Topic: Klondike - 16 chip ASIC Open Source Board - Preliminary - page 181. (Read 435369 times)

Stupid question: Can i use the 16 chip board with fewer than 16 chips on it? Or it needs all 16 in place to be able to work?

+1
Do whatever you want dude. I am really happy that you are here and working on it
As long you are helping the community we are obliged to help you out that is my way of thinking. I am completely aware that shit can always happen but i will not be disappointed whatever comes out.
10X

Thx. At this stage it's not really a business. It's more like another possible chance to have a working open source board in 9-10 weeks. It'll be really hard if none of the current DIY board makers get there.

But later when I have a working board it's entirely feasible to take on orders and ship kits, or assembled units. I'm just not comfortable with being another "order now, maybe later" type outfit. When I have a working board I'll figure out what to do next. Maybe take investors and go big, or maybe fund myself and go small. Maybe just mine away and be happy. But the result will be another board design out there for anyone to build.

posting in here to show interest in the boards as well as the assembled machines.

Small donation of 0.3 btc is on the way. No one expects a free boards or chips or WHATEVER  for donation or at least me. My thinking is that we have to help you out to cover the expenses at least since it is not a business project for you as i see things. I am not mentioning the time and knowledge invested

Guy's, please donate whatever you can afford!!! Every Btc matters!

10X

Anyone who wants to help out with a donation is welcome. I'm not committing to give boards for donations yet. Anything sent to my address below will be put towards more chips before the May 1st zefir deadline (since I already have an order and can combine them for shpg).

Donate: 1BvpJvejSmtWjuDfytZL5HTBUjoXokazp9

After May 1st, and in the coming weeks I'll ensure the current $$ value is used to order prototype boards, parts and probably a small/cheap logic analyzer/scope. Right now I'm expecting an initial prototype order costing $150 for 30 boards in 1-2 weeks. This board will be used for firmware dev / testing, trial runs with a ASIC simulator (rigged up by me), and generally trying to get as much tested and working before the chips ever arrive.

It's entirely possible that first boards work, or don't work, or have issues, so I hesitate to guarantee working boards for a fixed price. But I will give preferential treatment to those who help me get to the final goal of working boards before chips arrive. Because after that date the race will be full on ballistic. (I have a 20 chip order in the very first day of zefirs queue, to fill my first board).

The easy way to handle this is using PCI/Molex splitters on the PSU and just plugging them into each board. Anything on board or between boards isn't as feasible due to high currents. Splitters are readily available and cheaper than other options. At 12V each board would use 2.7 A.

I'm expecting to have 1 or 2 heat sinks on the back of each board. Either one large one or 2x(6cmx10cm). I have a socket 478 CPU (AL) heatsink on hand and I think I'll initially test with that and see where it goes. These seem to be easy to find locally. I also may make some myself with sheet aluminum for trials. In the end I don't know what will be sufficient except by looking at the Avalon we should expect similar size and results - I won't be able to magically vanish any heat but there's no reason it should be worse.

No idea about price yet but someone else posted about www.heatsinkusa.com and I'll get around to looking at that or other options.

Id be interested in a few board

Very interesting project! How many of these "small scale" Avalon board projects are there now?

I know. Can you publish address for donations also. I will send some btc right away because of your efforts

PS: What about power supply when multiple boards will be stacked? It wil go to additional power connector? or we will have to extend/divide our PSU PCI connectors?
Shall the  for ALU heat sink will be enough? I know cooper is recommended but it will be expensive as long as know. Do you have a price idea how much ALU/Cooper heatsink may cost for 10x10 board?
10X

Check back and see how it goes. I've been selling on eBay for 10 years from here. It's very easy for me to ship small items by registered air mail reliably, for low cost (under 2kg).

My fab says they offer 100% tested, though I've yet to verify that I have read good things in feedback online that they make good boards. It's done in some big factory in China.

Will add corner holes for spacers to stack. Part of the reason for moving to 10x10cm, and because the board price is the same and with Kicad I won't be limited to 8x10cm. Also need to add holes between chips to mount heat sink on back. Board shown above is far from complete.

sweet, another one interested here

Super!

I am in!
Buy the way as far as i know 4 layer PCB needs testing itself. Not all factories can do that. Is your PCB factory a reliable one?

PS: do not forget holes for stacking to make them tower like setup

Oops! That's a long shot for me then. Hunt still on for someone in US.
Best wishes.

Thailand.

Great. Thanks.

Where are you located ?

I hope to offer boards, kits and assembled units (from your chips) but that depends on how things work out. I want to be up front here and not over commit to what I can offer. I have limited ability to assemble too many boards quickly as I'd be doing it myself. If too many people order assembled boards I may have to limit this to what I can manage.

If things go well and I set up a good test harness, and fully debug things before chips arrive, I should be able to offer a good package with quick turn around.

watching!

I am interested.

Would you be only providing PCB board, or offer assembly service as well to complete the boards - if I ship the avalon chips to you ?

Thanks!

hi good job

i ll maybe need your services when time comes...