The Best CPUs for Mining Monero in 2023
As a novice cryptocurrency miner, you will probably picture a mining rig as having a lot of racks and racks of high-end GPUs hashing out Ethereum, Aeon, or Beam. But that’s not always the case. It is important to remember that even though GPUs are much better at doing certain tasks than CPUs, that does not mean that CPUs can’t be used when it comes to mining in the same way. As far as mining is concerned, CPUs are also capable of mining cryptocurrencies. This is particularly relevant for cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR). Our objective in this roundup is to give you an overview of the best mining CPUs that you can buy at the moment.
The idea is all great, but you should also take into account how much of their system’s power is being wasted when the CPU is running idle. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that CPUs can also be used to mine cryptocurrencies. It is possible to increase your system’s total hashrate even further for no to little money if you are able to take advantage of both your CPU and GPU with certain protocols and coins. A CPU can be used to mine Monero (MONERO), Zcash (ZEC), Horizon (ZEN), and AEON (AEON). These are some of the coins that can be mined with a CPU, as well as other coins like Zcash (ZEC), Horizon (ZEN), and AEON (AEON).
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AMD Ryzen 9 5950X~ Best Overall
Cores/Threads: 16C/32T | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.9 GHz | TDP: 105 W | Average Hashrate: 21,5 kH/s
Performance-to-price ratio is excellent
Performance that is outstanding when running multiple threads
Interface support for PCIe 4.0
AM4 motherboard compatible
When overclocked, there is an increase in power consumption
A lack of graphics integration
Review
Powered by the Ryzen 3 architecture, the new AMD Ryzen 9 5950X has revolutionized the workstation market and also set a new standard in high-end gaming. The same could be said about mining Monero.
The Ryzen 9 5950X can deliver up to 22 kH/s hash rate using the XMRig v6.12.1 algorithm for a price of around $1,000. This processor has 16 cores and 32 threads, so you’ll get more than enough income to pay for your rent. Thus, Ryzen 9 5950X is far more powerful and cheaper than Threadripper 3960X, which costs 70% more and consumes 10% more power, while delivering the same performance. This CPU doesn’t require a Threadripper motherboard, so the overall costs of building a mining rig with it are significantly lower than with a Threadripper CPU. Another benefit of the Ryzen 9 5950X is that it requires an AM4 motherboard with AMD 400/500 chipsets.
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AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Cores/Threads: 16C/32T | Base Clock: 3.5 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.7 GHz | TDP: 105 W | Average Hashrate: 17,5 kH/s
A mainstream CPU with outstanding performance
Interface PCIe 4.0 supported
AM4 motherboard compatible
The price is very reasonable
Cooler must be purchased separately
Potential for overclocking is limited
Review
In my experience, AMD’s processors perform better when they are cheaper. In fact, when it comes to mining Monero, AMD Ryzen 9 3950X earns a slightly lower monthly income compared to Ryzen 9 5950X, which is why it is in second place on our list of the best CPUs for mining Monero. As for the AMD Threadripper 3960X, this is a much more energy-efficient CPU than its older brother, and it comes with a higher mining hashrate per core than that of the Threadripper 3960X.
As well as all that, X570 motherboards are a much more affordable alternative to TRX40 motherboards, so you can build a system for less money. With 15 to 20 kH/s hashrate, this 16-core, 32-thread CPU can guarantee you a decent monthly income when it comes to raw performance. Additionally, the Ryzen 9 3950X is a fantastic CPU for gaming, so it’s a win-win situation for both parties.
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AMD Threadripper 3990X~Best High-End Mining CPU
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X 64-Core, 128-Thread
Cores/Threads: 64C/128T | Base Clock: 2.9 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.3 GHz | TDP: 280 W | Average Hashrate: 54 kH/s
The performance of extraterrestrials
A 64-core and 128-thread processor
Interface PCIe 4.0 supported
Supports Smart Access Memory (AMD) and ECC
The price is very high
To maximize mining performance, some tweaking is required
Review
The AMD Threadripper 3990X is one of the best CPUs available for mining Monero, as it is a truly powerful CPU. Despite the fact that it costs a fortune to use, once you understand how to use it, it pays itself off quite quickly. On XMRig 6.3.5 algorithm, the Threadripper 3990X is capable of delivering between 43 and 64 kH/s hashrate, which is simply astounding.
It is, however, necessary to purchase some low-latency DDR4 modules at a frequency of at least 3,200 MHz in order to maximize its hashrate. It is fortunate enough, however, that this CPU generates a considerable amount of income on a monthly basis, so it is definitely worth investing in some high-quality hardware. In addition to being very popular among workstation professionals, the Threadripper 3990X is also easy to sell if you get tired of mining.
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AMD Ryzen 9 3900X~Best Mid-Range Mining CPU
Cores/Threads: 12C/24T | Base Clock: 3.8 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 105 W | Average Hashrate: 13,5 kH/s
Exceptional value for the price
CPU with great versatility
Interface support for PCIe 4.0
Affordability
There is no efficient cooling provided by the included heatsink
A higher hashrate can be achieved by overclocking
Review
There has been no shortage of articles about AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. This CPU is no different when it comes to mining Monero. Even though it’s significantly less expensive than the Ryzen 9 5950X, the Ryzen 9 3900X is still a great CPU, offering 12 cores, 24 threads, and generating 11-16 kH/s for mining. With such performance, you can earn a decent income every month.
You can get yourself a serious crypto mining machine in no time by pairing this CPU with a few high-end GPUs capable of mining Monero as well. However, you will have to overclock this CPU to 4.2 GHz and buy some high-quality RAM modules with CAS 14 latency and clock speeds of at least 3,733 MHz in order to achieve 16 kH/s hashrate. It is a worthwhile investment if you already have experience mining Monero.
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AMD Ryzen 7 3700X~Best Budget Mining CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core, 16-Thread
Cores/Threads: 8C/16T | Base Clock: 3.6 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.4 GHz | TDP: 65 W | Average Hashrate: 9 kH/s
The price is very reasonable
A great gaming experience
Overclocking headroom is very good
Power-saving
There is room for improvement in single-threaded performance
Hashrate for mining is modest
Review
You can start your Monero CPU mining career with the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X. This processor costs about $350 and is equipped with 8 cores, 16 threads, and PCIe 4.0 support. In terms of XMRig 6.4.0 hashrate, the Ryzen 7 3700X can deliver 7 to 10 kH/s hashrate.
A great feature of this CPU is that it has a very low TDP of 65 watts and is very well suited for overclocking. In addition to allowing you to test out different mining algorithms and mining configurations, such CPUs allow you to gain a better understanding of how to mine cryptocurrencies with the CPU. Another reason to choose the Ryzen 7 3700X is the fact that it doesn’t require an expensive motherboard to work with. You can earn a modest income from the Ryzen 7 3700X, but it’s steady.
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AMD Threadripper 1950X~Best Budget HEDT Mining CPU
AMD YD195XA8AEWOF Ryzen Threadripper 1950X (16-core/32-thread) Desktop Processor
Cores/Threads: 16C/32T | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.0 GHz | TDP: 180 W | Average Hashrate: 12 kH/s
Performance in mining is great
32 threads and 16 cores
For the same price, this CPU beats Intel Core X-Series CPUs
Performance that is strong across multiple threads
Dimensions are very large
The motherboard of the workstation must be compatible
Review
Currently, the AMD Threadripper 1950X is the best CPU for mining Monero on a workstation or HEDT computer. This thing is a steal, especially if you purchase a used one. It’s been around for four years, but the Threadripper 1950X still performs well. With 16 cores and 32 threads, the 1950X has the capability of delivering 9-13 kH/s hashrate on the XMRig algorithm, and is comparable with AMD Ryzen 9 3900X for a lot less.
You can expect to see 78% of your investment back within one year if you buy this CPU for less than $400. The Monero mining process may not seem very profitable, but when paired with some high-end mining GPUs, it can yield much higher profits than mining Monero only with your GPUs. There are also a lot of X399 motherboards today which support Threadripper 1950X, and most of them come with PCIe x16 slots, so you can build a powerful mining rig without breaking the bank.
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Intel Xeon E5-2699A V4~Best Intel HEDT Mining CPU~ Best CPUs for Mining Monero
Intel Xeon Processor E5-2699A v4 22 Core
Cores/Threads: 22C/44T | Base Clock: 2.4 GHz | Boost Clock: 3.6 GHz | TDP: 145 W | Average Hashrate: 8.53 kH/s
Performance of mining is decent
The processor has 22 cores and 44 threads
Dual-CPU motherboard support
Motherboards with special features are required
The price is too high
Review
As far as I am concerned, Intel CPUs aren’t quite capable of mining cryptocurrencies like Monero because they offer poor performance on multithreading compared to AMD Ryzen and Threadripper CPUs. As an alternative to the team Red, the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 is a good choice if you don’t care for the team Red.
It is still one of the best Intel CPUs for mining Monero even though it is now five years old. With 145 W of power, one E5-2699A v4 can provide 8.5 kH/s hashrate using the XMRig algorithm. The hashrate of a single Ryzen 9 3950X can be achieved with two of these CPUs in a dual-CPU configuration. However, its biggest drawback is its high price, so choosing this CPU for mining Monero might not be as smart as you might expect.
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Intel Core i7-12700KF~Best Intel Core Mining CPU
Cores/Threads: 12C/20T | Base Clock: 3.6 GHz | Boost Clock: 5.0 GHz | TDP: 190 W | Average Hashrate: 8,54 kH/s
Performance on single threads is strong
A 12-core, 20-thread processor
This is a great tool for creating games and content
Hashrate for Monero mining is very good
Memory support for DDR5
Consumption of high power
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X offers the same level of performance
Review
With the new 12th Generation “Alder Lake” CPUs launched in November 2021, Intel really stepped up the game to compete with AMD. Many cryptocurrency miners used AMD’s CPUs to mine Monero efficiently up until this point. Intel’s offerings are now quite capable when it comes to mining Monero, and some of them are even on par with AMD’s. However, things are slowly changing.
Introducing the Intel Core i7-12700KF. In addition to its lower power level, the Core i7-12700KF supports DDR5 memory, and Monero mining hash rates of 8,540 H/s, which are comparable to those of AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, despite not being the most powerful 12th Gen Intel Core CPU. This CPU consumes a lot of power, so if you decide to use it, be prepared for power spikes up to 190 W. Even though this CPU performs fairly well on Monero mining, it’s still not as efficient as AMD’s offerings. The Core i7-12700KF is a good starting point for mining Monero with an Intel CPU in 2022 if you don’t mind its relatively high TDP and want to jump on the Alder Lake bandwagon.
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Monero Mining: How to Mine Monero (XMR) with GPU or CPU
What is Monero?
In April 2014, Monero was released as an open-source cryptocurrency with a focus on decentralization, scalability, and privacy. Almost all cryptocurrencies have their own mining processes, and Monero is no different. It works on a proof-of-work mining method to achieve distributed consensus.
Mining Monero: What does it entail?
Mining Monero involves solving cryptographic equations using high-powered computers and gaining Monero coins in return for their efforts. Participants in the process, known as miners, receive XMR (Monero tokens) in exchange for their efforts.
Monero mining requires a specific set of hardware and software specs. The miner can be either software or a hardware device.
What is the point of mining Monero?
The mining process is vital for maintaining the total circulating supply of Monero. It is now possible for anyone to mine Monero if they follow an established set of rules and instructions. The only requirement is that they have access to powerful computers and devices designed specifically for the purpose.
Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins, while Monero has no upper limit. For example, Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins.
In May 2022, a tail emission that generates 0.6 XMR indefinitely will be introduced to keep miners motivated after all 18.132 million tokens have been accounted for are discovered.
It costs 1.26 XMR to mine one Monero block at the time of writing, with blocks being found every two minutes. The community and developers of Monero have developed a new algorithm called random that keeps mining XMR fair for miners using consumer-grade hardware because this algorithm is ASIC-resistant. This prevents miners from building specialized hardware to mine XMR.
Before mining Monero, what should you consider?
Below are a few factors miners should consider before starting to mine Monero.
Monero profitability
In order to decide if XMR mining is profitable before buying expensive mining equipment, you need to consider it first. You need to take into account pool maintenance fees, electricity costs, and mining hash rate in order to determine profitability. In contrast to Bitcoin, mining XMR does not require high-tech and expensive hardware, so you can begin mining with an inexpensive CPU or GPU.
Hash Rate
It is important to note that mining is a time-based process, so the higher the processing power, the smoother it becomes. Monero and Bitcoin both use similar consensus mechanisms, but their hashing algorithms differ. SHA256 is used by Bitcoin, while RandomX is used by Monero, which explains why both are supported by different mining devices.
Choosing AMD or Nvidia hardware
There are two primary manufacturers of GPUs you should take a look at – AMD and Nvidia. While you will have to invest substantially more money with a GPU, you will get a much better hash rate. Also related: best cpu under 300
Monero Mining using CPU~ Best CPUs for Mining Monero
The Central Processing Unit or CPU on your computer can be used to mine Monero. As CPU mining became increasingly popular during the early days of cryptocurrencies, its profitability has decreased since the advent of new, more powerful mining hardware. In order to give smaller retail miners an equal chance to compete with large-scale institutionalized miners, Monero and other cryptocurrencies have algorithms that are more CPU-friendly.
The Monero network also maintains mining decentralization as a result. You can use almost any CPU to mine Monero, but you should choose an Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron CPU if you want a new CPU. Hash rates are 130 H/s for Xeon L5640, while hash rates are 415 H/s for AMD Opteron.
If you plan on mining Monero with your CPU, remember that it is not the most profitable process. GPU miners are largely dominating the mining process, as they have more computing power than those who mine using their CPUs. Once you’ve set up your CPU for mining, you’ll need to download the appropriate mining software. We recommend downloading the free XMR-STAK-CPU.
With XMR-stak, you can mine Monero using a universal stratum pool miner for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Monero Mining using CPU
The Central Processing Unit or CPU on your computer can be used to mine Monero. As CPU mining became increasingly popular during the early days of cryptocurrencies, its profitability has decreased since the advent of new, more powerful mining hardware. In order to give smaller retail miners an equal chance to compete with large-scale institutionalized miners, Monero and other cryptocurrencies have algorithms that are more CPU-friendly.
Furthermore, it ensures that Monero mining remains decentralized. Although almost any CPU is capable of mining Monero, if you decide to purchase a new CPU, choose the Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron. Hash rates for Xeon L5640 and AMD Opteron are 130 H/s and 415 H/s, respectively.
If you plan on mining Monero with your CPU, remember that it is not the most profitable process. GPU miners are largely dominating the mining process, as they have more computing power than those who mine using their CPUs. Once you’ve set up your CPU for mining, you’ll need to download the appropriate mining software. We recommend downloading the free XMR-STAK-CPU.
XMR-stak is a monero mining program for Windows, Linus, and macOS and is one of the only programs out there that supports CPU mining.
Final thoughts on Best CPUs for Mining Monero
You should realise that you can earn XMR tokens anywhere after reading this article on Monero mining CPUs. In spite of the fact that mining cryptocurrency can be profitable, it is also important to have an adequate CPU. In any case, hardware is not the most important thing when mining cryptocurrency. Prices and therefore the value of the crypto are also extremely important. If you’re considering mining Flare, you might want to check out articles like Flare Price Prediction.
The CPUs listed above are all great for mining Monero, and they can work with any powerful computer if you had read this far. Consumers, however, have to purchase thermal cooling to have a great mining experience. It is always possible to search for a suitable crypto platform if cryptocurrency mining doesn’t appeal to you in the end or you don’t want to invest in expensive hardware. If you are interested in learning more about cryptocurrencies, take a look at articles such as Bitcoin Motion Review.
The Monero mining process can be profitable, but not everyone can do it. When the price of Monero increases, the mining process becomes more profitable. Nevertheless, you should learn about the privacy coin mining regulations in your country before beginning mining.