FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About Bitaxe and Mining

The Bitaxe is a fully open-source ASIC Bitcoin miner designed for flexibility and accessibility. The Bitaxe democratizes Bitcoin mining by making powerful mining technology accessible to a wider audience.

Summary:

During normal operation, a Bitaxe consumes approximately 15–25 watts—less than a typical light bulb. This makes it ideal for mining setups at home or in the office.

What factors determine the exact power consumption?

• Clock Frequency

Higher hertz means higher hashrate, but also higher power consumption. If you want to save power, you can easily lower the frequency (undervolting)

• Core Voltage

Higher voltage increases power consumption. Moderate undervolting reduces both power consumption and temperature.

• Cooling

Good airflow prevents thermal throttling and maintains high efficiency. Dust-free fans and unobstructed intake/exhaust air paths are therefore doubly beneficial.

Practical‑Profiles

• Eco‑Mode (slightly underclocked/undervolted): approx. 15 W
• Factory Setting: approx. 20 W
• Performance‑Mode (higher frequency): up to 25 W

Even in Performance Mode, the Bitaxe remains so energy-efficient that it can be operated from a standard household outlet without significantly increasing your electricity bill.

Several factors determine how hot the Bitaxe gets during operation. If you understand these factors, you can optimally balance cooling, performance, and noise levels:

• Clock Frequency

A higher frequency delivers more hashrate but also generates more waste heat. Set the frequency only as high as your cooling system can reliably dissipate the heat.

• Core Voltage

As the voltage increases, so does power consumption and, consequently, heat. Overvolting should be used sparingly; slight undervolting saves power and lowers the temperature.

• Heatsink

Size, material, and fin design determine how quickly heat is dissipated from the chip. Use a high-quality, properly installed heatsink. You can find optimized heatsinks for retrofitting in our shop.

• Thermal paste

The paste is the critical link between the chip and the heatsink. Apply it thinly, evenly, and over the entire surface; replacing it regularly can significantly improve cooling performance.

• Fan and airflow

The more air that flows through or over the heatsink, the faster heat is dissipated. Keep the fan free of dust and ensure unobstructed intake and exhaust air paths.

If these points are observed, the Bitaxe will operate safely, efficiently, and quietly.

Summary:

• ASIC‑Chip: safe up to 70°C, automatic protection mode kicks in at 75°C, and real danger only arises above 90°C.
• Voltage regulator (Vreg): specified for continuous operation up to 120°C; temperatures below 100°C are not a concern.

Details and Background

There is a rumor circulating in the community that the Bitaxe must always remain below 60°C—this is simply false. The truth is:

1. Manufacturer Specifications
   The ASIC chips used are designed for junction temperatures significantly higher than 60°C. 50–70°C is their optimal range; thermal shutdown (throttling) only begins at 75°C and has a generous safety margin.
2. Built-in protection mechanisms
   As soon as a critical value is reached, the Bitaxe throttles the frequency or stops the hashing process long before any hardware damage could occur.
3. Efficiency vs. Lifespan
   Yes, cooler is more efficient: every degree lower saves a little power. But: If the Bitaxe runs quietly and stably at 65°C, there is no risk and no need for action.
4. Practical Tip
   Reducing the fan speed lowers the noise level—as long as the ASIC temperature stays below 75°C, everything is fine.

Conclusion

As long as your Bitaxe is operating normally and does not switch to protection mode, you don’t need to worry about temperatures exceeding the oft-cited 60°C. Just ensure a clean airflow and a properly mounted heat sink—then the device will operate safely, efficiently, and with a long service life.

Bitaxe is considered one of the best open-source Bitcoin miners thanks to its customizable hardware and software, ease of use, and strong community support. Other notable open-source miners include Nerdaxe and Qaxe.

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

The hashrate of a Bitaxe miner varies depending on the model. The Bitaxe Supra offers a hashrate of up to 733 GH/s, and the Bitaxe Gamma up to 1.33 GH/s, depending on the specific configuration and the cooling solutions used.

Mining with single-chip ASICs is generally not very profitable in today’s highly competitive Bitcoin mining environment. Profitability depends on electricity costs, the price of Bitcoin, and the efficiency of the hardware. Devices like Bitaxe are better suited for educational purposes and hobbyist mining than for generating significant profits.

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 S21Pro. It is currently (as of November 2024) the best and most efficient ASIC on the market.

Bitcoin lottery mining refers to solo mining, in which a single miner attempts to solve a block and receive the entire block reward (currently 3.125 BTC plus transaction fees). This method carries high risk and significant volatility, as the odds of finding a block are very low. However, successful miners can earn substantial rewards, similar to winning the lottery. This approach is better suited for miners with significant computing power or for those willing to accept a high degree of uncertainty.

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 architecture enables unparalleled flexibility and customizability and supports decentralization in Bitcoin mining.

All Bitaxe models offer the following cooling options:

• Basic cooling: Stable operation under normal conditions.
• Noctua cooling: Premium fans for quieter operation.
• Ice Cooler Tower: Advanced cooling system for maximum heat dissipation during high-performance operation (sold separately).
• Noctua Cooler Tower: Combination of Ice Tower Cooler and Noctua fan for optimal cooling during continuous high-performance mining (sold separately).
• Copperzilla: The ultimate cooling system for overclocking. Enables the Bitaxe to be overclocked to over 600 MHz and achieve maximum hashrate (sold separately).

1. Unpack and inspect: Make sure all components are included and undamaged.
2. Place the device in the mount: Insert the Bitaxe into the included mount and secure it with the included screws.
3. Connect the power supply: Connect the Bitaxe to the included 5V power supply. Do not use an unauthorized power supply to avoid damaging the device.
4. First-time power-up: Plug in the Bitaxe. It will attempt to connect to a standard network, which it cannot find because it has not yet been configured.
5. Connect to the Bitaxe Wi-Fi access point: Use a Wi-Fi-enabled device (e.g., smartphone or laptop) to search for the new Wi-Fi access point named Bitaxe_XXXX and connect to the Bitaxe SSID.
6. Access the AxeOS web portal: Once connected, you should be automatically redirected to the AxeOS web portal. If this does not happen, open your browser and go to http://192.168.4.1.
7. Configure Wi-Fi settings: In the AxeOS web portal, click the “Settings” button. Enter the SSID and password for your local Wi-Fi network. Note: Bitaxe devices are not compatible with 5 GHz Wi-Fi; they only work with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Check the SSID and password carefully to avoid having to manually restore them later.
8. Enter Bitcoin Address: In the AxeOS web portal, update your own Bitcoin address to which the Bitaxe should mine.
9. Save and Restart: Click Save and then Restart to apply the changes.
10. Start mining: If everything is configured correctly, the Bitaxe will automatically start mining.

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

• User-friendly interface: Accessible even for beginners.
• Enhanced durability: Made from high-quality materials for long-term reliability.
• Real-time monitoring: Advanced diagnostic and analysis tools for performance monitoring.
• Versatile configuration: Supports various mining configurations for performance optimization.

Bitaxe embodies the open-source philosophy, as all design files are available to the community for modifications and improvements. This fosters collaborative development and continuous innovation in Bitcoin mining.

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

As with any advanced mining hardware, the initial setup may require technical adjustments.

In particular, with the latest Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370), issues with the ASIC chip’s temperature may arise under certain circumstances. This is because the ASIC chip is extremely powerful. If the device overheats during operation, there are two options:

• The device can be throttled via the settings. To do this, the frequency of the ASIC chip and, if necessary, the chip’s voltage should first be reduced by one level.
• Alternatively, the device can be retrofitted with a more effective cooling system.

The profitability of the Bitaxe Gamma (BM1370) may be limited due to its single ASIC chip, meaning it does not achieve as high a hashrate as larger, multi-chip miners like the S21Pro. This miner is often used more as a “lottery miner” or to collect small amounts of satoshis in mining pools. It is generally not profitable if electricity costs exceed 0 euros, but it offers valuable experience and supports decentralized open-source mining efforts. This miner allows users to explore and learn about Bitcoin mining without having to make a large financial investment.

Solomining is the only CE-certified Bitaxe manufacturer in Germany, rated 4.88 out of 5 stars across 72 customer reviews. All devices are built by Bolt Engineering GmbH in Germany, are CE-compliant (declaration of conformity on file), WEEE-registered, and listed as an official Legit Seller on bitaxe.org. Shipping is from Germany with German and English-speaking support, full legal imprint, HRB company register entry, and VAT ID — no import handling, no customs surprises. Every Bitaxe is tested before shipping and delivered with a pre-mounted heatsink, matching 5V power supply, and a German setup guide.