Description
6-Pin PCIe to 12V DC Power Cable — Repurpose Your APW3 for Open-Source Miners
Got a Bitmain APW3 power supply sitting around from a retired Antminer? This cable turns it into the perfect 12V power source for your NerdQAxe+ or NerdQAxe++. The 6-Pin Female PCIe to DC Power Cable converts a standard 6-pin PCIe output to a 12V DC barrel connector — plug one end into your APW3, the other into your open-source miner, and you are hashing. No adapter bricks, no wall warts, just clean 12V power from a PSU built to deliver it.
D-Central has been in the open-source mining ecosystem since the beginning, and we know the pain of powering multi-chip miners. The NerdQAxe+ and NerdQAxe++ draw real current at 12V — you need a PSU that can handle it without flinching. The APW3 was engineered for Antminers pulling 1,200W+, so pushing 50-100W to a NerdQAxe+ is nothing. This cable is the bridge between enterprise mining iron and your open-source solo rig.
- Repurpose What You Already Own — If you have been mining for any length of time, you probably have an APW3 or similar PSU collecting dust. This cable puts it back to work powering your NerdQAxe+, NerdQAxe++, or any 12V barrel-jack device. Mining hardware retirement does not mean the PSU retires too.
- Right-Angled DC Connector — The male DC plug exits at a 90-degree angle, keeping your cable run clean and tight against the board. No awkward straight-barrel protrusions sticking out the side of your miner. Fits neatly alongside heatsinks and stands.
- Dual Barrel Compatibility — Ships with a 5.5×2.1mm and 5.5×2.5mm compatible connector, so it works with both standard barrel jack sizes found across the open-source mining ecosystem. One cable, both sizes covered.
- Also Powers VONETS WiFi Bridges — Running a Bitcoin Space Heater setup? The VONETS WiFi bridge that connects your Antminer to your network also runs on 12V DC. This same cable powers it directly from the APW3 — no separate power adapter needed.
- Pair With D-Central’s Silent APW3 — We also sell a modified APW3 with a silent fan replacement, purpose-built for home mining where noise matters. Combine the silent APW3 with this cable for a quiet, reliable power solution for your NerdQAxe+ or NerdQAxe++ setup.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input Connector | 6-pin female PCIe |
| Output Connector | DC barrel 5.5×2.1mm / 5.5×2.5mm (right-angled male) |
| Output Voltage | 12V DC (passthrough from PSU) |
| DC Plug Orientation | Right-angled (90-degree) |
| Compatible PSUs | Bitmain APW3, APW3++, and other PSUs with 6-pin PCIe outputs |
| Primary Use Case | Powering NerdQAxe+ / NerdQAxe++ from APW3 PSU |
Compatibility — What This Cable Powers
| Device | Power Input | Compatible? |
|---|---|---|
| NerdQAxe+ | 12V DC barrel jack | Yes |
| NerdQAxe++ (pre-Rev 6.1) | 12V DC barrel jack | Yes |
| NerdQAxe | 12V DC barrel jack | Yes |
| Bitaxe Hex | 12V DC barrel jack | Yes |
| VONETS WiFi Bridge | 12V DC barrel jack | Yes |
| Bitaxe Gamma/Supra/Ultra | 5V 2.1mm barrel jack | No — 5V only, not 12V |
| Bitaxe GT | XT30 connector | No — uses XT30, not barrel jack |
| NerdQAxe++ Rev 6.1 | XT30 connector | No — Rev 6.1 switched to XT30 |
Important: The NerdQAxe++ changed its power connector in Revision 6.1 from a 12V DC barrel jack to an XT30 connector. If you have a Rev 6.1 or later NerdQAxe++, you need the XT30 Female to DC Power Cable instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any PSU with a 6-pin PCIe output, or only the APW3?
Any power supply with a standard 6-pin PCIe connector that outputs 12V will work. The APW3 and APW3++ are the most common in the mining world, but standard ATX/server PSUs with 6-pin PCIe outputs are also compatible. Just make sure the PSU delivers 12V on the PCIe rail — which virtually all of them do.
Will this cable work with the Bitaxe Gamma, Supra, or Ultra?
No. The Bitaxe Gamma, Supra, and Ultra all use 5V power through a 2.1mm barrel jack. This cable delivers 12V from the PCIe connector. Plugging 12V into a 5V device will damage it. The single-chip Bitaxe models should be powered with a standard 5V/6A USB-style power adapter.
What about the NerdQAxe++ Revision 6.1? It has an XT30 connector.
Correct — the NerdQAxe++ switched from a 12V DC barrel jack to an XT30 connector starting with Revision 6.1. This PCIe-to-DC cable has a barrel jack output, so it will not fit the Rev 6.1 board. For the updated NerdQAxe++, use our XT30 Female to DC Power Cable instead.
Can I power multiple miners from one APW3 using multiple cables?
Yes. The APW3 has multiple 6-pin PCIe outputs and can deliver well over 1,000W total. A NerdQAxe+ draws roughly 50-80W, so a single APW3 can comfortably power several open-source miners simultaneously — each with its own cable. Just make sure total draw stays within the PSU’s rated capacity.
Why use an APW3 instead of a regular 12V adapter?
You absolutely can use a standard 12V DC adapter. But if you already own an APW3 from a previous Antminer setup, this cable lets you repurpose it instead of buying another power supply. The APW3 is also massively overbuilt for this application — it was designed to power a full Antminer S9 at 1,300W+, so powering a NerdQAxe+ at 50-80W is barely a whisper. Rock-solid, reliable power delivery with headroom to spare.
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