The Bitaxe

FAQ

What is a Bitaxe?

Bitaxe is a fully open-source ASIC Bitcoin miner designed for flexibility and accessibility. It comes in multiple models such as Max, Ultra, and Supra, each incorporating advanced ASIC chips like the BM1397, BM1366, and BM1368. Bitaxe democratizes Bitcoin mining by offering powerful, customizable mining technology to a broader audience.

How many watts does a Bitaxe use?

A Bitaxe generally consumes around 10 to 15 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, Qaxe, Flexaxe, and 0axe.

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 Max offers a hashrate of up to 400 GH/s, the Bitaxe Ultra up to 500 GH/s, and the Bitaxe Supra up to 700 GH/s, depending on the specific configuration and cooling solutions used.

Is USB mining profitable?

USB 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 Bitaxe 1366, 1368, and 1397?

The main difference lies in the ASIC chips used. The Bitaxe 1366 uses the BM1366 chip, offering higher efficiency and a hashrate of up to 500 GH/s. The Bitaxe 1397 uses the BM1397 chip, which provides lower performance compared to the BM1366, with a hashrate of up to 400 GH/s. The BM1368, used in the Bitaxe Supra, is the latest chip based on the Antminer S21, achieving hashrates of up to 700 GH/s with exceptional energy efficiency.

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 Supra (1368) and why is it significant?

The Bitaxe Supra (1368) is an open-source Bitcoin ASIC miner designed for serious enthusiasts. It features the powerful BM1368 ASIC chip, delivering up to 700 GH/s with exceptional energy efficiency (17.5J/TH). Its open-source nature allows for unparalleled flexibility and customization, supporting decentralization in Bitcoin mining.

What cooling options are available for the Bitaxe models?

All Bitaxe models (Max, Ultra, and Supra) offer the following cooling options:

• Basic Cooling: Stable performance under typical conditions.
• Noctua Cooling: Premium fans for quieter operation and enhanced thermal management.
• Ice Cooler Tower: Advanced cooling system for maximum heat dissipation during high-performance use.
• Noctua Cooler Tower: Combines Ice Tower Cooler, RGB fan, and Noctua fan for the ultimate cooling solution for continuous high-performance mining.
• Argon THRML Cooler: The ultimate cooler for overclocking, allowing you to push the Bitaxe to 600 MHz for up to 900 GH/s at an average of 775 GH/s, with temperatures maxing at 55°C. Capping at 575 MHz hits 733 GH/s with temperatures at 52°C and noise levels no more than 25dB.

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 Supra (1368) suitable for solo mining?

Yes, the Bitaxe Supra (1368) 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 Supra (1368)?

• 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 Supra (1368) support open-source development?

The Bitaxe Supra (1368) 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 Supra (1368) energy efficient?

The Bitaxe Supra (1368) is equipped with the BM1368 ASIC chip, known for its extraordinary power efficiency of 17.5J/TH. This makes it not only profitable but also environmentally friendly, supporting sustainable mining practices.

Are there any known issues or considerations with the Bitaxe Supra (1368)?

As with any advanced mining hardware, initial setups may require some technical adjustments.

Is the Bitaxe Supra (1368) profitable?

The profitability of the Bitaxe Supra (1368) can be a concern due to its single ASIC chip, which means it won’t generate as high a hashrate as larger, multi-chip miners like the S19 XP. This miner is often used more as a « lotto miner » or to stack small amounts of satoshis from mining pools. It’s not typically profitable with electricity prices above $0, but it provides valuable experience and supports decentralized, open-source mining efforts. This miner allows users to learn and engage with Bitcoin mining without significant financial investment.

What is lotto mining, and why is the Bitaxe Supra (1368) ideal for it?

Lotto mining refers to solo mining with a small hashrate in hopes of finding a block, similar to buying a lottery ticket. While the chances of finding a block are slim, the reward can be significant. The Bitaxe Supra (1368) is ideal for lotto mining because it allows individuals to participate in mining without requiring massive infrastructure or capital investment. By using this device, miners contribute to the decentralization of the network, supporting the Bitcoin ecosystem even if they don’t achieve high profitability. Additionally, the open-source design of the Bitaxe Supra fosters a learning environment where users can gain hands-on experience with Bitcoin mining technology.

Why should I consider using the Bitaxe Supra (1368) if it’s not highly profitable?

The primary goal of the Bitaxe Supra (1368) is not necessarily to make a profit but to offer an accessible entry point into Bitcoin mining. It is ideal for learning, experimentation, and contributing to the decentralization of the Bitcoin network. Additionally, mining with a Bitaxe Supra allows you to acquire « fresh » BTC.