--gekko-compac-freq <freq> is not working

[Mr-Goldberg]

Hi!

Im using this repo's version of cgminer and the argument --gekko-compac-freq <freq> makes no effect. I've tried frequencies 100, 220, 300 - I always got 200Mhz in the terminal log. I wonder, if I use the command improperly, or the argument indeed does not work?

cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.ckpool.org:333 -u <wallet_address> -p x --gekko-compac-freq 300

[ChristopherinNH]

Don't try anything without a fan on the ASIC heat sink. If you have one, put this in:
--suggest-diff 1000 --gekko-compacf-detect --gekko-start-freq 300 --gekko-compacf-freq 350
You were missing the "f". If you're just messing around without a powered usb hub you may have to go down to a frequency of 150, which is a bummer because the Compac F likes to stretch her legs. I'm waiting for some stuff from GekkoScience.org right now, but I did successfully get over 200 GH/s at 315 MHz (with about 1 HW error every 9 -12 minutes) on a Pi Zero 2W with a 4A power supply. Pi Zero's don't limit power, but I'll betcha this little Pi isn't long for this world passing 2+ Amps through its micro-usb port.

*I'm going to update this for fun, and maybe turn it into a GitHub project someday:
Pi Zero2W with GeeekPi full heatsink running just under 40C
(I bought a hammer pin header & installed it, but it's not in use)
GeeekPi 4A power supply running under 40C
(My Raspiblitz 4A PSU is about the same)
UGreen micro-USB male to USB 2.0 Female adapter
Gekko Compac F USB Miner with BitcoinMerch fan - hottest part of chip / heatsink @ 50C
(Don't forget to measure the back!)
I settled on 205GH/s @ 325MHz with no more than 7 HW errors per hour. The 4A Rpi PSU breaks 40 Celsius above 330MHz. I'm still confident that I won't burn my house down. Sometime between right now and 37,000 years from now, it's possible to mine a block!

[Mr-Goldberg]

@ChristopherinNH thanks, it worked! Getting about 215Gh/s at 350mhz.
Seems that README.md does not specify the correct commands for compacF.
I'm not a fan of fans, just mounted huuuge passive heatsink on the chip. The nearest point to the chip, where I can reach to measure temperature was 45C at 200Mhz and about 52C at 350Mhz.

[Mr-Goldberg]

I wonder, is it safe to set 500mhz? My heatsink will be more than enough to manage 15W of heat on the chip, but is there a possibility for other parts of compacF to knock out?

[ChristopherinNH]

There's a very informative bitcointalk forum on these little miners. I suggest you google and find it before going past 400MHz, which should get you closer to 300 GH/s. Even so, you may have to adjust the core voltage screw one clock position clockwise to get it stable. My advice is to test with scale (increase 5MHz) and time (at least an hour to check hardware errors against last test). Have fun with it!

[wareck]

hello
yes speed is linked to temperature and module consumption
tuning is a balance between performance, consumption, efficiency and reliability
depending to the coin you want to mine, you may have to tune maybe not
some people prefer to have an efficency module (less heat = less consomption) some prefer to have high hash rate.

be carefull with the adjust screw, sometimes being too greedy can damage the module.
if you want to play, add a fan

[Mr-Goldberg]

Many thanks! Will do as you say.