Looking into getting FPGA's

[frozenkai]

I am looking to get an FPGA.
I don't have a lot of $ to spend so a lower priced one would be prefered.
Any suggestions?

[Littleshop]

I am looking to get an FPGA.
I don't have a lot of $ to spend so a lower priced one would be prefered.
Any suggestions?

GPU's are your lower priced alternative.  Most FPGA's are going for top dollar due to the fact that they are currently the best thing on the market and most of the ASIC companies are offering full price trade ins on old units.  The BFL single is going for between $500-$650 right now.  A 5970 video card (GPU) can be had for under $200. 

[witherworth]

You might want to check the proper forum (computer hardware):
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?board=75.0

Also, +1 to what Littleshop said. The cheap stuff will be GPUs, while FPGAs will run you several hundred more. Although, you may be able to get a deal on some cheaper FPGAs from someone looking to get out before ASICs hit.

[crazyates]

From what I've seen, FPGAs are a lot cheaper than they used to be. A MMQ was ~$300, IIRC.

[Kluge]

GPUs are not only $/MH cheap, but will be easy to pawn off on someone else once ASICs hit, whereas selling FPGA chips will be a bit more of a hassle (cablepair's buying Spartan chips off 'em, though, IIRC). Running a GPU probably isn't profitable in most situations, though.

If you're looking for an FPGA which does more than Bitcoin, ngzhang sells dev kits with his no-longer-produced Icarus units (and proposed Lancelot units, but I think he's focusing on Avalon, so possibly no Lancelot), which could give it longer-term uses. I asked for vanitygen compatibility... no dice, yet.

If you're looking to mine for profit, best advice would probably be just to stay away at this point, I think.

[nathanrees19]

Wait and see how the ASICs play out. In a few months we may have two or three vendors shipping.

[Uglux]

Wait and see how the ASICs play out. In a few months we may have two or three vendors shipping.

"In a few months" was also a few months ago

[DiCE1904]

I could sell you my mod miner quad or my mod miner single if you are interested. PM me if you are