Tag: antminer r4

Firmware to Activate “Overt AsicBoost” in BM1387-based Antminer Models

We’re very pleased to share that last night our developers released the firmware for the Antminer S9 to enable what is popularly called the “overt AsicBoost” functionality. We will also release in one week the firmware to activate this functionality in other BM1387-based models namely the Antminer R4, S9i, S9j, T9 and T9+. This step will increase future effectiveness of several Antminer models and provides the framework for a strong long-term network.

 Initially, we decided against activating this mathematical function in mining hardware produced by us, largely because of the legal uncertainty surrounding the use of AsicBoost. As an organization, we didn’t want to violate patent laws or act in any way that was untoward. Instead, we continued to focus our efforts on R&D and building the industry’s most efficient mining chips. It’s worth noting, as outlined in a April 2017 blog post, our ASIC chip BM1387 has the capability built into the chip technology.  

In March 2018, we noticed new manufacturers of hardware advertising the use of “AsicBoost” and soon after that we noticed blocks being mined on the blockchain using AsicBoost. To give users of our mining pools the option to mine using AsicBoost we added support for it on both BTC.COM and Antpool. 

 Now we are pleased to give Antminer users whose miners have the capability to support this function a choice to avail this advantage without any negative impact on the Bitcoin protocol. This variant of the “overt AsicBoost” simply uses version bits different from those that other manufacturers have been using. It is equally transparent because it can be seen in the blockheader of boosted blocks.

With regard to patent rights, we continue to respect third parties’ IP right and take actions accordingly. Based on legal opinions from various jurisdictions, we believe that there isn’t and may never be a patent right over AsicBoost. Thus, all miners should be entitled to make their own choice on whether to use AsicBoost technology without anybody having an exclusive right over it.  

Bitmain is committed to creating the industry standard for the most efficient and effective miners on the market. After testing AsicBoost on the Bitmain testnet, we found that the functionality does improve mining efficiency. 

One of Bitmain’s top priorities and guiding principles is to provide our customers with the best mining technology in the industry and after extensive internal conversations, we have decided to activate this functionality to achieve two main objectives

  1. Future Effectiveness: We recognize that cryptocurrency mining technology is rapidly evolving, innovating, and improving, and hardware depreciates rapidly. By activating AsicBoost, our customers’ hardware will increase in effectiveness while the future hardware we make continues to be the industry gold standard. 
  2. Stronger Network: We have been very transparent that we have activated AsicBoost in the miners on our testnet and have found that it improves efficiency in mining operations. Utilizing this technology will be very beneficial for the mining. AsicBoost has the potential to reduce the J/TH cost and increase the total hashrate of the network. By activating this upgrade widely, we are making the Bitcoin network stronger than ever before. 

 The new firmware can be downloaded at https://service.bitmain.com/support/download

---------------------
Liked this article? Share it with others:

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedin
Follow Us for Latest News & Articles:

Facebooktwittergoogle_pluslinkedin

Beware of the Phishing Website Bifmaintech.com

phishing website bifmaintechWe were today informed by a concerned Bitmain fan that a website with a domain (www.bifmaintech.com) similar to that of Bitmain’s official website www.bitmaintech.com is mirroring our original website. He found this website through a Reddit post announcing release of the Antminer R4.

phishing website bifmaintech

Interestingly the Reddit post links to another article on a tech news’ website called TechUpgrade.com It may be good for our advertisement but the article is filled with phishing links and inaccurate information.  To lure customers into buying from their phishing website, the website displays an unbelievably low price of $995 and also includes the APW5 in that “$995 package”.

We have reported the issue to the website on their “Contact Us” page but not sure if the message went through because it doesn’t show any confirmation message.

We hope that no Bitmain fan or anyone is tricked into paying on this website.

---------------------
Liked this article? Share it with others:

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedin
Follow Us for Latest News & Articles:

Facebooktwittergoogle_pluslinkedin

Bitmain Launches Antminer R4, the Most Silent Multi-terahash Bitcoin Miner, for Home Use

Some people hang photos of their family on their office walls. Others, might place trophies, diplomas or that huge fish they caught during their last fishing trip. Us, we’re Bitcoin miners. We finally have a miner that belongs on our office desk.

We are launching at 23:00 (GMT+8) on Monday (29 August) the world’s most silent multi-terahash bitcoin miner and a silent 2600W PSU specially designed for high-performance mining.

The Antminer R4 uses the world’s most power-efficient 16nm BM1387 ASIC chip for bitcoin mining. It can deliver a hashrate of 8.6TH/s with a power efficiency of 0.1J/GH and a noise level less than 50dB. At an ambient temperature of 35°C, the R4’s noise level is 52dB.

The Antminer R4 has been designed with great care to ensure the least possible sound with the maximum hashrate. It replaces the traditional miner fan with a centrifugal fan inspired by the fan of a silent split air conditioner. The speed of this unique fan is automatically controlled to ensure that it never produces more sound than is absolutely necessary. The slim design of the Antminer R4 allows it to be conveniently placed in a book rack or computer table at home.

APW5 power supply unit (PSU) for bitcoin miners

The APW5 power supply

The APW5 power supply is compatible with the 220V as well as the 110V mains power supply in North America. On full load, it has a power factor greater than 0.95. With a 220V supply it can deliver an output of 2600W. It comes with seven pairs of 6-pin PCI-e connectors but can easily be fitted with upto 20 PCI-e connectors. It is built for high-power performance and low noise. Like that of the R4, the APW5’s fan is automatically controlled so it only produces as much sound as is absolutely necessary.

For home users who wish to utilize R4’s exceptional noise level with the optimum performance, we highly recommends that they use it with Bitmain’s APW5 power supply.

With the release of these products, Bitmain hopes to bring bitcoin mining back to homes and continue decentralizing the bitcoin mining network.

 

Learn more about the Antminer R4 here.

You can download the e-brochure of the APW5 power supply from here.

---------------------
Liked this article? Share it with others:

Facebooktwittergoogle_plusredditpinterestlinkedin
Follow Us for Latest News & Articles:

Facebooktwittergoogle_pluslinkedin

© 2024 blog.bitmain.com

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑