Antminer KS5 vs Iceriver KS3M
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Antminer KS5 | Specification | Iceriver KS3M |
|---|---|---|
| 20.0 TH/s | Hashrate | 6.0 TH/s |
| 3,000 W | Power Consumption | 3,400 W |
| 150.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 566.7 J/TH |
| 76 dB | Noise Level | 75 dB |
| 15.8 kg | Weight | 17.1 kg |
| 10,236 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 11,601 BTU/hr |
| 29/100 | Home Mining Score | 36/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| KHeavyHash | Algorithm | KHeavyHash |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | IceRiver |
Profitability Comparison
Antminer KS5
Iceriver KS3M
Based on BTC price of $78,124 and current network difficulty as of May 16, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Based on our multi-factor analysis, the Antminer KS5 wins on 3 of 6 factors (efficiency, hashrate, power consumption). Its biggest concrete edge: 74% better efficiency (150 vs 567 J/TH). That said, the Iceriver KS3M isn't beaten everywhere — it still wins home mining score and noise level and price-performance. The right pick still depends on your power cost and noise tolerance — the breakdowns above make that call concrete.
Spec Deltas
The Antminer KS5 and Iceriver KS3M diverge on the metrics below — each gap expressed as a real percentage, not a vague "better":
- Antminer KS5 233% more hashrate (20.0 vs 6.0 TH/s)
- Antminer KS5 12% better power draw (3,000 vs 3,400 W)
- Antminer KS5 74% better efficiency (150 vs 567 J/TH)
- Iceriver KS3M 1% better noise (76.0 vs 75.0 dB)
- Antminer KS5 8% better weight (15.8 vs 17.1 kg)
- Iceriver KS3M 13% more heat output (10,236 vs 11,601 BTU/hr)
- Iceriver KS3M 24% more home mining score (29.0 vs 36.0)
Cost & ROI Over Time
Hardware cost is only half the story — here is how each miner's upfront price plays out against cumulative profit at a $0.10/kWh rate.
| Antminer KS5 | Metric | Iceriver KS3M |
|---|---|---|
| $12,000 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $320 |
| -$6.48 | Daily net profit | -$7.94 |
| -$14,366 | Net after 1 year | -$3,220 |
| -$16,731 | Net after 2 years | -$6,119 |
| -$19,097 | Net after 3 years | -$9,019 |
| Does not pay back at current rates (negative daily profit) | Payback period | Does not pay back at current rates (negative daily profit) |
Projections assume continuous operation, a flat $0.10/kWh rate, and no hardware degradation, pool fees, or BTC price change. Real-world ROI varies.
Best For...
Best for Profitability
TieBoth miners produce similar daily profit.
Best for Home Mining
Iceriver KS3MScore: 36/100. 75 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Antminer KS5150.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which makes more money, the Antminer KS5 or the Iceriver KS3M?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Antminer KS5 is more profitable at $-6.48/day compared to $-7.94/day for the Iceriver KS3M. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Antminer KS5 vs Iceriver KS3M: which runs at a lower noise level?
The Iceriver KS3M is quieter at 75 dB compared to the Antminer KS5 at 76 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Which is better for home mining, the Antminer KS5 or Iceriver KS3M?
The Iceriver KS3M scores 36/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 29/100 for the Antminer KS5). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
How far apart are the Antminer KS5 and Iceriver KS3M on J/TH?
The Antminer KS5 runs at 150.0 J/TH while the Iceriver KS3M runs at 566.7 J/TH — a difference of 416.7 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 74% better efficiency (150 vs 567 J/TH).