Bitmain Antminer S3 vs NerdAxe
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Bitmain Antminer S3 | Specification | NerdAxe |
|---|---|---|
| 478.0 GH/s | Hashrate | 500.0 GH/s |
| 366 W | Power Consumption | 12 W |
| 765.7 J/TH | Efficiency | 24.0 J/TH |
| — | Noise Level | 30 dB |
| 5,200.0 kg | Weight | 0.2 kg |
| 1,249 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 41 BTU/hr |
| 34/100 | Home Mining Score | 70/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | D-Central |
Profitability Comparison
Bitmain Antminer S3
NerdAxe
Based on BTC price of $79,082 and current network difficulty as of May 15, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Run the numbers across every spec and the NerdAxe edges it: 5 of 5 factors go its way (efficiency, hashrate, power consumption, home mining score, noise level). Where it pulls away hardest is 97% better efficiency (765.7 vs 24.0 J/TH). Cross-check the spec deltas and ROI table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
Here is every spec where the Bitmain Antminer S3 and NerdAxe actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- NerdAxe 5% more hashrate (0.5 vs 0.5 TH/s)
- NerdAxe 97% better power draw (366.0 vs 12.0 W)
- NerdAxe 97% better efficiency (765.7 vs 24.0 J/TH)
- NerdAxe 100% better weight (5,200.0 vs 0.2 kg)
- Bitmain Antminer S3 2953% more heat output (1,248.8 vs 40.9 BTU/hr)
- NerdAxe 106% more home mining score (34.0 vs 70.0)
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.
| Bitmain Antminer S3 | Metric | NerdAxe |
|---|---|---|
| — | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $69 |
| -$0.86 | Daily net profit | -$0.01 |
| -$314 | Net after 1 year | -$73 |
| -$629 | Net after 2 years | -$77 |
| -$943 | Net after 3 years | -$81 |
| — | 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
NerdAxeScore: 70/100. 30 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
NerdAxe24.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bitmain Antminer S3 vs NerdAxe: which one earns more per day?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the NerdAxe is more profitable at $-0.01/day compared to $-0.86/day for the Bitmain Antminer S3. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Bitmain Antminer S3 vs NerdAxe: which runs at a lower noise level?
The NerdAxe is quieter at 30 dB compared to the Bitmain Antminer S3 at 0 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Bitmain Antminer S3 vs NerdAxe: which fits a residential setup better?
The NerdAxe scores 70/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 34/100 for the Bitmain Antminer S3). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
How far apart are the Bitmain Antminer S3 and NerdAxe on J/TH?
The Bitmain Antminer S3 runs at 765.7 J/TH while the NerdAxe runs at 24.0 J/TH — a difference of 741.7 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 97% better efficiency (765.7 vs 24.0 J/TH).