB enabled). Note that gives you a max utilization of the Plugable 7-port with six sticks for a total of 650GH, though that's dependent on the power load required for the hub chips. I haven't tested the limits of that hub so this is conjecture based on available data.

[Morlok8k]

Looks like I will have to buy some more sticks then. I was hoping for a nice 100ghs each and run 5 on sidehacks new hub eventually.

I've been inching the hashrate on my Newpac slowly every couple days.  I'm at 450 MHz and getting ~93 Gh/s now.  My goal is either 100 GH/s stable or 600 MHz stable.
Active cooling, and directly powered by a 5V 60A power supply instead of USB's current limiting features.  (EDIT: Newpac has stock voltage set.)
At 400 MHz it was still slightly cooler than the 2pacs and Compac running at 200 MHz I have on the same setup.  Haven't checked at 450 MHz yet, as i just upped that today.

Edit:  seems like it doesn't like 450 MHz. - 400 MHz gave me ~90 Gh/s.  93 @ 450 isn't as good of a jump as i expected.  Upped it to 500 MHz but was getting 41 Gh/s.  getting stable ~98 Gh/s at 425 Mhz, so that's where i'll stay at for now until i can adjust the voltage setting (and confirm temps).

[vh]

Active cooling, and directly powered by a 5V 60A power supply instead of USB's current limiting features.  (EDIT: Newpac has stock voltage set.)

If you get around to more tweaking, watch your cable quality/length and various adapters along the way.

voltage loss = (current x resistance)

It can subtly create a current limit like scenario and drop voltage.

5V may end up being 4V when it arrives at a miner trying to use 2Amp+.
This can also cause the effect you are seeing.

A 2pac table but still relevant for the NewPac at higher frequencies:



Higher frequency will amplify resistance based voltage loss.

[gt_addict]

Well just thought I would update everyone. Everythjng seems to have settled down. Both sticks running 450m now with no “missing nonces”. Tried the asic boost option and they didnt like it even though im connected to a pool using the system. So im a happy camper at the moment. Going to try and get them upto 500m over the next couple of days but aslong as im hitting my 100gh goal then its all good. Thank you to everyone for the help, im looking forward to purchasing a few more sticks and one of sidehacks bulletproof hubs to run them on  

[vh]

Going to try and get them upto 500m over the next couple of days but aslong as im hitting my 100gh goal then its all good.

Once you have hit the limit of the existing hub's power (which you may be getting close), you can also try turning the pot down.

Counter intuitively, turn the pot back to 3 o'clock.  
Look like you can squeeze out another 15% in energy reduction if you are at or under 500MHz.

You might lose some stability with more HW errors, but still keep the expected overall higher hashrate.

Be prepared to set it back towards default if your hashrate looks off or when you get the shiny new gekkoscience hub.

[cjsummers82]

What is the PCB heat threshold for these devices?  What temp do I need to start worrying about long term damage to chip/components?

Thanks!

[gt_addict]

Once you have hit the limit of the existing hub's power (which you may be getting close), you can also try turning the pot down.

Counter intuitively, turn the pot back to 3 o'clock.  
Look like you can squeeze out another 15% in energy reduction if you are at or under 500MHz.

You might lose some stability with more HW errors, but still keep the expected overall higher hashrate.

Be prepared to set it back towards default if your hashrate looks off or when you get the shiny new gekkoscience hub.

I will give that a go over the next few days when im home for an extended period. Cheers for the suggestion as always vh.

[419mining]

GekkoScience Hubs are up and in stock!
https://www.419mining.com/shop/cables/gekkoscience-7-port-base-hub/
make sure you get a power supply for them as well.
We currently have 7A hubs in stock, while you cant max out 6 sticks at at 650Mhz, it should get you up there. As soon as we finish our testing, i can post more specifics.
https://www.419mining.com/shop/power-supply/12v-7amp-power-supply-for-gekkoscience-products/

9A would be idea, but make sure you get good quality. or run on a 6pin computer power supply.

eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/254034955561
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MK5CLMB

Dont forget, buy from 419mining.com online store and earn loyalty points for future discounts!

[Bill48105]

Wow those hubs look well thought out.

Anyone had any luck running NewPac & Moonlander 2 together?  I got a pi hooked to a usb hub & they both work fine alone but if I run NewPac miner it kills the Moonlander miner if it's already running or it reports no devices found if run after.  Errors make it seem USB ports are taken over.  For now I just moved my NewPac to a PC but have plenty of room on my hub so sure would live to be running them all together if possible.

[rockmoney]

What is the PCB heat threshold for these devices?  What temp do I need to start worrying about long term damage to chip/components?

Thanks!

In general, the ambient temperature of miners should always be maintained below ~35°C / ~95°F.

The ASIC used in the NewPac is the BM1387, which was primarily used in the Bitmain Antminer S9 miners. According to their data, upper temp limit on the PCB board should not exceed 85°C / 185°F. For the ASIC itself, temps should not exceed 125°C / 257°F. There are two ASIC chips on the NewPac, and they are located on the backside of PCB board (in between the PCB board and heatsink, with thermal paste). These are the very upper limits as described by ASIC manufacturer. It's always best to keep the sticks cool as possible! Temperature will also effect performance, and as it goes up, so does power consumption. Lastly, the manufacturer of the NewPac may have different limits on temperature, so use the numbers provided here with caution until confirmed or changed by sidehack!

Here is a picture showing location of both ASIC chips:



- click to enlarge -

Here are pictures of the actual ASIC chips on the NewPac (with the heatsink off):



- click to enlarge -

[sidehack]

When we had some test sticks with a built-in temperature sensor, VH started noticing hashing problems when the board in the vicinity of what is now the large SOIC IC got to around 120F.

[419mining]

So I'm debating on building a GekkoScience "kit" and thought I would test the waters, gauge the interest of the community.

Anyone have an interest in a bundle of 6 NewPacs, GekkoScience Hub, Power supply, cooling fans and fan stand? all tested and verified to say, 100Gh/s per miner? It would be a plug and go kit with minor assembly required (for shipping).

[nuanicaj]

So I'm debating on building a GekkoScience "kit" and thought I would test the waters, gauge the interest of the community.

Anyone have an interest in a bundle of 6 NewPacs, GekkoScience Hub, Power supply, cooling fans and fan stand? all tested and verified to say, 100Gh/s per miner? It would be a plug and go kit with minor assembly required (for shipping).

I ordered one the the hubs from you on amazon, I ordered a 12v fan to connect to the bottom, will run 7 Newpacs as high as I can on that setup. Will power with Server Power supply that is platinum that is run on 220v with the pcie conversion.

[419mining]

I ordered one the the hubs from you on amazon, I ordered a 12v fan to connect to the bottom, will run 7 Newpacs as high as I can on that setup. Will power with Server Power supply that is platinum that is run on 220v with the pcie conversion.

Watch your grouping on ports 1,2 and 5. With a 6A per group, you can push the paired ports farther than the 1,2,5 set. At 6A, that gives you 30 watts per group, 15 watts per stick on the doubles, and 10 watts per stick on the triple group. I Believe with AB enabled at 10 watts, your best case scenario would be 475 Mhz.

Sidehack would be the final answer on that one though.

P.S. Thanks for the order, its in the mail  

[Bill48105]

So I'm debating on building a GekkoScience "kit" and thought I would test the waters, gauge the interest of the community.

Anyone have an interest in a bundle of 6 NewPacs, GekkoScience Hub, Power supply, cooling fans and fan stand? all tested and verified to say, 100Gh/s per miner? It would be a plug and go kit with minor assembly required (for shipping).

what kind of price point?  should be handy to have a ready to go kit for someone starting out or not interesting in the trouble of setup.

Btw any idea what the heck is causing this crash running cgminer with 1 newpac at 200mhz?  my pi is dead to the world. Can't login or anything I have to power cycle it.

Code:

Message from syslogd@raspberrypi at Dec 22 22:01:14 ...
 kerne6.865528.69736.013f60: 803.570a 0000004.725d22000 00001036 b5d23fa4 b5d23f80 8029f1b8 8029e9bc        1.7

Message from syslogd@raspberrypi at Dec 22 22:01:14 ...
 kernel:[22528.704267] 3f80: 0085bc18 71c00768 71c006e0 00000000 00000036 801081c4 00000000 b5d23fa8
                                            6.865        1          1.7
Message from syslogd@raspberrypi at Dec 22 22:01:14 ...
 kernel:[22528.711261] 3fa0: 80108000 8029f180 71c00768 71c006e0 0000000b 802c550a 71c00768 0085bc18

Message from syslogd@raspberrypi at Dec 22 22:01:14 ...
 kernel:[22528.718248] 3fc0: 71c00768 71c006e0 00000000 00000036 00000001 00000001 00000000 00000000

Message from syslogd@raspberrypi at Dec 22 22:01:14 ...
 kernel:[22528.725232] 3fe0: 76e000b0 72cfc54c 76de7a58 76c7580c 60000010 0000000b 00000000 00000000

Message from syslogd@raspberrypi at Dec 22 22:01:14 ...
 kernel:[22528.761896] Code: e8bd4000 e3510000 089da800 e5903014 (e7913003)
39.18

[rockmoney]

Over a terahash mining using only GekkoScience NewPac USB Stick Miners! Data from the mining pool has me averaging even higher than cgminer is reporting. These sticks are not to be taken lightly! Click on image to enlarge.



To view images and details of my setup, click here: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5071416.msg48849979#msg48849979

[419mining]

Nicely done RockyMoney! I see 10 miners, whats your setup?

what kind of price point?  should be handy to have a ready to go kit for someone starting out or not interesting in the trouble of setup...

Still working out the details, but It wont be a plug it in and go system. It would still require a little work, until i can get my windows version of a cgminer wrapper finish.

as for your pi issue, It may be a power drain issue running the newPac at 200Mhz. Kernel panics can be any number of things but with pi's my first go to is usually power. I would recommend you run the NewPac on an external hub if your not already. Take too much power from the pi itself to run the miners and it will cause heart attacks all the time.

[vh]

Btw any idea what the heck is causing this crash running cgminer with 1 newpac at 200mhz?  my pi is dead to the world. Can't login or anything I have to power cycle it...

Enable the option noted here.

[rockmoney]

Nicely done RockyMoney! I see 10 miners, whats your setup?

Thanks 419mining! I finally found the time to take some pics and outline my setup with great detail. Anyone interested can view my post here, as I didn't want to jam this thread up: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5071416.msg48849979#msg48849979.