In the early days of bitcoin mining, CPUs were used, followed by GPUs, and then the powerful ASIC in 2013. The “shoebox” form factor associated with bitcoin mining became iconic with the introduction of ASICs. The question now is, will the shoebox design continue to dominate the bitcoin mining industry, or will a form factor resembling traditional datacenter servers take over?
ASIC manufacturers are banking on the latter, with a focus on hydro-cooled server rack designs and “direct-to-chip” cooling for improved efficiency. Companies like Auradine have released models like the AH3880 in March 2025, signaling a shift towards server rack designs.
Last year, Bitmain unveiled the U3S21EXPH model, developed in collaboration with Hut 8, with a unique U3 design that fits three spaces in a server rack. Auradine’s AH3880, on the other hand, occupies two server slots and offers higher hashrate per unit of space compared to Bitmain’s model.
The move away from the traditional shoebox design is driven by customer demand, as miners seek more efficient and hydro-based mining solutions. Server rack ASICs offer standardization and compatibility with the datacenter industry, making building and repairing bitcoin mines easier.
As the mining industry evolves, the adoption of server rack designs could pave the way for integrating AI and HPC loads in the future. The U form factor of these designs aligns well with high-performance computing requirements, allowing for easier retrofitting for new services.
While the server rack form factor for bitcoin mining is still in its early stages, companies like Hut 8 are exploring hosting options for these models at new sites. The integration of these units may lead to a gradual shift in modern mine design, with public miners potentially leading the way for others to follow.
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