Description
The Dark Horse Bitaxe Heatsink Upgrade is a 40 × 40 × 25 mm black anodized-aluminum main ASIC cooler for compatible single-chip Bitaxe miners. Its 137-pin matrix spreads forced airflow in multiple directions, providing more cooling surface than the small basic heatsinks supplied with many legacy builds.
Dark Horse Bitaxe Heatsink Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Use | Main ASIC heatsink upgrade |
| Dimensions | 40 × 40 × 25 mm |
| Material | Black anodized aluminum |
| Cooling structure | 137-pin matrix |
| Base | Flat direct-contact thermal interface |
| Mounting | Four nylon push-pin tension mounts |
| Fan | Requires compatible active airflow; fan sold separately |
| Thermal compound | Select the heatsink alone or the variation with Thermalright TF7 2g |
| Color | Black |
| Ships from | Conroe, Texas, USA |
Bitaxe Compatibility
| Miner | Fit guidance |
|---|---|
| Bitaxe Max | Compatible with standard single-chip Bitaxe mounting geometry; confirm the assembled board and enclosure clearance. |
| Bitaxe Ultra | Compatible with standard single-chip Bitaxe mounting geometry; confirm the fan and push-pin arrangement. |
| Bitaxe Supra | Compatible with supported single-chip Supra revisions using the standard mounting pattern. |
| Bitaxe Gamma 601/602 | Compatible with the standard single-chip Gamma board layout and 40mm fan format. |
Not a direct fit for multi-chip designs: do not assume compatibility with the Bitaxe Gamma Duo 650, Bitaxe GT, Naja Duo, NerdQaxe++, Gamma Hex, Turbo Touch, or other boards with different ASIC placement and cooler mounting. Compare the exact board, hole pattern, component clearance, and enclosure before installation.
Why a Pin-Fin Heatsink Helps
A pin-fin field exposes cooling surface to air approaching from more than one direction. That makes it well suited to a compact fan mounted directly over the heatsink and to open-frame miners where surrounding airflow can vary. The larger 25mm-tall thermal mass also gives the ASIC more cooling headroom than a smaller basic aluminum block.
The final temperature still depends on fan airflow and pressure, mounting contact, thermal-compound application, ambient temperature, dust, firmware settings, voltage, frequency, and the individual ASIC. A heatsink cannot guarantee a particular temperature, noise level, hashrate, or overclock.
Choose the Correct Option
- Replacement Thermal Paste: No is for users who already have suitable fresh thermal compound.
- Replacement Thermal Paste: Yes adds a 2g tube of Thermalright TF7 thermal paste.
Do not reuse dried or contaminated compound. Excess paste does not improve cooling; the goal is a thin, even interface without gaps.
Installation and First-Power Checklist
- Shut down the miner, disconnect power, and let the existing heatsink cool.
- Remove the fan and old cooler without twisting or flexing the PCB.
- Clean the ASIC and heatsink-contact surface with electronics-safe isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free material. Allow both surfaces to dry completely.
- Inspect the board, push-pin holes, nearby components, and available clearance before applying paste.
- Apply a small, even amount of fresh thermal compound to the ASIC.
- Align the heatsink and engage the four nylon push pins evenly. Do not force a misaligned pin or allow the heatsink to contact surrounding components.
- Install a compatible 40mm 5V Bitaxe fan with airflow directed through the pin field. Keep the cable clear of the blades.
- Power on at conservative stock settings. Confirm fan rotation, RPM reporting, ASIC temperature, and voltage-regulator temperature immediately.
- Let temperatures stabilize before making one small tuning change at a time. Shut down if the fan stalls, the board throttles, or temperatures climb unexpectedly.
Solo Satoshi Bitaxe Gamma Test Data
The following measurements are from one Solo Satoshi Bitaxe Gamma test configuration using automatic fan control. Noise was measured in a quiet home from 12 inches away. Hardware, ambient conditions, firmware, airflow, measurement tools, and silicon quality can change results, so treat this as configuration data, not a guaranteed outcome.
| Frequency | Core voltage | Fan | Noise | VR temp | ASIC temp | Hashrate | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 525 MHz | 1150 mV | 44% | 43 dB | 57°C | 49.3°C | 1.07 TH/s | 17.8W |
| 600 MHz | 1150 mV | 48% | 44 dB | 62°C | 51.4°C | 1.22 TH/s | 20.1W |
| 625 MHz | 1250 mV | 59% | 46 dB | 71°C | 56.1°C | 1.27 TH/s | 25.2W |
| 700 MHz | 1250 mV | 65% | 48 dB | 80°C | 58.9°C | 1.43 TH/s | 28.4W |
| 750 MHz | 1250 mV | 68% | 49 dB | 86°C | 60.3°C | 1.54 TH/s | 30.2W |
| 800 MHz | 1250 mV | 72% | 49 dB | 94°C | 62.4°C | 1.63 TH/s | 32.2W |
| 850 MHz* | 1250 mV | 71% | 48 dB | 81°C | 61.8°C | 1.73 TH/s | 33.0W |
| 900 MHz* | 1250 mV | 74% | 50 dB | 90°C | 64.3°C | 1.84 TH/s | 35.2W |
*Copper MOSFET heatsinks were added at the 850 MHz and 900 MHz test points, so those rows are not a heatsink-only comparison.
Cooling and Overclocking Safety
- Improved ASIC cooling can reveal the voltage regulator, connector, cable, or power supply as the next thermal limit.
- Never operate a Bitaxe without active cooling, even briefly.
- Do not rely on ASIC temperature alone; monitor VR temperature, power stability, rejected shares, fan behavior, and connector heat.
- Overclocking, cooling modifications, or disassembly may affect warranties and can permanently damage hardware.
- Keep the miner on a stable, nonflammable surface with unobstructed intake and exhaust space.
Helpful Guides and Compatible Hardware
OEM Bitaxe 40mm 5V Replacement Fan
Pair the Dark Horse with active airflow and select the connector that matches your exact board.
Thermalright TF7 Thermal Paste 2g
Use fresh thermal compound to create a consistent interface between the ASIC and heatsink base.
Choosing the Best Bitaxe Cooling Solution
Compare heatsinks, fan sizes, airflow direction, noise, and thermal-monitoring priorities.
Bitaxe Maintenance and Care
Learn safe cleaning, fan inspection, thermal-compound service, and temperature verification.
Bitaxe Overclocking Guide
Understand model limits, efficiency, voltage, frequency, cooling, and power-delivery tradeoffs.
MOSFET Heatsink Placement Guide
Identify supporting hot spots without confusing component heatsinks with the main ASIC cooler.
Reviews for Bitaxe Heatsink Upgrade