Bitmain, the company behind the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) mining rig, recently made changes to its design. Compass Mining, a bitcoin mining firm, published a blog post to inform miners of the changes and the potential issues that could arise.
Compass Mining identified three issues with two different Antminer S19 series mining devices. The new machines lack a peripheral interface controller (PIC) on the ASICs, making it harder to control individual hashboards. Additionally, the devices use aluminum plating on the side of the mining rig, which Compass Mining believes may contribute to overheating issues. Lastly, the firm noted that all components are consolidated onto one side of the board, increasing the chance of hashboard errors.
William Foxley of Compass Mining believes that without a PIC, units cannot underhash on one or two boards, and hashboards made with aluminum plates may fail more frequently in hot climates than those made with printed circuit boards (PCBs). Foxley also noted that non-Bitmain repair shops may face difficulty replacing damaged chips.
Compass Mining suggests that third-party firmware could address the PIC issue and enable a miner to run on one or two boards. Third-party firmware can also lower specific variables to keep the ASIC mining rig cooler. The post also suggests selecting the best environmental conditions as another solution. However, regarding the aluminum plating, Compass Mining views it as a net negative.
What do you think of Bitmain’s decision to change its ASIC design? It is important for miners to be aware of the changes and potential issues that could arise, and to take the necessary steps to ensure their mining rigs are running optimally. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.