Bitmain Technologies has announced a new 7-nanometer chip for bitcoin mining that enables it to set new energy efficiency records. The new ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), called BM1397, features several performance improvements. The chip is smaller and the energy efficiency increases.
Thanks to a new functional layout and an improved production, the ASIC allows for significantly lower power consumption compared to previous generations of chips. This device is used to mine (PoW) cryptocurrencies based on the SHA256 hashing algorithm, such as bitcoin (BTC) and bitcoin cash (BCH).
It is, therefore, an evolution of the BM1391, announced last September and which was used in the Antminer S15 and T15.
BM1397 will be featured in the new Antminer
We're proud to announce the BM1397, our all-new 7nm ASIC to mine cryptocurrencies using the SHA256 PoW, thus far our most efficient ASIC. Learn more: https://t.co/cW3Sh2IgNL
Follow @Antminer_main and stay tuned for #AntminerS17 and #AntminerT17.#BitcoinCash #Bitcoin— BITMAIN [Not giving away ETH] (@BITMAINtech) February 18, 2019
The BM1397 is based on a FinFET 7nm manufacturing process from TSMC’s foundry and consumes less power than previous solutions. According to the company’s official announcement, the figure is around 30 J/TH. This is a 28.6% improvement over the previous BM1391.
To achieve this, the Bitmain development team completely redesigned the chip to optimise its layout and therefore its architecture.
The new ASIC is on board the Antminer S17, S17 Pro and T17, which replace the ASIC S15 and T15. The Pro series features the best energy-efficient devices, while the “smooth” series features the best-performing ones. Under maximum efficiency conditions, these products can reach up to 30 joules per TH, 30% less than the previous generation.
