In this guide, we show you step by step how to install the "Pimp My Bitaxe" Upgrade Kit Basic. We no longer sell this kit; the guide stays online for owners.
The guide also works for other cooling upgrades, because the basic steps are almost always the same. Other heatsinks may need different adapters, but the procedure stays the same.
Pimp My Bitaxe Upgrade Kit Basic – Schritt-für-Schritt Installationsanleitung 🚀
1. Check package contents
Check that all parts are in the package. The complete set includes:
- 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 the old thermal paste
- 8x M3x20 screws
- 2x M2.5x6 screws for the heatsink adapter
2. Take out and use the stickers
Take the stickers out of the box and stick them somewhere, for example on your laptop.
3. Remove the old heatsink
Carefully disconnect the fan plug.
Then carefully loosen the 4 mounting screws of the standard heatsink on the back.
The heatsink can then be removed.
4. Clean the ASIC chip
Remove the old thermal paste from the chip with the included cleaning cloth. For a more thorough cleaning, cotton swabs or a cloth with IPA cleaner also help. Make sure no lint remains on the chip.
Important: In this step you press on the soldered ASIC chip. Work carefully and never press forcefully on the chip, otherwise it can be damaged.
4.1. Interim status
Your Bitaxe is now free of the old heatsink and the ASIC chip is clean. Now you can install the upgrade kit.
5. Install the mounting adapter
Push the 4 spring push pins through the 3D-printed mounting adapters as shown.
Then screw the two mounting adapters to the heatsink with the included M2.5x6 screws.
Make sure you screw the adapter to the heatsink the right way round. The screws must disappear into the adapter, then it is fitted correctly. The countersunk holes on the adapter make incorrect assembly almost impossible.
Thanks to IN ∞/21M WE TRUST. for the design and the permission to use these adapters.
6. Mount the fan on the heatsink
Attach the fan to the heatsink with 4 of the included M3x20 screws.
6.1. After mounting the fan
This is how the heatsink looks with the adapter and fan mounted.
There are no rules for cable routing. Route the cables the way you like best.
7. Apply thermal paste
Carefully apply a pea-sized dab of thermal paste directly onto the ASIC chip using the syringe.
The photo shows the right amount. Use exactly that much, no less and no more, so the heatsink cools best.
8. Mount the heatsink on the Bitaxe
We recommend mounting the heatsink so that the fan points upwards in the end. This cools the Bitaxe best. You can also let the fan point sideways if you prefer.
Lay the pre-assembled heatsink on the table with the contact surface facing up. Place the Bitaxe on top from above, aligned with the 4 push pins.
Then carefully push all 4 pins through the openings in the Bitaxe. Push two diagonally opposite pins through first, then the other two.
8.1. After mounting
This is how it looks once all 4 pins are inserted through the board and have each clicked into place.
Instead of the push pins, you can also use screws and nuts. In that case, tighten them carefully so the pressure on the ASIC chip does not get too high, otherwise the chip can break.
9. Plug in the fan
If you do not use a rear fan, you only need to plug the fan into the board now.
Optionally, bundle the cables with cable ties and remove the yellow sticker from the fan cable.
Without a rear fan, the guide ends here. Have fun with your pimped Bitaxe.
10. Attach the second fan to the rear
Attach the second fan to the back of the mount with the remaining 4 M3x20 screws. We recommend the upper position, because the voltage regulator, which needs the most cooling, sits there.
Cooling the ASIC chip from the back had almost no effect in our tests.
11. Plug in the Y-splitter cable
Plug the included Y-splitter cable into the matching connector on the Bitaxe. It does not matter which of the two ends goes to the front fan and which to the rear fan.
12. Mount the backplate and plug in the fan cables
Screw the Bitaxe onto the backplate of the mount with the 4 small screws that come with the mount. Then plug the cables of the front and rear fans into the Y-splitter.
13. Cable management
Once all cables are plugged in, tie them together neatly. You can use a cable tie (not included) or a wire, for example the one from the power supply.
How you route the cables is up to you. Just try to keep the cables from touching the board.
14. Done
All done. Your Bitaxe is now pimped and should no longer overheat.
Note:
The standard power supply has 31.2 watts. Do not run it above 80 % load in continuous operation. This corresponds to a Bitaxe power consumption of at most 25 watts. Keep this in mind when overclocking your device.