ANTMINER U3 Discussion and Support Thread

[spazzdla]

Another thing that's wrong with these devices is that they should be able to be run from a laptop power supply brick - so 12-20V input or 12 x root(2) V (12v lighting transformer)

I'm not sure what you mean, but they do run from a power supply brick?

My criticism of this device from Bitmain is that the cost is such that it can never be recouped.  This is a coffee table device, a conversation piece, a piece of art, but it will never make the purchaser money.

If Bitmain really wants to support the home miner, the design has to be drastically simplified so that people can make a working miner with parts from their junk box.
To wit, no power supply should be included plus the purchaser provides a heat sink and cooling.  It should be a barebones device which can run from a range of voltages (12V from an old ATX power supply or 18.5V from a laptop brick - in other words whatever is to hand), it should be available with an order quantity of one and the price should be such that no VAT or duty is payable.  Delivery should be low cost.

I don't know what the market for such a device would be, but considering that the Raspberry Pi has sold 3 million, there is evidently considerable demand for products for hackers.

IMO that should be the U3 - DIY  (Really though..??!)

There is nothing they can fix about delivery, there must be a distributor(someone buying in mass volume and selling out of NA).  Mass volume is required for this though.

I am quite excited for the U3, I think I will get two and retire my S1's.  100 Watts for 120 Ghash, pretty nice.  100 Watts is cheap.

[spazzdla]

Anyone else planning on grabbing 1 of these or a couple?

[dogie]

Anyone else planning on grabbing 1 of these or a couple?

There are a few group buys, as well as resellers: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=137.0

[spazzdla]

Anyone else planning on grabbing 1 of these or a couple?

There are a few group buys, as well as resellers: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=137.0

Just opened a group buy for my area actually and I am talking to some co-workers.  Althought it seems just using a re-seller is going to be the best way.

[mblados]

How can you profit from these while other miners are running on Ths?

[jawitech]

Is there any reseller for EU selling the U3?

[spazzdla]

How can you profit from these while other miners are running on Ths?

It is not my intent to make a profit from this device.. it's $60... 60 bucks.. I just want a new toy.

[jawitech]

How can you profit from these while other miners are running on Ths?

There are still other coins next to BTC where you will be able to get some coins even with that hashrate. Even if it's only to generate "play money" to trade with.

[richardamullens]

If Bitmain really wants to support the home miner, the design has to be drastically simplified so that people can make a working miner with parts from their junk box.

Post what the MSRP needs to be for each unit.
Post what TH/s the units needs to be.
Post what the power consumption per unit needs to be.

What you are proposing is really an impossible unit at this point in time given the BTC drop. There is nothing right now that can be built to make a return and if it is only useful as a miner. Dead is home mining and possibly massive farm are dead as well especially those that do not have the cheapest hydro possible.

The threshold for UK 20% VAT is £15 (For duty it is £135) ie USD 23.96 http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document#P20_1804
 Postage is not counted for ordinary mail.

https://bitmaintech.com/files/download/BM1382_Datasheet_v3.0.pdf gives 14.18 GH/s at 0.528 W/GH (Core voltage 0.72V, current 10.4A, Power 7.49W).

So the question is how many of these could be put on a board with a microprocessor, hopefully a switch mode power supply and a USB interface for $23.96.

Note that I've used the value 0.72 V whereas elsewhere in the spec the minimum recommended core voltage is 0.75

The situation in Europe seems to vary country by country. In France there is no threshold it seems, whereas some countries have a threshold of €22.  Germany has a threshold for VAT of €22 but if the total VAT is less than €5, it is waived so the value could be up to €42 USD 52.41 (slightly more actually as Germany's VAT is 19%)

(The information for Europe I obtained from http://www.dutycalculator.com/ - but after 3 searches they ask for money and though I flushed my cookies it did not seem to help).

[cloh76]

Anyone have one of these yet?  I may buy 1 as a talking piece.  Are there any group buys or distibutors in Asia?  Im on assignment here in the Philippines

[richardamullens]

In another thread (I forget which) a link to a 30x14 cm (half a square foot) heat sink from Shenzhen was posted http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300-140-20mm-Aluminum-HeatSink-for-LED-Power-IC-Transistor-Module-PBC-/321199970078?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item4ac902971e

By buying parts for a miner separately and putting them together oneself, one can avoid paying VAT.  All that is missing is an economical board from Bitmain.  If Bitmain wants to democratise mining they have to make a product that stands some chance of recouping its cost.  It is most unlikely that the U3 is that.

[bobsag3]

Anyone have one of these yet?  I may buy 1 as a talking piece.  Are there any group buys or distibutors in Asia?  Im on assignment here in the Philippines

Ours arrive tomorrow according to UPS

[cloh76]

Anyone have one of these yet?  I may buy 1 as a talking piece.  Are there any group buys or distibutors in Asia?  Im on assignment here in the Philippines

Ours arrive tomorrow according to UPS

cool.  let me know how it is.  Feedback is always good prior to purchasing!

[bobsag3]

So... first note, there is NO PCI-E 6 Pin on these units.

Otherwise, find pr0n below.

[fullzero]

WTF Bitmain no pci-e! This is the real reason they wouldn't offer a no power brick version.

[richardamullens]

So... first note, there is NO PCI-E 6 Pin on these units.

Any chance you can give us a look inside - cover off, then fan removed ?
Thanks

[spazzdla]

I want one.. but just 1 lol.

[dogie]

I want one.. but just 1 lol.

There are plenty of regional resellers and group buys up for the U3

[bobsag3]

So... first note, there is NO PCI-E 6 Pin on these units.

Any chance you can give us a look inside - cover off, then fan removed ?
Thanks

Sure, Ill pop one open tomorrow.

[ImCrazyOne]

Is there any tutorial on how do i get these things mining. I am getting LIBUSB_ERROR_PIPE when i use the bitmain cgminer and the frequency 0D83. Can someone post a cgminer command line for U3 Miner. Thanks