Although ASICs currently dominate the cryptocurrency mining space, it’s possible to mine some cryptocurrencies profitably with CPUs. In this article, we will highlight the best CPUs for mining and explain which cryptocurrencies can be mined with a CPU profitably.
The best CPUs for mining in 2024:
AMD EPYC 9654
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Mining crypto with CPUs
While there aren’t many cryptocurrencies that can be profitably mined with a CPU in 2024, there are still some options available for CPU miners. The most prominent cryptocurrency that can be mined with a CPU is Monero, the leading privacy coin on the market today. Other examples of cryptocurrencies that are suitable for CPU mining include Epic Cash, Zephyr, and Quantum Resistant Ledger.
The most common algorithm used by cryptocurrencies that can be profitably mined by CPUs is RandomX, which was originally introduced by the Monero team with the explicit goal of enabling CPU mining and avoiding Monero mining becoming centralized under a small number of professional miners using expensive ASIC mining rigs.
Of course, even though you can mine Monero profitably even if you have a relatively low-powered CPU, miners with more powerful CPUs will be able to mine a larger number of coins in a shorter period of time.
The best CPUs for mining in 2024
Now, let’s take a closer look at our selection of the best CPUs for mining in 2024. We’ve made sure to include a diverse selection of CPUs, ranging from top of the line server-grade CPUs to more affordable CPUs for consumer use.
1. AMD EPYC 9654
The AMD EPYC 9654 is a data center-grade CPU that’s part of the 4th generation of AMD’s EPYC processors. This CPU sports a whopping 96 cores and 192 threads, and operates at a base clock speed of 2.4 GHz (max boost up to 3.7 GHz).
According to XMRig, the AMD EPYC 9654 is currently the most powerful CPU for mining Monero in terms of multi-thread performance, with one benchmark achieving 95,417 H/s.
With its price tag of nearly $5,000 and its SP5 socket, the AMD EPYC 9654 is certainly not a good option for hobbyist miners who want to mine using the same computer they use for everyday tasks. However, if you are willing to make a significant investment into mining Monero and other cryptocurrencies that utilize the RandomX algorithm, the AMD EPYC 9654 is among best CPUs for crypto mining on the market.
Price* $4,675 Cores and threads 96 cores, 192 threads Clock speed 2.4 GHz base clock, max boost up to 3.7 GHz Default TDP 360W Socket SP5
Best price on Amazon as of August 9, 2024
Buy the AMD EPYC 9654
2. AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X is a high-performance 24-core, 48-thread CPU that’s a good choice for users who are enthusiastic about mining but aren’t ready to invest in server-grade hardware. The Threadripper 7960X has a base clock of 4.2 GHz, but can achieve up to 5.3 GHz with max boost.
Like other CPUs in AMD’s Threadripper, the 7960X is designed for heavy workloads such as 3D rendering, video editing, and complex simulations. This power also translates into CPU mining, as the 7960X is a powerful choice if you want to mine Monero or other RandomX cryptocurrencies.
Price* $1,379 Cores and threads 24 cores, 48 threads Clock speed 4.2 GHz base clock, max boost up to 5.3 GHz Default TDP 350W Socket TRX50
Best price on Amazon as of August 9, 2024
Buy the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7960X
3. AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is the second most powerful processor in AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series. It boasts 16 cores and 32 threads, and operates at 4.5 GHz (up to 5.7 GHz at max boost). Thanks to its high core count and efficient multi-threading capabilities, the Ryzen 9 7950X will perform well for Monero mining.
At a price of around $520, the Ryzen 9 7950X is a good choice if you are looking for a powerful mining CPU without breaking the bank. It’s also a great option if you also want to use the same computer for gaming, content creation and other relatively intense workloads.
Price* $523 Cores and threads 16 cores, 32 threads Clock speed 4.5 GHz, max boost up to 5.7 GHz Default TDP 170W Socket AM5
Best price on Amazon as of August 9, 2024
Buy the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
4. AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
The AMD Ryzen 7 7900X is a high-performance processor from AMD's Ryzen 7000 series, based on the Zen 5 architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.8 GHz and a boost clock up to 5.5 GHz.
The Ryzen 7 9700X is one of the best options if you’re looking for the best value for money but still want a powerful CPU that excels at gaming and other relatively demanding tasks while still offering solid mining performance.
Price* $359 Cores and threads 8 cores, 16 threads Clock speed 3.8 GHz, max boost up to 5.5 GHz Default TDP 65W Socket AM5
Best price on Amazon as of August 9, 2024
Buy the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
5. AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Although the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is the cheapest option on our list, it still delivers impressive performance. According to XMRig, the Ryzen 5 7600X can achieve up to 10,803 H/s when mining the RandomX algorithm.
The Ryzen 5 7600X has 6 cores and 12 threads, and operates at 4.7 GHz, which can increase up to 5.3 GHz at max boost. However, it has a relatively high TDP of 105W.
While your mining earnings will be modest when compared to using more powerful CPUs, the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X makes sense if you’re just trying to explore mining as a hobby while building a desktop computer that will be able to handle everyday tasks and less demanding games with ease.
Price* $196 Cores and threads 6 cores, 12 threads Clock speed 4.7 GHz, max boost up to 5.3 GHz Default TDP 105W Socket AM5
Best price on Amazon as of August 9, 2024
Buy the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
The bottom line
CPU mining is a relatively niche sector of the crypto mining landscape, as Monero is the only prominent cryptocurrency that can be profitably mined with a CPU.
Unless you are looking to take mining very seriously, it probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to put together a dedicated CPU mining rig. For most people, CPU mining can be an additional source of income if their computer has a relatively powerful CPU. Hopefully, our article has helped you find a CPU that will suit your everyday needs while allowing you to earn some extra crypto coins on the side.
If you’re also interested in other types of crypto mining, make sure to check out our list of the best ASIC miners and the best Bitcoin miners.
