When I built my current machine I did so safe in the knowledge that there would be an upgrade path; I counted on that when I made my choices. It seems that my upgrade path has fallen by the wayside and won't be happening within the next two years - if at all.
So I made a decision, one that also might nip me in the behind in a year or two but we shall see. I wanted to stay with AMD and since the AM3+ platform has fallen by the wayside, my only option was to pursue the FM2+ platform if I wanted to delve into Steamroller (3rd gen AMD CPU core architecture). So this is what I am doing.
There are a lot of debates as to whether or not FM2+ will continue past next year as well, but AMD has said it would and that Excavator (the next generation CPU architecture... or should I say the FINAL version of the current series of architectural changes to AMDs CPU lineup) WOULD support FM2+... so that means FM2+ should be around another 3 years, minimum. At that point it will be getting VERY old and lacking in features. Also, AMD has said something in the past then changed direction and recanted (prime example being the situation I am in right now).
So, pursuant to my previous statement, I placed an order for the components I would need to build this FM2+ / Kaveri machine out. I have a fine case and power supply, and I don't need to worry about my disk drives, all fairly new components. But to make this work I would need the CPU (of course), a new motherboard, memory to go with that motherboard (2133 as opposed to the 1866 I currently have) and while I was at it I decided to go with a new graphics card setup. My current build components can be handed down to my children.
Ahhhh! Why a discrete graphic card? Isn't Kaveri supposed to excel without? It does, but not enough for the kind of gaming I tend to do. So, while my GTX 770 is a wonderful card, I decided to go with something new and exciting (at least to me): I purchased TWO R9 270X (Sapphire Toxic) cards and will run them together. Theoretically they put out more performance than almost any other SINGLE high-end graphics card available... epic performance in some cases... and cheaper too!
Based on everything I've seen I can absolutely expect (at least at first) to see some performance hits in day to day activities where software is unable to take advantage of the Kaveri architecture for OpenCL and HSA... mostly because my current CPU has 8 cores and the extra level 3 cache was designed for desktop use. Even so, I don't expect the perceived slow downs to be drastic and most often probably not noticeable. Where software DOES take advantage of the AMD architecture, I suspect the speed ups WILL be noticeable.
Well, I know I am in for a bumpy ride getting set up. The motherboard will post with the new CPU but will require a BIOS update immediately to really make use of the CPU and its features. I am hoping I won't have to reinstall Windows... by uninstalling my current graphic drivers and having my Windows 8 disk on hand, I HOPE Windows will start to boot and complain and ask for a "repair disk" or the installation disk. If it does I will be golden. If it doesn't... well... oh well I have to reinstall a bunch of applications.
Anyway, I will post a new blog once I get set up.
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