Re: Performace
There seems to be some annoying freezing around at times, and it's not hardware related. I say at times because sometimes I can play for hours without an issue and other times I get 2 second freezes (only cursor moves but doesn't highlight anything) every other minute.
As to 'end turn' phase - that only works fast if you are not allied to any faction. Playing as Serpedon and being allied to to the Troy factions I can get myself a coffee from the kitchen and go back for some cookies - or use the super fast (don't follow) F6 button where you don't have a clue what just happened: had two full stacks of Spartans slip by that way and wreak havoc in my homelands as the screen doesn't move at all in that mode.