no it is viable as a space heater and can be made far more quiet then newer gear. I have very low power cost in one spot 2.4 cents in the winter and the area needs a space heater.
So basically it is free power even if diff goes to 100 it still is a money maker for me. Instead of using a 1500 watt space heater I run 4 of these. So anyone that is running a space heater would be better off with the s-3.
The s-3 will not die off until it is truly dead. (ie none of them run due to old age)
Yes, this is an alternative use for S3, but don't forget that these S3 need PSUs.
So if you need to buy a new mining gear you have a choice to use the S3 as a heater and buy a new PSUs for your new gears or you you use that S3 PSUs for your new gears and let S3 lay around doing nothing.
By the way: What do you think the price of S4 and will be?
S3 still mining with profit.
HASHNEST
Antminer S3 Maintenance Fee:$0.00192/GHS/Day
Maintenance/Payout(PPS) 87.07%
Yes they are profit for now on hashnest (which have a low maintenance fees compared to major home miners).
But the situation will change soon.