Topic: [Group Buy] BFL ASICs, + Board Design Underway. - page 4. (Read 15406 times)
I'd like to buy in for 8 chips; I do have codes to go with them.
I have 32 vouchers I'd be willing to put into this effort. Are there any plans to make boards that can hold more chips? Any rough idea on what assembly would cost? I can't commit to 32 chips worth in BTC right now, especially since board design isn't set in stone, but I would be interested further down the line.
Could these, apart from the power supply, be operated with an (almost) passive cooling solution? <15 watts/chip... open boards, huge heatsinks??
I have BFL chips ordered. What's the word on assembly options/costs? Would love to get some opinions from other buyers on the best way to use these chips!
Count me in. I've got 4 chip codes I'd like to put towards a finished 4 chip unit.
Let me know where to send them.
Thanks.
Let me know where to send them.
Thanks.
I'm would like to get on board for some chips if it is not to late ...
I'm interested on getting in for 4 chips, and I have 2 chip codes, let me know details via PM if there is still room.
BFL released just the PCB for the 5Gh jalapeno
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Yea, BFL also released the gerbers on their forum. I was surprised at the amount of layers. And bypass capacitors.
Wouldn't it be feasible to mount these chips on some ASICMiner Block Eruptor-like USB Stick?
Power downsumption should be manageable (< 15watts!?) heat dissipation... maybe?
Perhaps but there's currently a lot of "larger" support chips required in the BFL design to manage communication and queueing with all 16 engines. These could probably be designed down or out if only using one chip. The current spec doesn't even come close to using all the pin outse. Power downsumption should be manageable (< 15watts!?) heat dissipation... maybe?
BFL released just the PCB for the 5Gh jalapeno
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Yea, BFL also released the gerbers on their forum. I was surprised at the amount of layers. And bypass capacitors.
Wouldn't it be feasible to mount these chips on some ASICMiner Block Eruptor-like USB Stick?
Power consumption should be manageable (< 15 Watts!?) heat dissipation... maybe?
Power consumption should be manageable (< 15 Watts!?) heat dissipation... maybe?
BFL released just the PCB for the 5Gh jalapeno
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Yea, BFL also released the gerbers on their forum. I was surprised at the amount of layers. And bypass capacitors.
Well they might be on the back plane. They are listed on the BOM. All 450 ish of them. Also, I believe that there are only 6 layers on the board.
Last thread hijack I promise but have you priced out the BOM yet? Some pricey support componentsit looks like.
Looks like about $200 for the PCB, assembly and components. That isn't set in stone yet, but should be close.I ended up with 96 chip codes, so I might buy on my own now and wait for a good board design to come about.
Last thread hijack I promise but have you priced out the BOM yet? Some pricey support componentsit looks like.
Looks like about $200 for the PCB, assembly and components. That isn't set in stone yet, but should be close.Hi
May I know how many chips will fit on the estimated $200 board? 8 chips?
I am trying to price this out
Last thread hijack I promise but have you priced out the BOM yet? Some pricey support componentsit looks like.
Looks like about $200 for the PCB, assembly and components. That isn't set in stone yet, but should be close. Similar situation, I have 32 codes that I would be willing to put forward to the group buy if there is a real chance (as in "99%") assembly that provides "ready to run" rigs/boards/blades.
Cheers
PMed
what would be the production time estimate? Please don't say two weeks.
LOL... Two weeks? Unfortunately, it probably will end up being something along these lines. Getting the chips to the assembly house and then doing a super rush couple day run would drive the cost way up. BFL released just the PCB for the 5Gh jalapeno
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Its in Altrium format.
The problem is you can only mount two chips on it (it has pads for 8 I think) otherwise it will get to hot and fry.
They are 10 Layer boards and they are NOT cheap to have manufactured even in 1000 lots they are like $30 a pop
I have already converted the Altrium files to Gerber files, pick files and Bill of materials files.
Yea, BFL also released the gerbers on their forum. I was surprised at the amount of layers. And bypass capacitors.
What is the state now?
I've actually been swamped with work getting the group buy together. Work is slowly progressing on the PCB, though it's been sped up by BFL releasing the documentation of their chips. The plan is to submit the order to BFL on Friday and arrange for samples to be shipped out, and get the design finished and test boards under construction the week following. If revisions need to be made the schedule leaves time for that, and then production boards can be ordered with a longer leadtime to keep costs reasonable while we're waiting for the chips to arrive. Once chips arrive, they'll go to the assembly house for anyone who's interested in having a board made, or shipped directly to you.
Are you planning on producing the board that BFL released gerbers for?
There's some word mincing in their chip spec. One chip contains 16 engines and the board design released is supposed to support 8 chips. Now I was under the impression that the board design released would only support 2 chips even though there is space for 8 because more than 2 generates enough heat to melt traces. Let me know if I'm incorrect in that assumption.
You are right:from BFL forum shoutbox:
BFL-Josh: "The point of us releasing the design stuff wasn't so people can just go make their own BFL stuff... it was so people can make new stuff.".
" If you are planning on designing off that Jalapeno board, you should consider different mosfets. Those will overheat with more than 1 chip." .
"Even two chips drives those particular mosfets really, really hot." .
"Well, I'm not sure I'd drive 300 watts through that board, if that's what you mean..." .
"We have a number of 8 chip short board units that have been working for quite awhile, but I wouldn't trust them without some changes and additoinal cooling. With a waterblock you'd probably be golden."
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