Ethereum mining has evolved significantly over the years, especially with the rise of specialized hardware designed to handle the memory-intensive Ethash algorithm. Among these devices, the E3 miner stands out as a compact yet powerful solution tailored for Ethash-based networks. This guide dives deep into the technical structure and performance characteristics of the E3 mining machine, offering valuable insights for both beginners and experienced miners.
Understanding the E3 Miner: Key Specifications
The E3 is engineered specifically for mining cryptocurrencies that use the Ethash consensus algorithm, such as Ethereum Classic (ETC) and other Ethereum forked chains. Despite its modest size, it packs impressive computational power:
- Hashrate: 190 MH/s
- Power Consumption: 760W
- Total Chips: 18 ASIC chips (BM1790 model)
- Memory Configuration: 72GB DDR3 (using ESMT chips)
These specs make the E3 an efficient option for miners seeking high hashrate per watt while maintaining manageable heat output and physical footprint.
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Internal Architecture: A Closer Look at the Hardware Design
Opening the E3 miner reveals a tightly integrated internal layout optimized for space and thermal efficiency.
Main Control Boards and Sub-Boards
Inside the chassis, you'll find three main算力 boards (hash boards), each hosting six子算力 boards (sub-hash boards), totaling 18 sub-boards. This modular design allows for easier repairs and targeted maintenance without replacing the entire unit.
Each sub-board centers around a BM1790 ASIC chip, developed by Bitmain, which is specifically tuned for Ethash’s DAG file processing requirements. The BM1790 excels in handling large memory access patterns, which are crucial for solving Ethash puzzles efficiently.
Memory Layout: Why DDR3 Matters in Ethash Mining
Surrounding each BM1790 chip is a ring of DDR3 memory modules—specifically 32 chips per board, with each chip providing 128MB of memory. This results in 4GB of RAM dedicated per ASIC chip, scaling up to a massive 72GB total system memory across all 18 chips.
Although DDR3 is considered outdated in consumer computing, it remains a cost-effective choice for mining rigs where bandwidth and latency are balanced against price. The sheer volume of memory ensures that the DAG file—a critical component in Ethash mining—can be loaded quickly and accessed repeatedly during nonce calculations.
Notably, the memory components are sourced from Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology (ESMT), a reputable Taiwanese manufacturer known for stable industrial-grade RAM. While not as fast as newer DDR4 or GDDR6 standards, ESMT’s DDR3 chips offer reliable performance under continuous load, making them ideal for 24/7 mining operations.
How Ethash Links Hashrate to Memory Bandwidth
One of the defining features of the Ethash algorithm is its reliance on memory bandwidth rather than pure computational speed. Unlike SHA-256 or Scrypt algorithms, Ethash is designed to be ASIC-resistant in theory, but practical implementations like the E3 show that specialized hardware can still dominate.
In Ethash:
- Miners must access a large dataset called the DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph).
- The size of the DAG grows over time, currently exceeding 5GB and increasing monthly.
- Each mining attempt involves reading random segments of this dataset.
- Therefore, memory bandwidth becomes the bottleneck, not raw processing power.
This is why the E3 allocates 4GB of memory per ASIC chip—to ensure that the DAG can be cached locally, minimizing latency and maximizing effective hashrate. Without sufficient memory, even a fast processor would stall waiting for data retrieval.
As a result, miners using devices like the E3 benefit from optimized memory throughput, allowing them to maintain consistent 190 MH/s performance with relatively low power draw compared to GPU farms.
Real-World Performance and Efficiency Analysis
While theoretical specs are important, real-world efficiency determines profitability.
Power Efficiency: 4 Watts per MH
At 760W for 190 MH/s, the E3 achieves approximately 4 joules per megahash (J/MH). This places it in the mid-tier range among dedicated Ethash miners—not the most efficient, but still competitive when electricity costs are moderate.
For context:
- Older GPU setups (e.g., RX 580) consume about 8–10 J/MH.
- High-end ASICs like certain Innosilicon models reach ~2.5 J/MH.
So while the E3 isn’t cutting-edge by today’s standards, it offers a solid balance between upfront cost and operational efficiency.
Thermal Management and Durability
Due to the dense packing of components, thermal management is critical. Each sub-board includes an aluminum heatsink directly mounted over the BM1790 chip to dissipate heat effectively. However, continuous operation requires adequate airflow—ideally in a well-ventilated mining rig or data center environment.
Overheating can lead to throttling or hardware degradation, especially given the sustained memory usage. Regular dust cleaning and ambient temperature monitoring are recommended for long-term reliability.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can the E3 mine Ethereum (ETH)?
A: No. After Ethereum's transition to Proof-of-Stake (The Merge) in 2022, Ethereum no longer supports mining. However, the E3 can mine other Ethash-based coins like Ethereum Classic (ETC), Metaverse ETP, and some smaller forks.
Q: Is 72GB of DDR3 memory overkill for Ethash?
A: Not at all. The DAG file used in Ethash mining exceeds 5GB and grows over time. With 4GB allocated per ASIC chip, the E3 ensures full local caching of required data segments, reducing dependency on external memory access and boosting efficiency.
Q: How does the BM1790 chip improve Ethash performance?
A: The BM1790 is optimized for high-bandwidth memory access and parallel processing of hash functions. It reduces latency in fetching DAG data and accelerates nonce trials, directly improving effective hashrate within power constraints.
Q: What happens if one sub-board fails?
A: Since each sub-board operates semi-independently, a single failure typically reduces overall hashrate by about 5–6 MH/s (roughly one-eighteenth of total output). Replacing individual boards is possible but may require technical expertise.
Q: Is the E3 still profitable in 2025?
A: Profitability depends on electricity cost, coin value, and network difficulty. At $0.08/kWh or lower, mining ETC with an E3 can remain viable, especially in large-scale operations where maintenance and cooling are optimized.
Final Thoughts: Where Does the E3 Fit in Modern Mining?
The E3 represents a transitional phase in cryptocurrency mining—from GPU dominance to ASIC specialization. While newer models offer better efficiency, the E3 remains relevant due to its reliability, widespread availability, and compatibility with active Ethash chains.
For miners entering the space or expanding existing farms, understanding the internal design—especially the tight integration between ASICs and memory—is key to optimizing performance and longevity.
Whether you're analyzing hardware for investment or building your own mining setup, the principles behind the E3's architecture provide valuable lessons in balancing power, memory, and thermal design.
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