Fury/Blizzard tuning and mods

[nst6563]

We need this damn datasheet for the Zeus chip.

The last thing that I see could have an effect is the resistor connected to MODESEL pin (pin 40), but without the datasheet, there is no way we can figure what it's supposed to do.
they could have a few multipliers/dividers for frequency that are related to the value of the resistor.
If I had a board with a single chip on it, it would be easier to try this kind of things.
If the chips were at any time able to hash 300Kh/s each, there must be a way to activate it, and if they claimed 300 Kh/s, it also means that the chips were able of more.

Is there anything written on the chips for the Blizzards?  On my Fury the chips are blank.  Not even a Zeus label is etched on them...just a nice flat black surface ready for etching.  If there was at least SOMETHING on the chips...that could help.

[1715122028]

1715122028

[jstefanop]

We need this damn datasheet for the Zeus chip.

The last thing that I see could have an effect is the resistor connected to MODESEL pin (pin 40), but without the datasheet, there is no way we can figure what it's supposed to do.
they could have a few multipliers/dividers for frequency that are related to the value of the resistor.
If I had a board with a single chip on it, it would be easier to try this kind of things.
If the chips were at any time able to hash 300Kh/s each, there must be a way to activate it, and if they claimed 300 Kh/s, it also means that the chips were able of more.

I know Terry(CEO zeusminer) has offered on the litecointalk forums chip samples for anyone that wants to give a shot at designing a better board. I can arrange to have a few bare chips with their test board shipped with my next order if anyone is interested in playing around.

[LongAndShort]

We need this damn datasheet for the Zeus chip.

The last thing that I see could have an effect is the resistor connected to MODESEL pin (pin 40), but without the datasheet, there is no way we can figure what it's supposed to do.
they could have a few multipliers/dividers for frequency that are related to the value of the resistor.
If I had a board with a single chip on it, it would be easier to try this kind of things.
If the chips were at any time able to hash 300Kh/s each, there must be a way to activate it, and if they claimed 300 Kh/s, it also means that the chips were able of more.

I know Terry(CEO zeusminer) has offered on the litecointalk forums chip samples for anyone that wants to give a shot at designing a better board. I can arrange to have a few bare chips with their test board shipped with my next order if anyone is interested in playing around.

Yeah grab one for J4bberwock and while you're there can you ask him for the data sheet for these guys too

[nst6563]

I noticed that the buck controller is rated at a 300khz switching frequency...would there be any benefit to stability/power use to swapping to the 0192 with a 600khz switching frequency? I also noticed that one of the mosfets is 'missing' from the board...any benefit to adding that additional mosfet to make a total of 4 instead of 3?

[ZiG]

We need this damn datasheet for the Zeus chip.

The last thing that I see could have an effect is the resistor connected to MODESEL pin (pin 40), but without the datasheet, there is no way we can figure what it's supposed to do.
they could have a few multipliers/dividers for frequency that are related to the value of the resistor.
If I had a board with a single chip on it, it would be easier to try this kind of things.
If the chips were at any time able to hash 300Kh/s each, there must be a way to activate it, and if they claimed 300 Kh/s, it also means that the chips were able of more.

I know Terry(CEO zeusminer) has offered on the litecointalk forums chip samples for anyone that wants to give a shot at designing a better board. I can arrange to have a few bare chips with their test board shipped with my next order if anyone is interested in playing around.

Yeah grab one for J4bberwock and while you're there can you ask him for the data sheet for these guys too

+1

Yeap...grab 2...I am in too...with J4bberwock ...together we could make something better...IMHO

ZiG

EDIT...We will NEED a DATA SPECS of the chip too...Don't forget to ask Terry...

[dozerz]

If anyone would like to use the zen os on their pies then here is a quick guide.

1. Download the zen os image from this guide put together by zenminer. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UilAJ3wMOgoHFqz9e1zhOvz79KQDascYaC6Aq3sbmqg

2. Write it to your raspberry pi's sd card using win32 disk imager (or your preferred method)

3. Boot the pi with Ethernet and the miners plugged in (or plug them in at a later time, up to you)

4. Go to https://zenminer.com/LogIn/ and click on "Don't have an Account?" then sign up and sign in

5. Click the add miner button and it should show up, it may take a while for it first to show up but it will (also try refreshing)


Remember this guide is for people that want to use their own raspberry pi hardware and dont have an activation code that came with the zenminers.

Thanks- I updated the first post with the information and gave you credit. 

Seems this thread has made the cryptomining blog as well....sweet!  http://cryptomining-blog.com/2788-should-you-modify-your-zeusminer-blizzard-scrypt-asic-or-not/

whats the benefit of the zen os over just running bfgminer?

[J4bberwock]

We need this damn datasheet for the Zeus chip.

The last thing that I see could have an effect is the resistor connected to MODESEL pin (pin 40), but without the datasheet, there is no way we can figure what it's supposed to do.
they could have a few multipliers/dividers for frequency that are related to the value of the resistor.
If I had a board with a single chip on it, it would be easier to try this kind of things.
If the chips were at any time able to hash 300Kh/s each, there must be a way to activate it, and if they claimed 300 Kh/s, it also means that the chips were able of more.

I know Terry(CEO zeusminer) has offered on the litecointalk forums chip samples for anyone that wants to give a shot at designing a better board. I can arrange to have a few bare chips with their test board shipped with my next order if anyone is interested in playing around.

Thanks, 2 chips and the datasheet would be nice.
If they send a bare test pcb, it's even better, but it can be done from scratch easily now that we have the schematics from the Blizzard.
I'll try to make a simple design that can be used up to 8 chips in the next few days if I have some spare time.

[J4bberwock]

I noticed that the buck controller is rated at a 300khz switching frequency...would there be any benefit to stability/power use to swapping to the 0192 with a 600khz switching frequency? I also noticed that one of the mosfets is 'missing' from the board...any benefit to adding that additional mosfet to make a total of 4 instead of 3?

The missing upper MOSFET is useless if the power draw is low enough. Even overclocked, there is some spare room with the actual MOSFET
Actually, for such a small power draw, i'd use a Buck converter with integrated MOSFET. Slightly more expensive, but easier to manage. you can even find some that will output the 5v or 3.3v or 2.5v depending on what you need at the same time, saving some more space on the board.

You will also barely notice a power difference by changing the switching frequency of the Buck controler. The efficiency will usually vary in a 1 or 2% range. I haven't checked in this particular datasheet, but numbers should be close.

[nst6563]

I noticed that the buck controller is rated at a 300khz switching frequency...would there be any benefit to stability/power use to swapping to the 0192 with a 600khz switching frequency? I also noticed that one of the mosfets is 'missing' from the board...any benefit to adding that additional mosfet to make a total of 4 instead of 3?

The missing upper MOSFET is useless if the power draw is low enough. Even overclocked, there is some spare room with the actual MOSFET
Actually, for such a small power draw, i'd use a Buck converter with integrated MOSFET. Slightly more expensive, but easier to manage. you can even find some that will output the 5v or 3.3v or 2.5v depending on what you need at the same time, saving some more space on the board.

You will also barely notice a power difference by changing the switching frequency of the Buck controler. The efficiency will usually vary in a 1 or 2% range. I haven't checked in this particular datasheet, but numbers should be close.

Ok cool...I was just curious.  I'm not THAT deep into the electronic component functionality, but I do know my motherboard supports switchable frequencies like that and I did notice a bit more stability at a higher overclock when I increased the power switching to 450-500khz (Intel I7 3770k on an Asus P8z77v-pro).  I just wasn't sure if the same benefit could be seen on this hardware (taking into account we get past 381Mhz clock).

[nst6563]

If anyone would like to use the zen os on their pies then here is a quick guide.

1. Download the zen os image from this guide put together by zenminer. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UilAJ3wMOgoHFqz9e1zhOvz79KQDascYaC6Aq3sbmqg

2. Write it to your raspberry pi's sd card using win32 disk imager (or your preferred method)

3. Boot the pi with Ethernet and the miners plugged in (or plug them in at a later time, up to you)

4. Go to https://zenminer.com/LogIn/ and click on "Don't have an Account?" then sign up and sign in

5. Click the add miner button and it should show up, it may take a while for it first to show up but it will (also try refreshing)


Remember this guide is for people that want to use their own raspberry pi hardware and dont have an activation code that came with the zenminers.

Thanks- I updated the first post with the information and gave you credit. 

Seems this thread has made the cryptomining blog as well....sweet!  http://cryptomining-blog.com/2788-should-you-modify-your-zeusminer-blizzard-scrypt-asic-or-not/

whats the benefit of the zen os over just running bfgminer?

Zen supposedly gives the ability to control your miner from "the cloud".  However, a similar function (if not more customizable) can be had by a secure rpi interface and some port forwarding or vpn setup on your router (if your router supports vpn).

[happydaze]

32 chip schematic has been posted on Zeus site: http://zeusminer.com/shcematics/

[nst6563]

32 chip schematic has been posted on Zeus site: http://zeusminer.com/shcematics/

Thanks, 2nd post updated and credit given.  

And seriously...this is supposed to be a technical company with intelligent people yet of all things....schematics...is spelled wrong....  



And looking at those schematics....I don't see a connection from the crystal to the USB to UART bridge.  Looking at the datasheet for the bridge (http://www.silabs.com/Support%20Documents/TechnicalDocs/CP2102-9.pdf) there is no external clock required.  So swapping the crystal may be a decent way to make some headway....until we get the datasheet on the zeus chips themselves.

[Glizlack]

Sorry if I missed it. Was there a winner of the contest to develop the software? Litecointalk is blocked where I work so I cannot check it. Thanks to Darkwinde and company for the bfgminer port. Its much appreciated.

Steve

[happydaze]

I don't know if it's over.  Darkwinde and jstefanop were mentioned in Zeus' weekly update http://zeusminer.com/2014/06/18/1/

And this post from Terry today on Litecointalk https://litecointalk.org/index.php?topic=16301.msg184567#msg184567 was interesting

the chip docs were already up for like two weeks, no? and yes the schematics for the blades will be up as well. also we are going for more so you geniuses will be happy to be involved with.  we are still working on the "old" cgminer and a new version just released. don't yet have time to put it online.

[ZiG]

I don't know if it's over.  Darkwinde and jstefanop were mentioned in Zeus' weekly update http://zeusminer.com/2014/06/18/1/

And this post from Terry today on Litecointalk https://litecointalk.org/index.php?topic=16301.msg184567#msg184567 was interesting

the chip docs were already up for like two weeks, no? and yes the schematics for the blades will be up as well. also we are going for more so you geniuses will be happy to be involved with.  we are still working on the "old" cgminer and a new version just released. don't yet have time to put it online.

Yeap...

Chips prices are...:

"ZeusChips – Build your own miners!

We have received a lot of inquiries of people asking to build their own miners!

We really love your enthusiasm and thought…why not!

We will open very soon the sales for our ZeusChips and will open source our schematics."


500 Chips Package ...$12 per chip

3000 Chips Package ...$10 per chip

12000 Chips Package ...$9 per chip

I don't think they are good prices...more realistic should be half of these prices...IMHO...

ZiG

[J4bberwock]

I don't know if it's over.  Darkwinde and jstefanop were mentioned in Zeus' weekly update http://zeusminer.com/2014/06/18/1/

And this post from Terry today on Litecointalk https://litecointalk.org/index.php?topic=16301.msg184567#msg184567 was interesting

the chip docs were already up for like two weeks, no? and yes the schematics for the blades will be up as well. also we are going for more so you geniuses will be happy to be involved with.  we are still working on the "old" cgminer and a new version just released. don't yet have time to put it online.

Yeap...

Chips prices are...:

"ZeusChips – Build your own miners!

We have received a lot of inquiries of people asking to build their own miners!

We really love your enthusiasm and thought…why not!

We will open very soon the sales for our ZeusChips and will open source our schematics."


500 Chips Package ...$12 per chip

3000 Chips Package ...$10 per chip

12000 Chips Package ...$9 per chip

I don't think they are good prices...more realistic should be half of these prices...IMHO...

ZiG

By the time your will have them in hand and put in hashing boards, let's say 3 weeks all in all, Zeus will sell the miners cheaper than what you paid for single bare chips.
Even price cut in half won't be interesting.
Everything over 10$/MH for a bare chip is way too much to be interesting for hobbyist/small custom fabrication.
If they were selling at 2$ a chip today, I'll buy 1000 to build my boards, probably even reselling some. But at 12$ each, I'm better holding my Btc and Ltc or buying the miners with discounts if I really want some hardware.

[happydaze]

24hr averages for two Fury's: 1,565 kH/s + 1,535 kH/s = 3,100 kH/s  381 clk.
Same mods, 1.4v, not sure why the 2nd is a bit slower as it was the faster one before mod.

Now I can try diff software builds etc. and see how changes affect the 24 hr avg.

[BRADLEYPLOOF]

Really wish these things were just a little less expensive so I could get my hands on a few to play with.  I also wish I had a degree in Computer Science so I could understand these boards and chips better and putter around with trying to OC these things.  Keep up the good work though and when there is a nice, easy mod (like soldering bridges on gridseed 5 chips) that seems to work well I'd love to see a how to video and watch someone do it.  It'd be worth a little BTCBTCBTC to me.

[happydaze]

Improving the cooling should be helpful.  Get some air flowing through the chamber would be the least intrusive.  "Blade" style like the guys here did.
Adding heatsinks help but now you're making visible changes.

J4bberwock & nst6563 would know for sure if a "pencil mod" would be beneficial or too risky.  Maybe it could help reduce HW errors at slight overclock speeds.  The results would not be precise though.  If you reduce the resistance too much the voltage will get too high and you could see smoke    There's no way to put the smoke back in once you let it out. 

The volt mod so far is replacing one small resistor.  I actually paralleled a resistor using what I had on hand.  You need a steady hand and a very fine tip on a soldering iron.  Cooling comes first.  They're mini heaters.

[happydaze]

First Fury 24hr avg just got to 1,572 kH/s
I have to try to remember what I did 24 hrs ago ..........