so it went cpu->gpu->fpga->asic->?
whats next? what should i keep my eye on and be ready to buy with the snap of a finger if it comes out? i want to mine but im not stupid enough to get sucked into the big scam going around with junk asics that dont even make 10%ROI
also, how much more time has asic got before something better comes?
also, quantum computing, yay or nay for sha-256?
ASIC has many levels.
The lowest is an FPGA hard copy, a few variations in between (like standard cells and structured design) , and the highest level a full custom ASIC.
As far as I know some of he earlier ASICS (without naming) were FPGA hard copy. They use more power and can not run at higher speeds. A full custom can run very fast but is much harder to design properly. Make a mistake and you throw away a lot of money.
A 65NM full custom could outperform a 45NM that was not a full custom. So the holy grail (right now) would be a 14NM full custom. We are still a long way from there.