If our first article sparked the idea, now it’s time to pick up the tools. The main headache with any ASIC miner is the high-pitched whine of fans spinning at 6000+ RPM. A proper noise suppression box (noisebox) isn't just about locking the device in a crate; it’s about letting it "breathe" while cutting off the sound waves.
1. The Golden Rule: The "S-Curve Labyrinth"
Sound is a wave; air is a flow. A sound wave dissipates when it hits an obstacle, but airflow can be forced to go around corners. A proper 2026-spec noisebox is built on the dual-chamber labyrinth principle.
Conceptual Layout:
[Air Intake] --> [Chamber 1: Silencer] --> [ASIC] --> [Chamber 2: Silencer] --> [Hot Air Exhaust]
| / | \ |
|________[Baffle Wall]________________________|________[Baffle Wall]_______________|
Important: The total cross-section of the air channel inside the box should be 1.5–2 times larger than the ASIC fan diameter (minimum 200 mm for a 120 mm fan) to avoid air resistance and overheating.

2. Choosing Materials: The 2026 Budget
Forget about standard acoustic foam—it’s flammable and does a poor job of dampening low frequencies.
| Material | Purpose | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|
| MDF / Plywood (18-22 mm) | Dense enclosure for sound reflection | $40 - $60 |
| Mineral Wool (50 mm) | Sound wave absorption (Non-combustible!) | $20 |
| Acoustic Felt | Finish layer to prevent fibers from entering chips | $15 |
| Vibration Dampening (Automotive) | Lining the walls to kill chassis vibrations | $25 |
| Aluminum Ducting (200 mm) | Heat venting to a window or heating system | $15 |
| Sealant & Screws | For airtight joints | $10 |
Total: Around $125 - $150 for peace and quiet at home.
3. Step-by-Step Assembly
Step 1: Building the Frame
Build a long box out of MDF (typical dimensions: 120 cm long, 40 cm wide, 45 cm high). Install two internal baffles to create that "labyrinth" effect.
Step 2: Vibration and Sound Insulation
- First, apply a layer of automotive vibration dampening (butyl sheets) to the inner walls. This eliminates low-end hum.
- Mount the mineral wool (Rockwool) on top.
- Critical: Cover the wool with dense acoustic felt or a vapor barrier. If you skip this, micro-particles of glass/stone will get sucked into the ASIC and kill it over time.
Step 3: Flow Separation ("Cold" and "Hot" Zones)
There must be a partition inside the box with a cutout specifically for the ASIC’s face. The miner is inserted into it through a gasket. This ensures that hot exhaust air isn't recirculated back into the intake.
4. Airflow Math and "Safe Ducting"
Pro-tip for avoiding rookie mistakes: don't use thin 100-125 mm ducting.
Physics 101: An ASIC pushes about 400-600 cubic meters of air per hour. If the duct is too narrow, backpressure builds up. Fans work harder, noise increases, and cooling performance drops.
Recommendation: Stick to 200 mm diameter ducting. If you need to vent the heat far away (over 3 meters), install an auxiliary inline fan (like a Soler & Palau Silent) to "help" the ASIC push the air out.
5. Safety and Monitoring
A noisebox is an enclosed space. If an ASIC fan fails, the device will fry in minutes.
- Temp Sensor: Place an external sensor (Zigbee/Wi-Fi) in the "hot" chamber.
- Automation: Set up a Home Assistant script: "If box temperature > 75°C, kill the smart plug power."
YAML
# Safety Automation Example
trigger:
- platform: numeric_state
entity_id: sensor.box_out_temp
above: 75
action:
- service: switch.turn_off
target:
entity_id: switch.asic_main_power
Summary
A properly built noisebox can drop noise levels from 80 dB to 40 dB. That’s the difference between "unbearable" and "background AC hum." Now that we've tamed the sound, it’s time for the big leagues—getting rid of air cooling entirely.
In our next article, we’ll dive into "wet" mining: “Immersion Cooling: A Guide to Building Your Home Mining Bath.”