NerdNOS Metal Review
Usually, bitcoin miners are loud as jet engines, generate massive heat and look like something you'd rather hide somewhere outside of your house. The NerdNOS Metal takes a different position entirely. It prefers silence. It prefers quality of the materials. It prefers restraint.
It's based on the ASIC chip of the first, legendary, Bitaxe, the Max, with an underclocked BM1397. However, this isn't a compromise. It's a philosophy. The idea that you don't need to extract every last terahash by brute force, that calm and efficiency can coexist in the same small, considered object.
The NerdNOS Metal has an aluminum unibody. You notice it the moment you pick it up. That cold touch. Immediate. Unmistakable.
And here's what I find genuinely clever. This thing is repurposed from a Nerdminer V2, a Lilygo T Display S2, given a new purpose inside a proper enclosure. Nothing thrown away. Nothing wasted.
People don't talk about this fully open source device nearly enough. That's a shame, because somewhere in its making, someone stopped and actually cared. And that, more than any benchmark, is worth noticing.
| Description | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌐 Website | https://www.thesolomining.co/ |
| 🏙️ Location | UK |
| 📅 Year Released | 2025 |
| 💻 Hardware Model | NerdNOS Metal |
| 🚀 Processing Power | 150-200 GH/s |
| 🔨 Mining Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| 📡 Connectivity | Wi-Fi only (USB-C powered) |
| 🔒 Security Features | N/A |
| ⚙️ Compatibility | Compatible with Stratum V1 and Solo Pools |
| 📈 Scalability | Standalone unit |
| 💻 Power Consumption | ~8W |
| 📏 Dimensions | ~11.5 cm x 5.5 cm x ? cm |
| 🌐 Volume | N/A |
| ⚖️ Weight | N/A |
| 📱 Mobile App | None (web-based WiFiManager setup) |
| 💬 Customer Support | GitHub repo & Discord community |
| 🔄 Open Source | Yes (firmware via Bitaxe web flasher) |
| 💳 Price | ~$100 |
| 🌍 Shipping Availability | Yes, ships internationally via https://www.thesolomining.co/ |
| 📜 Warranty | TBD |
| 📖 User Reviews | N/A |
NerdNOS Metal: What Is It?
NerdNOS Display
At its core, the NerdNOS Metal is an attachment board for the Nerdminer V2, specifically designed to plug into the Lilygo T Display S3 and turn it into something considerably more capable. Developed by WantClue , with enclosure design by Duncan (known as I Am GPIO of The Solo Mining Co.), this device pushes your little Nerdminer up to 150-200 GH/s, all while consuming around 8W of power.
That last part is worth sitting with. Eight watts. The device runs off USB-C. You can power it from a power bank on your desk.
NerdNOS Metal Weight
The "Metal" in the name isn't marketing. The enclosure is a milled aluminum unibody, with a proper glass panel on the front and two side panels completing the build. It's tiny. It's quiet. And it looks, frankly, like it belongs somewhere nicer than most mining hardware ends up.
The heart of the performance bump is the BM1397 chip , the same chip found in the Bitaxe Max. It's heavily underclocked here, and that's intentional. WantClue made a deliberate choice to prioritize thermal efficiency and silence over raw numbers. The result is a device that runs cool, sips power, and sits on your desk without demanding your attention.
This isn't a device that tries to impress you with specs. It impresses you by being exactly what it needs to be, nothing more.
How The NerdNOS Metal Works
NerdNOS Screen
The NerdNOS Metal works by attaching the NerdNOS PCB directly to a Lilygo T Display S3, extending the Nerdminer V2's capability with the addition of the BM1397 ASIC chip. Once assembled inside the aluminum enclosure, the whole unit is powered via USB-C, requiring a minimum 2A output.
The BM1397 handles the actual SHA-256 hashing work, achieving 150-200 GH/s. The heavy underclocking keeps power draw at roughly 8W, which is what allows the device to run so quietly and stay within safe thermal limits without aggressive cooling.
Airflow is managed through a fan intake on one side of the enclosure and an exhaust on the other. A custom heatsink, redesigned specifically for this enclosure, sits directly over the BM1397. An air funnel channels airflow from the fan directly across the heatsink surface, keeping the chip at comfortable operating temperatures. The NerdNOS board itself has no fan controller, so the fan runs at a fixed speed, which is another reason WantClue recommends using a silent fan.
The Lilygo T Display S3 handles the interface side of things, running the NerdNOS firmware and driving the screen. Three display screens give you different views: mining data, a clock miner mode, and global Bitcoin network stats. Two physical buttons on the unit let you cycle between screens or toggle the display off entirely, while mining continues in the background.
Connectivity is entirely wireless. Setup happens through a Wi-Fi captive portal, the same straightforward process as the original Nerdminer V2.
NerdNOS Metal Features
Aluminum Unibody Enclosure
NerdNOS Back
The enclosure is the story. Milled from a single block of aluminum, it gives the device a weight and solidity you don't expect at this price point. The glass panel on the front sits flush and clean. It's the kind of object you put on your desk and don't want to hide.
BM1397 ASIC Chip
The same chip used in the Bitaxe Max. Running heavily underclocked here to achieve that 8W power draw, it delivers 150-200 GH/s, a substantial step up from the base Nerdminer V2.
Three Display Screens
The NerdNOS firmware gives you three modes on the Lilygo display. The NerdNOS Screen shows your active mining data. The ClockMiner Screen displays a stylized clock alongside mining info. The GlobalStats Screen pulls live Bitcoin network data including block height, hashrate, and current BTC price via API.
USB-C Powered
NerdNos USB Port
Minimum 2A. Can run off a power bank. No dedicated power brick required.
Silent Operation
The heavy underclocking combined with the custom heatsink and a recommended silent fan means the NerdNOS Metal can sit in any room without making itself known. This isn't a compromise; it's the whole point.
Custom Heatsink
WantClue redesigned the heatsink specifically to work within this enclosure. It fully covers the BM1397 and works in tandem with the air funnel to keep temperatures in check.
Open Source Firmware
The firmware is installable via the Bitaxe web flasher, no IDE or VS Code needed. Flash it directly from your browser before assembly.
Simple Two-Button Interface
Button 1 cycles through display screens, or holds to reset saved settings. Button 2 toggles the display on and off while mining continues uninterrupted.
How It Compares To The NerdMiner V2
The NerdMiner V2 is where the NerdNOS Metal begins. Literally. The Lilygo T Display S3 that sits at the heart of the Metal is the same hardware, repurposed and extended rather than replaced.
The base NerdMiner V2 runs entirely on the ESP32 microcontroller inside the Lilygo display. It's a solo miner in the purest lottery-ticket sense of the word, operating at a few kilohashes per second. A wonderful little device. But let's be honest about the numbers.
The NerdNOS PCB changes that picture meaningfully. By adding the BM1397 chip, you're jumping from a few KH/s to 150-200 GH/s. That's not an incremental upgrade. It's a different category of device sharing the same body.
The power draw goes up, naturally. The base Nerdminer V2 runs on almost nothing. The NerdNOS Metal sits at around 8W , similar to a CmRat Bitcoin Node, still remarkably efficient, but a step up. The tradeoff is obvious and worth it.
What stays the same is the philosophy. Simple setup. Wi-Fi only. A screen that tells you what's happening. No fuss. The NerdNOS Metal is a NerdMiner V2 that grew up, without losing what made it approachable in the first place.
And there's something genuinely thoughtful about the approach here. Rather than building a new device from scratch, WantClue extended an existing one. The Lilygo T Display S3 you might already own becomes the foundation of something considerably more capable. Nothing wasted.
NerdNOS Metal Quick Review
| Category | Feature | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 🔐 Profitability and Performance (28/50) | ||
| 💰 Efficiency | 53.3 J/TH (8W ÷ 0.15 TH/s) | 2/10 |
| 💵 Economic Efficiency | $666.67 /TH ($100 ÷ 0.15 TH/s) | 2/10 |
| 📈 Interest Ratio | 35,533 (53.3 × 666.67) | 1/5 |
| 💹 Price Weighted Interest Ratio | 3,553 (53.3 × 666.67 × 100) ÷ 1000 | 1/5 |
| 💡 Monthly Electric Bill | $0.86 (8W × 24h × 30 days × $0.15/kWh ÷ 1000) | 5/5 |
| ⛏️ Hashrate | 0.15 TH/s | 1/5 |
| ⚡ Power Consumption | 8W | 5/5 |
| 💲 Price | $100 | 5/5 |
| 🚀 Features (47/50) | ||
| ✔️ Compatibility | SHA-256, connects to most pools | 5/5 |
| 📶 Connectivity | Wi-Fi only, USB-C powered | 4/5 |
| 📏 Form Factor | Milled aluminum unibody, glass panel | 5/5 |
| 🔊 Noise | Near-silent (underclocked BM1397, silent fan) | 5/5 |
| 🔄 Open Source | Open Source firmware via Bitaxe web flasher | 5/5 |
| ⛏️ Solo Mining | Supports Solo Mining pools | 5/5 |
| 🌡️ Heat | Low thermals, custom heatsink and funnel | 5/5 |
| 🤝 Support | GitHub repo & Discord community | 5/5 |
| 📜 Warranty | TBD | 3/5 |
| ⏳ 3yr Possession Cost | $130.96 ($0.86 × 36 months + $100) | 5/5 |
| 🧱 blockdyor Score (75/100) |
How To Start Mining With The NerdNOS Metal
NerdNOS Dashboard
Step 1: Flash the Firmware
If you get the pre-assembled one, you can skip this step, as it comes pre-flashed.
Before assembling anything, connect the Lilygo T Display S3 to your computer and flash the NerdNOS firmware via the Bitaxe web flasher. No IDE required. Find the link in the NerdNOS GitHub repo.
Step 2: Power On
Connect the NerdNOS Metal to a USB-C port with at least 2A output. Wait a few seconds for the device to boot up. A Wi-Fi message will appear on the display.
Step 3: Connect to the Setup Network
Scan the QR code on screen, or go to your Wi-Fi settings manually and connect to the "NerdMinerAP" network. Password: MineYourCoins.
Step 4: Configure via WiFiManager
The WiFiManager page opens automatically in your browser. Tap "Configure WiFi." Select your home network and enter the password. Note: the password field is case sensitive.
Step 5: Enter Your Details
In the "Your BTC address" field, paste your on-chain Bitcoin address. Delete the placeholder text yourBtcAddress first. Set your timezone: 2 for Central European Summer Time, 1 for Central European Winter Time.
Step 6: Save and Mine
Hit Save. The device connects to your network and begins mining. You can verify your connection by checking your BTC address on the pool you're connected to.
Button Reference
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Button 1 (short press) | Switch to next display screen |
| Button 1 (hold on power-up) | Change existing saved entries |
| Button 1 (hold 5 seconds) | Reset all saved entries |
| Button 2 (short press) | Toggle display on/off (mining continues) |
NerdNOS Metal Alternatives
Bitaxe Gamma
The Bitaxe Gamma is the spiritual foundation of the home mining revival. Open-source, community-driven, and genuinely accessible. It runs a single BM1366 chip and delivers around 1.2-1.4 TH/s at roughly 15-18W, which makes it considerably more powerful than the NerdNOS Metal in raw hashrate terms.
The tradeoff is form factor and power draw. The Bitaxe Gamma uses an open board design, no enclosure included, which makes it more exposed and less desk-friendly. It also draws more power. If you want maximum open-source hashrate on a budget, the Gamma is hard to argue with. If you want something you'd actually want on your desk, the NerdNOS Metal has a clear edge.
Canaan Avalon Nano 3S
The Avalon Nano 3S is the corporate option. Canaan is one of the oldest ASIC manufacturers in the business, and the Nano 3S brings industrial reliability to the home market. It delivers 6 TH/s at 140W, with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity and a 360-day warranty.
The numbers are impressive. The efficiency less so, at 23.3 J/TH compared to the NerdNOS Metal's lean 8W total draw. It's a closed-source device with proprietary firmware, which matters if you care about community-driven development. And it costs considerably more. For someone who wants maximum hashrate regardless of power bill, it's a strong option. For someone who wants a quiet, elegant, low-footprint device, the NerdNOS Metal is a different kind of answer.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | NerdNOS Metal | Bitaxe Gamma | Avalon Nano 3S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hashrate | 150-200 GH/s | 1.2-1.4 TH/s | 6 TH/s |
| Power | ~8W | 15-18W | 140W |
| Chip | BM1397 | BM1366 | Proprietary |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes | No |
| Enclosure | Aluminum unibody | Open board | Injection-molded |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (USB-C) | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi + Ethernet |
| Display | Glass panel, 3 modes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Desk aesthetics, low power | Budget, learning | Maximum hashrate |
NerdNOS Metal Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Milled aluminum unibody, genuinely premium build | ❌ No easy way for OTA updates |
| ✅ ~8W power draw, can run from a power bank | ❌ No web dashboard |
| ✅ Near-silent operation | ❌ To change pool you must reset it |
| ✅ Repurposes existing Nerdminer V2 hardware | |
| ✅ Three display modes including live global stats | |
| ✅ Open-source firmware | |
| ✅ Can be easily setup via HashLink | |
| ✅ Eco-conscious design, nothing wasted |
Bottom Line
The NerdNOS Metal doesn't compete with industrial home miners on hashrate. That's not the point.
It takes a Nerdminer V2, a Lilygo T Display S3 you might already own, adds a BM1397 chip running at a careful 8W, wraps it all in a milled aluminum body with a glass panel, and puts something genuinely considered on your desk. WantClue and Duncan made real decisions here. Decisions about silence, materials, and not wasting what already exists.
150-200 GH/s isn't going to make you rich. Solo mining never was about that. It's about participating, about having skin in the game in the most direct way possible, with a device that respects the space it occupies.
If you want maximum hashrate, look elsewhere. If you want something quiet, beautiful, and honest, the NerdNOS Metal is worth every bit of attention it rarely gets.
NerdNOS Metal Evaluation
The NerdNOS Metal earns a 75/100 on the blockdyor score. It's not the fastest device in this roundup, and it doesn't try to be. What it does, it does exceptionally well.
The build quality is the headline. Milled aluminum at this price point, in this category, is simply not what you expect. Someone cared. The near-silent operation, the thoughtful repurposing of existing hardware, the clean three-mode display, all of it points to a device made by people who thought carefully about what they were building and why.
It's available through thesolomining.co in the UK, shipping internationally. If you already have a Lilygo T Display S3 with GPIO pins, the PCB alone opens up a compelling upgrade path. If you're starting fresh, the complete Metal enclosure is the way to go.
This is the kind of device that doesn't get talked about enough. Now you know about it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What hashrate does the NerdNOS Metal achieve?
The NerdNOS Metal delivers 150-200 GH/s by adding a BM1397 ASIC chip to the Nerdminer V2 platform. The chip is heavily underclocked to keep power draw at around 8W.
What hardware does the NerdNOS Metal use?
It's built around the Lilygo T Display S3 (the Nerdminer V2 platform) with the NerdNOS PCB attached. The PCB was developed by WantClue with help from Pmax. The aluminum enclosure was designed by Duncan (I Am GPIO) of The Solo Mining Co.
Is the NerdNOS Metal open source?
Yes. The firmware is open source and installable via the Bitaxe web flasher directly from your browser. No IDE or development environment needed.
How much power does it consume?
Around 8W. It's USB-C powered with a minimum 2A requirement, which means it can run off a power bank.
Is it noisy?
No. The heavy underclocking and custom heatsink keep temperatures low. The NerdNOS board has no fan controller, so a silent fan (such as a Noctua) is recommended for the quietest experience.
Does it support solo mining?
Yes. Configure your preferred solo mining pool via the WiFiManager setup and your BTC address, and you're mining solo.
Do I need to own a Nerdminer V2 already?
You need a Lilygo T Display S3 with GPIO pins soldered. The product number is H577 from Lilygo directly, or available on AliExpress for around $15. The NerdNOS Metal is sold as a complete ready-to-go unit through thesolomining.co.
How do I flash the firmware?
Via the Bitaxe web flasher, linked in the NerdNOS GitHub repository. Connect your Lilygo T Display S3 before assembly and flash directly from your browser.
Where can I buy the NerdNOS Metal?
Through thesolomining.co in the UK, which ships internationally. WantClue has also discussed the possibility of selling units directly.
Discussion in the ATmosphere