Bitaxe vs NerdAxe: The Open-Source Solo Mining Showdown
For a complete overview of all Bitaxe models and resources, visit our Bitaxe Hub.
Two families of open-source Bitcoin miners. Two design philosophies. One shared mission: decentralize the Bitcoin network by putting real ASIC hashing power into the hands of individual bitcoiners. The Bitaxe and NerdAxe lineups represent the best of what open-source mining hardware has to offer in 2025 — and if you are trying to decide which one belongs on your desk, this guide is for you.
Both families run SHA-256 ASIC chips from Bitmain’s industrial mining lineup. Both connect over WiFi. Both support solo mining against the Bitcoin network, giving you a shot — however slim — at a full 3.125 BTC block reward with no pool, no middleman, and no KYC. Both are fully open-source: schematics, firmware, and software published for anyone to audit, modify, and manufacture.
But they are not the same. The Bitaxe family emphasizes polish, plug-and-play simplicity, and a clean web-based AxeOS interface. The NerdAxe family leans into the maker ethos — on-device displays, hackable firmware, modular kits, and a deep connection to the NerdMiner community that spawned it. At the high end, both families now offer multi-chip boards pushing 5+ TH/s from your desktop.
D-Central Technologies stocks both lineups — every Bitaxe variant, every NerdAxe variant, and the full ecosystem of accessories, power supplies, heatsinks, and stands. We are a pioneer in the Bitaxe ecosystem, having created the original Bitaxe Mesh Stand and developed custom heatsinks for Bitaxe and Bitaxe Hex. We have no horse in this race except your satisfaction. This comparison exists to help you pick the right tool for how you want to mine.
Let’s break it down.
The Bitaxe and NerdAxe projects are both fully open-source hardware and software. Anyone can manufacture them. The devices you buy from D-Central are hand-tested in our workshop in Laval, Quebec — assembled with care by technicians who repair thousands of Antminers every year. We know these chips because we work with them daily in industrial machines. That expertise is soldered into every unit we ship.
Design Philosophy: Two Paths to the Same Goal
Understanding the design philosophy behind each family is the fastest way to figure out which one is right for you. The hardware specs matter — and we will get to those in detail — but the feel of using these devices day-to-day is shaped by the design decisions their creators made.
Bitaxe: The Appliance Approach
The Bitaxe project, created by Skot and the open-source mining community, is built around the idea that a solo miner should be as simple to set up as a WiFi router. Unbox it, plug in power, connect to your network, enter your Bitcoin address, and start hashing. The firmware — AxeOS — presents a clean web dashboard accessible from any browser on your network. Configuration is point-and-click. Firmware updates happen over-the-air. The hardware is refined, with purpose-designed PCBs, integrated cooling solutions, and a form factor that looks good on a shelf or desk.
Bitaxe devices generally ship ready to mine. The single-chip models (Supra, Ultra, Gamma) run on a simple 5V barrel jack — the same kind of power supply you might already have lying around from an old router or laptop dock. The multi-chip models (Hex, GT) step up to 12V XT30 connectors for the additional power draw, but the setup process remains the same: plug in, open a browser, configure, mine.
The Bitaxe approach says: “Mining should be accessible. Remove friction. Let the hardware do the talking.”
NerdAxe: The Maker Approach
The NerdAxe family grew out of the NerdMiner community — a movement of bitcoiners who started solo mining on ESP32 microcontrollers producing kilohertz-range hashrate. It was never about probability. It was about participation, education, and the joy of building something with your own hands that connects directly to the Bitcoin network.
When the NerdAxe added a real BM1366 ASIC chip to the NerdMiner platform, it brought legitimate hashrate — ~500 GH/s — to a device that still retained the maker DNA. The NerdAxe Full Kit comes with a LILYGO T-Display color screen showing real-time hashrate, temperature, and share count right on the device. No browser needed. The Expansion Kit is even more DIY: just the ASIC board, designed to plug into an existing NerdMiner setup for instant upgrade.
As the family grew into the NerdQAxe++ (4 chips) and NerdOctaxe Gamma (8 chips), that maker spirit scaled up. Multi-chip NerdAxe devices feature color LCD displays, programmable buttons, per-chip monitoring on-screen, and firmware that invites tinkering. Every NerdQAxe++ and NerdOctaxe Gamma sold by D-Central is hand-assembled in our Laval workshop.
The NerdAxe approach says: “Mining is a craft. Build it, understand it, hack it, make it yours.”
This is not a contest. The Bitaxe is for miners who want clean, minimal-fuss hardware that just works. The NerdAxe is for miners who want to see stats on-device, build kits, and tinker with the platform. Many serious home miners run both — a Bitaxe Hex for raw hashrate and a NerdAxe for the desk display. D-Central stocks both because both serve the mission of decentralizing Bitcoin mining.
Hardware Specifications: The Complete Lineup
Here is every current model in both families, side by side. This is the table you bookmark. We have organized by ascending hashrate so you can find your performance tier at a glance.
Single-Chip Models
Single-Chip Open-Source Miners Compared
| Specification | NerdAxe | Bitaxe Supra | Bitaxe Ultra | Bitaxe Gamma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | NerdAxe | Bitaxe | Bitaxe | Bitaxe |
| ASIC Chip | 1x BM1366 | 1x BM1368 | 1x BM1366 | 1x BM1370 |
| Process Node | 5nm | 5nm | 5nm | 5nm |
| Stock Hashrate | ~500 GH/s | ~500 GH/s | ~500 GH/s | 1.0-1.2 TH/s |
| Power Draw | ~12W | ~12-15W | ~12-15W | ~15-25W |
| Efficiency | ~20 J/TH | ~25 J/TH | ~25 J/TH | ~18 J/TH |
| Power Input | 5V barrel jack | 5V barrel jack | 5V barrel jack | 5V barrel jack |
| Display | Color LCD (Full Kit) | None | None | None |
| Firmware | AxeOS | AxeOS | AxeOS | AxeOS |
| WiFi | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Noise | ~30-40 dB | ~30-35 dB | ~30-35 dB | ~30-40 dB |
Multi-Chip Models
Multi-Chip Open-Source Miners Compared
| Specification | Bitaxe GT | Bitaxe Hex | NerdQAxe++ | NerdOctaxe Gamma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | Bitaxe | Bitaxe | NerdAxe | NerdAxe |
| ASIC Chips | 2x BM1370 | 6x BM1366 | 4x BM1370 | 8x BM1370 |
| Stock Hashrate | 2.0-2.15 TH/s | 3.0-3.3 TH/s | 4.8-6.0 TH/s | 9.6-9.8 TH/s |
| Overclocked | 2.4-2.55 TH/s | 3.5-4.0 TH/s | 6.0+ TH/s | Up to 12 TH/s |
| Power Draw | 35-43W | ~90W | ~100W | ~208W (wall) |
| Efficiency | ~18 J/TH | ~27-30 J/TH | ~16.5 J/TH | ~16 J/TH |
| Power Input | 12V XT30 | 12V XT30 | 12V XT30 | 12V XT60 |
| Display | OLED | OLED | 1.9″ Color LCD | 1.9″ Color LCD |
| Firmware | AxeOS | AxeOS | AxeOS | NerdOS |
| Noise | ~35 dB | ~45-50 dB | ~40 dB | ~45-55 dB |
| Solo Odds (relative) | ~4x Supra | ~6x Supra | ~10-12x Supra | ~20x Supra |
The Educational Tier: NerdMiner
The NerdAxe family includes one device that has no Bitaxe equivalent: the NerdMiner. This is an ESP32-based device that hashes at roughly ~55 KH/s — no ASIC chip, just the microcontroller’s CPU computing SHA-256. The NerdMiner is not a serious mining device. It is an educational tool, a desk ornament, and a statement of intent. It shows real-time block templates, difficulty, and hash counts on its built-in screen. Think of it as the training wheels before you move to real ASIC hardware.
The Bitaxe family has no equivalent entry-level educational device. If you want to learn how Bitcoin mining works at the most fundamental level — watching a CPU compute hashes in real time — the NerdMiner is the only option.
Chip Technology: BM1366 vs BM1370 vs BM1397
The ASIC chip inside your miner determines everything: hashrate, efficiency, heat output, and how many lottery tickets per second you are generating. Both families use chips from Bitmain’s industrial mining lineup, but they are not all the same generation.
Bitmain ASIC Chip Comparison
| Chip | Process Node | Industrial Miner | Per-Chip Hashrate | Efficiency | Used In |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BM1397 | 7nm (refined) | Antminer S17 Pro | ~30-80 GH/s | 36-40 J/TH | NerdMiner ASIC variants (older) |
| BM1366 | 5nm | Antminer S19 XP | ~500 GH/s | ~20-25 J/TH | Bitaxe Supra, Ultra, Hex; NerdAxe |
| BM1368 | 5nm | Antminer S21 | ~500 GH/s | ~20-25 J/TH | Bitaxe Supra |
| BM1370 | 5nm | Antminer S21 Pro | ~1.0-1.2 TH/s | ~15-18 J/TH | Bitaxe Gamma, GT; NerdQAxe++, NerdOctaxe Gamma |
The BM1397 is the oldest chip in the current open-source mining ecosystem. At 7nm, it delivers respectable hashing power but at significantly lower efficiency than the 5nm chips. Some early NerdMiner ASIC expansion boards used this chip, but both families have largely moved on to the BM1366 and BM1370.
The BM1366 is the workhorse of both families. It powers the Bitaxe Ultra, Supra (alongside the closely related BM1368), and the six-chip Hex, as well as the single-chip NerdAxe. At approximately 500 GH/s per chip and ~20-25 J/TH efficiency, it is the chip that made open-source ASIC mining practical for home miners.
The BM1370 is the current generation leader. It delivers roughly 2x the hashrate per chip compared to the BM1366, with better efficiency. This is the chip in the Bitaxe Gamma, the dual-chip Bitaxe GT, and the entire high-performance NerdAxe lineup (NerdQAxe++ and NerdOctaxe Gamma). If you are buying new today, the BM1370-based devices give you the best performance per watt.
A BM1370 chip on a Bitaxe Gamma behaves identically to a BM1370 on a NerdQAxe++ — they are the same physical silicon from Bitmain. The differences between Bitaxe and NerdAxe are in the board design, firmware, cooling solution, and user experience, not in the ASIC chip itself. Your choice between families is really a choice about the platform wrapped around that chip.
For a deep dive into every Bitmain ASIC chip generation from the BM1385 through the BM1370, see our Complete ASIC Chip Evolution Guide.
Performance Comparison: Hashrate, Efficiency, and Noise
Let’s talk numbers. In solo mining, three performance metrics matter above all else: how many hashes per second you produce (your lottery tickets), how much electricity each hash costs you (efficiency), and whether you can live with the device in your home (noise).
Hashrate Tiers
Both families cover a wide range of performance levels, from entry-level to desktop powerhouse:
Hashrate Tiers — All Models
| Tier | Bitaxe | NerdAxe | Hashrate Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational | — (no equivalent) | NerdMiner | ~55 KH/s |
| Entry ASIC | Supra / Ultra | NerdAxe | ~500 GH/s |
| Mid-Range | Gamma | — | 1.0-1.2 TH/s |
| Performance | GT | — | 2.0-2.15 TH/s |
| High-Performance | Hex | — | 3.0-3.3 TH/s |
| Multi-TH Desktop | — | NerdQAxe++ | 4.8-6.0 TH/s |
| Maximum Solo Power | — | NerdOctaxe Gamma | 9.6-12 TH/s |
At the entry-level ASIC tier (~500 GH/s), the Bitaxe Supra/Ultra and NerdAxe are essentially equal in raw hashrate. The NerdAxe edges ahead slightly in efficiency at ~20 J/TH versus the Supra’s ~25 J/TH, though both are so low-power that the electricity cost difference is pennies per month.
At the top end, the NerdAxe family currently holds the crown. The NerdOctaxe Gamma at 9.6-12 TH/s is the most powerful open-source desktop miner available anywhere. No Bitaxe variant comes close to that single-board hashrate. If raw solo mining probability is your primary concern, the NerdOctaxe Gamma is the answer — and it achieves this at an outstanding ~16 J/TH efficiency.
The Bitaxe family, however, offers more granularity in the mid-range. The Gamma (1.0-1.2 TH/s), GT (2.0-2.15 TH/s), and Hex (3.0-3.3 TH/s) give you three distinct price/performance steps between entry ASIC and multi-TH territory. The NerdAxe family jumps straight from 500 GH/s (NerdAxe) to 4.8 TH/s (NerdQAxe++) with nothing in between.
Noise Levels
All single-chip models in both families are effectively silent in a home environment — 30-40 dB, roughly equivalent to a quiet room or a whispered conversation. You can run a Bitaxe Supra or a NerdAxe on your nightstand without hearing it.
Multi-chip models get louder as power draw increases. The Bitaxe Hex at ~45-50 dB is comparable to a quiet conversation. The NerdOctaxe Gamma at ~45-55 dB is similar, though you will notice it in a quiet room. None of these devices approach the jet-engine noise levels of industrial ASICs like the Antminer S19 (~75 dB). Every open-source miner in both families is designed for home use.
Software and Firmware: AxeOS vs NerdOS
The firmware running on your miner determines how you interact with it daily — configuration, monitoring, tuning, and updates. Both families have converged on similar architectures, but there are meaningful differences.
AxeOS (Bitaxe + NerdAxe + NerdQAxe++)
AxeOS is the dominant firmware across both families. Originally developed for the Bitaxe project, it has been adopted by the NerdAxe and NerdQAxe++ as well. AxeOS runs on an ESP32-S3 microcontroller and provides:
- Web-based dashboard — accessible from any browser on your local network at the device’s IP address
- Pool configuration — Stratum URL, worker name, Bitcoin address, and fallback pool
- Frequency and voltage tuning — adjust ASIC chip frequency for overclocking or underclocking
- Temperature monitoring — real-time ASIC temperature with configurable fan curves
- Hashrate and share tracking — live hashrate, best difficulty share, total shares accepted
- OTA firmware updates — flash new firmware over WiFi without opening the device
- Per-chip control — on multi-chip devices (Hex, NerdQAxe++), individual chip frequency and monitoring
- WiFi configuration — initial setup via AP mode, then connects to your home network
AxeOS is clean, functional, and focused. If you have used a router’s admin panel, you can navigate AxeOS. No apps to install. No cloud accounts. No telemetry. Open source and auditable.
NerdOS (NerdOctaxe Gamma)
NerdOS is a fork of the ESP-Miner project (the same codebase behind AxeOS), purpose-built for the NerdOctaxe Gamma’s eight-chip architecture. It shares AxeOS’s web dashboard interface but adds features specific to managing a high-power, multi-chip board:
- Per-chip granular control — independent frequency settings for all eight BM1370 chips
- ECO mode — a pre-configured low-power profile that reduces frequency to 495 MHz for quieter, cooler operation at ~8.1 TH/s
- Enhanced thermal management — fan curve control optimized for dual-cooler configurations
- On-device LCD screens — multiple display pages cycled via physical buttons: hashrate, per-chip temps, pool status, share count
If you are familiar with AxeOS, NerdOS will feel like home. The web interface is nearly identical. The additions are all about managing the complexity of eight ASIC chips on a single board.
Firmware Feature Comparison
AxeOS vs NerdOS Feature Matrix
| Feature | AxeOS | NerdOS |
|---|---|---|
| Web Dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| OTA Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Pool Configuration | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency/Voltage Tuning | Yes | Yes |
| Per-Chip Control | Multi-chip models | Yes (8 chips) |
| On-Device Display Support | OLED (GT, Hex) | Color LCD + buttons |
| ECO/Low-Power Mode | Manual tuning | Built-in preset |
| Fan Curve Control | Yes | Enhanced |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes (ESP-Miner fork) |
For firmware update instructions applicable to all AxeOS-based devices, see our Bitaxe Firmware Update Guide.
Power and Connectivity
Power requirements are one of the most practical differences between models — and a common source of confusion for first-time buyers. Here is what you need to know.
Power Tiers
5V Barrel Jack (entry-level devices): The Bitaxe Supra, Bitaxe Ultra, Bitaxe Gamma, and NerdAxe all run on a standard 5V DC barrel jack (5.5×2.1mm connector). You need a 5V / 6A (30W) power supply — not a phone charger, not a USB-C cable, but a proper barrel jack PSU. These are inexpensive and widely available.
12V XT30 (mid-power devices): The Bitaxe GT, Bitaxe Hex, and NerdQAxe++ use 12V DC via XT30 connectors. XT30 is a compact, polarized connector commonly used in RC and drone applications. You need a 12V / 10A+ power supply with an XT30 pigtail. These are more specialized than barrel jack PSUs but readily available.
12V XT60 (high-power devices): The NerdOctaxe Gamma, drawing up to ~208W, uses an XT60 connector — the larger sibling of the XT30, rated for higher current. You need a 12V / 18-20A (216-240W) power supply.
A 5V power supply cannot power a 12V device, and a 12V supply will destroy a 5V device. Always verify the voltage and connector type before plugging in. The Bitaxe GT and NerdQAxe++ both use XT30 but at 12V — do not confuse the connector with the older 5V barrel jack models. When in doubt, check the specifications table for your specific model.
WiFi Connectivity
Every device in both families connects via 2.4 GHz WiFi (802.11 b/g/n). No Ethernet ports. No 5 GHz support. This is consistent across the entire open-source miner ecosystem. Initial setup follows the same pattern for all devices:
- Power on the device — it creates a WiFi access point (AP mode)
- Connect your phone or laptop to the device’s AP
- Navigate to the configuration portal (typically 192.168.4.1)
- Enter your home WiFi credentials
- The device reboots and connects to your network
- Find the device’s IP address on your network and access the web dashboard
On-Device Displays
This is where the families diverge most visibly. The NerdAxe family consistently includes on-device displays — a direct inheritance from the NerdMiner, which was built around a screen from day one. The Bitaxe family generally omits screens on single-chip models and includes small OLEDs on multi-chip boards.
- NerdMiner: Built-in color display showing hashes, block templates, difficulty
- NerdAxe (Full Kit): LILYGO T-Display color LCD with real-time hashrate and temperature
- NerdQAxe++: 1.9″ LILYGO T-Display S3 color LCD with two programmable buttons
- NerdOctaxe Gamma: 1.9″ LILYGO T-Display S3 color LCD with multi-page stats display
- Bitaxe Supra/Ultra/Gamma: No on-device display (web dashboard only)
- Bitaxe GT: Removable 0.91″ OLED status screen
- Bitaxe Hex: OLED status screen
If you want to glance at your miner and see hashrate, temperature, and share count without opening a browser, the NerdAxe family has a clear advantage. If you prefer a clean, minimalist device and are comfortable monitoring through a web dashboard, the Bitaxe approach keeps things simple.
Ease of Setup: Beginner Friendliness
Both families are designed for home miners, but they differ in how much assembly and configuration they require out of the box.
Bitaxe Setup Experience
Bitaxe devices generally arrive ready to mine with minimal assembly:
- Attach heatsink with thermal pad (if not pre-attached)
- Mount on stand (optional)
- Connect power supply
- Connect to the device’s WiFi AP from your phone
- Enter your home WiFi credentials and Bitcoin address
- Start mining
Total setup time: 10-20 minutes for a complete beginner. The AxeOS web dashboard is intuitive, and the process is well-documented. For step-by-step instructions, see our setup guides: Bitaxe Supra, Bitaxe Gamma, Bitaxe GT, Bitaxe Hex.
NerdAxe Setup Experience
The NerdAxe setup varies by variant and kit type:
NerdAxe Full Kit: Similar to Bitaxe — pre-assembled with display, heatsink, fan, and enclosure. Connect power, configure WiFi, start mining. Setup time: 10-20 minutes.
NerdAxe Expansion Kit: More hands-on. You receive just the ASIC board and must connect it to your existing NerdMiner screen and housing. May require firmware flashing. Setup time: 20-40 minutes depending on your familiarity with the NerdMiner platform.
NerdQAxe++ and NerdOctaxe Gamma: These ship fully assembled from D-Central — hand-built in our Laval workshop, tested before shipping. Plug in the XT30/XT60 power connector, configure WiFi, and you are hashing. Setup time: 15-25 minutes. See our setup guides: NerdAxe, NerdQAxe++, NerdOctaxe Gamma.
Setup Complexity Comparison
| Factor | Bitaxe Family | NerdAxe Family |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-Box Readiness | High — minimal assembly | High (Full Kits) / Medium (Expansion Kit) |
| Assembly Required | Heatsink + stand only | Varies — Full Kits pre-assembled, Expansion needs integration |
| Firmware Pre-installed | Yes | Yes (all D-Central units) |
| Setup Documentation | Extensive (AxeOS guides, community wiki) | Good (growing community, D-Central guides) |
| Beginner Difficulty | Easy | Easy (Full Kits) / Moderate (Expansion) |
Bottom line: If you are a complete beginner, both families are approachable. The Bitaxe Supra and NerdAxe Full Kit are equally easy to set up. The difference shows up when you start modifying, expanding, or building kits — that is where the NerdAxe ecosystem’s maker DNA gives experienced tinkerers more to work with.
Accessories and Ecosystem
The accessories available for your miner extend its lifespan, improve performance, and make it more enjoyable to live with. Both families have growing ecosystems, but the Bitaxe has a head start.
Bitaxe Ecosystem
D-Central has been building Bitaxe accessories since the project’s early days. The ecosystem includes:
- Mesh Stand — D-Central’s original creation, the first commercially manufactured stand for Bitaxe devices. Positions the miner vertically for optimal airflow
- Custom heatsinks — purpose-designed for standard Bitaxe (single-chip) and Bitaxe Hex form factors
- Cases and enclosures — protective housings for various Bitaxe models
- Power supplies — verified-compatible 5V barrel jack and 12V XT30 PSUs
- Thermal pads — replacement thermal interface material
- Fan upgrades — Noctua and other premium fan options for multi-chip models
Bitaxe Accessories — Full Lineup
Browse D-Central’s complete collection of Bitaxe accessories: the original Mesh Stand, custom heatsinks for standard Bitaxe and Hex form factors, verified power supplies, cases, thermal pads, and more. Everything you need to optimize your Bitaxe setup, designed by the team that pioneered the ecosystem.
NerdAxe Ecosystem
The NerdAxe ecosystem is newer but growing rapidly:
- LILYGO T-Display screens — replacements and upgrades for the on-device display
- NerdAxe Expansion Kit — ASIC board that adds real hashrate to an existing NerdMiner
- Custom enclosures — 3D-printed and manufactured cases for NerdAxe and NerdQAxe++ form factors
- Power supplies — 5V barrel jack PSUs for NerdAxe, 12V XT30/XT60 for multi-chip models
- Cooling upgrades — heatsink and fan options for multi-chip boards
The NerdAxe ecosystem benefits from its NerdMiner heritage — there is a large community of makers producing 3D-printed cases, custom stands, and modifications. The maker community around NerdMiner/NerdAxe is vibrant and inventive.
Cross-Family Compatibility
Some accessories work across both families. Power supplies with the correct voltage and connector (5V barrel jack or 12V XT30) are interchangeable. Thermal pads of the correct dimensions work on any board. Where things diverge is in form-factor-specific items: heatsinks, cases, and stands are designed for specific PCB layouts and are not cross-compatible.
For a comprehensive guide to optimizing your Bitaxe with accessories, see our Bitaxe Accessories Guide.
Price Comparison
Pricing for open-source miners fluctuates with chip availability, Bitcoin network difficulty, and market demand. The following ranges reflect typical pricing at D-Central at the time of writing. Check our shop for current prices.
Price Ranges by Model (Approximate)
| Device | Family | Hashrate | Price Range (CAD) | $/TH Approx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NerdMiner | NerdAxe | ~55 KH/s | $50-$80 | N/A (educational) |
| NerdAxe (Full Kit) | NerdAxe | ~500 GH/s | $150-$250 | $300-$500 |
| Bitaxe Supra | Bitaxe | ~500 GH/s | $150-$250 | $300-$500 |
| Bitaxe Gamma | Bitaxe | 1.0-1.2 TH/s | $200-$350 | $175-$300 |
| Bitaxe GT | Bitaxe | 2.0-2.15 TH/s | $350-$500 | $175-$250 |
| Bitaxe Hex | Bitaxe | 3.0-3.3 TH/s | $500-$750 | $150-$225 |
| NerdQAxe++ | NerdAxe | 4.8-6.0 TH/s | $600-$900 | $100-$150 |
| NerdOctaxe Gamma | NerdAxe | 9.6-12 TH/s | $1,200-$1,800 | $100-$150 |
A few patterns emerge from the pricing:
- Cost per terahash decreases as you move up — the NerdQAxe++ and NerdOctaxe Gamma deliver the best hashrate per dollar, which makes sense given that the ESP32 controller and PCB costs are spread across more chips
- Entry-level pricing is comparable — the Bitaxe Supra and NerdAxe Full Kit occupy the same price bracket for the same hashrate
- The NerdAxe family has a lower floor — the NerdMiner at $50-$80 is the cheapest way to participate in Bitcoin mining, even if it is purely educational
- The NerdAxe family has a higher ceiling — the NerdOctaxe Gamma is the most expensive device but delivers by far the most hashrate per board
Most open-source miners do not include a power supply. Budget an additional $15-$30 for a 5V barrel jack PSU or $30-$60 for a 12V XT30/XT60 PSU. D-Central stocks compatible power supplies for every miner we sell — buying the PSU with your miner ensures compatibility and saves you a troubleshooting headache.
Which Should You Buy? The Decision Matrix
New to Bitcoin mining entirely? Start with our Getting Started guide before choosing hardware.
Enough tables. Let’s talk about you. Your use case, your priorities, and your budget determine which device is the right fit. Here are the most common miner profiles we see at D-Central, and our recommendation for each.
The Beginner: “I want to try solo mining for the first time”
Recommendation: Bitaxe Supra or NerdAxe Full Kit
Both deliver ~500 GH/s from a single BM1366/BM1368 chip, both run on a simple 5V barrel jack, and both set up in under 20 minutes. The NerdAxe Full Kit gives you a color display showing real-time stats, which is satisfying for a first-time miner — you can see your hashes ticking by without opening a browser. The Bitaxe Supra is more streamlined and has a larger accessory ecosystem. Either way, you are running a real ASIC chip and genuinely participating in the Bitcoin network. Your electricity cost will be about a dollar a month.
If you want to understand mining at the most basic level first, start with a NerdMiner ($50-$80) — it will not produce meaningful hashrate, but it teaches you the concepts before you invest in ASIC hardware.
The Efficiency Seeker: “I want the best hashrate per watt”
Recommendation: Bitaxe Gamma or NerdQAxe++
The BM1370 chip delivers the best efficiency in the open-source mining ecosystem. The Bitaxe Gamma gets you there at a lower price point and power draw (~18 J/TH at 15-25W). The NerdQAxe++ pushes efficiency even further to ~16.5 J/TH by running four BM1370 chips at optimized settings — and delivers 5-6x the hashrate. If budget allows, the NerdQAxe++ is the better investment for efficiency-conscious miners.
The Tinkerer: “I want to build, modify, and hack my miner”
Recommendation: NerdAxe Expansion Kit or NerdQAxe++
The NerdAxe family was born from the maker community, and it shows. The Expansion Kit gives you a bare ASIC board to integrate with your own NerdMiner setup. The NerdQAxe++ and NerdOctaxe Gamma feature on-device displays with programmable buttons, per-chip tuning, and firmware that invites modification. Both families are open-source, but the NerdAxe community has a stronger culture of customization, 3D-printed accessories, and firmware hacking.
The Display Lover: “I want to see stats on the device itself”
Recommendation: NerdAxe Full Kit, NerdQAxe++, or NerdOctaxe Gamma
This is where the NerdAxe family wins decisively. Every NerdAxe device (except the bare Expansion Kit) includes a color LCD display showing real-time hashrate, temperature, pool status, and share count. The NerdQAxe++ and NerdOctaxe Gamma have the LILYGO T-Display S3 with physical buttons for cycling through multiple stat screens. The Bitaxe GT and Hex include small OLEDs, but they are monochrome and limited in the information they display. If the on-device display matters to you, go NerdAxe.
The Hashrate Maximizer: “I want the most solo mining power possible”
Recommendation: NerdOctaxe Gamma
Nothing else comes close. At 9.6-12 TH/s from a single board, the NerdOctaxe Gamma is the most powerful open-source desktop miner in existence. A solo miner running six NerdQAxe++ units found Block #920,440 in January 2025. The NerdOctaxe Gamma delivers nearly double the hashrate of a single NerdQAxe++ in one device. If you are serious about maximizing your solo mining odds without running industrial ASIC miners, this is the hardware to buy.
The Budget-Conscious Miner: “I want the most hashrate for my dollar”
Recommendation: NerdQAxe++ or NerdOctaxe Gamma
On a cost-per-terahash basis, multi-chip NerdAxe devices offer the best value. The NerdQAxe++ at approximately $100-$150/TH and the NerdOctaxe Gamma at similar cost-per-TH levels deliver significantly more hashrate per dollar than single-chip devices from either family. If your budget is under $300, a Bitaxe Gamma gives you the best single-chip value at 1.0-1.2 TH/s.
The Collector: “I want one of each”
Recommendation: Start with a Bitaxe Supra + NerdMiner, then expand
Many of our customers at D-Central run multiple open-source miners. A common setup is a Bitaxe for clean, quiet hashrate and a NerdMiner/NerdAxe for the desk display and community connection. There is no rule that says you must pick one family. Every hash counts, regardless of which board produced it.
Open-Source Bitcoin Miners — All Models
D-Central stocks the complete Bitaxe and NerdAxe lineup: Bitaxe Supra, Ultra, Gamma, GT, Hex, NerdMiner, NerdAxe, NerdQAxe++, NerdOctaxe Gamma, and all accessories. Every device hand-tested before shipping from our workshop in Laval, Quebec. Browse the full collection and find the right miner for your setup.
Solo Mining Odds: How Much Does Your Choice Matter?
Let’s be direct about the mathematics. In solo mining, your probability of finding a Bitcoin block is your hashrate divided by the total network hashrate. The Bitcoin network currently runs at roughly 800+ EH/s (800,000,000 TH/s). Here is what your odds look like with each device:
Solo Mining Probability by Device
| Device | Hashrate | Relative Odds | Expected Time to Block |
|---|---|---|---|
| NerdMiner | 55 KH/s | Essentially zero | Heat death of universe |
| Bitaxe Supra / NerdAxe | 500 GH/s | 1x (baseline) | ~30,000,000 years |
| Bitaxe Gamma | 1.2 TH/s | ~2.4x | ~12,500,000 years |
| Bitaxe GT | 2.15 TH/s | ~4.3x | ~7,000,000 years |
| Bitaxe Hex | 3.3 TH/s | ~6.6x | ~4,500,000 years |
| NerdQAxe++ | 6.0 TH/s | ~12x | ~2,500,000 years |
| NerdOctaxe Gamma | 12 TH/s | ~24x | ~1,250,000 years |
Those expected times look absurd — and they are, statistically. But solo mining does not work on averages. It works on chance. Every hash is independent. A Bitaxe running for 24 hours has the same probability of finding a block on its next hash as one running for 10 years. Solo miners have found blocks with single Bitaxe devices. In January 2025, six NerdQAxe++ units found a full block. The math says it is improbable. The blockchain says it happens.
The real question is not “will I find a block?” — it is “do I want to participate in the Bitcoin network on my own terms?” If the answer is yes, every hash counts. And a NerdOctaxe Gamma gives you 24 times more chances per second than a single Bitaxe Supra.
For a complete deep-dive into solo mining mathematics, probability, and strategy, see our Solo Bitcoin Mining Guide.
Running Both: The Case for a Mixed Fleet
Here is something we see often at D-Central: customers who buy one, then come back for the other. A Bitaxe Supra on the shelf, quiet and invisible, just hashing. A NerdAxe on the desk, color display cycling through stats, a constant visual reminder that you are participating in the Bitcoin network. Maybe a NerdQAxe++ in the closet, pushing serious terahash-class hashrate while drawing less power than a light bulb.
This is not an either/or decision. Both families connect to the same pools. Both use the same Stratum protocol. Both can point at the same Bitcoin address. Running multiple devices from both families gives you:
- Combined hashrate — every device adds to your total solo mining probability
- Redundancy — if one device goes down for a firmware update or troubleshooting, the others keep hashing
- Different experiences — the Bitaxe’s clean minimalism and the NerdAxe’s maker personality complement each other
- Education — learning AxeOS on a Bitaxe and NerdOS on a NerdOctaxe gives you deep familiarity with the entire open-source mining firmware ecosystem
D-Central stocks both families precisely because we believe in optionality. The mission is decentralization. The more devices hashing independently, the better for Bitcoin — regardless of which logo is on the PCB.
If you run multiple open-source miners, you can monitor all of them through their individual AxeOS/NerdOS web dashboards. Bookmark each device’s IP address. Many miners also use tools like Public Pool‘s dashboard to track all their workers from a single page — just point every device at the same pool with the same Bitcoin address and different worker names (e.g., your-address.supra1, your-address.nerdqaxe).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Bitaxe and a NerdAxe on the same mining pool simultaneously?
Yes. Both families use the standard Stratum mining protocol. You can point a Bitaxe Supra, a NerdQAxe++, and a NerdMiner at the same pool (e.g., Public Pool) with the same Bitcoin payout address. Use different worker names for each device so you can track their individual performance on the pool’s dashboard. Your combined hashrate increases your solo mining probability.
Is the BM1366 chip in a NerdAxe the same as the one in a Bitaxe Ultra?
Yes — physically identical silicon from Bitmain. A BM1366 on a NerdAxe board performs the same as a BM1366 on a Bitaxe Ultra or Bitaxe Hex board. The differences between devices are in the PCB design, firmware features, cooling solution, power delivery, and form factor — not the ASIC chip itself. Same chip, different platforms.
Which family is better for someone who has never mined Bitcoin before?
Both are beginner-friendly, but they cater to different personalities. If you want the simplest possible setup with minimal decisions, the Bitaxe Supra is hard to beat: unbox, attach heatsink, plug in power, configure WiFi, done. If you want a more engaging first experience with an on-device display showing your hashes in real time, the NerdAxe Full Kit adds that visual feedback loop. If you are truly brand new and want to learn the concepts first, start with a NerdMiner — it is cheap, educational, and gets you familiar with solo mining before you invest in ASIC hardware.
Can I use a 5V power supply from a Bitaxe Supra on a NerdAxe?
Yes — the NerdAxe also uses a 5V barrel jack (5.5×2.1mm) and draws similar wattage (~12W). A 5V / 6A (30W) barrel jack PSU works for both the Bitaxe Supra/Ultra/Gamma and the single-chip NerdAxe. Do not use a 5V PSU on any 12V device (Bitaxe GT, Bitaxe Hex, NerdQAxe++, NerdOctaxe Gamma) — check your model’s specifications before connecting power.
Which device gives the best chance of finding a solo Bitcoin block?
The NerdOctaxe Gamma at 9.6-12 TH/s delivers the highest hashrate of any single open-source mining device, giving you approximately 24 times the solo mining probability of a single Bitaxe Supra. However, even the NerdOctaxe Gamma’s expected time to find a block is measured in millions of years. Solo mining is a lottery — the NerdOctaxe buys you more tickets per second, but every hash from any device is a chance. Multiple devices running simultaneously further multiply your odds.
Do both families support pool mining, or only solo mining?
Both families support any Stratum-compatible mining pool, whether solo or pooled. You can point a Bitaxe or NerdAxe at Solo CKPool (solo mining), Public Pool (solo mining with a community dashboard), Ocean, Braiins, or any standard mining pool. The firmware handles Stratum protocol identically across all devices. Most open-source miner users choose solo mining for the decentralization ethos, but pool mining works perfectly if you prefer steady (tiny) payouts.
Can I overclock a NerdAxe the same way I overclock a Bitaxe?
Yes — the process is very similar across both families since they all run AxeOS (or NerdOS, which is an AxeOS fork). You adjust the ASIC chip frequency through the web dashboard. Higher frequency equals more hashrate but also more heat and power draw. The same rules apply: increase frequency in small steps, monitor temperatures closely, ensure your cooling solution can handle the additional heat, and back off if you see thermal throttling or instability. See our Bitaxe Overclocking Guide for detailed instructions.
What happens if I connect a 12V power supply to a 5V device?
You will destroy the device. The voltage regulators and components on 5V devices (Bitaxe Supra, Ultra, Gamma, NerdAxe) are rated for 5V input. Supplying 12V will exceed their ratings and cause immediate, irreversible damage. This is the most common fatal mistake we see at D-Central’s repair bench. Always verify the voltage and connector type specified in your device’s documentation before connecting power. When in doubt, check the specifications table in your device’s setup guide.
Are replacement parts available if something breaks?
Yes. D-Central stocks replacement components for both families: heatsinks, thermal pads, fans, power supplies, displays, and cables. For board-level repairs (failed ASIC chip, damaged power circuitry), our ASIC repair team in Laval has the equipment and expertise to diagnose and repair open-source mining boards. We have repaired over 2,500+ miners — from Antminer S9s to NerdOctaxe boards. Contact D-Central ASIC Repair if your device needs professional attention.
Does D-Central offer warranty on these devices?
Every open-source miner sold by D-Central is hand-tested before shipping. If your device arrives defective or develops issues under normal use, contact our support team. We stand behind every unit we sell. Warranty details are included with your order. For troubleshooting before reaching out to support, check our Bitaxe Troubleshooting Guide — many common issues (WiFi connectivity, firmware glitches, thermal problems) can be resolved at home.
Why Buy From D-Central?
D-Central Technologies is not just another online store listing open-source miners. We are Bitcoin Mining Hackers — and we have been in this space since 2016, before most people knew what a Bitaxe was.
Pioneer in the Bitaxe ecosystem. We created the original Bitaxe Mesh Stand — the first commercially manufactured stand for Bitaxe devices. We developed custom heatsinks for both standard Bitaxe and Bitaxe Hex form factors. We stock every Bitaxe variant and every NerdAxe variant because we believe in the open-source mining mission.
Hand-assembled in Canada. Every NerdQAxe++ and NerdOctaxe Gamma we sell is hand-assembled in our workshop in Laval, Quebec by technicians who repair thousands of Antminers every year. We know BM1366 and BM1370 chips because we work with them daily in industrial machines. That expertise is in every unit we ship.
Full-service support. If your miner needs repair, we have the equipment, parts, and expertise. Over 2,500+ miners repaired and counting. We do not just sell hardware — we support it through its entire lifecycle.
Both families, one trusted source. Bitaxe, NerdAxe, NerdMiner, NerdQAxe++, NerdOctaxe Gamma — plus every accessory, power supply, heatsink, and stand you need. All tested, all supported, all shipping from Canada.
Every hash counts. Every miner strengthens the Bitcoin network. Every home miner running an open-source device is a vote for decentralization. Whether you choose Bitaxe, NerdAxe, or both — D-Central is here to get you hashing.
Contact D-Central Technologies
Not sure which miner is right for your setup? Our team has hands-on experience with every device in both families. Contact us for personalized recommendations based on your budget, space, power situation, and mining goals. Call 1-855-753-9997 or reach out through our contact page.