AntMiner S2 Teardown        

Warning the below is not authorized by Bitmain and may void your warranty!  

0 - General intro.
1 - Tools and Supplies
2 - Steps and Images
3 - Conclusion

0 - General intro.

This is a quick guide to show the teardown of the AntMiner S2.  Rather it be for cleaning and maintenance or maybe just an interest to see what's inside.  My interest was while I had mine off for cleaning to take apart the heatsink and reapply thermal compound.  This was all prevoked by the possibility of the AntMiner S2 upgrade kits being released soon.  The S2's simple design has made it a rock solid performer and the 4 large 140mm fans make it a relatively quiet miner.  This is for reference only and I do not take responsibility for problems you may occur.  


1 - Tools and Supplies

Needed tools: Phillips #1 screwdriver
                    Allen wrench 2mm or Ball-head hex screwdriver 2.5mm
                    Putty knife 1" to 1 1/2"

Supplies: Denatured Alcohol or Isopropyl (the higher the % of alcohol the better)
              Cotton rounds (these seem to work the best)
              Compressed air

2 - Steps and Images

*Before you begin turn off your S2 and unplug the power cord*
I always turn on the switch after being unplugged to release any stored juice in the psu's capacitors.




Remove the 8 phillips screws on the case and remove cover.  These are M3x6mm screws.







Carefully remove the hash boards.  The side support rails can be loosened to make it easier.












Remove the 24 Hex screws and gently from all sides pry the heatsink from the pcb.  Careful the pcb will flex but heatsink should release fairly easy.  The thermal compound isn't dry it's more gooey.  These screws are 2mm with an allen wrench but 2.5mm with a ball-head hex screwdriver.





Remove the old thermal compound from both the heatsink and pcb being careful to not over saturate with alcohol.  *Might be obvious but pour the alcohol on the cotton round not on the pcb*







Apply new thermal compound to the heatsink only this will help keep it from going in the center of the pcb where NO compound should be applied.  Try to keep from the edges and holes but put a good helping on there.  I tried this http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-IceFusion-Performance-RG-ICFN-200G-B1/dp/B003AVMRR0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1428898928&sr=8-3&keywords=cooler+master+thermal+compound as it was cheap and enough for all the hashing boards.  Temps seem to be the same using this as what Bitmain applied and does not run, well at least not yet.  You can match the heatsink back up with the pcb by the screw hole pattern.  Tighten back down.  Wipe off any squeeze out after tightening.


3 - Conclusion

This was to renew what others I know have covered before but some may have wondered.  When the new upgrade kits are available I will post the install update.  Until then we wait.  Feel free to comment on different things you have used or tried.

Meech

Nice!  It's running on Antpool, thought I noticed an increase in hash rate.  Are there any cool leds?  I'm quite fond of the Block erupters.

Nice review on a terrible company.  I almost bought 5 X1's glad I didn't.  But great review and well done.  Seems they spent more on the lcd than anything else.

There was questions in other posts by owners of S2's and others that wished to buy an S2 to upgrade.  It would be just like making another S5 review wouldn't it?

A fully tweakable usb miner at last.  Hope the heatsink works out.  Can't wait to grab a few from you when done.  Sandwich fund growing.

While my S2's are off I'm cleaning them and will post shortly a teardown of the S2 and it's components.  Removal of the heatsink and reapplying thermal compound in preparation of the upgrade kits.

Again who the hell came up with an S7?  I will confirm their tech support relayed to me that the announcement of the S4+ to be soon as of last week.  So in theory it will launch with the S2 upgrade kits.  Can't find any info on the S4+ specs but there are previously discussed hopeful specs on the S2 upgrade.  Several weeks ago they were openly discussing this on the forums and then nothing, no posts what so ever.

I emailed Bitmain support last week asking about coupons and they told me an S4+ will be announced soon.  That was the same reply I got when inquiring about the S2 kits.  So presumably they will be released together and no S6 for now, it would be too much to launch at once.  The 2 week speculation of them announcing this was based on other threads where they stated it was in R&D and were awaiting info from their team if it was a go for release.  They have stated the goal was the end of March.  I believe they just are trying to get rid of S5's at this point, hopefully R&D didn't run into a problem.

Great job man!  Just might plug my block erupters back in to pay omage to your hard work.  I'd like to run a few when your done just for the pretty leds. 

They haven't learned not to tease their customers aparently.  If they want these kits to sell they need to give a better heads up on some info or announcement date.

When they offer free shipping, mine were always 2nd day air to the U.S.

Thank you for the payment.  Will the signature logo change now to introduce the mastercard?  And if so does that disrupt anything?

127.0.0.1 is your local network.  Socket has to do with your network as well.  Is your routers ip 192.168.1.1?  If not make sure your ip's are seeing your network.  Don't know for sure how to help but it's your network setup for sure.

I've shut down my 4 S2's.  The wait for this news is making me wish I would have sold them and picked up an S4+ when announced.  Just feel the S2 is solid and quiet, but very inefficient now.

Me too!  Loved the light show.  No major heat or noise just not enough bang for the buck.

Good question.  Wish I still had my meter from the cable company.  I'm sure it's not noticeable.  But that would explain all of Boeings planes falling out of the sky by my house.

It's not that critical here.  Just like every thing else if your not trading in high volumes the gov. could not care less.  When Btc goes back up or is backed by larger firms is when we need to hide.

Very doubtful your safely running that on a 20amp circuit.  I'm sure you meant to say circuit breaker.  For the kids at home don't touch any circuit live or dead to see if it's warm.

Anything other than usb miners consume too much electricity for you to profit now.  But your hashes will also grow 10 fold.

We should hear an announcement this week.