The spark that got me really interested in mining was hearing Notsofast on the Crypto Street Podcast. So I built a small 3 GPU rig (supposed to be 4 but still havent gotten 4th GPU to work, grr) - it was fun as hell to research, buy the pieces, put it together, and see it get going. I started mining ethereum and it was such a thrill when I first saw the console displaying hashrates and shares found. And now to see actual ether in my wallet, new ether that was produced in part thanks to the hash power that my own computer added to the network - it's an awesome feeling.
Sure, I haven't hit ROI yet. And it's a fairly modest amount of ether. But it certainly is a LOT more than my electricity cost. And it is so so, so much more satisfying than just buying and investing/trading (which I do also), or even staking. There's just something about building your own machine from scratch and actually producing your own new cryptocurrency that is so exciting.
Thanks to everyone who answered any dumb questions I had. And to anyone looking to get into mining, I would highly recommend it - but go slow. Build one modest GPU rig and get it going before you dump that $50k that you and your friend pooled together to make a whole mining farm. It's doable if you are at least somewhat tech savvy but it's not as simple as "$50k = x amount of gpus/asic = x profit". But it is certainly rewarding as heck.
congrats! one piece of advice, dont worry about the ROI in terms of your hardware, but do look for what is most profitable for you too mine. your hardware is all valuable on the resale market. gamers would give up unmentionable parts of their bodies for a year old used 1070, and pay above msrp. youre contributing to the security of the blockchain, and being rewarded for it. hash on brother!
