This tutorial explores how Crypto Mining Motherboards work. Review this list of the best Crypto Mining Motherboards for your upcoming cryptocurrency mining projects:
Crypto mining motherboards work like ordinary motherboards with a central processing unit and a GPU processing unit, PCIe slots, USB connectors, Ethernet and other Internet connectivity technology, and display connectors.
Nevertheless, almost all ordinary motherboards are not suited for mining without tweaking although they still can be used for low-end mining operations. However, crypto mining motherboards work better because they are more specialized for mining.
For instance, they optimize data transfer between ports, GPUs, and other connectors and seek to lower overheating and voltage overloading using advanced heat sink and cooling technologies and motherboard protection technologies. You also want one that can mine at lower power consumption for the highest output.
They also have support for more PCIe slots to carry more GPUs per board.
Table of Contents:
- Crypto Mining Motherboards – A Complete Review
- FAQs on Mining Motherboard
- How to Choose a Motherboard for Crypto Mining
- List of the Best Crypto Mining Motherboards
- Comparison Table of Motherboard For Mining
- #1) Asus Prime Z390-P
- #2) AsRock H110 Pro
- #3) MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard
- #4) Asus B250 Mining Expert
- #5) Biostar TB360-BTC Pro
- #6) Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard for Cryptocurrency Mining
- #7) Zotac B150 Mining ATX Motherboard
- #8) Creamic BTC-37
- #9) Huaxucheng X79-5 Card Mining Rig Motherboard
- #10) Machinist B250C Mining Motherboard
- Conclusion
Crypto Mining Motherboards – A Complete Review
Crypto mining motherboards also have support for faster RAM, as well as faster CPU cores where the CPU is not in-built or there is extension capability. These mining rig motherboards may also have more advanced USB, HDMI, and other connectors with improved data transfer speeds.
An important factor is supporting GPU overclocking without causing issues such as too much VRAM overheating. The durability also matters.
This tutorial discusses how crypto mining motherboards work, the top issues regarding them, and the top best mining motherboards you can consider for your current or next cryptocurrency mining projects.
Market Trends:
- The global motherboard market is currently valued at $12.9 billion and is expected to grow to $14.230 billion by 2026, although just a fraction is used for mining.
- GPU market share was valued at $25.41 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $246.51 billion in 2028, which represents a CAGR growth of 32.82% from 2021 to 2028. The crypto mining hardware market, part of which includes GPU mining motherboards, is set to increase by $12.053 billion from 2022 to 2027 according to the chart below.
Crypto Hardware Mining Outlook:
[image source]
Expert Advice:
- The best crypto mining motherboards can be decided based on power and mining efficiency but also cost durability, longevity (some are reinforced to support heavy GPUs), the number of GPUs you want to use, and needs to be compatible with the GPUs, processor, RAM, and other components.
- The number of GPUs and power matters most when mining crypto. Other components of GPU mining motherboards matter less but are important. Most people choose those that can support multi-GPUs although it is still possible to multiply a single PCIe slot to four. Choosing the best mining motherboards that can also be applied for other CPU tasks is helpful just in case you can no longer mine.
General Tips on setting up Crypto Mining Motherboards alongside other mining components:
- Although motherboard type, speed, and type of processor, RAM memory does not matter much when mining with ASICs or GPUs, more recent ones appear to perform better with regard to power efficiency and mining efficiency. These (multi-core ones are even better) also achieve higher task distribution to GPUs and higher data transmission.
- Plus, most buyers want to think beyond mining when NVIDIA and AMD are mining motherboards. They may want them to be applicable for other computer applications like gaming during or after mining.
FAQs on Mining Motherboard
Mining motherboard showing various parts in the image below:
[image source]
Q #1) What motherboard do I need for crypto mining?
Answer: The best crypto mining motherboards include the ASRock H110 Pro BTC + 13 GPU mining motherboard, Biostar motherboard TB250-BTC Pro, Ceramic BTC-37, Biostar TB360-BTC Pro 2.0, ASUS Prime z390 P and Gigabyte Z390 UD, among many others.
The best motherboards for mining are categorized based on a number of aspects — Chipset support, CPU type, and speed supported, RAM support, supported overclocking memory speed, number of PCIe and other connector ports, speed of connectors, etc.
Q #2) Does the motherboard matter for crypto mining?
Answer: The idea that motherboards do not matter emanates from the assumption that mining only capitalizes on GPU usage and not CPU. However, the speed at which and how NVIDIA and AMD mining motherboards relay data and communications to GPUs matters.
It also matters how best the mining rig motherboard supports GPU overclocking (the maximum it can work with), what and how much CPU speed and RAM it can support, the heat sinks and fan support, how many GPUs it can support, and the type of connectors it has. All of these affect mining operations.
Q #3) Can you use any motherboard for crypto mining?
Answer: No. ASICs can connect to almost any motherboard but when using a GPU, you want to consider the number of GPUs you can connect to a mining rig motherboard since they vary in this regard. It must also be specialized to work more efficiently than an ordinary motherboard.
For instance, it could support faster PCIes, have more USB riser connectors, have more cooling capability, and other things.
Q #4) How much RAM is needed for mining?
Answer: Between 4 GB and 16 GB, although there are other things to consider when optimizing crypto mining operations. More RAM is needed if you plan on running more apps on a device so it can quickly access the information needed to run the operations faster.
The RAM depends on the operating system and the availability of virtual memory. 4 GB is enough for ethOS and Linux but when using Windows 10 without virtual memory access, you might need 8 GB and above. Some cards like AMD Vega need 8GB RAM to unlock optimization features.
Whether to use DDR4 or DDR3 depends on which one the motherboard supports, though choosing any will not affect overall hash rates.
Q #5) Can I mine with a normal motherboard?
Answer: Yes. Ordinary motherboards are the best cheap mining motherboards, especially when using ASICs. However, you may be limited to the number of GPUs connected to the motherboard, power efficiency, cooling, the speed of the USB and other connector ports, etc. Some do not allow for GPU overclocking which allows you to increase mining outputs.
Q #6) What is the difference between mining motherboards and normal/ordinary motherboards?
Answer: The ordinary motherboard in this case refers to CPU motherboards not made for mining or GPU gaming and which differ from mining motherboards in that the latter have special and additional functionality that make them more versatile for mining cryptocurrencies.
Mining motherboards have extra PCIe slots for GPU and extension card attachments. They may feature voltage and weight protection on these slots that usually carry more electrical load, GPU weight, extra or more powerful cooling, and temperature control to prevent overheating during overworking of GPUs, etc.
They also usually now feature more powerful or faster processors, USB ports, and other connecting slots compared to comparative regular boards. This quickens data transmission.
Q #7) What is a mining motherboard?
Answer: Mining motherboards are computer motherboards onto which GPUs (and other peripheral devices) can be attached for purposes of mining cryptocurrencies. Most mining motherboards are adapted from the gaming world but today, there is a huge selection of motherboards specifically designed from scratch for mining cryptocurrency.
How to Choose a Motherboard for Crypto Mining
Step #1: Determine if you need one. They are mostly needed when mining with GPUs. Otherwise, an ASIC can use any motherboard.
Be sure to check what GPU model and type you want mine with so you can select a compatible motherboard.
Step #2: Research and determine the features you want in a motherboard. These include power consumption and efficiency, the number of PCIe slots (which determine the number of GPUs you will connect to).
Check the type of CPU supported and if they are compatible with the motherboard, if the two are not sold together, the number of RAM slots, type and speed of RAM supported, graphics card compatibility, number of expansion slots on which you can add more GPUs, and power supply compatibility if you already have one.
Many people start by deciding on the profitability issue, and therefore, the type, number, and model of GPU they would want to use for a profitable mining operation. They can then work back on all the other components including the motherboard that can best be used for mine with the selected GPU.
Step #3: Check to price and buy. Here you may consider things like warranty, shipping costs, offers, discounts, availability of set-up guides, etc.
List of the Best Crypto Mining Motherboards
Some remarkable list of mining motherboards:
- ASUS Prime Z390-P
- ASRock H110 Pro
- MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard
- ASUS B250 Mining Expert
- Biostar TB360-BTC Pro
- Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard for cryptocurrency mining
- Zotac B150 Mining ATX Motherboard
- CREAMIC BTC-37
- HUAXUCHENG X79-5 Card Mining rig motherboard
- MACHINIST B250C Mining Motherboard
Comparison Table of Motherboard For Mining
Name of mining motherboard | Number of GPUs it can hold | Processor support | Chipset | Pricing |
---|---|---|---|---|
ASUS Prime Z390-P | 8 | 8th and 9th Gen. Intel l Core processors, Pentium Gold and Celeron. Intel LGA 1151 socket. | Intel Z390 | $134.99. |
AsRock H110 Pro | 13 GPUs | 6th and 7th generation Intel Core processors, i3, i5, i7, Pentium and Celeron. 8th and 9th generation supported with Intel 300 series motherboard chipset | Intel B250, Intel H110 | $428. |
MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk | 4 | 10th and 1 1th generation Intel Core Pentium and Celeron processors | Intel Z590 | $149. |
ASUS B250 Mining Expert | 19 | 7th and 6th generation Intel Core Pentium and Celeron processors. i3, i5, and i7 Cores. | Intel B250 | $694 |
Biostar TB360-BTC Pro | 12 GPUs | 9th and 8th gen. Intel Pentium and Celeron i3, i5, and i7 Cores. | Intel B360 | $95.98. |
Detailed reviews:
#1) Asus Prime Z390-P
Best for mining with newer overclocked GPU cards with the potential to overheat
The Asus Prime Z390-P is your choice cryptocurrency mining motherboard if looking for longevity and reliability because it is equipped with over-voltage protection technology and fortified PCIe slots to prevent damage that could occur when you attach heavy GPUs.
M.2 supports ultra-fast data transfer speeds of up to 32 Gbps. This allows you to further customize your mining experience by optimizing cooling temperatures for GPU and CPU-intensive tasks. Further customization is of course achieved through overclocking. It is compatible with nearly any type of video card.
Features:
- Advanced fan control cooling mechanism powered by FanXpert 4 with AIO Pump
- Simplified DRAM overclocking stability due to ASUS OptiMem II. Tuning software with expansive tuning features.
- 4 RAM memory slots with support for up to 64 GB ddr4-4266.
- 13 USB ports.
- Gaming-ready with immersive onboard HD gaming audio.
- 1 DisplayPort and HDMI.
- M.2 slots support SATA drives. 6 other SATA ports support RAID.
- AMD CrossFireX multi-GPU support.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 8th and 9th Gen. Intel Core processors, Pentium Gold and Celeron. Intel LGA 1151 socket. |
Chipset | Intel Z390 |
Connection and other ports | Two USB 3.1, LAN, M.2 socket supports 2230 WiFi/BT 802.11ac. Optical S/PDIF Connectivity type. 1 Ethernet port. |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | six PCI Express 3.0, Crossfire X support. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR 4 64 GB. |
CPU socket | LGA 1151. |
Memory type and speed | DDR 4 2400. |
Operating system platform | Windows 10. |
Weight and dimensions | 2.48 pounds. 12.91 x 2.09 x 10.34 inches |
Pros:
- Allows pairing of a broad range of traditional to RGB-infused memory kits.
- Easy to install, use, and tweak.
- Run many processes simultaneously thanks to RAM support of up to 64 GB.
- Build your own RAID up to 10 setups with SATA HDDs, SSDs, or two M.2 SSDs.
Cons:
- No built-in WiFi. You can connect to a WiFi device.
- No power switch.
Verdict: The Asus Prime Z390-P is great for customized mining experiences, whether you want to try aggressive overclocking, tweak cooling on tasks, or build your own RAID. It delivers protection against over-voltage and connecting heavy GPUs.
Price: $134.99.
Website: Asus Prime Z390-P
#2) AsRock H110 Pro
Best for multi and hybrid GPU mining together with gaming.
While some other motherboards are designed for gaming and then adopted for cryptocurrency mining, this one is specifically designed for the latter but can also be adopted for the former.
The manufacturer does provide a mining setup guide right from the website, unlike others where you would need to search around for the same. This is in addition to their live update and app shops for those who want to keep optimizing their systems.
Nevertheless, the motherboard is equipped with an excess of PCIe slots, advanced system power connectors for stability, and support for up to 13 GPUs during multi-GPU mining operations. It can be used for AMD and NVIDIA hybrid mining.
For instance, you can hook together 5 Nvidia and 8 AMD GPUs in hybrid mining. It is also compatible with other mining OSes such as SimpleMining and ethOS.
Features:
- DVI-D graphical output.
- HD audio for gaming. ELNA audio caps.
- On-board power on/off and reset button. It eases hardware testing when not using standard PC casing. Enables easy swapping out of hardware components.
- 8 power phase design. Extra 4-pin and SATA power connector for stability.
- Humidity electrical shorting protection by use of high-density glass fabric PCB.
- A ready-specific online guide from the company on how to set up cryptocurrency mining rigs.
- Supports NVME SSD as a boot disk.
- CPU up to 91 W. Turbo Boost 2.0 technology supported.
- Lightning protection and wake-on-LAN support on Black PCIe slots only.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 6th and 7th generation Intel Core processors, i3, i5, i7, Pentium and Celeron. 8th and 9th generation supported with Intel 300 series motherboard chipset. |
Chipset | Intel B250, Intel H110 |
Connection and other ports | Three USB 3.1, 4 USB 2.0, LAN, M.2 SSD SATA socket. 4 SATA3 and 1 M.2 SATA3 hard drive connectors. 802.11a wireless support, Optical S/PDIF connector. |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 1 PCI Express 3.0. 12 PCIe 2.0. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR4 1 GB. |
CPU socket | BGA 437 |
Memory type and speed | DDR 4 2400 MHz/2133 with 6th gen CPUs. |
Operating system platform | Windows 10, Windows 7. |
Weight | 1.19 pounds. 13.58 x 11.22 x 2.36 inches. |
Pros:
- Due to the 13-GPU setup, there is a cost saving on components since miners do not require additional CPU, RAM modules, storage, and other components.
- Due to 13-GPU support, it delivers space savings with one PC occupying less space than two.
- Additional power hookups and an eight-phase power supply deliver a consistent power supply. Voltage was further stabilized using Digi Power technology.
- Support for hybrid and multi-GPU mining.
- Full Spike Protection for power surges that could damage motherboard components.
- Solid capacitor design for longevity.
- 8th and 9th generation Intel core processor support with Intel 300 Series chipset motherboard.
Cons:
- Difficult to fully exploit the potential by for instance affixing 13 GPUs in multi-GPU mining because GPUs are not easy to find or cheap.
- Priced a bit higher.
Verdict: This mining motherboard is a great choice given its 13 GPU multi-GPU and hybrid GPU mining support, in addition to being specifically made and optimized for mining rather than gaming. Besides, the company supports miners with a guide, live Update, and App shop for an optimized mining experience.
Price: $428.
Website: AsRock H110 Pro
#3) MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard
Best for gaming together with mining.
The MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk is made for gaming but is well-adaptable for a mining operation. With support from 10th and 11th-generation Intel Core Pentium and Celeron processors, it is probably the most high-end cryptocurrency mining motherboard you can get in the market.
It also up-scales in terms of network connectivity with its 2.5 G LAN and Intel WiFi 6E solutions and achieves better overclocking ability as it has the latest Z590 chipset which can also reach up to 5,333 MHz when overclocking.
It also features support for multi-GPU mining given the multiple (up to 4) generation 4 PCIe slots and 2-Way AMD Crossfire technology to optimize the simultaneous operation of GPUs. RAM supports up to 128 GB, although you would need an IMC on the CPU to reach those speeds. Besides, it is budget-friendly compared to many others on the list, at $149.
Features:
- USB 3.2 ports support data transfer speeds of up to 20 GB/s with Type-C.
- HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort.
- 3-year warranty.
- Quick installation guide.
- RGB illumination around the chipset area only.
- Enlarged heat sink for extra cooling.
- Four dual-channel DDR4 each supporting 32.
- 14+2+1 VRM phases which are high-end and reduce overheating if you keep an eye on the temperatures. The MSI MPG Z590 is better at 16+1+1 phases.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 10th and 11th generation Intel Core Pentium and Celeron processors. |
Chipset | Intel Z590 |
Connection and other ports | Three USB 3.0 , 1 USB Type- C and 2 USB 2.0 type-A , 2.5G LA N, WiFi 6E, HDMI, Display Port, three M.2 SSD SATA sockets, Bluetooth. 4 SATA3 and 1 M.2 SATA3 hard drive connectors. 802.11a wireless support, Optical S/PDIF connector. |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 1 PCI Express 4.0. 2 PCI Express 3.0. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR4 128 GB. |
CPU socket | LGA 1200 |
Memory type and speed | DDR4 5333 MHz |
Operating system platform | Windows 10, Windows 7. |
Weight and dimensions | 4 pounds. 12 x 9.6 x 2.5 inches. |
Pros:
- Affordable
- Integrated Bluetooth and WiFi 6E support.
- Support for high-speed data transfer on USB 3.2 and Type-C ports.
- No bios tweaks are required to start multi-GPU mining.
Cons:
- VRAMs overheat when overclocking.
Verdict: The MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk delivers some of the best performance in terms of overclocking speeds of up to 5,333 MHz in addition to support for high-speed USB 3.2 and Type-C ports. It features the latest chipset and is considerably affordable.
Price: $149.
Website: MSI MAG Z590 Tomahawk WiFi Gaming Motherboard
#4) Asus B250 Mining Expert
Best for over-voltage protection with static and lightning protection.
The Asus B250 Mining Expert motherboard is specifically made and optimized for crypto mining with 19 PCIe slots and USB 3.1 ports. It also features the longevity and reliability aspects of Asus motherboards thanks to over-voltage protection, SafeSlot Core, and LANGuard technologies.
It is suitable for multi-GPU mining and can support up to 19 NVIDIA or AMD GPUs in parallel. Tests reveal that it can generate up to 407 MH/s hash rates when mining with 19 GPUs and 123.3 MH/s with 6 GPUs.
Features:
- 32 GB DDR4.
- 18 PCIex 1 slot and 1 PCIex16 slot. The 19 slots are grouped into three zones each powered by its own 24-pin power connector.
- 19 decoupling capacitors reduce noise and stabilize the power supply.
- PCI slots or graphics card state detection on powering up. Detects problems with mining at once.
- 2.5x higher surge tolerance. LANGuard protects it from lightning strikes and static electricity damage.
- 1024 memory storage capacity.
- Compatible with other mining software such as ethOS and SimpleMining.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 7th and 6th generation Intel Core Pentium and Celeron processors. i3, i5, and i7 Cores. |
Chipset | Intel B250 |
Connection and other ports | Up to 6 USB 3.1, 2 USB 2.0 ports, LAN, HDMI, Display Port, six SSD SATA sockets. 4 SATA3 and 1 M.2 SATA3 hard drive connectors. |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 19 PCI Express 3.0 ports. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR4 128 GB |
CPU socket | LGA 1151 |
Memory type and speed | DDR42,133 MHz. |
Operating system platform | Windows 10, Windows 7. |
Weight and dimensions | 1 pound. 12 x 1 x 9.1 inches. |
Pros:
- Saves cost by cutting down requirements for additional CPUs, memory, and drives that deliver equivalent mining resources. It achieves a TCO saving of up to $1.83 per MH when compared to some 6-slot motherboards.
- Generates up to 407 MH/s with 19 GPUs.
- Voltage stability and hardware protection technology for longevity.
Cons:
- Difficult to exploit full/ potential for instance hard to find P106 or other cards to take advantage of the 19 video cards capability.
- Quite pricey.
Verdict: Though the Asus B250 Mining Expert motherboard doesn’t deliver the highest overclock speeds for a motherboard, it eases mining with support for up to 19 GPUs for those interested in multi-GPU mining without incurring extra costs on all the components needed to deliver an equivalent mining device.
Price: $694.
Website: Asus B250 Mining Expert
#5) Biostar TB360-BTC Pro
Best for easy setup with GPU state detection and no power jumpers.
The Biostar TB360 BTC Pro is equipped with great capabilities to extend your GPU Mining potential with up to 12 PCIe 3.0 slots on which you can hook your 12 GPUs. The PCI slots allow USB riser cables to be plugged directly into it.
This also helps save costs on additional peripherals (saves you up to 1 extra computer compared to 6-GPU motherboards). The additional peripherals would be needed to build a mining device of equivalent potential (UP TO $0.22 per mega-hash when compared to the TB250-BTC/Pro 2.0 model).
However, the TB360-BTC Expert is better with more than half a dollar in savings per mega-hash compared to the TB250 model.
In addition, the PCI slot layout prevents current surges and short-circuiting. The Intel B360 provides each of the slots with a dedicated channel and this speeds up and maximizes the crypto mining potential. The motherboard also detects the GPU state on each PCI slot.
Features:
- Dual PSUs support using 24 pin power supply on the motherboard. Supports two power supplies and no need to set up jumpers.
- Super LAN surge protection to limit power surges when mining cryptocurrency.
- Exceptional Mining Mode Bios set up to help set up and boost mining performance.
- Two DDR4 DIMM memory slots with a maximum of 32 GB of memory.
- 24-pin power connector.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 9th and 8th gen. Intel Pentium and Celeron i3, i5, and i7 Cores. |
Chipset | Intel B360 |
Connection and other ports | Up to6 USB 3.1, 6 USB 2.0 ports, LAN, VGA, HDMI, Display Port, four 6 GB/s SSD SATA connectors, 1 M.2 connector. |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 12 PCI Express 3.0 ports. (11 PCIe 3.0 x 1 and 1 PCIe 3.0 x 16 slots) |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR4 32 GB. |
CPU socket | LGA 1151 |
Memory type and speed | DDR 4 1866/2133/2400/2666 MHz. |
Operating system platform | Windows 10, Windows 11. |
Weight and dimensions | 2.16 pounds. 13.07 x 10.2 x 2.44 inches. |
Pros:
- Easy BIOS setup software. Needs to be adjusted to support 12 GPUs.
- Budget.
- Support for 9th and 8th generation core processors.
- Protection for power surges and longevity.
- Saves cost for peripherals with the capability to hook up to 12 GPUs.
Cons:
- Fewer product reviews.
- Lower total RAM memory to 32 GB.
Verdict: The Biostar TB360 BTC Pro is excellent if you are looking for a motherboard with the capability to connect up to 12 GPUs, although those can be pricey and hard to find. It comes with an easy BIOS setup utility to adjust the BIOS to support 12 GPUs and is affordable though with lower RAM memory.
Price: $95.98
#6) Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard for Cryptocurrency Mining
Best for mining with heavy graphics cards.
The Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard is specifically made for gaming though can adapt well to mining operations given the high-performance Intel Z390 chipset, Smart Fan 5 (with 6 temperature sensors and hybrid fan headers) for optimized cooling, SATA M.2 technology, ultra-durable stainless steel shielding to reinforce PCIe connectors to support heavy graphics cards.
The motherboard also comes with ICs with up to 3x ESD resistance of traditional ICs to protect it from potential damage from static electricity and voltage surges (anti-surge IC renders it 2.5x more surge protective than ordinary motherboard ICs).
The M.2 technology on PCIes allows users to maximize performance, though manages only up to 32 GB of memory. The VRM design supports 8-core CPUs and enables the delivery of power to power-hungry components of the motherboard.
Features:
- 10000 TB memory storage capacity.
- Dual channel DDR4 DIMMs memory.
- Multi-Way Graphics Support
- 24-pin power connectors. Solid plated ATX pins for stable power supply at overloading.
- UI for fan control. Customizable cooling performance.
- 4 fan/water pump connectors.
- Real-time network performance monitoring.
- RGB lighting effect in full color.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 9th and 8th generation Intel Core Pentium and Celeron processors, i3, i5, and i7 Cores. |
Chipset | Intel B390 |
Connection and other ports | up to 6 USB 3.1, 2 USB 2.0 ports, LAN, VGA, HDMI, Display Port, 6 GB/s SSD SATA connectors, 1 M.2 connector, |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 4 PCI Express 3.0 ports, M.2 connector, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac wireless type, optical S/PDIF connector. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR4 32 GB. |
CPU socket | LGA 1151 |
Memory type and speed | DDR4 4,400 MHz. |
Operating system platform | Windows 8.1, 8 Pro, and 10. |
Weight and dimensions | 1 pounds.12.79 x 10.23 x 2.75 inches. |
Pros:
- Built for high-end builds with features like WiFi and extra cooling functionality and control.
- Budget.
- Supports the latest Intel Core CPUs.
- 8+4 solid pin headers support diverse PC configurations.
- Protection from static charge problems and voltage overload.
Cons:
- A few GPUs of up to 4 can be connected to the PCIe slots.
Verdict: Despite support for multi-way graphics, the motherboard can carry up to 4 GPUs which lessens peripheral cost savings when compared to other motherboards in the list. Otherwise, its smart fan technology is a great winner.
Price: $199.99
Website: Gigabyte Z390 UD Motherboard for Cryptocurrency Mining
#7) Zotac B150 Mining ATX Motherboard
Best for starters in crypto mining.
The Zotac B150 Mining ATX motherboard lets you maximize your mining bandwidth by affixing up to 8 GPUs on its 8 PCIe slots. In addition to supporting 7th and 6th generation core processors, it is an affordable motherboard for those hoping to use GPUs that can be overclocked.
However, the memory is up to 32 GB which means it is not the best option for mining, plus you won’t find a lot of reviews or guides about the motherboard.
Features:
- 32 GB memory storage capacity.
- ATX form factor.
- 2 DDR4 2400/2133 slots. Up to 32 GB of memory.
- ATX power supply needed.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 7th and 6th generation Intel Core Pentium and Celeron Processors, i3, i5, and i7 Cores. |
Chipset | Intel B150 |
Connection and other ports | 4 USB3.0, Ethernet, VGA, HDMI, four 6 GB/s SSD SATA connectors. |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 8 PCI Express 3.0 ports, Bluetooth, S/PDIF connector. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR 4 32 GB |
CPU socket | LGA 1151 |
Memory type and speed | DDR4 2, 400/2, 133 MHz. |
Operating system platform | Windows 10. |
Weight and dimensions | 0.7 pounds. 12.3 x 1 x 8 inches. |
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Support for overclocking and multi-GPU mining. It also supports high-speed operations given the support for 7th and 6th-generation CPU cores.
- Runs 7 GPU cards fine but needs some BIOS set up to support eight.
- Can support PCIe 3.0 or 2.0 as long as you set it up on BIOS.
Cons:
- Scanty reviews and guides. It also scores a low rating for stability and gaming.
- Support for up to 64W CPUs which is quite low.
Verdict: The Zotac B150 Mining ATX motherboard may have very few reviews online but it is great for starters, costing just $109.99 for support of 8 GPU cards.
Price: $109.99.
Website: Zotac B150 Mining ATX Motherboard
#8) Creamic BTC-37
Best for low-end affordable mining.
Creamic BTC 37 is for people looking for affordable low-end mining motherboards that can deliver low power consumption, heat generation, and power and energy savings while supporting multiple GPUs. It can support up to 8 GPUs but you do not expect much performance given that it supports DDR3 RAM memory and up to 32 GB of it.
It also features voltage-stabilizing capacitors for stable power provision on your devices. For those who are not pleased with the fact that it is impossible to fit 8 of the bigger GPUs or the USB risers, it is possible to swap the motherboard for S37 which has 65 mm instead of the 50 mm space between the PCIe slots. The D37 is also a more suitable replacement.
Features:
- 2,666 MHz memory clock speed.
- Built-in Intel CPU and fan.
- 1 DDR3 SODIMM slot. 32 GB memory.
- Supports network boot or PXE boot.
- Multi-functional card — ITE IT8772E with 8 PCIe generation two 16x expansion ports.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | 1.8 GHz CPU Intel Celeron. |
Chipset | HM 77 |
Connection and other ports | 4 USB 2.0 ports, LAN, VGA, HDMI, SATA 2.0, 3.0, and mSAT 2.0 connectors, |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 8 PCIe 2.0 16x ports. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR4 32 GB. |
CPU socket | Intel Celeron CPU 1037U |
Memory type and speed | DDR3 1066/1333/1600 MHz. |
Operating system platform | Windows 10. |
Weight and dimensions | 2.18 pounds. 9.8 x 6.3 x 0.79 inches. |
Pros:
- Cheap
- Supports up to 8 GPUs.
- Cooler, low power consumption.
Cons:
- Cooling issues when all the PCIe slots are full.
- Quite old-fashioned with support for older-generation CPUs and PCIe slots for those who need to use more modern GPU cards that need x8 or x16 PCIe to work.
- The space between PCIe cards is just 50 mm which means 8 bigger GPU cards will not fit.
Verdict: The Creamic BTC 37 is for people looking for low-end mining motherboards that manage low power consumption and are affordable. It also manages to support up to 8 GPUs with some adjustments to the BIOS.
Price: $159.99.
#9) Huaxucheng X79-5 Card Mining Rig Motherboard
Best for low-power mining operations.
The Huaxucheng X79-5 Card mining rig motherboard is marketed as a low-power, silent miner (55 db when mining). Despite supporting up to 5 GPUs that can be hooked through PCIe 3.0 ports, it is not a cheap crypto-mining motherboard for all that it can offer.
For instance, if the RAM is only up to 32 GB in memory, SSD can be up to 128 GB mSATA,
Features:
- Three 3000 RPM fans with speed regulation.
- 1800 W power supply — The input voltage is 110 to 230 V.
- 128 G mSATA connector.PCIe pitch and distance between two of them is 60 mm.
- Supports a huge variety of mining GPU cards including RTX 3060Ti, 3070, 3080, 3090, 6800/6800XT, etc.
- Can be used to mine with both AMD and NVIDIA GPU cards.
- 6-pin power supply. 6 power in 5 power outs.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | Intel Xeon E5 26 and 46 series V1/V2. |
Chipset | H 61 |
Connection and other ports | 4USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0 ports, LAN, SATA 3.0, and mSATA connectors, |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 5 PCIe 3.0 8x ports. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR3 32 GB |
CPU socket | LGA 2011 |
Memory type and speed | DDR3 1066/1333/1600/1866 MHz. |
Operating system platform | Windows 10 Plus HiveOS . |
Weight and dimensions | 13.37 pounds. 16.38 x 12.52 x 7.72 inches. |
Pros:
- Easy manual control of fans.
- Enough 8-pin cords to connect.
- You can connect up to 5 GPU cards.
Cons:
- 1800 W is only suitable for lower than 3080Ti cards or lower than 300 Watts cards. It is not enough for five 3080Ti.
- A bit pricey for its offerings. In fact, you can get $100 cheaper identical boards.
- Difficult or no ability to install a custom fan control system because it has an 8 pin connector and no SATA.
Verdict: With the capability to support 5 GPUs, the X79-5 motherboard for mining offers quite a pricey option because it is limited in usage with more recent GPU cards that require more than 300 watts of cards.
Price: $290.20.
#10) Machinist B250C Mining Motherboard
Best for those looking for affordable or cheap mining motherboards.
The device allows connecting up to 12 GPUs through the 12 USB ports transferred by the PCIe – meaning the motherboard connects the USB 3.0 ports with the extension cable through PCIe. This enables faster transmission of signals and longer working times.
Features:
- Memory clock speed – 3200 MHz.
- 24-pin power connectors.
- Two DDR4 memory types of up to 32 GB.
- Board was designed with regulated capacitors to reduce interface interference and line loss. Can start quickly.
- Low noise, low power consumption.
- Micro ATX form factor.
Technical Specifications:
Processor support | Intel 6th and 7th Core i3, i5, and i7. Pentium G series processors. |
Chipset | Intel B250 |
Connection and other ports | 12 USB 3.0 to PCIex1 ports, 4 USB 2.0 ports, LAN, HDMI, Ethernet, VGA, 4 (6 Gb/s) SATA 2.0, and mSATA connectors, S/PDIF Connector type. |
Graphics card interface and PCI ports | 12 USB 3.0 to PCIe 3.0 ports. |
Memory technology and capacity | DDR4 32 GB. |
CPU socket | LGA 1151 |
Memory type and speed | DDR4 2133/ 2400/ 2660 MHz. |
Operating system platform | Windows10. Also works with HiveOS. |
Weight and dimensions | 1.46 pounds. 9 x 69 x 0.98 inches. |
Pros:
- No SATA cables reduce SATA cable management trouble.
- Direct USB connection to PCIe for faster data transmission.
- Connecting up to 12 GPUs.
- LED lighting.
- Reduced cost due to direct USB to PCIe connection. Also stabilizes operation and makes it long-term.
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Up to 32 GB RAM memory.
Verdict: Machinist B250 C is most appropriate for those looking for up to 12 GPU multi-mining without the inconveniences of low-end crypto mining motherboards such as small PCIe pitch distance.
Price: $98.40.
Conclusion
This tutorial discussed motherboards that are used for cryptocurrency mining. These motherboards form the basis for connecting other devices such as graphics cards. As mentioned, they are decided mainly based on the number of GPUs they can support. Most contain USB riser connection ports that allow you to connect to multiple GPUs, up to 19 or more.
Although ordinary motherboards can be used to mine crypto, specialized crypto mining motherboards comprise specialized terminals that can hold more GPUs, heavier GPUs, faster and more modern port connectors, advanced cooling technologies for GPUs, temperature stability, overheating protection, better CPU speed over-clocking capabilities, support for high-end or modern processors, etc.
These are the factors upon which the best mining motherboards can be decided. Pricing will obviously be a factor when it comes to getting the best crypto mining motherboards.
The Asus B250 Mining Expert motherboard allows you to work with up to 19 GPUs and although most others can carry that capacity under stress, this one is specifically made to serve that capacity. It also comes with overclocking potential and a specialized cooling mechanism, but all these features come at a hefty price.
The AsRock H110 Pro manages 13 GPUs but is also quite pricey. The ASUS Prime Z390-P costs much lesser for near high-end crypto mining experience, but for only a maximum carrying a load of 8 GPUs.
Research Process:
- Total Crypto Mining Motherboards Shortlisted for Review: 33
- Total Crypto Mining Motherboards Reviewed: 10
- Time Taken to Review this Article on Crypto Mining Motherboards: 28 Hrs