Most beginner cryptocurrency miners think that a mining rig is a huge pile of high-end graphics cards mining Ethereum, Aeon or Beam. It is not always so. Even though GPUs are significantly better at some tasks than CPUs, that doesn’t mean CPUs can’t be put to good use for mining.
The processors are suitable for mining cryptocurrencies such as Monero (XMR). This review will describe the best mining processors that are currently available in stores.
Many cryptocurrency miners focus their efforts only on GPU mining. Much of their system’s power is wasted by running the CPU in an idle state. Many of them do not know that processors can also be used to mine cryptocurrencies. Certain protocols and coins can take advantage of both the CPU and GPU.
You can further increase the overall hashrate of your system at little or no cost. The most profitable coin that can be mined using CPU power is Monero. Electroneum, Zcash, and Bytecoin can also be mined with a CPU.
However, unlike graphics cards, processors have very different rates of return and lower hashing power. CPU mining performance is affected by many factors. These include power, cooling, memory speed and mining algorithm optimization. Compared to graphics cards, CPUs rely heavily on RAM, so having fast, high-capacity memory modules is a must if you plan to mine efficiently.
In general, mining using a processor at first glance seems impractical, but this is an erroneous assumption. In the same way that GPUs take time to start paying off during mining, it takes time for CPUs to start generating tangible profits. High-performance workstation processors can cost a lot of money, but they are ideal for cryptocurrency mining because they have a large number of processor cores.
Pair one such processor with a stack of the best mining graphics cards and you can be sure that you will start earning a decent amount of money in no time. Let’s take a look at the best mining processors you can buy.
Best Overall: AMD Threadripper 3990X
In Monero mining, the AMD Threadripper 3990X is a real find. Unfortunately, it is very expensive, but it also pays off if done right. With 64 cores and 128 threads, the Threadripper 3990X can deliver between 43 and 64 kH/s of XMRig 6.3.5 hashrate (as listed on monerobenchmarks.info).
To get the maximum hash rate out of this processor, you will need to invest in high-quality, low-latency DDR4 memory modules that operate at frequencies of at least 3200 MHz. This processor can generate up to $140 per month or up to $1650 per year (as of March 2021). The Threadripper 3990X is very popular among workstation professionals. If you get bored of mining, you can always sell this processor for a good price.
Second Place: AMD Threadripper 3960X
If the Threadripper 3990X is too expensive and you need something more affordable for Monero mining, the Threadripper 3960X is the perfect choice. This sub-$1,500 workstation processor has 24 cores and 48 threads and can offer a much better price/performance ratio than its more powerful Threadripper 3970X sibling. The 3960X can provide a hash rate of 20 to 27 kH/s on the XMRig 6.6.2 algorithm, which can give you a good monthly income.
The great thing about this processor is that it performs well at reduced voltage, but efficient mining requires several ultra-fast DDR4 modules. Overall, the Threadripper 3960X will be a much better replacement for the Threadripper 3990X than the 3970X. It can offer very good mining performance for a reasonable price.
Best High-Performance CPU for Mining: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
The weird thing about AMD processors is that the cheaper they are, the better they perform. At least this can be said about Monero mining. The only reason the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X doesn’t rank #2 on this list of the best Monero mining CPUs is because it makes less money per month (around $35) compared to the Threadripper 3960X.
Otherwise, it’s a much more interesting processor, as it costs almost 50% less, consumes less power, and even offers a better hash rate per core. In addition, it can be installed on an X570 chipset motherboard, which is much cheaper than TRX40 motherboards for Threadripper processors. With a priced around $700, 16-core / 32-thread processor, it can distribute between 15 and 20 kH/s hashrate, which can bring in a very good monthly income. Plus, the Ryzen 9 3950X is a fantastic processor for gaming, so it’s a win-win.
Best CPU for Mid-End Mining: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X has been called an excellent processor in many reviews and user reviews. As for Monero mining, it also performs well here. Priced around $500, the Ryzen 9 3900X can offer 12 cores, 24 threads and a mining hashrate of 11-16 kH/s on the XMRig algorithm. Such work can bring a decent monthly income.
Add to this processor some high-performance graphics cards that can also mine Monero and you have a serious cryptocurrency mining machine. So, to attain 16KH/s hashrate with this processor, you have to overclock it to 4.2GHz and get high-quality RAM modules that can reach CAS 14 latency and a clock speed of at least 3733MHz. If you know how to use this processor, the Ryzen 9 3900X is a bargain.
Best Budget CPU for Mining: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X is the perfect processor to start your Monero mining career. This processor costs about $350 and has 8 cores, 16 threads and full support for the PCIe 4.0 interface. The Ryzen 7 3700X can deliver between 7 and 10 kH/s hashrate on XMRig 6.4.0, which is pretty good performance considering its price.
The great thing about this processor is that it has a very low TDP of 65W as well as very good overclocking. Such a processor makes it easy to test various mining algorithms and configurations. The Ryzen 7 3700X does not require expensive motherboards, which is another reason to choose it. Overall, the Ryzen 7 3700X can bring in a modest but steady monthly income.
Best Budget HEDT Mining Processor: AMD Threadripper 1950X
The AMD Threadripper 1950X is currently the best workstation/HEDT processor for Monero mining. It’s pretty cheap, especially if you buy it on eBay. The Threadripper 1950X has been around for four years, but this processor is still good. The 1950X with its16 cores and 32 threads, can distribute 9-13 kH/s on the XMRig algorithm, which leads into real-world performance on par with the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X for a much lower price.
If you buy this chip for $350, it can pay back 78% of its investment within a year. This may not seem like a very profitable business, but if you pair it with several high-end graphics cards for mining, you can expect to make much more profit than when mining Monero with only a graphics card.
Another plus is that most X399 motherboards with Threadripper 1950X support are not very expensive these days. They are equipped with multiple PCIe x16 slots, ideal for building a powerful mining rig.
Best Intel HEDT Processor for Mining: Intel Xeon E5-2699 v3
Intel processors are not very good at mining cryptocurrencies like Monero. This is primarily due to the fact that they have very poor multi-threaded performance compared to AMD Ryzen and Threadripper processors. However, if you don’t like AMD and prefer Intel, then the Xeon E5-2699 v3 processor should be fine.
Although it is almost 7 years old, this 18-core, 36-thread processor is the best Intel has to offer for cryptocurrency mining. E5-2699 v3 can provide 8 kH/s hashrate on XMRig algorithm, which is enough to earn $15 per month or about $180 per year. This is pretty weak performance, but since used Xeon processors are now cheaper than a pair of worn boots, this processor may be a worthwhile investment for some miners.
Best Intel Core Processor for Mining: Intel Core i9-10900K
While the Intel Core i9-10900K has 62% better single-threaded performance than the ancient Xeon E5-2699, it performs worse at Monero mining. Unfortunately, the i9-10900K is the best mainstream Intel processor that can be used for cryptocurrency mining, although its overall performance is rather unimpressive.
The i9-10900K can provide a hash rate of 6-7 kH/s on the XMRig algorithm, which can bring in up to $10 per month. Despite its rather low margins, the Core i9-10900K is a decent processor for gaming, streaming, video editing, or 3D modeling. If you are planning to build a hybrid rig for mining and content creation, this processor will be enough.
Conclusion
In terms of mining Monero and other cryptocurrencies, CPUs and GPUs have a lot in common. However, compared to video cards, processors are much more sensitive to the quality of RAM, power consumption, and software optimization. Workstation processors will be the best choice for mining, however they cost a lot of money. On the other hand, conventional processors can provide a decent hashrate, but they need to have as many processor cores as possible.
