getting a used build for strategy games, i5 2500k vs i5 3570 vs i7 2600

[ahmed-anas]

Hey guys, was hoping you could help me out.

I'm getting a (used) gaming PC soon InshAllah and I'm deciding between a 3570/3470/2600 + h-series mobo vs 2500k + z-series mobo + cooler.

I've had 'speed' problems before while running HOI 2/3 and other similar kinds of strategy games (CIV 5, Total War series, etc) where the turns would take quite a while to complete and it became rather annoying to the point that I stop playing.

Since I may be running my system on a UPS some times, low power consumption is benficial (though I can obviously 'slow down' the system when running on the UPS to save power).

Will be pairing with a r9 270x

Here are my basic pros and cons:
3570/3470 + h motherboard => $200, (low power consumption / tdp)
i7 2600 + h-series motherboard => $200, (high power consumption / tdp, comparatively slightly lower per-core performance)
i5 2500k + z-series mobo + cooler => $245, (medium power consumption / tdp when not OC'd, overclocking potential to 4.5ghz)

Thanks in advance

 

[Flowshi]

I'm not an expert but afaik a more or less modern computer should be able to handle any strat games.

I have an 4 year old I5 750@2.6GhZ, which was one of the first which came out, and I don't have any problems with games. And if so, I'm able to overclock it to 4GhZ (which I barely use, since it's to hot and to power consuming). I don't see any reason to upgrade any time soon.

My recommendation is to buy the cheapest and less power consuming CPU, in most cases it is more that the graphiccard will limit your gamingexperience (only a matter if you play fps-style games). I don't recommend an I7, it just offers hyperthreading, which is not used in most games and only worth if you're doing videostuff (not even worth for musicproduction), it's more expensive and less overclockable.