Reading miner specifications (and their units)
Spec sheets sell lab numbers. Learn to read hashrate, power, efficiency, and their units — and to convert H/s families — so marketing cannot blend a benchmark with a promise.
2026-10-19·updated 2026-10-19·4 min·pow.family research#hardware#units
01
The four numbers that matter
| Spec | Unit | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Hashrate | H/s family (MH/s, GH/s, TH/s) | At which algorithm, in which mode? Nominal or measured? |
| Power draw | Watts (W) | At the wall, at what mode/temperature? Includes PSU losses? |
| Efficiency | W per hash unit (J/TH, W/MH) | Same algorithm and boundary as the rig you're comparing? |
| Input requirements | Volt, amps, connector | Does your circuit actually deliver this, sustained? |
02
Nominal vs reality
Factory numbers come from best-bin chips in ideal cooling. Field hashrate sits a few percent under after thermal throttling, firmware choices, and pool variance; power can run higher in hot ambients. Two honest upgrades to any spec sheet: the measured wall draw from a meter, and the efficiency at your ambient temperature — both covered in the Energy track.
- dB specs: noise doubles psychologically every +10 dB — an 80 dB miner is a vacuum cleaner running 24/7.
- Operating temp range matters if your 'server room' is a garage in summer.
- PSU: included or not? Efficiency rating (Platinum vs Bronze) shifts wall draw 3–5%.
03
See it live on pow.family
Project pages' hardware sections list real miners and benchmarks used on our fleet tests — measured numbers, with dates, not brochures.