Based on Bitmain's past record of reusing design work, I'd bet the S7 will be same form factor and same front/back plates as the S3/S5.
I'd go 80/20 on 2 hash boards vs. 3 like the "S5+".
I'd bet on it being 1KW power consumption or less, but not on HOW much less.
Definitely new chip with better specs - but how much better is a good question, and a high probability they'll run the chip at or very close to it's LEAST efficient point to maximize hash rate NOT efficiency.
Price, actual hash rate, power consumption, and date of first shipment are the big questions right now.
Chip technology doesn't really matter except indirectly in how it affects the hash rate and power consumption.
The S5+ is perfectly practical with 110V - I have no clue why people keep saying it needs 220. You DON'T have to run it from a single power supply after all.
I do still think the S5+ should have been called the S6 though, even if it's not really rack-mount form factor it's CLOSE.
I don't think the S5+ has a direct effect on when the S7 will go on sale - I think the only real holdup on the S7 right now is Bitmain clearing out all of their "used farm/Hashnest" S5 units as they get them replaced by S7 (or perhaps S8 or "S7+) units.
I'd go 80/20 on 2 hash boards vs. 3 like the "S5+".
I'd bet on it being 1KW power consumption or less, but not on HOW much less.
Definitely new chip with better specs - but how much better is a good question, and a high probability they'll run the chip at or very close to it's LEAST efficient point to maximize hash rate NOT efficiency.
Price, actual hash rate, power consumption, and date of first shipment are the big questions right now.
Chip technology doesn't really matter except indirectly in how it affects the hash rate and power consumption.
The S5+ is perfectly practical with 110V - I have no clue why people keep saying it needs 220. You DON'T have to run it from a single power supply after all.
I do still think the S5+ should have been called the S6 though, even if it's not really rack-mount form factor it's CLOSE.
I don't think the S5+ has a direct effect on when the S7 will go on sale - I think the only real holdup on the S7 right now is Bitmain clearing out all of their "used farm/Hashnest" S5 units as they get them replaced by S7 (or perhaps S8 or "S7+) units.
The people complain because it needs 2x 220-240v for optimal efficiency and also because 220v is more efficient, about 2% less waste, which at 90% is a 20% reduction in waste, up to 40%. Etc.
We could see a s7 be at around 0.8kWh for like 2.5TH. We'll see.
the s7 won't come out for months.
There is a good chance s-5++ can be made to run downclocked to 4.75th and use 1800 watts that translates to .375 watts a gh.
I will be ordering an s-5+ this weekend and try to test the findings out from this thread.
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/antminer-s5-underclock-undervolt-best-jgh-1151460
if it tests as expected the s-5 generation has a lot of life left to it.
No need for bitmaintech to sell s-7's
They will off load all s-5's and s-5+'s for months to come. and if the mods allowing for lower power use pan out we will not see a s-7 until Jan or feb.
