FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Home and Solo Mining and the Bitaxe.

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What is a Bitaxe?

Bitaxe is a fully open-source ASIC Bitcoin miner designed for flexibility and accessibility. Available in various models like Supra and Gamma, it utilizes advanced ASIC chips such as the BM1368 and BM1370. Bitaxe democratizes Bitcoin mining by making powerful, customizable mining technology accessible to a broader audience.

How many watts does a Bitaxe use?

A Bitaxe generally consumes around 10 to 30 watts, making it an efficient option for small-scale and hobbyist mining operations.

What is the max temperature for Bitaxe?

The safe operational temperature range for a Bitaxe is typically between 40°C and 65°C. Exceeding these temperatures can reduce efficiency and potentially damage the hardware.

What is the best open-source Bitcoin miner?

Bitaxe is one of the top open-source Bitcoin miners due to its customizable hardware and software, ease of use, and robust community support. Other notable open-source miners include Nerdaxe, and Qaxe.

Does Bitaxe work?

Yes, the Bitaxe is an effective ASIC miner, particularly valued for its customization options and low power consumption. It supports both solo and pool mining, and its open-source nature allows for continuous improvements by the community.

What is the hashrate of Bitaxe miner?

The hashrate of a Bitaxe miner varies by model. The Bitaxe Supra offers a hashrate of up to 733 GH/s and the Bitaxe Gamma up to 1,330 GH/s, depending on the specific configuration and cooling solutions used.

Is solo mining profitable?

Solo mining is generally not highly profitable in today’s competitive Bitcoin mining landscape. Profitability depends on electricity costs, Bitcoin prices, and hardware efficiency. Devices like Bitaxe are more suited for educational purposes and hobbyist mining rather than substantial profit.

What is the difference between the BM1368 and BM1370 ASIC chip?

The BM1368, used in the Bitaxe Supra, is the chip based on the Bitmain Antminer S21 and achieves hashrates of up to 733 GH/s with exceptional energy efficiency. The BM1370, used in the Bitaxe Gamma, is the chip from the Antminer S21 Pro. It is currently (as of November 2024) the best and most efficient ASIC on the market.

What is Bitcoin lottery mining?

Bitcoin lottery mining refers to solo mining, where an individual miner attempts to solve a block and receive the entire block reward (currently 3.125 BTC). This method involves significant risk and high variance, as the chances of solving a block are low. However, successful miners can earn substantial rewards, similar to winning a lottery. This approach is more suitable for miners with significant computational power or those willing to accept high levels of uncertainty.

What is the Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370) and why is it important?

The Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370) is an open-source Bitcoin ASIC miner designed for serious enthusiasts. It features the powerful BM1370 ASIC chip and achieves up to 1,330 GH/s with exceptional energy efficiency (15 J/TH). Its open-source structure offers unparalleled flexibility and customizability, supporting decentralization in Bitcoin mining.

What cooling options are available for the Bitaxe models?

All Bitaxe models offer the following cooling options:

Basic Cooling: Ensures stable operation under normal conditions.

Noctua Cooling: Premium fans for quieter operation and improved thermal regulation.

Ice Cooler Tower: Advanced cooling system for maximum heat dissipation during high-performance mining (sold separately).

Noctua Cooler Tower: Combines the Ice Tower Cooler with a Noctua fan for optimal cooling during continuous high-performance mining (sold separately).

Argon THRML Cooler: The ultimate cooling system for overclocking, allowing the Bitaxe to exceed 600 MHz and achieve maximum hashrate (sold separately).

How do I set up the Bitaxe devices?

  1. Unbox and Inspect: Ensure all components are present and undamaged.
  2. Place the Device in the Standing Case: Insert your Bitaxe device into the included standing case.
  3. Connect Power Supply: Plug the Bitaxe device into the included 5V power supply. Do not use a non-approved power supply to avoid damaging the device.
  4. Initial Power-Up: Power on your Bitaxe device. It will attempt to connect to a default network, which it will not find.
  5. Connect to Bitaxe WiFi Access Point: Use a WiFi-capable device (such as a phone or laptop) to search for the new WiFi Access Point named Bitaxe_XXXX. Connect to the Bitaxe SSID.
  6. Access AxeOS Web Portal: After connecting, you should be automatically prompted or redirected to the AxeOS web portal. If not automatically redirected, open your browser and visit http://192.168.4.1.
  7. Configure WiFi Settings: In the AxeOS web portal, click on the ‘Settings’ button. Enter the WiFi SSID and password for your local WiFi network. Note: Bitaxe devices are not compatible with 5GHz WiFi; they only work with 2.4GHz WiFi. Double-check the WiFi SSID and password before entering to prevent manual recovery later.
  8. Update Mining Pool Settings: In the AxeOS web portal, update the pool URL, port, and user to your preferred mining pool. Recommended pools include ckpool, publicpool, and D-Central’s Solo Pool.
  9. Save and Restart: Click Save, then click Restart to apply the changes.
  10. Start Mining: If everything is configured correctly, your Bitaxe device will start mining.

Is the Bitaxe suitable for solo mining?

Yes, the Bitaxe is ideal for solo mining. Its open-source design promotes decentralization, allowing miners to operate independently and contribute to the Bitcoin network’s security and resilience. The advanced connectivity options make it easy to join and manage your preferred mining pool.

What are the key features of the Bitaxe?

  • User-Friendly Interface: Accessible even for beginners.
  • Enhanced Durability: Built with high-quality materials for long-term reliability.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Advanced diagnostics and analytics tools for performance monitoring.
  • Versatile Configuration: Supports various mining configurations to optimize performance.

How does the Bitaxe support open-source development?

The Bitaxe embraces the open-source ethos, with all design files available for modification and improvement by the community. This encourages collaborative development and continuous innovation in Bitcoin mining technologies.

What makes the Bitaxe energy efficient?

The Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370) is equipped with the BM1370 ASIC chip, known for its exceptional energy efficiency of 15 J/TH. This makes it not only profitable but also environmentally friendly, supporting sustainable mining practices.

Are there any known issues with the Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370)?

As with any advanced mining hardware, the initial setup may require technical adjustments. Specifically, with the latest Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370), there may be issues with the ASIC chip’s temperature. This is due to the chip’s extreme performance capabilities. If the device overheats during operation, there are two options:

1. The device can be throttled through the settings. For this, the ASIC chip’s frequency and, if necessary, the chip’s voltage should first be reduced by one level.

2. Alternatively, the device can be retrofitted with improved cooling.

Is the Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370) profitable?

The profitability of the Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370) can be limited due to its single ASIC chip, meaning it does not achieve as high a hashrate as larger, multi-chip miners like the S21 Pro. This miner is often used as a “lottery miner” or to gather small amounts of satoshis in mining pools. It is generally not profitable if electricity costs are above 0 euros, but it provides valuable experience and supports decentralized open-source mining efforts. This miner allows users to engage with and learn about Bitcoin mining without requiring significant financial investment.