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How to Build an ASIC Miner

Bitcoin mining and cryptocurrency mining in general are extremely lucrative when done correctly. With 6.25 BTC up for grabs during each 10-minute block, that’s well over $300,000 USD that a company or individual could potentially get as a reward for mining. 

Though Computer Processing Unit (CPU) and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) mining is still a thing, the most efficient way to mine Bitcoin (BTC) or other proof of work cryptocurrencies like Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), or Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is by using an Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) miner. 

In this guide, we’re going to show you how to build an ASIC miner, while also discussing whether it can be profitable for you. 

What is ASIC Mining?

ASIC miners are specialized pieces of hardware that are designed to solve the hashing algorithm for specific cryptocurrency assets, such as SHA-256 for solving Bitcoin mining problems. Because they are more specialized than CPUs or GPUs, ASICs use less energy than both, while also having a higher hash rate. 

A higher hash rate means a higher chance to solve problems and win the block reward, meaning a higher chance at profitability. For more information on how mining works, check out this article.

Setting up an ASIC miner necessitates the installation of several key components, each of which plays an important role in ensuring that your mining rig runs smoothly. The following is a list of the key components required to build an ASIC miner, along with descriptions of their function and importance.

Component
Function
Why It’s Necceassry
Additional Notes
Hashboard
Performs most of the mining work by solving complex hashing problems.
The heart of your ASIC miner, composed of ASIC chips.
Often sourced from secondary markets as manufacturers sell pre-built miners.
Heatsink
Draws heat away from the hashboard and ASIC chips.
Prevents overheating and potential damage to the circuits.
Made from aluminum, they are essential to avoid component burnout.
Cooling Fan
Pushes cool air in and pulls warm air out of the mining rig.
Maintains system coolness for continuous mining.
Two fans are recommended.
Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
Distributes power and manages all data processing for the miner.
Acts as the “brain” of the system, housing essential ports and internal memory.
Hosts Ethernet port, mining software, and power management functions.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Stores the operating system and mining software.
Needed to run your mining software and operating system efficiently.
Minimum of 4GB RAM is required for smooth operation.
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Regulates power flow to the mining components.
Maintains proper power to all components without overload.
Choose a PSU with adequate wattage to avoid power output issues.
Frame
Holds all the components together in a secure structure.
Ensures your components are organized and properly supported.
Should be purchased last to ensure the correct size for your setup.

Each of these components plays a vital role in the functionality and performance of your ASIC miner, from cooling and power regulation to data processing. Ensuring you have the right components and setup will help your mining rig run smoothly and efficiently.

ASIC Mining Profitability

Whether ASIC mining is profitable depends on a variety of factors. The first factor is the asset that you choose to mine. Since you’re learning how to build an ASIC miner, you’ll likely want to be mining Bitcoin, as that’s what ASIC miners are designed to mine.

Mining Bitcoin can certainly be profitable, but whether it actually ends up being profitable will depend on the cost you pay to build an ASIC miner, the costs of your electricity or other resources required to keep it running, and the potential return against all of those initial costs. 

There are calculators you can find online to estimate rewards based on the hardware/ASIC you are considering buying or building, and these should be used before investing anything into building and running a miner. 

Essential Components for Setting up an ASIC Miner

There are a variety of components required for setting up an ASIC miner which we’ll note below, along with quick descriptions of what they are and why they’re necessary. You’ll also need basic things like a data cable and Ethernet cables for internet access.

Hashboard

A hashboard is where most of the work is done by your ASIC miner, as it is composed of your ASIC chips that aim to solve the hashing problem. You’ll likely need to buy this sort of component of a secondary market, as manufacturers of them tend to create miners you can just buy instead of making your own.

Heatsink

Heatsinks are strands of aluminum that sit on your hardboard and draw heat away from the circuits. Without them, your miner/ASIC chips will overheat and burn out.

Cooling Fan

You generally need two fans for your ASIC miner, one to blow cool air into the rig, and one to pull warm air out. These tend to run all the time causing a lot of noise.

Printed Circuit Board

Printed Circuit Boards or PCBs are the brains of your miner. They distribute power to your hashboard and host your ethernet port for Internet, internal memory for mining software, and power buttons. The PCB receives all functions before they are sent to your hashboard for execution. 

RAM

RAM or random access memory is required to host an operating system and Bitcoin mining software. You’ll need enough to store an OS and the software, which should be 4GB of RAM at an absolute minimum. 

Power Supply Unit

Power supply units are required to regulate the amount of power going to your mining components. Just be sure to pick one based upon the power consumption of your rig, but make sure it’s not going to be maxed out on power output or that could cause problems. 

Frame

The frame holds all your mining components together and can be bought once everything else has been acquired so that you know you get the right size. 

How to Build an ASIC Miner from Scratch

Below you’ll find the basic steps for building an ASIC miner from scratch. It’s worth noting that this is not as simple as the steps below, and is actually difficult if you’ve never done it before. 

It may be best to simply buy a premade ASIC miner from a manufacturer if you find the below steps to be in any way confusing.

Step 1: Prepare your Components

Create a clean workspace and get all your components together there, ready for assembly. Be sure you have all the tools necessary.

Step 2: Mount ASIC Chips

You’ll first need to mount your ASIC chip/hashboard to the PCB. This will require soldering.

Step 3: Connect Power Supply

Then, you’ll need to connect your power supply unit to the PCB as well.

Step 4: Install Fans/Heatsinks

Set up your cooling fans and heatsinks in the right places to ensure your miner is sufficiently cooled while it’s running. 

Step 5: Connect Miner to Controls

You’ll then need to connect your miner to your controller, whether that is a dedicated computer, or something like a Raspberry Pi.

Step 6: Final Assembly and Turning It On

Once all your connections have been made and all your components are properly connected, you can assemble them into the frame and turn the system on to begin mining. 

Maintaining an ASIC Miner

Maintenance of an ASIC miner requires you to clean dust from the components, keep cooling systems running smoothly, and update firmware and software.

Frequently Asked Questions


The cost to build an ASIC miner from scratch depends on the components you buy. To buy a premade ASIC miner costs at least $500 USD, but the best ones are often over $3,000 USD each.


ASIC mining profitability depends on a variety of factors including your initial investment, electricity costs, and expected returns.


An ASIC rig is a piece of mining equipment specifically designed to mine Bitcoin.

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About the Author

Evan Jones

Evan Jones was introduced to cryptocurrency by fellow CryptoVantage contributor Keegan Francis in 2017 and was immediately intrigued by the use cases of many Ethereum-based cryptos. He bought his first hardware wallet shortly thereafter. He has a keen and vested interest in cryptos involving decentralized backend exchanges, payment processing, and power-sharing.

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