Discussion and Support for Antminer U3

Antminer U3: Continuing the Decentralization Journey Exclusively at bitmaintech.com Released on October 18, 2014, Bitmain is all about boosting the decentralization of the Bitcoin network and offering top-notch products to users. With that in mind, they are excited to introduce their newest miner, the U3 USB miner. The U3 incorporates four of Bitmain's state-of-the-art BM1382 chips encased in a high-quality dome. The first batch will become available for purchase on October 18th in Beijing (UTC +8 Time Zone). This initial batch of U3 miners is set at a price of 56 USD each (shipping not included), with shipping planned for November 5th. You need to buy at least 60 units, and any additional units must be in multiples of 20. Specs: * Hash Rate: 63 GH/s at 0.75V Max Hash Rate: 63 GH/s * Power Efficiency: 0.8 Watt/GH/s when connected at 0.75V * Voltage: DC 12V input, 6A * Number of Chips per unit: 4 * One 80mm fan * Noise level: ~25 DB at 25 °C ambient temp * Hashrate and core voltage can be tweaked using the cgminer command line * USB connectivity * 12V AC/DC power adapter rated for 6A, though power line is not provided * Compliance Certificates: FCC/CE Important notes: 1) Power consumption: The reported numbers depend on the efficiency of your PSU, the surrounding temperature, and how accurate your power meter is. 2) PSU: You’ll need to supply your own ATX PSU with 1 PCI-e connector, or a power line. Features: Scalable: You can manage multiple U3 miners with one controller using cgminer thanks to its USB port. Easy to use: Just plug in the USB and power cables, then start Antminer CGMiner. Cool operation: U3s stay cool and quiet thanks to the 80mm fan.

FAQ and Technical Support Setup requirements: Requires power via included AC/DC adapter. You will need to purchase a power cable for the AC/DC adapter.External controller [PC, Pi]USB cable is included Dogie's comprehensive setup guide now up in super HD! Configuration

Yay, I've been waiting for for these! The U2s were great.

Look like the latest rice cooker!

Min order 60 units at $56 per unit and that is before shipping and customs added. Pity they aren't selling them individually it might have been tempting as a early Christmas gift for someone.

They'll be sold to regional resellers/distributors for individual purchase. It just doesn't make sense to ship individual units round the world.

Decentralization continued, really??.  Sorry Bitmain, while you guys have provided lots of good product to consumers the decentralization train left the station some time ago.

Why does everyone quote ck like he is a God? He's just one person, like everyone else. He has no additional knowledge of the market, like everyone else.

fact is that the U3 wont make any profit unless there is a drastic shift in BTC value - which would still ensure better profits for a larger miner anyways. IMO ck's post is accurate, and it shouldnt be surprising that the bitcoin service will slowly centralize in areas where power is cheap. Even 2 years ago there were guys running $50,000 worth of GPUs in their garages or even rented buildings - those people now run $200,000 farms

Bitmain, Why does your announcement state that a 16A power brick is needed, but then later you state that an ATX PSU with a single PCI-e connector is needed? The render you provide certainly appears to show a standard power brick barrel adapter and not a PCI-e connector... or is that strange-looking thing in the center of the bottom supposed to be the PCI-e connector? Basically what I'm asking: Is the power to be supplied by EITHER a 16A brick OR an ATX PSU?  The choice is up to the customer?  Or, does the unit require both a brick and an ATX PSU? Also, in the specs you state DC 12V, 6A... so why the need for a 16A brick?  Is that a typo? Thanks.

The middle white connector is a PCI-E 6 pin, I assume to the right of it is a DC barrell connector.

I quoted him in this instance because he is correct and presented the information well. I don't think he is god, I don't believe in god/s.  His reputation can speak for itself and if I thought he was wrong I would have no problems saying so.  In this case however he was/is pretty much bang on mate. I notice you didn't argue with the substance of the post but instead look to misdirect by basically calling me a fan boy. Don't worry Dogie your meal ticket is still in place, as Conman pointed out there are still enough suckers blinded by greed that they can afford to keep you on contract for a while yet.

He isn't God. He is just right as Flying Hellfish and klondike_bar say. If you disagree then why not put up a case to rivals his? Unfortunately the numbers don't square and anyone who is looking forward understands this game of small mining is dead for profit motives. Do you have any evidence to support some other conclusion? If you do then please share that with the community. Now having said that. Maybe units with other purposes beyond mining or dual purpose and mining might be the way to decentralize mining this bee hive looking unit is a step in that direction. This is the right way of thinking about this... but not a rice cooker. Think consumer electronics that require being on all the time. Wallets like the Trezor possibly or maybe storage NAS systems.

Very cool design.  Unfortunately I can't afford 60 of them so I'll keep an eye out for group buys of these.

This might have been a decent deal if it was released 3+ months ago but now it's just an overpriced novelty. Rockminer has been selling cheaper noob miners for months.

The unit itself requires 5-6A, and is provided with a AC/DC 12V, 16A PSU.

As a hopeless optimist, not to mention a gadget freak, there are a few SHA altcoin out there that you could mine with these. So far the problem has been that the $/GH/day factor has still been in BTC's favor.  However, if BTC does become even more centralized to the massive farms, then could there be a chance that altcoin mining could still be at least marginally profitable to the hobbyist? There has been some effort to make altcoins more relevant (like NU's attempt to build on PPC - even though the jury is still out on how successful that will be).  While BTC is the 800 lb gorilla in the cybercoin-for-commerce world, there still might be a place for others (again, the hopeless optimist speaking here .

Mother of god, a BFL 60GH used to cost thousands of dollars. Less than a year ago.....

Also keeping a look out for a group buy.  I could order the 60 since I have enough BTC, but I don't need 60 and I'm not able to manage a group buy at the moment.