Reduce ASIC noise with a soundproof box. A DIY method to build it yourself!
An ASIC is very noisy, so much so that many people give up on mining at home. Can you make it bearable without a big budget? In this 2023 video (in French), we draw on photos and videos from a customer who bought ASICs from us and built a soundproof box at home without spending much. We are not DIY professionals, but the method is within everyone's reach.
The problem: ASIC noise
ASICs are rated at around 80 decibels, and when you stand right next to the machine it reaches 90 decibels: that is huge. Quiet ASICs do exist, such as Jasminer models, but they are often limited to mining Ethereum Classic (ETC).
Our customer's box houses some "big beasts": an Antminer E9 Pro, which mines ETC at 3.6 GH/s for 2,200 W, and an Antminer S19. The box itself is simple and basic, which is exactly what makes it easy to reproduce.
1. Build the wooden box
Buy laminated wood panels, then nail and glue the edges together to form the box. This wooden part costs less than €50.
Next, cut the openings for air extraction with a hole saw, to get clean holes of about 120 mm in diameter.
2. Fit acoustic panels
The inside of the box is lined with acoustic foam panels, for example with a pyramid pattern. You can find them on Amazon, and there are different types: do your own calculations based on the area to cover.
3. Remove the heat: ducts and extractor fan
Reducing noise is good, but an ASIC gives off a lot of heat: you need to be able to get it out of the box. For that, you will need:
- Aluminium ducts, available in different diameters, from 127 mm upwards. The Hydrozone website has a good selection;
- Small sleeves to connect everything;
- An extractor fan that blows air while staying quiet. The figure to look at is the airflow: the example found at Leroy Merlin moves 250 m³/h, and some models start at 400 m³/h and approach 1,000 m³/h, depending on what you want to build.
Allow between €150 and €400 for an extractor fan (2023 prices), with the advantage that it can extract the air from several machines. A variable-speed model is worth considering: you can adjust its airflow between summer and winter so that it uses less power.
The result
Once the box is closed, the difference in noise is striking. For a reasonable budget, with a wooden box at under €50 and most of the spending going on the ducts and extractor fan, you can mine Bitcoin at home, in your garage or in an attic.
Looking for quieter machines straight away? Browse our home miners and our full range of ASIC miners. To go further on cooling, read our article on plug-and-play immersion cooling, and if you do not have room at home, have a look at our miner hosting.