CPU mining only

[farnsbattletech]

I'm interested in CPU mining only at this time.  I go into any new situation as a skeptic so I'm not willing to invest any "real" cash into hardware.  So with that in mind, what alternative coin is the best to play around with as a CPU only miner?  Also, aside from faucets what are other ways to earn coins at this time?

[muchogas]

Why would you waste your resources mining with your CPU? Electricity will be more expensive than what you're going to earn CPU mining. As far as I know there is no Coin with which you can only mine with your CPU.

[odolvlobo]

I believe Quark and Primecoin are CPU-only.

[cottonseed]

dogecoins or quarkcoins I suppose. Obv you returns aint gonna be that good tho.

[CrimsonGT]

As has already been stated, CPU mining is not profitable but can still be a good stepping stone to get you some experience and familiarity with mining as a whole before investing in hardware.

While they are not always the most accurate, websites such as coinwarz.com can help give an indication as to what is the most profitable coin at the current time. Regardless of if you are on a CPU or GPU, it is more important to figure out what coins are actually the most valuable to mine and go from there. I personally use GPU machines primarily, but throw CPU Miners on some of my rigs when they aren't doing anything else.

[futuredracula]

Primecoin is profitable for me at the moment, its CPU only (and will stay that way in all likelihood) and contributes to cool math stuff. I believe Protoshares and other Invictus coins are CPU only as well.

[starmex]

I'd reckon mining isnt as profitable anymore as it used to be. Stick to trading on the exchanges.

[voingiappone]

I just started to mine Feathercoin with a bunch of CPU only miners (running this).
I know it is not "that" profitable but I can still earn some coins while mining for Bitcoins with ASICs... guess it is still in the "for fun" category though...
The difficulty now is 172 so it is more or less affordable, give it a try!

[mathato]

+

[Nitroshock]

You can CPU mine most any coin, just join a pool that has variable difficulty (Check coinwarz as mentioned for "most profitable").  You will most likely spend more in electricity than the mined coins are worth, but you can still do it.  

CPU mining is a good learning tool and stepping stone, but depending on your goals, CPU mining alone will probably solidify your position as a skeptic.

If you want to give mining a better chance, buy a used mid-range GPU and play around with that.  You can always sell the GPU if you grow tired of it and won't be out much.

Best of luck...

[Papacrusher]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=369354.0

this thread helped me

[veqtrus]

I would also recommend Noirbits. It has low difficulty, there are pools available and the exchange rate isn't bad.