Specifications Comparison
| NerdAxe | Specification | NerdQAxe |
|---|---|---|
| 500.0 GH/s | Hashrate | 2.0 TH/s |
| 12 W | Power Consumption | 80 W |
| 24.0 J/TH | Efficiency | 40.0 J/TH |
| 30 dB | Noise Level | 40 dB |
| 0.2 kg | Weight | 0.4 kg |
| 41 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 273 BTU/hr |
| 70/100 | Home Mining Score | 71/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| D-Central | Manufacturer | D-Central |
Profitability Comparison
NerdAxe
NerdQAxe
Based on BTC price of $78,234 and current network difficulty as of May 16, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Single-chip NerdAxe versus the quad-chip NerdQAxe. Both from the Nerd open-source family, but targeting very different hashrate tiers.
The NerdQAxe delivers roughly four times the hashrate by running four ASIC chips. It costs more and draws more power, but dramatically improves solo mining odds. The NerdAxe is the affordable starting point.
Spec Deltas
The NerdAxe and NerdQAxe diverge on the metrics below — each gap expressed as a real percentage, not a vague "better":
- NerdQAxe 300% more hashrate (0.5 vs 2.0 TH/s)
- NerdAxe 85% better power draw (12.0 vs 80.0 W)
- NerdAxe 40% better efficiency (24.0 vs 40.0 J/TH)
- NerdAxe 25% better noise (30.0 vs 40.0 dB)
- NerdAxe 50% better weight (0.2 vs 0.4 kg)
- NerdQAxe 567% more heat output (40.9 vs 273.0 BTU/hr)
- NerdQAxe 1% more home mining score (70.0 vs 71.0)
Cost & ROI Over Time
A miner pays for itself in profit, not specs. These projections track upfront cost against one, two and three years of net earnings at $0.10/kWh.
| NerdAxe | Metric | NerdQAxe |
|---|---|---|
| $69 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $249 |
| -$0.01 | Daily net profit | -$0.12 |
| -$73 | Net after 1 year | -$293 |
| -$77 | Net after 2 years | -$337 |
| -$81 | Net after 3 years | -$380 |
| 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
NerdQAxeScore: 71/100. 40 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
NerdAxe24.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they use the same power supply?
The NerdAxe uses a 5V barrel jack, while the NerdQAxe++ uses a 12V DC XT30 connector. They require different power supplies.
Can I start with a NerdAxe and upgrade later?
Yes. Many miners start with a NerdAxe and add a NerdQAxe later, running both simultaneously on the same pool.