In these instructions, we'll show you step-by-step how to install the "Pimp My Bitaxe" upgrade kit.
By the way, this guide works just as well for other cooling upgrades – the basic steps are almost always the same. Of course, other heatsinks might use different adapters, but don't worry: with this guide, you'll manage it easily!
Pimp My Bitaxe Upgrade Kit Basic – Schritt-für-Schritt Installationsanleitung 🚀
1. Check package contents
Check if all parts are in the package. For the complete set, these should include:
- ICE-Tower heatsink
- Mounting adapter for the ICE-Tower heatsink including 4 push pins for attachment to the Bitaxe
- Noctua fan NF-A4x20 5V PWM
- Y-splitter cable
- Thermal paste and cleaning cloth for old thermal paste
- 8x M3x20 screws
- 2x M2.5x6 screws for the heatsink adapter
2. Remove and use sticker
Take the stickers out of the box and stick them somewhere immediately. For example, on your laptop.
3. Remove the old heat sink
Carefully disconnect the fan plug.
Then carefully loosen the 4 mounting screws of the standard heatsink on the back.
The heatsink can then be easily removed.
4. Cleaning the ASIC chip
You can easily remove old thermal paste from the chip with the included cleaning cloth. If you like to be particularly thorough, cotton swabs or a cloth with IPA cleaner can also help. Make sure no lint remains on the chip.
⚠️ Important: This step involves applying mechanical pressure to the soldered ASIC chip. Please proceed very carefully and under no circumstances press forcefully on the chip – otherwise it could be damaged! So: rather stay gentle. 😉
4.1. Interim goal achieved
Your Bitaxe is now free of the old heatsink and the ASIC chip is clean. Now we can start installing the upgrade kit.
5. Installing the mounting adapter
Push the 4 spring push pins through the 3D printed mounting adapters as shown.
Then screw the two mounting adapters firmly to the heatsink with the enclosed M2.5x6 screws.
Make sure that the adapter is screwed to the heatsink the right way round. The screws should disappear into the adapter. If this happens, you have screwed the adapter on correctly. (The countersunk holes on the adapter make incorrect assembly almost impossible).
At this point, a big thank you to IN ∞/21M WE TRUST. for the great design and the permission to use these adapters! 🙌
6. Mounting the fan to the heat sink
Use 4 of the included M3x20 screws to attach the fan to the heatsink.
6.1. After installing the fan
This is how the heat sink with the adapter and fan mounted should look.
There are no rules for cable management. Other types of cable routing are also conceivable, depending on what you prefer aesthetically.
7. Apply thermal paste
Carefully apply a pea-sized dab of thermal paste directly onto the ASIC chip using the syringe.
How much exactly? Look at the photo – you'll see the perfect amount there. Try not to skimp or overdo it – this exact amount ensures optimal cooling. 🧊
8. Mounting the heatsink on the Bitaxe
We recommend mounting it so that the fan points upwards at the end. This ensures ideal temperature management. (However, mounting with the fan pointing sideways is also conceivable. Here you can do it as you like best).
In the pre-assembled state, the heatsink can be placed on the table so that the contact surface faces upwards. When it is lying on the table like this, the Bitaxe can simply be placed on top from above so that it is correctly oriented to the 4 push pins.
Now carefully push all 4 pins through the corresponding openings in the Bitaxe. It is advisable to first push through two diagonally opposite pins and then the remaining two pins.
8.1. After installation
This is how it should look once all 4 pins are correctly inserted through the board and clicked into place.
Instead of push-pins, screws and nuts can optionally be used. However, caution is advised here to avoid applying too much pressure to the ASIC chip through the screw connection. Otherwise, the ASIC chip could break.
9. Inserting the Fan
If no back fan is to be used, only the fan on the board needs to be plugged in.
Optionally, the cables can now be neatly bundled with cable ties. The yellow sticker on the fan cable can also be removed now.
Without a back fan, the instructions end here. Have fun with your pimped Bitaxe!
10. Installing the second fan on the rear
The second fan can be attached to the back of the bracket with the remaining 4 M3x20 screws. We recommend the upper position, as the voltage regulator, which requires the most cooling capacity, is located in this area.
Cooling the ASIC chip from the back showed almost no effect in our tests.
11. Connecting the Y-splitter cable.
The included Y-splitter cable can simply be plugged into the corresponding connector on the Bitaxe. It doesn't matter which of the two ends is routed to the front fan and which to the rear fan.
12. Mounting the backplate and plugging in the fan cables
In this step, the Bitaxe can be screwed onto the backplate of the mount. For this, the 4 small screws included with the mount are needed. Additionally, the cables of the front and rear fans are now plugged into the Y-splitter.
13. Cable Management
After all cables are plugged in, they can be neatly tied together. A cable tie (not included in the set) or a wire (e.g., from the power supply unit) can be used for this purpose.
There are no limits to creativity when it comes to cable management. Only contact between the cables and the board itself should be avoided as much as possible.
14. Done
Congratulations! All done. Your Bitaxe has been successfully pimped and will no longer have any overheating issues.
Note:
The standard power supply has 31.2 watts of power. The power supply should not be operated at over 80% load during continuous operation. This corresponds to a Bitaxe power consumption of max. 25 watts. Please consider this when overclocking your device.