That depends on what you want, but mostly altcoins mining are not like Bitcoin mining, so you don't really have to mention the hot hardware lol. But from my previous research, mining a new coin is better than rushing in and buying it and speculating that the price will go up. Most people that have tried it really got some good positive results from mining altcoins than buying. Unless you're talking about Bitcoin, then I would say that it is better to buy it, cause the price can move up a big way at anytime and you will make profit (there's still the risk of losing though.