Unlock the Full Power of Your Bitaxe 601: Safe Overclocking Tutorial

SUMMARY

Bitaxe Gamma is a powerful yet compact open-source Bitcoin miner built around a single BM1397 or BM1366 ASIC chip. While it comes factory-configured to deliver around 1.2 TH/s, many users have successfully pushed it beyond 2 TH/s with proper tuning.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the full overclocking process—from preparation to performance tuning—so you can safely unlock the full potential of your Bitaxe 601 miner.

What You Need Before You Start

• A working Bitaxe Gamma board (601 version)
• USB-C power and data cable
• Access to the Bitaxe web interface (via serial or USB)
• A stable cooling solution (fan + heatsink)
• Patience and time to test safely

Step 1: Establish a Baseline

Before overclocking, let the device run at stock settings:

• Default clock: 850 MHz
• Voltage: 750–800 mV
• Expected hashrate: ~1.2 TH/s
• Power draw: ~17 W

Use the web UI (or serial monitor) to observe:

• ASIC temperature
• Hashrate
• Invalid shares

Let it run for at least 20 minutes to ensure your device is stable and properly cooled.

Step 2: Start Increasing Clock Frequency

From the web UI or command interface:

1. Bump the frequency by 25 MHz at a time.
2. Let it run for 15–20 minutes.
3. Observe:
   • Hashrate consistency
   • Invalid share rate (should remain <1%)
   • Temperature (stay below 70°C ideally)

Most units can handle 950 MHz–1000 MHz with no voltage changes, assuming decent airflow.

Step 3: Adjust Voltage for Higher Frequencies

As you go above 1000 MHz, you’ll need to increase voltage:

• Safe range: 750–950 mV
• Typical for 2 TH/s: 875–925 mV
• Always raise voltage in 25 mV steps

Too little voltage = crashing or hash instability. Too much = heat and power spikes.

Find the lowest voltage that keeps your overclock stable.

Step 4: Improve Cooling

At high power settings (25–35W), heat becomes your main enemy.

Cooling tips:

• Use a larger 5V or 12V fan (20+ CFM)
• Apply high-quality thermal paste between chip and heatsink
• Ensure heatsink pressure is firm and even
• Run in a cool ambient environment (below 30°C if possible)

Good cooling not only allows higher clocks—it improves ASIC longevity.

Step 5: Validate Stability

Once you reach your target frequency (e.g., 1050 MHz or 1100 MHz):

• Let it run for 4–6 hours continuously
• Check:
  • ASIC temp: stay under 70–75°C
  • Invalid shares: <0.5%
  • Hashrate: stable, no major dips