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Topic: [Announcement] Avalon ASIC Batch #1 Ships - page 63. (Read 238907 times)

full member
Activity: 182
Merit: 100
January 26, 2013, 12:35:13 PM
I hope they keep their tricks a secret until BFL starts building the PCB's and commits hard money to completing their project.

I doubt at that point any BFL customer will get their cash back.

Josh can correct me if I am wrong about this and tell his customers that they can pull their cash out of this venture at any point (without limitations) prior to shipping.

Even they have legitimate reasons to keep the spec secret, there is absolutely no reason to keep the tracking number secret.

Doesn't having the tracking number give you access to the recipients address? Perhaps it's for privacy.
LOL  Grin
They don't give tracking numbers to their customers Smiley No one expects that they will give those numbers to the public.
legendary
Activity: 1792
Merit: 1111
January 26, 2013, 12:23:03 PM
https://www.rsa.com/rsalabs/node.asp?id=2333
Quote
China

China is one of the countries with the strongest restrictions on cryptography; a license is required for export, import, or domestic use of any cryptography product. There are several restrictions on export regulations, and China is not participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement.

So? Mining doesn't do any cryptography.

I agree, but I can see how a bureaucrat might disagree. Most of resources refer to SHA256 as a "cryptographic hash function". Avalon might sneak through, or they might be required to obtain a license - which may take a while.

Can we go back to this and talk about what this means for Avalon importing their products and how it's different than a company shipping from inside the US?

I am now pushing this explanation up to the top of my list of most likely explanations for the delay in shipment updates.

1. Export license paperwork turned out to be more complicated that they thought (if they thought at all).

2. Unanticipated logistic issues with assembly

3. Interpersonal issues within the team, including a rogue and scammy team member

4. The Relic Dealer and his infantry stormed the warehouse, took everyone hostage, and by mistake started mining on one of alt chains


Until there is end-user report from China, any excuse like "customs" or "export license" is just BS
hero member
Activity: 756
Merit: 501
There is more to Bitcoin than bitcoins.
January 26, 2013, 12:01:40 PM
https://www.rsa.com/rsalabs/node.asp?id=2333
Quote
China

China is one of the countries with the strongest restrictions on cryptography; a license is required for export, import, or domestic use of any cryptography product. There are several restrictions on export regulations, and China is not participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement.

So? Mining doesn't do any cryptography.

I agree, but I can see how a bureaucrat might disagree. Most of resources refer to SHA256 as a "cryptographic hash function". Avalon might sneak through, or they might be required to obtain a license - which may take a while.

Can we go back to this and talk about what this means for Avalon importing their products and how it's different than a company shipping from inside the US?

I am now pushing this explanation up to the top of my list of most likely explanations for the delay in shipment updates.

1. Export license paperwork turned out to be more complicated that they thought (if they thought at all).

2. Unanticipated logistic issues with assembly

3. Interpersonal issues within the team, including a rogue and scammy team member

4. The Relic Dealer and his infantry stormed the warehouse, took everyone hostage, and by mistake started mining on one of alt chains
donator
Activity: 1617
Merit: 1012
January 26, 2013, 11:36:47 AM
Wow.. the self denial is incredible.  Yes, enjoy your 4U, 400w hashing monster, lol. Size a fucking refrigerator for 66 GH/s.

Profit per day at 66 GH/s @ 400w = $190
Profit per day at 60 GH/s @ 100w = $174

Hashing monster > vaporware product.

You're talking initial gains. Double or triple the difficulty in your equation and try again..

*Hint* Organofcorti already did all the math for you over a wide range of difficulties over on his blog */Hint*
Where I live, a 300W advantage works out to about $2.00 (0.11 BTC) a day less in electricity costs. For most people in the US it would be less.

I would have stopped mining long before my $1,000+ piece of hardware is pulling in only $2/day. It is simply not worth it.
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1004
January 26, 2013, 11:36:22 AM
Wow.. the self denial is incredible.  Yes, enjoy your 4U, 400w hashing monster, lol. Size a fucking refrigerator for 66 GH/s.

Profit per day at 66 GH/s @ 400w = $190
Profit per day at 60 GH/s @ 100w = $174

Hashing monster > vaporware product.

You're talking initial gains. Double or triple the difficulty in your equation and try again..

*Hint* Organofcorti already did all the math for you over a wide range of difficulties over on his blog */Hint*
It actually isn't that bad for the first little while. Even at 250TH/s (~35M difficulty), the systems are pretty similar.
For instance, at $17.50/BTC and $0.15/kWh, an Avalon hashing at 66GH/s using 400W would profit $455/30 day month.
At the same conditions, the BFL Single at 60GH/s using 60W would profit $447/30 day month.

Baring a change in stats, it probably won't be until almost all the preorders are out that BFL takes over from Avalon in terms of profitability. Avalon's second batch is still a loser in my eyes if BFL (and Avalon) can ship on time though. Earnings might be close to the same, but the Avalon unit is going to heat up a room and use a lot more space, in addition to costing $200 more. They'll definitely need to rethink their price increase or have some super duper extra features.

I hope they keep their tricks a secret until BFL starts building the PCB's and commits hard money to completing their project.
LOLWUT? You think that building the PCBs is the point in which you put hard money into the project? The cost of all the PCBs for the first batch going to be a lot less than they spend on salaries for a month, it's a drop in the bucket at this point.
legendary
Activity: 1064
Merit: 1001
January 26, 2013, 11:07:54 AM
Wow.. the self denial is incredible.  Yes, enjoy your 4U, 400w hashing monster, lol. Size a fucking refrigerator for 66 GH/s.

Profit per day at 66 GH/s @ 400w = $190
Profit per day at 60 GH/s @ 100w = $174

Hashing monster > vaporware product.

You're talking initial gains. Double or triple the difficulty in your equation and try again..

*Hint* Organofcorti already did all the math for you over a wide range of difficulties over on his blog */Hint*
hero member
Activity: 633
Merit: 500
January 26, 2013, 11:03:06 AM
Wow.. the self denial is incredible.  Yes, enjoy your 4U, 400w hashing monster, lol. Size a fucking refrigerator for 66 GH/s.

Size matters... at all?  There are only 4 relevant factors: cost, release date, hashing power, and wattage.  That you're even commenting on size, and that you've consistently touted the good looks of the BFL units, tells everyone here that your priorities are way out of whack.
full member
Activity: 196
Merit: 100
January 26, 2013, 08:09:03 AM
Doesn't having the tracking number give you access to the recipients address? Perhaps it's for privacy.

Usually not, but most posters would be quite happy with the recipients of the initial 2 units saying "I've got a tracking number and it's currently at X".
legendary
Activity: 1204
Merit: 1002
RUM AND CARROTS: A PIRATE LIFE FOR ME
January 26, 2013, 08:06:30 AM
I hope they keep their tricks a secret until BFL starts building the PCB's and commits hard money to completing their project.

I doubt at that point any BFL customer will get their cash back.

Josh can correct me if I am wrong about this and tell his customers that they can pull their cash out of this venture at any point (without limitations) prior to shipping.

Even they have legitimate reasons to keep the spec secret, there is absolutely no reason to keep the tracking number secret.

Doesn't having the tracking number give you access to the recipients address? Perhaps it's for privacy.
hero member
Activity: 952
Merit: 1009
January 26, 2013, 07:53:06 AM
If I were a company sending out the first prototypes of my highly anticipated completely new device the last thing I would want is for all of the world to see where exactly this prototype is floating around, especially considering the communities infiltration with scammers and thieves.
full member
Activity: 140
Merit: 100
1221iZanNi5igK7oAA7AWmYjpsyjsRbLLZ
January 26, 2013, 07:36:53 AM
Even they have legitimate reasons to keep the spec secret, there is absolutely no reason to keep the tracking number secret.
You are wrong Wink
no ASIC = no shipment = no tracking number = reason to keep the tracking number (fictitious) secret Wink
I think he was saying the same thing you are saying actually.

The tracking number doesn't exist yet - they're getting the paperwork in order. They're probably also tired of listening to us here, talk about it endlessly.
legendary
Activity: 1666
Merit: 1057
Marketing manager - GO MP
January 26, 2013, 07:16:41 AM
What happens if one of those unreleased features makes them an non-competitive lemon?

You're going out on a very long limb here if you think they have a hidden feature that can negate the dramatic difference in power costs.

My speculation: They will be selling series of ever slightly more powerful chips, which you just plug into sockets. Easy upgrades.

+1

Agreed...having a simple upgrade path using the existing chasiss

Also some way of linking them together in a borg type deal..(thats a me dreaming ) ...lol





I doubt it, if anything it won't be just sockets since common QFP sockets are freaking expensive. (I researched that option once for a home project)
Added to that even if they have a concept for upwards compatible pin layout the buffer caps would depend on the clock frequency.

So the best option would be modular pcbs, which could be possible but it would be more expensive for the upgrades themselves and it's exactly the most efficient strategy since the devices wouldn't consist of much else than a micro controller and a power supply.
full member
Activity: 182
Merit: 100
January 26, 2013, 07:12:53 AM
I hope they keep their tricks a secret until BFL starts building the PCB's and commits hard money to completing their project.

I doubt at that point any BFL customer will get their cash back.

Josh can correct me if I am wrong about this and tell his customers that they can pull their cash out of this venture at any point (without limitations) prior to shipping.

Even they have legitimate reasons to keep the spec secret, there is absolutely no reason to keep the tracking number secret.

You are wrong Wink
no ASIC = no shipment = no tracking number = reason to keep the tracking number (fictitious) secret Wink
hero member
Activity: 574
Merit: 500
January 26, 2013, 07:04:16 AM
What happens if one of those unreleased features makes them an non-competitive lemon?

You're going out on a very long limb here if you think they have a hidden feature that can negate the dramatic difference in power costs.

My speculation: They will be selling series of ever slightly more powerful chips, which you just plug into sockets. Easy upgrades.

+1

Agreed...having a simple upgrade path using the existing chasiss

Also some way of linking them together in a borg type deal..(thats a me dreaming ) ...lol



legendary
Activity: 1792
Merit: 1111
January 26, 2013, 05:51:42 AM
I hope they keep their tricks a secret until BFL starts building the PCB's and commits hard money to completing their project.

I doubt at that point any BFL customer will get their cash back.

Josh can correct me if I am wrong about this and tell his customers that they can pull their cash out of this venture at any point (without limitations) prior to shipping.

Even they have legitimate reasons to keep the spec secret, there is absolutely no reason to keep the tracking number secret.
newbie
Activity: 26
Merit: 0
January 26, 2013, 05:31:26 AM
interesting
full member
Activity: 140
Merit: 100
1221iZanNi5igK7oAA7AWmYjpsyjsRbLLZ
January 26, 2013, 04:02:11 AM
My speculation: the board supports dynamic frequency and voltage changes, a software upgrade makes overclocking and undervolting automatic (pick your target hash rate)

Since the chips internal structure is very repetitive, binning them into frequency ranges won't produce a large spread of chip speeds.

Aftermarket heatsink and fan arrangements could be very profitable for the first month or so.
hero member
Activity: 644
Merit: 500
January 26, 2013, 04:01:31 AM
So I guess in 4 days we should see signs of Avalons asics runnin....
legendary
Activity: 1876
Merit: 1003
January 26, 2013, 03:58:54 AM
I hope they keep their tricks a secret until BFL starts building the PCB's and commits hard money to completing their project.

I doubt at that point any BFL customer will get their cash back.

Josh can correct me if I am wrong about this and tell his customers that they can pull their cash out of this venture at any point (without limitations) prior to shipping.
legendary
Activity: 1876
Merit: 1003
January 26, 2013, 03:55:28 AM
BFL has the 40Gh/s system.

BFL takes them seriously, makes a promise to overclock their ASICs by 30%. Raising it to 60 Gh/s.
Last time I checked, overclocking from 40GH/s -> 60GH/s was a 50% overclock, not 30%. I could be wrong tho. Those damn maths are sneaky little bastards.
Your right. I was thinking of the 60Gh/s instead of the old 40Gh/s. I'll go back and change it.
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