Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build with the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and Intel Arc B370 presents a challenging performance profile. The data shows a system that is heavily constrained by the graphics processor, particularly at higher resolutions, but which can deliver playable frame rates at 1080p with adjusted settings. The combination ranks in the bottom tier of tested systems, indicating that while the CPU is a competent mid-range part, the GPU holds this pairing back significantly in this city builder.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and clearly identifies the Intel Arc B370 as the limiting component. At High settings, the average frame rate falls from 55 FPS at 1920x1080 to 35 FPS at 2560x1440, a reduction of 20 FPS. Moving to 3840x2160, the average drops further to 18 FPS. This represents a 67% decrease in average FPS from 1080p to 4K at High settings, a scaling curve that is characteristic of a GPU that is overwhelmed by the pixel count.

The pattern is consistent across all quality presets. At Low settings, the system achieves 95 FPS at 1080p, which is a solid result. However, this falls to 61 FPS at 1440p and then to 32 FPS at 4K. The 4K Low result is lower than the 1080p Medium result of 73 FPS, showing that the resolution has a more significant impact on performance than the quality preset. This is definitive evidence that the GPU's rendering throughput, not the CPU's processing power, is the primary bottleneck.

The scaling between 1440p and 4K is particularly punishing. At Medium settings, the average frame rate drops from 46 FPS at 1440p to 25 FPS at 4K. The Ultra preset tells a similar story, with 23 FPS at 1440p collapsing to 12 FPS at 4K. The fact that the gap between Low and Ultra at 4K is only 20 FPS (32 vs 12) suggests that even at the lowest settings, the GPU is unable to maintain a fluid experience at that resolution. The data indicates that 4K is not a viable target for this combo, as even the lowest settings fail to reach 60 FPS, and the highest settings produce a nearly unplayable slideshow.

How This Combo Ranks

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 + Intel Arc B370 combination ranks 2683 out of 2924 tested combos in Steamworld Build. This places it in the 8th percentile of all tested systems, a low position that reflects the GPU's weak performance. The data shows that this pairing is in the bottom 10% of all configurations, which is a crucial context for interpreting the measured frame rates. The system is not merely below average; it is significantly outclassed by the vast majority of other hardware combinations.

This low rank is largely attributable to the Intel Arc B370's performance class. The GPU's benchmark scores place it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, with an average 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1184. Its nearest rivals in the GPU benchmark database are the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, ATI Radeon HD 5770, AMD Radeon HD 7650M, and AMD FirePro M2000, all of which are older, entry-level parts. This context is essential; the GPU is performing at a level comparable to hardware from a previous era, which directly impacts its ability to handle modern titles like Steamworld Build.

In contrast, the CPU is a much stronger component. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 sits in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 17035. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1260P, Intel Core i5-11400, AMD EPYC 7573X, and AMD EPYC 7742, with performance deltas of only 0.2% or -0.2%. This shows that the CPU is a balanced, mid-range performer that is more than capable of feeding a more powerful graphics card. The bottleneck is not the processor; it is the GPU that is holding this combo back from achieving a higher rank.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution to play Steamworld Build with this hardware?

A: The data shows that 1920x1080 is the only resolution where the system can consistently achieve high frame rates. At 1080p, the average FPS ranges from 37 on Ultra to 95 on Low, making it the only resolution where a smooth experience is possible.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its direct rivals?

A: The GPU's average 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1184. This is nearly identical to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186, -0.2%) and ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190, -0.5%). It is slightly ahead of the AMD FirePro M2000 (1168, 1.4%) and behind the AMD Radeon HD 7650M (1192, -0.7%). This indicates it is in the same performance tier as these older parts.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 a bottleneck for the Intel Arc B370 in this game?

A: No, the data suggests the opposite. The CPU ranks in the 71st percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU ranks in the 5th percentile. The massive gap in relative performance indicates the GPU is the limiting factor, not the processor.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Steamworld Build?

A: No. At 4K, the highest average FPS recorded is 32 on Low settings. The High preset only achieves 18 FPS, and Ultra drops to 12 FPS. These results are far below the threshold for smooth gameplay.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: At 1920x1080, the average FPS on Low is 95, while on Ultra it is 37. This is a difference of 58 FPS, showing that the Ultra preset is significantly more demanding on the GPU.

Q: What do the minimum FPS numbers tell us about performance stability?

A: The only settings with reported minimum FPS are Medium presets. At 1080p Medium, the minimum is 62 FPS, and at 1440p Medium it is 39 FPS. These figures show that even at Medium settings, the frame rate can drop, but it remains playable at 1080p.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates provide a detailed picture of the system's capabilities. At 1920x1080, the resolution most likely to be used by owners of this hardware, the results are mixed. The Low preset delivers an average of 95 FPS, which is excellent for a city builder. The Medium preset is also playable, with an average of 73 FPS and a minimum of 62 FPS, indicating a reasonably stable experience. The High preset drops to 55 FPS, which is still playable but begins to show the GPU's limitations. The Ultra preset is the weakest at this resolution, with an average of just 37 FPS, making it a poor choice for smooth gameplay.

Moving to 2560x1440, the system struggles to maintain high frame rates. The Low preset is the only option that approaches playability, with an average of 61 FPS. The Medium preset averages 46 FPS, with a minimum of 39 FPS, which may be acceptable for some players but is below the 60 FPS target. High and Ultra presets are not recommended at this resolution, with averages of 35 FPS and 23 FPS, respectively. The data shows a clear step-down in performance compared to 1080p.

At 3840x2160, the system is simply not capable of delivering a good experience. The Low preset is the only one that breaks the 30 FPS barrier, with an average of 32 FPS. The Medium preset averages 25 FPS, with a minimum of 21 FPS and a maximum of 28 FPS, showing a very narrow performance window. High and Ultra presets are effectively unplayable, with averages of 18 FPS and 12 FPS, respectively. These numbers confirm that 4K is outside the operational envelope of this combination.

The data also reveals that the gap between Low and Ultra is consistent at each resolution. At 1080p, the difference is 58 FPS (95 vs 37). At 1440p, the difference is 38 FPS (61 vs 23). At 4K, the difference is 20 FPS (32 vs 12). This shrinking gap indicates that as resolution increases, the GPU becomes so saturated that even the lowest settings cannot compensate for the pixel load.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the defining component of this system's gaming performance. Its specifications reveal why it struggles with Steamworld Build. The GPU has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz, but its memory configuration is "System Shared", meaning it relies on the system's main memory rather than dedicated VRAM. This is a significant limitation for a game like Steamworld Build, which likely requires substantial memory bandwidth for textures and geometry.

The GPU's raw compute capabilities are also limited. It has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs. The pixel rate is 48.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 96.00 GTexel/s. The FP32 performance is 6.144 TFLOPS. These figures, while presented without comparison, are consistent with a low-power, entry-level part. The GPU's TDP is 25 W, and it is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) with a slot width of "IGP", indicating it is not a discrete card.

The benchmark data for the GPU is sparse, with only one recorded score: 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. This score places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, meaning 95% of tested GPUs perform better. The nearest rivals are all older ATI and AMD parts, confirming that the B370 is positioned at the very bottom of the performance hierarchy. The data shows that the GPU's architecture, while modern, does not translate into competitive gaming performance.

The lack of dedicated VRAM is a critical factor. With "System Shared" memory, the GPU must compete with the CPU for memory bandwidth, which can cause stuttering and low frame rates in demanding scenes. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent", meaning its performance varies based on the system's RAM configuration. In this case, the CPU supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, but the effective bandwidth available to the GPU is likely lower. This bottleneck explains why the GPU performs so poorly at high resolutions, where memory demands are greatest.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this system are at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset. This combination delivers an average of 73 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS, providing a smooth and stable experience that is well-suited for a city builder. The Medium preset balances visual quality with performance, making it the best choice for most players.

For players who prioritize frame rate above all else, the Low preset at 1920x1080 is the clear winner. It achieves an average of 95 FPS, which is nearly double the frame rate of the High preset at the same resolution. This is the only configuration that approaches the 100 FPS mark, making it ideal for players who want the smoothest possible camera movement and zooming.

The High preset at 1080p is a viable fallback, with an average of 55 FPS. This is playable, but it is significantly less smooth than the Medium or Low presets. The Ultra preset at 1080p is not recommended, as its 37 FPS average is below the threshold for comfortable play. The data clearly shows that the jump from High to Ultra comes with a massive performance cost that is not justified by the visual improvements.

At 2560x1440, only the Low preset is recommended, with an average of 61 FPS. The Medium preset at this resolution is borderline, with an average of 46 FPS and a minimum of 39 FPS, which may cause noticeable hitches during heavy building activity. The High and Ultra presets at 1440p should be avoided, as they produce average frame rates of 35 FPS and 23 FPS, respectively. The 4K resolution is not viable for any settings, with all presets falling below 32 FPS, so players should avoid it entirely.

The data suggests that the system's best experience is achieved by prioritizing resolution over settings. Sticking to 1080p and adjusting the quality preset provides the most control over performance. The Medium preset offers the best balance, but players who are sensitive to frame rate dips should select Low. The High preset is a compromise that may work for less demanding scenes, but it will struggle during large-scale construction projects.