How to Overclock Bitaxe Gamma

Understanding the BM1370 ASIC

The BM1370 is a SHA-256 ASIC (Application Specific Intergrated Circuit) built using a 3nm process. At stock settings, 525 MHz and 1150 mV; it delivers approximately 1.2 TH/s with an efficiency of 15 J/TH. This baseline already makes it one of the most efficient ASIC chips on the market. However, with controlled overclocking, performance can be increased substantially.

Understanding how to overclock Bitaxe Gamma starts with knowing how the ASIC behaves under different voltages and frequencies. Each chip has a performance ceiling, and identifying it requires both incremental tuning and careful temperature management.

Voltage and Frequency Tuning

To overclock any ASIC, frequency must be increased. This boosts hashrate but simultaneously demands higher core voltage to remain stable. Voltage and frequency operate along a curve; performance increases taper off while power consumption and heat generation rise sharply. Balancing these factors is key to reliable overclocking.

The Bitaxe allows users to fine-tune frequency in small increments, often 25 or 50 MHz at a time, with voltage adjusted in steps of 25 to 50 mV. This flexibility is what makes learning how to overclock Bitaxe Gamma both rewarding and potentially risky if done without the proper safeguards.

Thermal Behavior and Cooling Solutions

As voltage and frequency climb, heat becomes the main limiting factor. The BM1370 ASIC should ideally be kept below 65°C for 24/7 operation, with 70°C as the upper limit. But cooling needs extend beyond the ASIC. The voltage regulator and surrounding MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) can exceed safe temperatures quickly during overclocking.

Cooling the Gamma properly is one of the most important aspects of understanding how to overclock Bitaxe Gamma effectively. Without adequate thermal control, even the best voltage-frequency pairing will eventually result in throttling or hardware degradation.

Heatsink Size and Material

Larger heatsinks with taller fins increase surface area for thermal dissipation. Copper offers higher thermal conductivity than aluminum, but aluminum remains more common because it is lighter and lower in cost. Hybrid designs with copper bases and aluminum fins often provide a good balance of conduction and airflow performance. The Dark Horse heatsink takes this a step further, using a high-density pin fin layout and black anodized coating to raise emissivity, cut core temperatures by up to ten degrees, and unlock extra overclocking headroom without extra fan noise.

Airflow and Placement

Direct airflow across both the ASIC and the voltage regulation zone is essential. A rear-mounted fan aimed at the VRMs (Voltage Regulator Modules) can reduce temperatures by 10–15°C. Stick-on heatsinks placed on the MOSFETs also help distribute thermal load. Proper fan orientation and case design play a key role in sustained performance.

Thermal Interface Materials

Even the best heatsink will under-perform without a premium thermal interface. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme steps in where ordinary pastes fall short. Rated at 14.2 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ thermal conductivity, it fills microscopic voids between the ASIC surface and the Dark Horse heatsink, eliminating insulating air pockets and accelerating heat flow.

Why Kryonaut Extreme shines on a Bitaxe Gamma

• Maximum heat transfer – its market-leading conductivity keeps junction temperatures several degrees cooler than stock compounds.

• Electrically non-conductive – zero risk to fine PCB traces around the BM1370 die.

• Long-term stability – engineered for extreme overclocking, it resists pump-out and drying even in continuous 24 / 7 mining.

• Easy application – a small pea-sized dot in the ASIC center spreads evenly under firm heatsink pressure, saving material and mess.

• Immediate feedback – expect lower chip temps on first boot and more headroom when you push voltage and clocks.

Upgrading to Kryonaut Extreme is the simplest high-return tweak when learning how to overclock Bitaxe Gamma to its full potential. Apply, mount, boot into a stress test and watch the temperature delta tighten.

Power Delivery and PSU Selection

For reliable overclocking you need more than a USB brick. The Mean Well LRS-50-5 from Solo Satoshi is purpose-matched to the Bitaxe Gamma.

Why this unit

• 5 V at a full 10 A (50 W) keeps voltage steady even when a Gamma peaks near 35 W.
• Trim-pot lets you set 5.10 – 5.20 V so the rail never sags under load.
• Built-in overload, OVP, and thermal reset protect your board from brown-outs.
• Universal 90 – 264 VAC input works on any wall outlet world-wide.
• Ships pre-wired for Bitaxe Gamma from Solo Satoshi with same-day dispatch.

Pairing this PSU with a Dark Horse heatsink and quality paste lets you overclock Bitaxe Gamma confidently and mine nonstop without reboots.

Bitaxe Gamma Performance Benchmarks

Below are controlled-environment benchmarks taken at 69 °F (21 °C) ambient with automatic fan control enabled.