Future Gaming PC Upgrade (Zen or Skylake)

[Mysticjbyrd]

Hey guys, I am new here!

I am considering upgrading my PC in the near future, and was looking for some advice from people that follow the tech industry more than myself.

My current setup is an Intel 930 & HD7950 Boost. I don't buy top of the line components, as I have seen/found in the past that you are merely paying for the R&D. I am looking for just the high-midrange stuff that will last quite a few years. If I bought a CPU I would certainly not want to spend more than $250. I don't do any video editing or anything else with the PC.

I don't feel I need an upgrade atm, though I am annoyed at the features of the old MB, but I am really curious as to what you guys think my best options in the near future are.

There are several concerns I have about ensuring a future proof build.
#1 DX12 superior threading capabilities
This new API two should potentially see an influx in the current standing of AMD's performance. Current AMD chips won't outright outperform Intel, but it should at least lessen the gap. Particularly, in the cost / performance scale. Right?

#2 AMD's Zen
The potential of this new CPU intrigues me, despite knowing AMD is completely shitting the bed in the CPU market as of late. Perhaps, it's all hype, but I have a notion to wait and see how things pan out. Is there any hope AMD can come back into the market, and at least lower Intel's pricejacking?

#3 Simultaneous multithreading prevalence in gaming
This seems to becoming far more prevalent in gaming, and AMD is supposedly going to finally utilize this technology in their new zen arch. It's seeming an expensive feature in Intel CPUs as well. Perhaps this too could help with AMDs price/performance.

#4 14 nm tech lithography
Intel is already using this technology in it's Skylake arch. However, Samsung is doing a deal with AMD for 14nm wafers. I heard that Zen wouldn't use 14nm wafers, but it was just some random post. Is it even possible for AMD's Zen to catch up if it's not using the same scale?

#5 Cannon lake (or w/e is after intel's skylake)
I realize Skylake just released, but will Intel release another within like a year? I saw a projection that showed this arch coming in 2016, but I believe that was just for mobile devices. When it does drop, is there any reason to believe that it will be anything other than another 10% increase?

So, what do you guys think? Should I wait for Zen, potentially cannon, or just wait for new skylake models and just upgrade then?

 

[ComputerSecurityGuy]

Wait for Zen, it might be very well what it's said to be. DX12 means that games will be less CPU dependent improving weak CPUs while leaving strong ones alone. If Zen is a failure Skylake chipset, at least, will be cheaper and more stable. Hopefully an H170 chipset will come out at some point. And

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

Let's address your questions one by one.

1. If I remember correctly, DX12 will support up to six threads, whereas DX11 only supports three. In theory, AMD CPUs should see a performance boost but only time will tell.

2. Currently, AMD can't match Intel for outright performance, but DX12 could change that. I don't believe that AMD are out of the game just yet, but they will be if Zen doesn't work out.

3. Many current games are optimised for multiple threads and it's more than likely going to continue that way. Again, in theory, Zen should perform well here.

4. AMD have been playing catch-up for years and unless they bring a game-changer, they'll always be that way. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the performance of their CPUs are still perfectly sufficient for a lot of people and the lower prices make them more attractive.

5. Intel release CPUs on a tick-tock rota; i.e. a major release followed by an incremental release. Skylake is the major release so whatever comes next probably won't be much to write home about. As far as I can see, Intel are focusing more on efficiency.

All in all, everything is pure speculation and best guesses based on what's come before. If you're happy to do so, wait for Zen and see what it can offer.