Mabs, can you at least try to understand what's going on before posting? The Intellihash update is software (RTL/HDL) level code changing1. Software level changes are a far cry from a complete chip redesign. So your estimated time frame is not realistic at all.
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Ken stated the chips were late. He attributed this to needing to redesign the chips, making them "up to 20% more efficient" (cue 20% Cooler FIM FTW!). Delayed chip production can not be attributed to software, learn to SHA256 ASIC. If the mysterious Intellihash is indeed software capable of being run on top of any chips, Ken's explanation of delayed chips is clearly a lie. Delayed chips is hardware, not software. Learn to difference.
There's simply too much fail in this thread.
Changing the RTL code will result in a delay, albeit much less then a full redesign.
It would behoove you to do some research into how KnC got their speed boost. (Hint: it wasn't a chip redesign!)
tl;dr Software.
The above quote is nonsensical to anyone familiar with SHA256 ASIC design. Such ASICS have no more software than your CPU, which is none.
Any changes to the RTL code, no matter how minor, require a new mask set & a new foundry run. Fact.
TL;DR: Stop repeating nonsense.
I take it you didn't look into KnC?
You are right, there is delays in the process, but it is less than a full redesign - which is all that I stated. If you are just going to ignore test cases like KnC, who DID receive a significant speed boost via software optimization, (some at the hardware level) then we have nothing more to discuss.
This will probably be my last time engaging you. While you started out reasonable you've ventured into la-la land. I have offered you a case study, and Ken's official description of Intellihash and now you respond with this?
KNC's software optimisation did not require silicon redesign.
Your whole argument here is devoid of any sourcing or facts. You assume that Intellihash is cooling (if this has been stated then I apologize, I don't believe it has, though). You have constructed a textbook argument ad absurdum, which is usually the start of full-on, factless trolling.