Overclocking the Iceriver KS0, KS1 and KS2 in 2 min
IceRiver KS0, KS1 and KS2 Kaspa miners can gain 20 to 25% more hashrate with a modified firmware, and installing it only takes a few minutes. In this short video (in French), we show you where to find these "tuned" firmwares, how to install them from the machine's web interface, and which precautions to take so that overclocking remains a real gain in profitability.
Video from 2023: the hashrates below correspond to the firmwares available at that time.
The expected gains for each model
The modified firmwares are published in a GitHub repository, with one folder per machine. Here is what you can expect:
- IceRiver KS0: three versions, named 120, 140 and 160. Version 120 adds about 20% hashrate, i.e. 120 GH/s instead of 100 GH/s, and version 140 targets about 140 GH/s. At most, expect something around 155 GH/s for 115 W.
- IceRiver KS1: only one file is available. Starting from 1 TH/s at 600 W, the machine goes up to 1.2 to 1.3 TH/s, about 25% more, at 850 W.
- IceRiver KS2: starting from 2 TH/s at 1,200 W, you can expect 2.3 or 2.4 TH/s at about 1,500 W. The firmware page announces 2.3 to 2.6 TH/s: the result depends a lot on the "silicon lottery", i.e. the quality of the chips in each machine.
- IceRiver KS3L: the file was no longer available when the video was made. The folder regularly gets new versions, so it is worth keeping an eye on it.
KS0: check your charger
The KS0 is powered by an external laptop-style charger with a maximum output of about 90 W. With this charger, only version 120 can be used: it delivers its extra 20% hashrate without changing anything else. For versions 140 and 160, you must switch to a charger rated between 160 W and 230 W. Example model: input 240 V and 3.2 A, output 20 V and 11.5 A, i.e. 230 W.
Be careful: some KS0 units were shipped with a 65 W charger only. Check the rating printed on yours before any update.
Install the firmware in a few minutes
Each model's GitHub page describes several methods. We use option 1, the simplest one: updating from the machine's web administration interface.
- Open the GitHub folder for your model.
- Download the firmware file you want (for the KS0: 120, 140 or 160).
- Log in to the machine's administration interface and open the firmware update section.
- Select the downloaded file and start the update.
- Wait 2 to 3 minutes: the machine updates and then restarts on its own.
Precautions to take
- Monitor the chip temperatures in the administration interface, especially during the first hours and days, and check that the fans are running properly.
- Improve the KS0's cooling: a standard 12 or 14 cm PC fan blowing on it helps, and the KS0 cools better standing upright than lying flat.
- Keep a way back: if the machine no longer works properly after the update, the original official firmwares can still be downloaded from IceRiver's website, in the firmware download section.
As with any modification of this kind, overclocking is done at your own risk. Done carefully, it gives profitability a small boost, and an edge until everyone else catches up.
To find out more about the KS0, read our IceRiver KS0 review. You can also estimate your earnings with our Kaspa mining profitability calculator and browse our Kaspa miners.