The short answer
- Monero (RandomX): CPU wins. Designed for it.
- XELIS (XelisHash v2): Mid-to-high-end GPUs generally lead on $/hash, CPUs are still competitive at low power draw.
- Everything ASIC-mineable (BTC, LTC, KAS): neither CPU nor GPU is competitive. Don't bother.
The hardware that pays best is usually the one you already own. The economics rarely justify a fresh GPU purchase.
How proof-of-work decides the winner
Algorithms favour different hardware based on what they stress:
- Memory-bandwidth heavy + sequential (RandomX) → CPUs with big caches.
- Memory-bandwidth heavy + parallel (XelisHash v2, Ethash-style) → GPUs with fast GDDR.
- Pure arithmetic, low memory (Bitcoin-style) → ASICs blow everyone else away.
XelisHash v2 sits in the parallel-friendly memory-hard category. GPUs with high memory bandwidth (RTX 4070+, RX 7800+) currently produce the best hash-per-watt.
Realistic numbers (XELIS, mid-2026)
These are rough order-of-magnitude figures. Always benchmark on your own hardware:
| Hardware | Approx hashrate | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 9 7950X (CPU) | moderate | ~170 W | Decent CPU choice |
| Core i7-13700K | moderate | ~150 W | Good single-PC option |
| RTX 4060 Ti | solid | ~140 W | Great efficiency tier |
| RTX 4070 Super | strong | ~200 W | Common sweet spot |
| RX 7900 XT | strong | ~280 W | Best with tuned voltage |
| Old laptop | negligible | ~50 W | Don't bother |
Compare your hashrate × XEL block reward × price against your power bill. If electricity is over $0.20/kWh, profitability is tight.
Power, heat, and noise
- Undervolt your GPU. Cuts power 20–30% with a 5–10% hashrate loss. Net efficiency improves.
- Cap memory junction temp under 95°C. Above that, lifespan drops fast.
- Mining heats your room. In winter this offsets heating; in summer it's a problem.
- 24/7 mining = constant fan noise. Plan your room.
Solo vs pool mining
- Pool: steady, predictable income. Standard for home miners.
- Solo: lottery — find a whole block occasionally or nothing. Only sensible at high hashrates or for ideological reasons (contributing to decentralisation).
Should you buy hardware to mine?
Almost always no. By the time a card pays itself back, you could have just bought the coin. Mining makes sense when:
- You already own the hardware (gaming PC, workstation).
- Your electricity is heavily subsidised or off-grid (solar surplus).
- You want to support network decentralisation directly.
- You want non-KYC accumulation — coins received directly from the chain.
Frequently asked questions
Should I mine with my CPU or GPU?
For XELIS specifically, GPUs generally produce more hashes per dollar of power on XelisHash v2. CPUs win for RandomX (Monero). For most home miners, your existing hardware decides.
Is mining still profitable in 2026?
Marginally, at consumer electricity rates. Most home miners break even or treat it as a hobby that earns a small amount of native coin. Profit depends entirely on power cost and coin price.
Will mining damage my hardware?
Continuous high temperatures shorten component lifespan. Properly cooled cards used at sane fan curves typically last years. Memory junction temperature is the limiting factor on most GPUs.
Do I need a mining rig?
No. A single PC with one GPU is a perfectly fine starting point for XELIS. Multi-GPU rigs improve $/hash only if your electricity is cheap.