Is this build setup still viable? Could I perhaps use better gpus to get a faster hash rate?
It's useless to use these kinds of set-ups for anything except Scrypt-coin mining (ie. Litecoin, fastcoin, worldcoin, etc.) because for SHA-256 mining (bitcoin, trc, zet, etc.) ASICs have been developed which make gpu's kind of useless. This is due to the fact that a gpu uses a lot more power than an ASIC. Gpu's can generate as much or more power than some asics, but they use a LOT more power and thus, even if you have to buy 2 asics, asics are a better solution for mining SHA-256 currencies. That being said, asics are typically cheaper as well if you get them from the right place. For example block erupters (336 MH/s that plug into your usb drive are VERY cheap). I've actually thrown together 12 block erupters, 2 USB fans & 2 power strips for mining which should output 4032 MH/s (4.032 GH/s) for a little over $300. This should only take a week to arrive which makes it much better than a BFL Jalapeno because the Jalapeno (although it produces 5 GH/s for $274) takes MONTHS to arrive and some people have been waiting since last year.
So, to pull out the important details from that winded reply, gpu's are really only prefered for Scrypt mining. If you're going to be mining SHA-256 currencies, ASICs are your best bet.
