Dash is an anonymous cryptocurrency that has gained significant popularity. In this post, we will review the Antminer D3, the best X11 miner currently available on the market.
Antminer D3 Review: Summary
Although Dash was originally designed to be ASIC-resistant, specialized hardware capable of mining its X11 algorithm eventually emerged. One of the earliest and most well-known models was Bitmain’s Antminer D3, first launched in mid-2017.
Today, the D3 is considered a legacy miner. While it helped popularize Dash mining, its efficiency is outdated compared to modern ASICs, and it’s often no longer profitable at standard electricity rates. Still, you can find used Antminer D3s on secondary markets, sometimes repurposed for hobby mining or experimentation.
If you’re considering mining Dash in 2026, be sure to compare current models and network conditions, and always run the numbers through a Dash mining calculator to see whether mining remains viable for you.
That’s the Antminer D3 in a nutshell. For a detailed review, keep on reading. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Dash Mining Overview
- Antminer D3 Overview
- Antminer D3 Efficiency
- Antminer D3 Weight and Size
- Antminer D3 Profitability
- How to Buy the Antminer D3
- Conclusion
1. Dash Mining Overview
Dash (formerly known as Darkcoin and XCoin before that) was created by Evan Duffield, with the thought to “add anonymity to Bitcoin”. After a few bumps in the road (e.g., the controversial 32% premine scam), Dash has gained its spot to become one of the more popular coins currently out there.
Although originally intended to be ASIC-resistant (mined only via CPUs & GPUs), ASIC developers found a way to mine Dash’s X11, and it is now possible to mine it using much more powerful hardware.
2. Antminer D3 Overview
March 2019 Update: By the end of 2018, Bitmain had released the Antminer D5 (not to be mistaken with the DR5), which is the newest X11 ASIC mining hardware.
However, very little information is currently available for it, and it appears to be mostly available for Chinese customers. Due to that, we will not review it in this guide for now.
The Antminer D3 from Bitmain is currently the most efficient ASIC miner for Dash. The D3’s first production run began shipping in mid-2017 and quickly sold out, as it offered a major performance advantage over the competing ASIC and GPU miners.
As with Bitcoin and Litecoin ASICs, Bitmain wasn’t first to market with a Dash miner. That honor belongs to the iBeLink DM384M, which was released in Q1 2016. However, as with Bitcoin and Litecoin ASICs, Bitmain’s product offers peak electrical efficiency.
3. Antminer D3 Efficiency
When it first launched, the Antminer D3 delivered an impressive 19.3 GH/s hashrate with 1,350W of power consumption, achieving an efficiency of 0.07 J/MH. At the time, this was a major leap forward compared to earlier X11 miners like the iBeLink DM384M, which offered just 384 MH/s.
In practical terms, the D3 once delivered roughly 50 times the hashrate for less than twice the power draw—a remarkable improvement back in 2017–2018.
For comparison, the Baikal Giant-A900 X11 ASIC, a previous market leader, achieved 900 MH/s at 216W, offering flexibility across multiple algorithms. Still, the D3 provided over 16 times the hashrate, albeit with higher power requirements.
Even later competitors like the iBeLink DM11G (11 GH/s at 810W) were close in efficiency but significantly more expensive at launch.
However, it’s important to note that all these models are now outdated. Network difficulty, energy costs, and evolving ASIC technology mean that none of these units are profitable for serious miners in 2025. They may still hold collector or educational value, but modern X11 ASICs, such as updated models from iBeLink or Goldshell, far outperform the D3 in both efficiency and ROI potential.
Before purchasing any older hardware, always check current profitability using a Dash mining calculator and compare against newer options.
4. Antminer D3 Weight and Size
The D3 weighs 5.5 kg, and the recommended PSU (Bitmain’s APW3++, sold separately) weighs 3 kg. The D3 measures are 320 x 130 x 190 mm. Its low weight and small size compare favorably with other X11 miners; the DM11G, for example, weighs 21 kg and measures 490 x 350 x 180 mm.
5. Antminer D3 Profitability
A very important step before you buy the D3 (or any other miner, for that matter) is to test it for profitability. To do that, you can use our very own Dash mining calculator:
[ccpw id=”167161″]Just fill in the data for your hardware’s price, electricity costs, and the D3’s specs as they appear on the manufacturer’s page. The outcome of your possible return per these parameters will appear below the calculator.
When considering the outcome, it’s important to remember that:
- Both the difficulty and the price (in USD) can and will change over time. While the price can go both ways, from experience, probably, the difficulty will only go up over time. Basically, this means that the profitability projection is only true for the moment of calculation.
- The costs of additional essential mining gear, e.g., cooling equipment and PSUs, are not included in this calculation.
6. How to Buy the Antminer D3
The D3 is available both new and second-hand from various resellers.
While local resellers will ship it to you more quickly and allow you to dodge import duties, you should be aware that many scam resellers exist and may take advantage of the demand for new mining equipment. If you buy via a reseller, ensure that they’re reputable first.
I personally got burned by such a scammer on Amazon as well.
Shipping costs and times from China must also be taken into consideration. Certain resellers promise fast delivery times and cheap shipping within the United States (and some other regions). Long shipping delays eat into expected profits.
As others receive their D3s and begin mining, mining difficulty rises accordingly.
Note that, unlike Bitcoin’s two-week delay, Dash’s difficulty re-targets roughly every two minutes and forty seconds, or with each new block found.
7. Conclusion: Is the Antminer D3 Worth It?
Until newer, more efficient X11 ASICs like the Antminer D5 or iBeLink BM-X11 series prove their long-term reliability and ROI, the Antminer D3 remains one of the most recognizable—though now largely outdated—X11 miners on the market.
That said, the D3 is no longer considered profitable under current network difficulty and energy prices. Modern miners looking to mine Dash or other X11-based coins should carefully compare hardware options and electricity rates before investing.
As always, before spending your hard-earned money on mining equipment, run the numbers using a Dash mining profitability calculator. Mining involves high upfront costs, fluctuating rewards, and market risks. Never invest more than you can afford to lose, and consider whether buying and holding Dash might offer a better long-term return.
See also: Dash Mining Calculator
FAQs
Is the Antminer D3 still profitable in 2026?
In most cases, no. Due to increased network difficulty and lower Dash block rewards, the Antminer D3’s 19.3 GH/s hashrate and 1350W power draw make it unprofitable at typical electricity rates. Modern miners may prefer newer X11 ASICs like the Antminer D5 or iBeLink BM-X11 for better efficiency.
Should I buy a used Antminer D3 in 2026?
Only if you get it at a very low cost and have access to cheap or free electricity. The D3 is considered outdated and unlikely to deliver a return on investment, but it can still serve as a learning tool for beginners experimenting with ASIC setup and mining operations.
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