The ultimate heatsink comparison. Which setup should I choose?

When you get started with home solo mining using a Bitaxe, one of the most important decisions is the heatsink . It directly affects your stable hashrate, noise level, temperature, lifespan, and your overall mining experience. At Polarblocks, we offer three different Bitaxe lines, each with a different cooler setup:
  • Standard aluminum cooler (entry-level model)
  • Bitchin Sink (in our Greenland Edition)
  • El Mirage (sleek luxury option)
  • Low Profile ICE Tower Plus (our flagship only in the Ice Line)
This guide compares the models based on real-world tests, community feedback, and our own benchmarks – so you can find the perfect one for your needs. Quick comparison chart
Cooler type
Maximum stable hashrate
Average ASIC temperature (at 1.3 TH/s)
noise level
Weight
Price range (Polarblocks model)
Ideal for
Standard aluminum
~1.2–1.3 TH/s.
60 °C
Medium
Light
Entry price (~149 €)
Beginner, Budget
Bitchin Sink
~1.4 TH/s.
55–60 °C
Medium-Low
Medium
Mid-range (~199 €)
Passive/Low-Noise, Reliability
El Mirage
~1.5–1.6 TH/s.
50–55 °C
Low
Medium
Upper class
( ~€210)
Style + balanced performance
Low Profile ICE Tower Plus
2+ TH/s
45–55 °C
Silent
Medium
Premium (~€299)
Maximum performance, overclocking, quiet rooms
(Temperatures & hashrate based on 22°C ambient temperature, good airflow and Noctua fans where applicable. Results vary due to chip lottery & power supply & setup)
1. Standard Aluminum Cooler – The Affordable Entry-Level Option This is the standard cooler included with most bare Bitaxe motherboards. Advantages :
  • Affordable and lightweight
  • Sufficient for stock settings (~1.1-1.3 TH/s)
  • Easy assembly, no extra parts required
Disadvantages :
  • Limited surface area – temperatures rise quickly during overclocking
  • Needs louder fans for cooling
  • Throttling often occurs in warm rooms or when overclocking.
Who is it suitable for : Absolute beginners who want to test things out first, or those who operate multiple low-power miners. If you want to save money and aren't aiming for high hashrates, this is sufficient to get started.
2. Bitchin Sink – The Passive Giant Developed by The Solo Mining Co. – a community favorite and the cooler in our Greenland Edition and Polar Line. Advantages :
  • Enormous surface area for excellent passive cooling
  • Reduces ASIC temperatures by 5-7 °C compared to standard
  • Works great with a quiet fan (or even fanless in cool rooms)
  • Extremely robust – built like a tank
Disadvantages :
  • Heavier (requires a stable base)
  • A little higher – check the fit in your case
  • May throttle when heavily overclocked in hot environments
Who is it for : Miners who want reliability and low noise levels without aggressive overclocking. Ideal for 24/7 operation in a home environment. The Greenland Edition also donates €5 per sale to Transparency International Greenland – mine for freedom and support a good cause.
3. El Mirage – Stylish and robust. A compact, modern cooler, popular in custom builds. Advantages :
  • Sleek, flat design – looks premium
  • Good air ducts for single-fan setups
  • ~10 °C cooler than standard
  • Balanced weight and height
Disadvantages :
  • Less surface area than the ICE Tower
  • May throttle when heavily overclocked in hot environments
Who it's suitable for : Style-conscious miners who want a good upgrade from the standard without going too far in terms of size or cost. Perfect for bedroom or office setups.
4. Low Profile ICE Tower Plus – The Overclocking King (Our Flagship) The cooler in the IceAxe Ultimate Edition – and our personal favorite for good reason. Advantages :
  • Heatpipe technology + tower design for superior heat dissipation
  • Lowest temperatures – remains slightly below 55 °C at 1.3+ TH/s
  • Dual-fan capable (Noctua combo = virtually silent)
  • Maximum overclocking headroom – get the most out of your chip
  • Compact height despite performance
Disadvantages :
  • Premium price (but worth every penny for serious miners)
  • A slightly more complex assembly (we pre-assemble it)
Who is it for ? Anyone who takes solo mining seriously – maximum hashrate, minimal noise, 24/7 reliability. If you want the best chance of stable performance and longevity, this is the choice. Conclusion: Which one should you choose?
  • Just starting out / Budget-conscious? Standard – learn the basics without spending a lot.
  • Low noise + reliability + supporting a good cause? Greenland Edition with Bitchin Sink.
  • Beautiful design and a solid upgrade? The El Mirage model.
  • Giving it your all for performance? IceAxe Ultimate with Low Profile ICE Tower Plus – our bestseller for good reason.
All Polarblocks miners are hand-assembled in Germany, come with premium components (Noctua fans, Arctic + Grizzly thermal paste, stable power supplies), and are ready for solo mining right out of the box. Whichever one you choose, you're contributing to decentralization. Every hash counts. Ready for yours?
Visit our shop: polarblocklabs.com Questions about your setup? Leave them in the comments – we're happy to help! (Data based on community benchmarks, our internal tests, and user feedback as of February 2026. Individual results may vary due to chip lottery, room temperature, and power supply quality.)
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