Is it too late to mine BTC? (even with free electric)

[eteo]

I believe it will be a very good experience, since you have free electric,too :-) Good start!!

[watchtheskies]

The most profitable coins to mine are alt coins.

You can see their profitability compared to bitcoin at: http://www.coinwarz.com/cryptocurrency

Of course they are more high risk too as the prices are even more volatile than bitcoin  

[ajent]

With my 2 current machines I can pull only around 600Kh/s combined. I tried to solo mine digibyte over night, but gained 0.
No matter how new the coin, I should just stick to pools, correct?

[watchtheskies]

With my 2 current machines I can pull only around 600Kh/s combined. I tried to solo mine digibyte over night, but gained 0.
No matter how new the coin, I should just stick to pools, correct?

Yes you would need a lot more than 600ks to make it worthwhile to solo mine even a new coin

[webbson]

8990, isn't that just OEM branded 7990. I think Dell uses them.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/2389/radeon-hd-8990-oem.html

On topic: I would do alt-coin scrypt mining with that card.

[ajent]

8990, isn't that just OEM branded 7990. I think Dell uses them.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/2389/radeon-hd-8990-oem.html

On topic: I would do alt-coin scrypt mining with that card.

Sorry I don't know much about the cards. When building a desktop on alienware (dell lol), the 8990 was the best option. It'll be my 3rd AW, I like the logo & flashy lights  

This would be my temporary miner until I can get the parts for a real rig.

[therobotswillwin]

smf is a real piece of shit.

I've tried to post a worthy response about 12 times and it will not allow me. 

Newbie restrictions ftw

[Led]

UPDATE!

I found a power supply for $329 that a pro miner who would know assures me will handle 3x 7990: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153154

He says even a 1200 watt would probably work. However, I'd err on the side of caution/overcapacity, since you are less likely to make some noob mistake and fry something if you have an adequate power supply, and also I have read somewhere that PSUs operate at maximum efficiency when putting out 50% of the power they are capable of putting out, and efficiency above 80% starts going way down because of heat reducing efficiency. (as a conductor like copper heats up, its ability to conduct electricity goes down)

Also, I've been told by this same pro that I shouldn't "piggyback" power supplies on top of other power supplies, but I do it anyway! 8D You can do it with a paperclip or one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812201037

[247crypto]

since you have free electric

electric price is fixed
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=372502.0

[coolz]

Its a good hobby, but if you want to be rich (even if you have free power) i guess trading would be the way.
Mining Bitcoins is impossible because of the diff and other coins could be interesting, but are not worth all that much.