I'm thinking about getting a couple of video cards for my linux box so I can have it mining bitcoins while I'm not using the machine. Are bitcoins still worth mining, and does anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks
no, they are not.
Hey Mike,
If Commissar is referring to GPU based Bitcoin mining then I agree. ASIC mining - different story. The problem is #1: the block reward just halved last week and #2: you're up against FPGA miners currently and ASIC miners in the coming months. The only way you're going to make a profit at Bitcoin via GPU is by joining a mining pool, having a dirt cheap electricity rate (less than 7 cents / KwH) and you're using your rig to heat your house in the winter.
Keep in mind FPGAs are being replaced in the coming months with ASIC hardware. This article provides a good overview: http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/16/3649784/bitcoin-mining-asics-block-reward-change
The most affordable ASICs are being offered by Butterfly Labs as pre-order only. The Jalepeno unit will cost $149 and offer 4.5Ghash/sec. Problem is they're only available as pre-order. I bought FPGAs from Butterfly so I can testify they make a real product and will deliver. You can always buy an FPGA unit but it's better to wait a couple of months until ASICs are available.
If you need any help with recomendations on setting up a Bitcoin operation I can help. I'm currently running Butterfly's FPGA Bitforce singles and I can recommend how to setup the software, pool recommendations, setting up the accounts, etc.
Just for reference here's a good Bitcoin profit calculator: http://www.bitcoinx.com/profit/
With one Bitforce FPGA you can probably clear about $45/month.
its depends on a lot of factors, but you are half right its not as profitable as before and not worth much time and effort since the payback in the majority of the cases is miniscule.