ANTMINER S3+ Discussion and Support Thread

[rhj12345]

Just in case anybody was interested, I sent an email to Bitmain about the S1 upgrade roll out and this was the response I got back today:

Hi Rob,
S1 upgrade solution will be released to the public soon

Best Regards

BITMAIN

No I don't know what exactly they mean by "soon" but with as many S1's I have, I hope sooner than later otherwise there all going to eBay.  

[atledenin]

I like to tell another thing, my 2 PCI-E Power cables to S3 were a little hot.
My S3 hashrate was not stable at the rated 441Ghs but was averaging at 420. I ordered thermal paste.
Before thermal plates were arriving, I tried to plug two additional PCI-E power cables to S3.
The Antminer S3 is running at stock clocks 218.75 and PCI-E power cables are cool now.
The main reason for this post is to report that the miners stabilised at 441. Earlier it was 420.
Two thing I'm pointing out,
1. The miners plugged in continuously for 4 or 5 days and seems like it was running-in and stabilised at-last at 441.
2. Plugging the all four connectors even if you are not overclocking will some way help you.

Similar experience here.  S3 clocked down to 212 as it would not stabilise at stock.  Finally decided last night to have a fiddle as I had a bit of time on my hands.  After removing the cover I did the following -

Straightened out the heatsink fins as some were bent close to where the screws were.
Tightened up one screw which was loose on one heatsink.
Pushed the cables to make sure they were seated properly, they all looked ok, no "give" when pushing.
Put the cover back on and instead of putting the cables into the sockets closest to the ethernet port I decided to try the other two.

Hooked it back up, checked the results after a couple of hours and it was hashing at 420.  Decided to put the clock back to stock and it's been hashing at 440 for the last 24 hours!

Really strange as the only thing I felt I really did was swap the cables.  Maybe it just needed a bit of TLC and me stroking its internals made it happy!

[rhj12345]

Maybe it just needed a bit of TLC and me stroking its internals made it happy!

Maybe we should all start getting a life! LOL 

[bigredbutton]

Please forgive my laziness since this was likely mentioned earlier in the thread but is there a guide somewhere to silence or quite the beeping of the S3? While handy for a giant farm operator this feature is quite annoying for the home hobby miner. It seems as though the options under the web UI can't do anything about the beeping.

[tzortz]

I had one of my S1s go belly up this morning. Won't power up. Anyone have any experience with a dead system under warranty with Bitmain? I submitted a ticket in their new support system, so hope it goes well.

S1 or S3 you mean?

[Fahlcor]

DHL Seems to be moving quick. These are S3 B5 going to Central Canada.

10   Departed Facility in HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   21:34   
9   Processed at HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   21:24   
8   Customs status updated   CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA   07:56   
7   Clearance processing complete at HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   18:51   
6   Arrived at Sort Facility HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   12:21   
5   Customs status updated   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   06:10   
4   Departed Facility in SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   05:39   
3   Processed at SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   05:36   
2   Arrived at Sort Facility SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   05:03   
 
Tuesday, August 05, 2014   Location   Time   
1   Shipment picked up   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   17:09

On another note I love to see the difficulty diving until my units arrive.  I got my PSU's  (CX850) yesterday and  all plumbed in and ready to hash.

Has anyone tried the wireless on them without pigtails?  just wondering what the real range is.  Otherwise I will run a chunk of copper to them.  I should likely just do that anyway.

Happy Hashing people...

[faetos]

I had one of my S1s go belly up this morning. Won't power up. Anyone have any experience with a dead system under warranty with Bitmain? I submitted a ticket in their new support system, so hope it goes well.

S1 or S3 you mean?

S1, curious if anyone has done an RMA with Bitmain recently and what the best way to go about it is?

[allcoinminer]

Please forgive my laziness since this was likely mentioned earlier in the thread but is there a guide somewhere to silence or quite the beeping of the S3? While handy for a giant farm operator this feature is quite annoying for the home hobby miner. It seems as though the options under the web UI can't do anything about the beeping.

Upgrade S3 from its web interface to the latest firmware from BitMainTech website.
The beep problem is an already solved issue.

[Biodom]

I like to tell another thing, my 2 PCI-E Power cables to S3 were a little hot.
My S3 hashrate was not stable at the rated 441Ghs but was averaging at 420. I ordered thermal paste.
Before thermal plates were arriving, I tried to plug two additional PCI-E power cables to S3.
The Antminer S3 is running at stock clocks 218.75 and PCI-E power cables are cool now.
The main reason for this post is to report that the miners stabilised at 441. Earlier it was 420.
Two thing I'm pointing out,
1. The miners plugged in continuously for 4 or 5 days and seems like it was running-in and stabilised at-last at 441.
2. Plugging the all four connectors even if you are not overclocking will some way help you.

Yes, but did they stabilize because of a 4 days run-in or because of 4 vs 2?

I am also in the middle of one experiment. A unit was fluctuating between 420 and 428 on 212.5 (~400 only on 218.75) on four connectors, now I switched to 2 connectors in front (first pair close to the ethernet port; connectors are from the same double cable from EVGA1300, incoming cable is warm (42C with a laser temp probe), temp of actual connectors is 31 and 29C-unit is at 429gh (after 18hr), so possible slight improvement.

Conclusion: a possibility that 2 connectors are better than 4 (at least for some machines).
Will report on latter stats and will try to go to 218.75, which it was NEVER able to properly do before (on 4 connectors).

Another new unit I am "burning in"-checking it with just a single double cable from CX500M, connected to the "back" pair of connectors-incoming cable is at 42C, first connector is at 32C, second at 30C with ambient at 25-26C, speed 441.55GH at 218.75 for 20hr.

Conclusion: CX500M is OK at regular speed, temp not that high, speed good

[Bitcoin Town]

Please forgive my laziness since this was likely mentioned earlier in the thread but is there a guide somewhere to silence or quite the beeping of the S3? While handy for a giant farm operator this feature is quite annoying for the home hobby miner. It seems as though the options under the web UI can't do anything about the beeping.

Upgrade S3 from its web interface to the latest firmware from BitMainTech website.
The beep problem is an already solved issue.

i think the problem what you mean i never found it bitmaintech running good .

[allcoinminer]

I like to tell another thing, my 2 PCI-E Power cables to S3 were a little hot.
My S3 hashrate was not stable at the rated 441Ghs but was averaging at 420. I ordered thermal paste.
Before thermal plates were arriving, I tried to plug two additional PCI-E power cables to S3.
The Antminer S3 is running at stock clocks 218.75 and PCI-E power cables are cool now.
The main reason for this post is to report that the miners stabilised at 441. Earlier it was 420.
Two thing I'm pointing out,
1. The miners plugged in continuously for 4 or 5 days and seems like it was running-in and stabilised at-last at 441.
2. Plugging the all four connectors even if you are not overclocking will some way help you.

Yes, but did they stabilize because of a 4 days run-in or because of 4 vs 2?

I am also in the middle of one experiment. A unit was fluctuating between 420 and 428 on 212.5 (~400 only on 218.75) on four connectors, now I switched to 2 connectors in front (first pair close to the ethernet port; connectors are from the same double cable from EVGA1300, incoming cable is warm (42C with a laser temp probe), temp of actual connectors is 31 and 29C-unit is at 429gh (after 18hr), so possible slight improvement.

Conclusion: a possibility that 2 connectors are better than 4 (at least for some machines).
Will report on latter stats and will try to go to 218.75, which it was NEVER able to properly do before (on 4 connectors).

Another new unit I am "burning in"-checking it with just a single double cable from CX500M, connected to the "back" pair of connectors-incoming cable is at 42C, first connector is at 32C, second at 30C with ambient at 25-26C, speed 441.55GH at 218.75 for 20hr.

Conclusion: CX500M is OK at regular speed, temp not that high, speed good

Can be just coincidence too.
Higher gauge or multiple strands will always lower cable heat even though it doesn't matter much here.

[Billbags]

I had one of my S1s go belly up this morning. Won't power up. Anyone have any experience with a dead system under warranty with Bitmain? I submitted a ticket in their new support system, so hope it goes well.

S1 or S3 you mean?

S1, curious if anyone has done an RMA with Bitmain recently and what the best way to go about it is?

I've had to RMA 2 weeks ago. Bitmain kept emailing and asking for screenshots and telling me to try the same thing over and over again(this went on for 2 1/2 weeks) it was a big dance around the issues of RMA. I finally told Bitmain not to worry about it, I would just sell it for parts on Bitcointalk.org. After that email they finally sent me a RMA form for me to mail back the part of the miner they think is broken. Haven't heard from them or seen my new part yet. I have several S1/S2 and a couple of s3 and they have always been a hit or miss on performance but other than email responses to problems, don't expect much when it comes to a warranty. I should have bought from Minersource.net, they actually stand behind any miner they sell you with their own warranty.

[Marvell1]

Anyone know how many of these I can safely power on a 20 amp breaker ?

I am useless when it comes to working this out.

I was told many would be fine due to using 12v.

But I would appreciate someone in the know answering.

Thanks in advance.

edit:  UK based, so 240v.

oops missed the 240v

[aztecminer]

it was a long shot but it worked!
my ant that had an X has stayed stable all night @225 clock hashing 450g/hs with all asics staying stable 0 ..
bumped it up to @237 clock and is stable last two hours hashing 465 - 470g/hs all asic 0's ..
i was able to get that asic chip to start hashing with that fix i did yesterday.
i think i can push it to @250 clock and get 480 - 500g/hs hashes like the others.

[Biodom]

bumped it up to @237 clock and is stable last two hours hashing 465 - 470g/hs all asic 0's ..

i have one ant that shows all ooo for 2 days at 237.5, while hashing at 464-465, then it shows one X, but speed stays the same.
My conclusion is that it does not show X properly from the beginning, but that is a malfunctioning asic from the start, otherwise the speed would be 478, not 464-465.
Numbers fit, percentage wise: 31/32X478=463
yours might be different (truly fixed)

[SolidStateSurvivor]

Anyone here good at linux and cgminer / cpus want to talk about the MIPS 24Kc controller and the heavy load it is under?

[tom99]

DHL Seems to be moving quick. These are S3 B5 going to Central Canada.

10   Departed Facility in HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   21:34   
9   Processed at HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   21:24   
8   Customs status updated   CINCINNATI HUB, OH - USA   07:56   
7   Clearance processing complete at HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   18:51   
6   Arrived at Sort Facility HONG KONG - HONG KONG   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   12:21   
5   Customs status updated   HONG KONG - HONG KONG   06:10   
4   Departed Facility in SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   05:39   
3   Processed at SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   05:36   
2   Arrived at Sort Facility SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   05:03   
 
Tuesday, August 05, 2014   Location   Time   
1   Shipment picked up   SHENZHEN - CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC   17:09

On another note I love to see the difficulty diving until my units arrive.  I got my PSU's  (CX850) yesterday and  all plumbed in and ready to hash.

Has anyone tried the wireless on them without pigtails?  just wondering what the real range is.  Otherwise I will run a chunk of copper to them.  I should likely just do that anyway.

Happy Hashing people...

I just wonder how good DHL brokerage fee and tax to Canada and anyone used UPS or EMS that wont charge crazy brokerage fee to Canada.

[aztecminer]

bumped it up to @237 clock and is stable last two hours hashing 465 - 470g/hs all asic 0's ..

i have one ant that shows all ooo for 2 days at 237.5, while hashing at 464-465, then it shows one X, but speed stays the same.
My conclusion is that it does not show X properly from the beginning, but that is a malfunctioning asic from the start, otherwise the speed would be 478, not 464-465.
Numbers fit, percentage wise: 31/32X478=463
yours might be different (truly fixed)

i agree with you that the asic chip was not functioning from the start.
i think the asics overheat and if can get them cooled down they will start hashing better .
it is stable holding all o's now, i have not seen an x since i applied the fix .
it is hashing considerably better now and can be oced where before it couldn't be oced.
before it was hashing at 425 - 430 g/hs @stock now i got it @237 hashing 465 -470 g/hs..
actually over time it has been slowly increasing toward 275 g/hs so it might hit 280 g/hs @237 ..
i am predicting it will reach at the very least 480 g/hs @250 ..
i will know in a few hours after i see full performance @237 .

[Phosphorous]

I like to tell another thing, my 2 PCI-E Power cables to S3 were a little hot.
My S3 hashrate was not stable at the rated 441Ghs but was averaging at 420. I ordered thermal paste.
Before thermal plates were arriving, I tried to plug two additional PCI-E power cables to S3.
The Antminer S3 is running at stock clocks 218.75 and PCI-E power cables are cool now.
The main reason for this post is to report that the miners stabilised at 441. Earlier it was 420.
Two thing I'm pointing out,
1. The miners plugged in continuously for 4 or 5 days and seems like it was running-in and stabilised at-last at 441.
2. Plugging the all four connectors even if you are not overclocking will some way help you.

Yes, but did they stabilize because of a 4 days run-in or because of 4 vs 2?

I am also in the middle of one experiment. A unit was fluctuating between 420 and 428 on 212.5 (~400 only on 218.75) on four connectors, now I switched to 2 connectors in front (first pair close to the ethernet port; connectors are from the same double cable from EVGA1300, incoming cable is warm (42C with a laser temp probe), temp of actual connectors is 31 and 29C-unit is at 429gh (after 18hr), so possible slight improvement.

Conclusion: a possibility that 2 connectors are better than 4 (at least for some machines).
Will report on latter stats and will try to go to 218.75, which it was NEVER able to properly do before (on 4 connectors).

Another new unit I am "burning in"-checking it with just a single double cable from CX500M, connected to the "back" pair of connectors-incoming cable is at 42C, first connector is at 32C, second at 30C with ambient at 25-26C, speed 441.55GH at 218.75 for 20hr.

Conclusion: CX500M is OK at regular speed, temp not that high, speed good

More likely is that there was a bad connection with one of the cables when only 2 were used. A loose or bad connection for 1 of the wires would increase the loading on both of the others by 50%, which would cause what was seen: warm wires.

[Phosphorous]

Bitmain,

Could you let us know about the upgrade kits for S1s and S2s? When will these be available? I'd like to upgrade all of my S1s. Also, will the DC/DC component be fixed in these?

Why bother? What cost savings are you expecting to realize from reusing an aluminum frame and maybe the controller? $40?

The benefit is not only coming from the $40 but the discount for upgrading blades.

What discount? And why would Bitmain charge less for blades use in an S1 upgrade vs an S3 purchase?