The Best CPUs for Mining in 2024: Monero (XMR) CPU Mining Guide

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.

Although ASICs currently dominate the cryptocurrency mining space, it’s still 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5. AMD Ryzen 5