Mine Monero with the CPU you already own
No hype · October 2026 · not financial advice. Monero's RandomX algorithm is ASIC-resistant by design — a regular desktop CPU can mine. Nobody gets rich from one CPU; people do it for no-KYC coins and network support.
Start here
XMRig setup guide
Download, verify, configure, and point XMRig at a pool — step by step.
Read the guide →Pool comparison
P2Pool vs MoneroOcean vs SupportXMR: fees, payouts, decentralization.
Compare pools →Profitability, honestly
The math before you start: hashrate, difficulty, electricity, expectations.
Do the math →Why RandomX matters
Most mineable coins fell to ASICs — specialized chips that price hobbyists out. Monero's RandomX proof-of-work is engineered to run best on general-purpose CPUs, with heavy RAM use that makes ASICs uneconomical. The result: mining stays decentralized, and anyone with a desktop can participate in securing the network.
Set expectations: a single modern desktop earns a small fraction of an XMR per month (estimate — varies with difficulty and price). If you want maximum XMR per dollar, swapping BTC → XMR wins. Mining wins on privacy: coins with no purchase history, no counterparty, no KYC.
Related reading
- XMRig mining guide on our sister site — the long-form version.
- Getting paid in Monero — earning XMR without mining.