A Few Questions

[HappyHambo]

All righty, i've been attempting to put together a list of parts for my first PC build and im wondering how i could get the most performance out of it. Here are the options, either a GTX 970 and a i3, a used R9 290 with a i5 or a NEW R9 280x with a i5. I've heard that the i5 is the best for gaming (which i'll be doing most) so that makes me doubt the i3 option but i've also heard that the 970 is one of the best value cards you can get!
(i'm on a budget so the i5+970 is a bit much)

Any advice and comments are appreciated!

 

[Squall321]

GTX 970 and i5.

 

[HappyHambo]

GTX 970 and i5.

Not really in my budget

 

[Squall321]

then go with the used r9 290, if it got an aftermarket cooler and doesn't throttle. If you can get the receipt from the previous owner, you maybe even can use the warranty if it breaks.
If i were you, i would wait until i could get the whole package.
To be completely honest, I don't know how much of a difference an i3 is to an i5 in gaming. personally i got a second gen. i5 and its the bottleneck in some games. And it really clogs up, when i try to stream my gaming.