In this article, I'll break down the best mining motherboards in 2024.
Whether you’re looking to start your own in-home crypto mining operation or you're just fascinated by the growing blockchain space, if you want to mine cryptocurrencies, you will need a mining rig with a suitable mining motherboard.
And yes, while the Ethereum merge may have removed the chance to mine one of the most well-known cryptos, you still have plenty of choices for mining in 2024, including the ever-popular Dogecoin and others like Monero, Zcash, Dash, and more. Plus, if you really want to try your luck, you can even try Bitcoin mining!
Either way, if you're ready, let's dive in to check out the best mining motherboards.
Best Mining Motherboards: Our Top Recommendations
MoBo |
Description |
Form Factor |
GPU Support |
RAM/Speed |
CPU Socket |
Link |
Best Top-Of-The-Line Motherboard for Mining |
ATX |
19 |
Up to 32 GB DDR4, 2133 MHz |
LGA 1151 |
||
Best Cheap Motherboard for Mining |
ATX |
6 |
Up to 64 GB DDR4, 2400MHz |
LGA 1151 |
||
Best Mining Motherboard Overall |
ATX |
13 |
DDR4, 2400 MHz |
BGA 437 |
||
A Crypto Mining Motherboard Offering Great Value |
ATX |
12 |
Up to 32 GB DDR4, 2400 MHz |
LGA 1151 |
||
A Gaming Motherboard That Works Well for Mining |
ATX |
6 |
Up to 64 GB DDR4, 3866 MHz |
LGA 1151 |
||
Best Crypto Mining Motherboard for Gaming |
ATX |
7 |
Up to 64 GB, DDR4 2133 MHz |
LGA 1151 |
||
Another Cheap Mining Motherboard |
ATX |
6 |
Up to 128 GB, DDR4 2666 MHz |
LGA 1151 |
||
Another of the Many Budget Mining Motherboards |
ATX |
8 |
Up to 32 GB DDR4, 2400 MHz |
LGA 1151 |
||
A Stable and Reliable Mining Motherboard |
ATX |
7 |
Up to 32 GB DDR4, 2400/2133 MHz |
LGA 1151 |
What Is A Mining Motherboard?
Not too long ago, mining GPUs became the most crucial components of mining rig hardware when CPU mining could no longer produce a reasonable profit.
And so, by connection, crypto mining motherboards also became vital parts of a mining rig, as they can support multiple graphics cards running simultaneously.
So, choosing the right motherboard is crucial for your rig’s profitability.
After all, the more GPU slots it has, the more processing power you can theoretically have.
But what exactly is a mining motherboard?
Mining motherboards (mining mobos) are specifically designed for cryptocurrency mining. This means they can handle heavy workloads and near-constant uptime.
Mining mobos typically have many PCI-e expansion slots (PCI Express), each capable of supporting multiple graphics cards. These can then be run at the same time to solve complex mathematical problems and run millions upon millions of calculations during the mining process.
These calculations, once verified, can return some cryptocurrency, which you can then hold in your preferred crypto wallet or sell for profit.
A mining motherboard can come in the standard forms we're all familiar with, such as ATX, Mini-ATX, E-ATX, etc. That said, ATX seems to be the most common form factor.
Mining motherboards offer several advantages, including the capability to operate multiple GPUs simultaneously, cost-effectiveness due to the omission of certain 'standard' features typically found in regular motherboards, and efficient cooling solutions, among others.
However, there are drawbacks as well, such as high energy consumption. Moreover, while primarily designed for mining, these motherboards can be adapted for general computing or gaming setups, although this comes with limitations in CPU compatibility.
Related:
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What's The Difference Between Mining Motherboards & Normal Motherboards?
To a layperson, mining motherboards and normal motherboards likely look the same.
However, there are indeed some differences:
- Efficiency in Digital Currency Mining: Standard motherboards are not optimized for mining digital currencies, often lacking the necessary computational power to effectively perform these tasks.
- GPU Capacity: Mining motherboards are designed to accommodate multiple GPUs, thanks to an increased number of PCIe slots, whereas standard motherboards may have fewer.
- Versatility of Use: While a mining motherboard can be repurposed for standard computing tasks (albeit with certain limitations in CPU and memory compatibility), the reverse is typically not feasible with a standard motherboard.
What Should I Look For In A Mining Motherboard?
Now, if you're new to the concept of crypto mining, you might be looking for some tips on what to look for in a mining motherboard.
Let's take a look at the key factors you should bear in mind:
1. GPU Support: Prioritize motherboards that can accommodate multiple GPUs, as more GPUs increase mining efficiency. Check the number of PCIe slots, ensuring enough space and power connectors to route the power supply to your GPUs.
2. Stability and Durability: Mining is intensive work, so opt for a motherboard with robust build quality and good heat dissipation features to ensure long-term stability and durability.
3. Expandability and Connectivity: Look for enough USB and SATA ports for your needs. Maybe even look for one that supports nvme SSD. But overall, ensure the motherboard supports the specific latest Intel and AMD chipsets and memory types you plan to use.
4. BIOS Features: A BIOS with advanced control options is beneficial for fine-tuning performance, and power settings are critical for optimizing mining operations.
5. Cost-Efficiency: While high-end motherboards offer more features, balance your budget with your mining needs. Sometimes, a mid-range motherboard can offer the best value for money.
Best Mining Motherboard: Top Picks for 2024
1. ASUS B250 Mining Expert - Best Top-Of-The-Line Motherboard for Mining
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 32GB DDR4, 2133 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- Operating System Support: Windows 7 or 10 (x64)
- PCIe Slots: 19
- GPU Support: 19
The ASUS B250 Mining Expert is one of the best mobos available for mining today. Easily among the top-of-the-line options, this board can support up to 19 GPUs and is compatible with 6th and 7th-generation Intel processors (Celeron, Pentium, Core i3/i5/i7) with its LGA 1151 socket.
If you want to build an extremely powerful mining rig or just want a mobo with more slots you can fill down the line, the ASUS B250 Mining Expert is one to consider.
Pros
- Supports up to 19 GPUs
- Features to help stable power delivery
- No extra BIOS setup is necessary
Cons
- Price
- Can be hard to find sometimes
2. ASUS Prime Z390-P - Best Cheap Motherboard for Mining
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 64 GB DDR4, 2400MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- Operating System Support: Windows 10 64-Bit
- PCIe Slots: 6
- GPU Support: 6
Mining rigs don’t have to be insanely expensive. Take the ASUS Prime Z390-P, which is one of the best affordable mobos for crypto mining. Although it can only support six GPUs, it comes much more affordably and can support up to 8th and 9th-generation Intel CPUs, thanks to its LGA 1151 socket. We’d say that the ASUS Prime Z390-P is an excellent option if you want a multi-tasking mobo that can also power a work/gaming rig reasonably.
Pros
- Affordable
- m.2 storage support
- Good build quality
Cons
- Only 6 GPUs
3. Asrock H110 Pro BTC+ - Best Mining Motherboard Overall
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: DDR4, 2400 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: BGA 437
- Operating System Support:
- 7th-Gen Intel CPUs: Windows 10 64-bit
- 6th-Gen Intel CPUs: Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Windows 7 32-bit or 7 64-bit
- PCIe Slots: 13
- GPU Support: 13
The ASRock H110 Pro BTC+ is another excellent option and our pick for the best mining motherboard overall, thanks to the balance of features and price. This mobo features a solid build quality with slots for up to thirteen graphics cards, allowing you to expand your rig as needed. It’s worth noting that Windows only supports up to 8 GPUs at t he moment, so you may need to do some additional setup (or try using Linux).
Pros
- Up to 13 GPUs supported
- Has power/reset switches on board
- Can run Windows 10
Cons
- Can be challenging to set up
4. Biostar TB250-BTC Pro - A Crypto Mining Motherboard Offering Great Value
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 32 GB DDR4, 2400 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- Operating System Support: Windows 7, Windows 8, Linux
- PCIe Slots: 12
- GPU Support: 12 (with Linux), 8 Nvidia GPUs, or 6 AMD GPUs for Windows
If you are looking for the cheapest possible motherboard you can find for your mining rig, the Biostar TB250-BTC Pro is a good one to consider. It’s capable of running up to 12 GPUs simultaneously on Linux and 8 Nvidia or 6 AMD GPUs on Windows.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Up to 12 GPUs with Linux (8 Nvidia with Windows)
Cons
- Can be hard to find
5. ASUS ROG Strix Z270E - A Gaming Motherboard That Works Well for Mining
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 64 GB, DDR4 3866 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- Operating System Support: Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Windows 10 64-bit
- PCIe Slots: 7
- GPU Support: 6
The ASUS ROG Strix Z270E is a gaming motherboard you can also use for mining, as it has seven PCIe slots. Notably, however, it can only run six GPUs simultaneously.
This mobo, which comes from ASUS’ Republic of Gamers line of products, can support 6th or 7th-Generation Intel CPUs with its LGA 1151 socket. You can also have up to 64 GB of RAM with this board, making it a great option for a dual-purpose work/gaming and mining rig.
Pros
- You can also use this mobo for gaming
Cons
- Only supports six GPUs
6. MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon - Best Crypto Mining Motherboard for Gaming
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 64 GB, DDR4 2133 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- PCIe Slots: 7
- GPU Support: 7
The MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon is a stable, reliable gaming motherboard. You can certainly tell it’s made for gaming just by its aesthetic, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that it’s also a capable mining mobo that can support up to seven graphics cards.
Like the ROG Strix Z270E above, the LGA 1151 socket in this board makes it compatible with 6th and 7th-generation Intel CPUs.
Pros
- Also works well for gaming
- Supports up to 7 GPUs
Cons
- Has some gaming features and does have a gaming aesthetic, which may not be for everyone — YMMV
7. Gigabyte Z390 UD - Another Cheap Mining Motherboard
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 128 GB, DDR4 2666 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- Operating System Support: Support for Windows 10 64-bit
- PCIe Slots: 6
- GPU Support: 6
The Gigabyte Z390 UD is a standard motherboard, but don’t be fooled — it’s one of the few that can also handle supporting a GPU mining rig. It runs Windows 10, supports up to 8th and 9th-gen Intel CPUs, and can handle up to 128 GB of DDR4 RAM. Best of all, this standard mobo has six PCIe slots, meaning you can run six GPUs simultaneously.
Pros
- Affordable
- m.2 storage support
- RGB lighting support
Cons
- Not made specifically for mining
8. Zotac B150 Mining ATX Motherboard - Another of the Many Budget Mining Motherboards
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 32 GB DDR4, 2400 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- Operating System Support: Windows 10 Ready
- PCIe Slots: 8
- GPU Support: 8
Zotac is more popularly known for their graphics cards than their other components. However, the Zotac B150 is absolutely a mining mobo to consider. This board can support up to eight GPUs and can run Windows 10, making it a better option than other pricier boards that can only run Windows 7 or 8.
Pros
- Reasonably affordable
- Easy to find
- Supports up to 8 GPUs
Cons
- Can only support CPUs that are up to 64W
- Slightly larger than other mobos that are also ATX form factor
9. Gigabyte H110-D3A - A Stable and Reliable Mining Motherboard
Specifications:
- Memory Capacity: Up to 32 GB DDR4, 2400/2133 MHz
- Form Factor: ATX
- CPU Socket: LGA 1151
- Operating System Support: Windows 7 32-bit, Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 8.1 64-bit, Windows 10 64-bit
- PCIe Slots: 7
- GPU Support: 7
The Gigabyte H110-D3A is a mining motherboard offering a stable and reliable experience for your rig — whether you use it for mining or day-to-day work/gaming. This board can support up to seven GPUs and can support SSD storage.
Pros
- Support for up to 7 GPUs
Cons
- No HDMI connector
- Slightly pricey in comparison to other similar mining mobos
How We Chose the Best Mining Motherboards
We put together a list of recommendations for some of the best Nvidia and AMD mining motherboards above, but why should you trust our opinion?
Knowing what cryptocurrency mining requires, we considered these factors as we chose our contenders for the list of best mining mobos:
- PCIe Slots/GPU support
- Price
- Expandability
- CPU Compatibility
- Availability
A lot of research went into compiling this list. We asked experienced GPU miners what their favorite mobos were. We went into forums and spent time on Reddit, finding the general consensus among the passionate community. We also looked closely at product reviews to ensure each mobo on this list is high-quality.
Mining After The Ethereum Merge
On September 15th, 2024, the Ethereum merge finally happened.
Importantly, this means that ETH, one of the largest and arguably most profitable cryptocurrencies, phased out GPU mining, which means no more mining proceeds for your Ethereum wallet.
And while there are significant benefits for the planet, primarily being a much-lessened strain on resources and power grids, it’s a major downside for crypto miners worldwide.
The elimination of GPU-based ETH mining took away the most profitable income stream in the space. Does this mean you can’t mine or turn a profit anymore? No!
You absolutely can continue to mine, but you would have to mine for small or altcoins that may or may not go “to the moon” one day. There is substantially more risk and, in some cases, not enough ROI.
Many have seen that this may be the “death” of GPU mining as we know it. For this reason, you’ll see many shutting their mining rigs off or even selling their gear to recoup their initial expenses.
That said, now might be a good time to buy some of the many discarded GPUs and rigs that have been and will continue to flood the market — just make sure you check and double-check their condition!
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, that covers our summary of the best mining motherboards in 2024.
Whether you’re looking to have some fun by mining for Dogecoin or you want to try your mining for Bitcoin (this is still doable!), hopefully, you'll now feel ready to build a mining rig with a mining motherboard.
Whichever mining motherboard you choose to go for, have fun, and let us know in the comments below which is your favorite mining motherboard!
Happy mining!
Are you intrigued by the possibilities of blockchain technology and want to learn more? Check out:
Coursera's Blockchain Revolution Specialization
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which motherboard is best for mining?
The best motherboard for mining depends on your needs and budget. Just remember to consider factors such as how many GPUs a motherboard supports, which operating systems you can use, the board’s energy consumption, and how much you are willing to spend. Also, consider the motherboard’s condition if you are purchasing it secondhand or refurbished.
2. Are mining motherboards worth it?
Mining motherboards can be incredibly worth it, especially if you are able to get your ROI within an acceptable amount of time.
3. How important is the motherboard for crypto mining?
If your main intent is to mine cryptocurrency with GPUs, then your best bet is to purchase one of the many great motherboards for mining. Remember that mining motherboards can be used as a standard board for a work or gaming computer, but a standard board will most likely fail at mining cryptocurrency. Thus, a mining mobo is 100% vital to your mining rig.
4. How long do motherboards last mining?
Motherboards are built to be durable and reliable. In a mining rig, motherboards take much less stress than your GPUs, which do the brunt of the calculation work. Thus, while you can expect your GPUs to have a shorter lifespan (think three or so years rather than five or more), your motherboard can easily last five or more years — even when used 24/7. Of course, this assumes that you are taking proper care to maintain your equipment well.
5. How many GPUs can a motherboard support mining?
The number of GPUs a motherboard can support usually depends on how many PCIe slots it has. Therefore, it’s not uncommon to see some motherboards capable of supporting only two to three GPUs. However, there are now many motherboards with even more PCIe slots, which means you’ll find plenty of mobos supporting six, eight, twelve, or even up to nineteen graphics cards.
6. Can I use any motherboard for GPU mining?
Technically, yes. But if you want to be profitable and get your ROI within a reasonable amount of time, you’ll want to invest in a mining motherboard. Luckily, there are many affordable options, such as the ones listed in our recommendations above.
7. Is it possible to put a mining motherboard inside a PC case?
Yes, it is — but only if you intend to use just one or two graphics cards with it. Mining rigs often use many GPUs, each of them requiring cooling to function efficiently (and without breaking). Thus, you’ll want to keep your mining rig out of a PC case to ensure all components get sufficient cooling that can help them perform better and last longer.