Using Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), and Application-Specific Integrated Circuit for mining depends on the cryptocurrency’s blockchain and the minimum hash rate needed to mine it. For example, cryptocurrencies like Monero are only mined using GPU and CPU and are not mined with ASICs. Although most blockchain protocols have moved to GPUs and ASICs, CPUs are still widely used in crypto mining.
Factors such as hash rate, electricity consumption, and energy efficiency are essential when using CPUs for mining. To get the best mining CPU, miners may assemble CPUs, purchasing quality components to build high-performance processors.
This guide describes the process of CPU mining, the factors to consider when purchasing CPUs, and how to get the best CPU for mining 2023. We also review some of the high-performance CPUs in use today.
What is CPU Mining?
Mining with CPU is simple; miners only have to run the mining software on their systems without external equipment or advanced technical configurations. The CPU processes the data to verify and add transactions on the blockchain. The best CPU mining programs typically work with all systems with a minimum requirement for ROM, RAM space, and operating systems.
The affordability of CPU mining makes it popular among small-scale (individual or solo) miners.
Here’s the process for setting up the best CPU for mining Monero, for example:
- Purchase and install a CPU with enough computing power to mine the cryptocurrency. Check with the manufacturer and ensure the CPU meets your requirements.
- Install mining software that works for the cryptocurrency and that’s compatible with your CPU.
- Follow the instructions to configure your mining software. You’ll need to create a crypto wallet and connect to the blockchain.
Mining with CPU is affordable and affords miners the flexibility of mining various cryptocurrencies with the same equipment.
Advantages of CPU Mining
- No complex equipment such as ASICs
- Less heat and noise
- Less power consumption
- Inexpensive maintenance
- Scalable passive income for solo miners
- Relatively cheaper initial capital for large mining farms and mining pools
Choosing Your CPU Miner
Choosing the best CPU for the mining rig is essential if you hope to maximize profits. The PoW protocol favors the best-performing or the most "hardworking" CPUs to find blocks and earn rewards. Therefore, you need to choose CPUs with the best features, making mining power-efficient.
How to Start CPU Mining
If you want to start CPU mining, there are two methods; solo mining and pool mining.
Solo Mining
In the solo mining method, you only have to purchase one or two units of CPUs, install mining software for the coin you want to mine, and then set up a home or solo mining rig. However, we do not recommend solo mining because you could purchase the best CPU for crypto mining and still be disadvantaged in the mining network. Let’s explain this.
The proof-of-work protocol, as mentioned earlier, is designed to favor the best-performing CPUs to earn mining rewards. That means that in an extensive mining network, only those miners whose CPUs have the highest mining hash rates at that moment will have the best chance of finding transaction blocks to verify and then get rewarded.
Now, in solo mining, only one or a couple of CPUs are used, and their average hash rate will be far lesser than the average hash rate generated by any of the mining pools on the blockchain network. So if, for example, you have a machine that produces 100 N of force and you need a minimum of 1000 N to stand a chance of getting a construction contract and get paid, you’d be better off having ten of that machine than having only one or two and hoping to win the contract.
That is why we do not recommend solo mining. Solo mining pits your powerful machine against hundreds or thousands of others. Not a good bargain? What if there’s a better way?
Mining Pool
Mining pools are like a mini-network of miners connected to a blockchain. In this method, miners pool their resources to generate tremendous computing power for mining on the blockchain. In addition, by pooling their hash rates, the mining pool has a better chance to locate and verify transaction blocks and earn rewards. The pools share the rewards according to the individual contributions of the miners.
Mining pools offer a better way to mine crypto than solo mining. You enter a pool with hundreds of other miners working to solve the duplicate block transactions. You can see it as teamwork in which every team member contributes equally. Most mining pools require a minimum hash rate using the best CPU for GPU mining rigs.
Now, if you want to join a mining pool, how do you choose the best CPU?
How to Choose Best CPU for Mining
What is the best CPU for mining? How do you decide? The choice of CPUs for mining is not exactly difficult, but you need some critical knowledge of certain factors. These are:
Number of Cores
A core is the brain of any CPU. Cores are smaller processors built into the larger CPUs that receive information from tasks and process them for external use. The more cores your CPU has, the more functions it can take on. For example, for best mining for CPU, you want a CPU with enough cores to handle the complexity of verifying block transactions with speed.
Threads
Threads are virtual CPU cores. CPUs are generally threaded, i.e., the cores are further divided into threads to make processing easier and simpler. If you are using AMD or Intel CPUs, you’ll most likely be using threaded CPUs, and you can take advantage of them for crypto mining. CPUs can thread up to 2X their cores and give more processing power.
Clocking Speed
The clocking speed of a CPU is the rate of cycles that the CPU completes per second. The clocking speed is also the frequency, given in GHz. Therefore, you want a CPU with a high clocking speed for crypto mining, which translates to a higher hash rate.
Cooling Options
CPUs produce heat, especially when working for extended periods. Therefore, if the weather conditions are warm, you want a CPU with an efficient cooling system.
Your CPU should meet these basic requirements. Still, there are probably dozens of CPUs in the market with all these features. So here are the best CPUs for mining that we recommend.
Best CPUs for Mining
Just over a decade ago, only a few CPUs could be called the best CPU for mining bitcoin. However, the increased bitcoin mining difficulty caused bitcoin mining to move from CPUs to GPUs and then to ASICs.
As a crypto mining firm, we are in touch with the market and industry realities of mining conditions. For example, we keep updated on the mining difficulty of the major cryptocurrencies, price changes, equipment capacity, and other factors that determine profitability. That is why we confidently recommend a few CPUs. Following our recommendation, you can easily choose the best CPU for crypto mining 2022.
We have carefully examined and chosen these processors based on:
- Power
- Performance
- Cooling
- Profitability
These CPUs are among the most popular CPUs in the gaming and crypto mining industries, where miners deploy them in mining Monero, Bytecoin, and ZenCash. If you want to start CPU mining, we recommend these CPUs:
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X is a fast AMD processor and offers the best price-performance balance. The Ryzen 9 5950X clocks a base speed of 3.4 GHz, which can increase to 4.9 GHz using the AMD Max Turbo Boost feature. The following features make it arguably the best CPU for mining:
Features
- 16 CPU cores
- 32 threads
- 3.4 GHz base clock speed, 4.9 GHz Max. Boost clock speed
- 64 Mb total cache
- 105 W power
- 90 °C max. operating temperature
Pricing
The CPU sells for $589.99
Why is this processor suitable for mining?
Although the 3.4 GHz speed is still less than a few CPUs in the market, it gives enough mining power for the best hash rate when mining. In addition, the Ryzen 9 5950X 16 cores and 32 threads are more than enough to handle blockchain transactions, typically single threads.
Advantages
- The CPU is dependable and typically durable. This is important as you don’t want to spend more funds on repairs and new purchases.
- High performance resulting in high hash rate. This maximizes the mining potential and increases your chances of making profits.
- Moderate power consumption results in lower overhead.
- Easy setup and maintenance. Once the CPU is installed and mining begins, it can run hitch-free with minimal supervision. The cooling system also ensures that heating never gets in the way.
- It is cost-effective. At just about $600, the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X remains the best mining for CPU.
Disadvantages
- The base clock speed, at 3.4 GHz, could be better.
- Lower profits may occur after cost balancing.
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is a modern processor built to provide processing power for various computer-related activities: gaming, work, programming, and even crypto mining. In addition, the processor is designed for speed, performance, and safety. Those features make it one of the most popular CPUs for crypto mining.
Features
The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has the following exciting features:
- Base clocking speed 3.5 GHz
- Max Turbo boost speed of 4.7 GHz, it is unlocked for overclocking
- 16 Cores
- 32 processing threads
- 100+ FPS performance
- Max. operating temperature of 95 °C
- 72 Mb gaming cache
Pricing
The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is priced at $896.99. However, considering the CPU's advanced features and advantages, the price is fair.
Why is this processor suitable for mining?
The high performance of the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is one reason why it is easily the best CPU miner in the industry today. The CPU is suitable for mining because the base clocking speed gives enough computing power to generate a competitive hash rate for crypto mining.
Advantages
- Speed and performance that provide stability for crypto mining.
- The CPU is compatible with current operating systems and mining software.
- Fair power consumption ensures that miners don’t pay more for electricity.
- The relatively high-temperature tolerance guarantees that the CPU will work at optimal efficiency under varying weather conditions.
Disadvantages
- Again, you can improve the CPU clocking speed. But it consumes more power when overclocked.
- The CPU has a relatively higher MSRP than its predecessor.
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X processor is an advanced processor designed to provide computing power for a wide range of computer-related activities such as gaming, work, coding, etc. In addition, the processor is designed and built for speed, performance, and security. Because of these characteristics, it is one of the most popular CPUs for cryptocurrency mining.
Features
The AMD Ryzen 7 3700X has these features:
- Base clocking speed 3.5 GHz
- Max Turbo boost speed of 4.4 GHz, it is unlocked for overclocking
- 8 Cores
- 16 processing threads
- 100+ FPS performance
- Max. operating temperature of 95 °C
- 36 Mb gaming cache
- Wraith Prism LED Cooler
Pricing
The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is priced at $364.95. However, considering the CPU's advanced features and advantages, the price is fair.
Why is this processor suitable for mining?
The AMD Ryzen 9 2950X is one of the best CPUs for mining today. Its speed and durability provide miners with an excellent and cost-effective option for mining processors.
Advantages
- Crypto mining requires speed and performance to be stable. This CPU has those qualities.
- The CPU works with the most recent operating systems and mining software.
- Fair power consumption ensures that miners do not have to pay any additional fees for electricity.
- The relatively high-temperature tolerance ensures that the CPU will operate at peak efficiency in various weather conditions. In addition, the Wraith prism cooling system enhances the performance in warmer conditions.
Disadvantages
- No integrated graphics processing
- High power consumption if overclocked
Summary
Some cryptocurrencies such as Monero, ZenCash, and Bytecoin can be mined using CPUs. It is, however, important to carefully choose the best CPUs for mining. The profitability of mining is impacted by the type of CPU used, and that is why using the best processor for mining cannot be overstated.
When choosing CPUs, you should carefully consider certain features such as the clocking speed, cooling system, free cache size, and overall performance. Pricing is also crucial to creating a well-executed crypto mining plan.
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