Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build is a city builder where the pace of simulation and the rendering of an ever-growing settlement determine playability. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 and Intel Arc B390 pairing presents a distinct bottleneck profile, with the data showing a CPU that is more than capable of feeding frames while the GPU struggles to keep up at higher resolutions. This analysis breaks down the measured performance across resolutions and settings to show exactly where the limits lie and what the user can expect from this specific combination.

CPU Role — cores, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, running on the AM4 socket. With a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, it is a solid mid-range desktop part. In Steamworld Build, a genre that relies heavily on simulation logic, the CPU's multi-threaded throughput is crucial for maintaining a stable frame rate as the population and infrastructure expand. The processor’s 32 MB of shared L3 cache also helps keep frequently accessed game data close at hand, reducing latency in complex simulation states.

Benchmark data for the Ryzen 5 5600 shows a strong showing in both single and multi-threaded workloads. It scores 2,584 in Cinebench R23 single-core and 18,309 in multi-core, indicating a balanced performance profile. In PassMark, the multithread score of 21,541 and single-thread score of 3,256 reinforce its capability. This is a CPU that sits in the 74th percentile of all tested processors, placing it comfortably above the median. The nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and AMD Ryzen 5 8500G, are within a 0.2% margin of the Ryzen 5 5600's average benchmark score of 20,468, showing that it is a highly competitive part for its class.

When looking at the measured FPS in Steamworld Build, the CPU appears to be more than sufficient for the task. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves 106 FPS average, which is a high frame rate that suggests the CPU is not the primary limiter. Even at 1440p Low, the system still pushes 67 FPS. The fact that the frame rate drops significantly when the resolution increases to 4K (35 FPS at Low) points toward the GPU being the bottleneck, not the CPU. The Ryzen 5 5600's 6 cores and 12 threads are likely enough to handle the simulation overhead, especially since the frame pacing at lower resolutions is consistent. The data indicates that the CPU is providing a solid foundation, but the system’s overall performance is being held back by the graphics solution.

The processor's architecture, built on a 7 nm process, offers efficient power consumption with a 65W TDP, but this is less relevant to in-game results than raw compute. The 3DMark scores for the CPU, such as 5,659 for max threads and 882 for single-thread, show a linear scaling pattern that bodes well for games that can utilize multiple cores. For a city builder like Steamworld Build, where background simulation and pathfinding can utilize multiple threads, the Ryzen 5 5600 is a competent performer. The measured frame rates suggest that users are unlikely to be CPU-bound in this title, especially when compared to the significant frame drops seen as the GPU load increases.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It features 1,536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs, with a boost clock of 2500 MHz. A critical limitation is its memory configuration: it uses "System Shared" memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and relies on the system's main memory for both storage and bandwidth. The bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means performance can vary significantly based on the speed and configuration of the system's DDR4 RAM.

The GPU’s raw compute is modest, with an FP32 throughput of 7.680 TFLOPS. Its benchmark results are quite low; it scores 1,482 in the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is a very low score, indicating that the Arc B390 is positioned at the entry-level of graphics performance. The nearest rivals in the database are the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and GeForce 800M, which are extremely old and low-powered parts. The Arc B390 is only 1.3% and 1.5% faster than these GPUs, respectively, which highlights its limited graphical capabilities.

In the context of Steamworld Build, the GPU is the primary bottleneck. This is evident from the frame rate scaling. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 106 FPS, which is playable. However, as the resolution increases, the frame rate collapses. At 1440p Low, it drops to 67 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 35 FPS. This steep decline is a classic sign of a GPU that is running out of pixel-pushing power and memory bandwidth. The "System Shared" memory is particularly problematic at higher resolutions because the GPU has to compete with the CPU for the same memory pool, and the bandwidth is insufficient for 4K textures and geometry.

The GPU's 24 ROPs and 48 TMUs are simply not enough to handle the fill-rate demands of 4K resolution. The data shows that the Arc B390 is a limiting factor for a game like Steamworld Build at higher display resolutions. While it can manage 1080p at acceptable frame rates, the experience degrades rapidly when the resolution is increased. The performance delta between 1080p and 4K at the same settings is stark, confirming that the Intel Arc B390 is not designed for high-resolution gaming.

Resolution Scaling — how FPS drops from 1080p to 4K and what it says about the limiting component

The measured FPS data shows a clear and consistent pattern of performance degradation as resolution increases, which reveals the system's limiting component. The frame rates drop sharply from 1080p to 4K across all settings, indicating that the GPU is the primary constraint.

• Low Settings: At 1080p, the average FPS is 106. At 1440p, it drops to 67, a 36.8% decrease. At 4K, it falls to 35, which is a 67.0% decrease from 1080p. This massive drop is a strong indicator that the GPU is being overwhelmed by the pixel count.
• Medium Settings: The average FPS at 1080p is 81. This falls to 51 at 1440p (a 37.0% drop) and 27 at 4K (a 66.7% drop from 1080p). The trend is nearly identical to Low settings, showing that the GPU load is scaling directly with resolution.
• High Settings: At 1080p, the average FPS is 60. At 1440p, it is 38 (a 36.7% drop), and at 4K, it is 20 (a 66.7% drop). The pattern remains consistent.
• Ultra Settings: The average FPS at 1080p is 41. It drops to 26 at 1440p (a 36.6% drop) and to 14 at 4K (a 65.9% drop from 1080p).

The consistency of the percentage drops (roughly 37% from 1080p to 1440p, and another ~30% from 1440p to 4K) across all settings is a textbook example of a GPU-bound scenario. If the CPU were the limiting factor, the frame rates would be more consistent across resolutions, as the CPU load is largely independent of resolution. The fact that the frame rate scales almost perfectly with the number of pixels (1080p has ~2.07 million pixels, 1440p has ~3.69 million, and 4K has ~8.29 million) confirms that the Intel Arc B390 is the bottleneck.

This data suggests that the Ryzen 5 5600 is not being fully utilized in this configuration. The CPU is likely capable of producing more frames, but the GPU cannot keep up with the rendering demands. For a city builder, this means that the simulation speed might be fine, but the visual frame rate will suffer at higher resolutions. The system is best suited for 1080p gaming, where the GPU can maintain playable frame rates. Attempting to play at 4K will result in a poor experience, with average FPS dipping below 35 even on Low settings.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 + Intel Arc B390 combination is ranked 2573 out of 2924 tested combos in Steamworld Build. This places it in the 12th percentile of all tested configurations, indicating that it is a low-performing combination overall. The rank reflects the severe GPU bottleneck that limits the system's potential, despite the CPU's respectable performance.

This ranking is consistent with the individual component data. The Arc B390 is in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, which is extremely low, and its presence in the system drags down the overall combo ranking. The Ryzen 5 5600 is in the 74th percentile of CPUs, which is good, but the GPU's weakness dominates the final result. The combo rank suggests that there are many other CPU-GPU pairings that would deliver a significantly better experience in this game.

The data shows that this combo is not well-suited for high-fidelity gaming. The low rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's limitations, and it highlights the fact that the system is heavily imbalanced in favor of the CPU. For users looking to play Steamworld Build, this combo will provide a playable experience only at 1080p with lower settings. The ranking serves as a warning that the Intel Arc B390 is a significant bottleneck that prevents the Ryzen 5 5600 from delivering its full potential in this title. The performance is far below what would be considered a smooth or high-end experience, and the combo sits near the bottom of the database for this game.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows that 1080p is the most viable option. At 1080p Low, the average FPS is 106, and at High, it is 60. At 1440p, the frame rates drop to 67 (Low) and 38 (High), while 4K performance is poor, with a maximum average of 35 FPS on Low.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck for this combo?

A: The GPU is the primary bottleneck. The frame rates scale heavily with resolution, dropping by roughly 67% from 1080p to 4K across all settings. The CPU is a capable part (74th percentile), but the Intel Arc B390 (9th percentile) cannot keep up with the rendering load.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Arc B390 has an average benchmark score of 1,482. It is only 1.3% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and 2.7% faster than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710, indicating it is extremely close in performance to these low-end, legacy GPUs.

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

A: At 1080p, the average FPS on Low settings is 106. On Ultra settings, it drops to 41. This represents a 61.3% decrease in performance when moving from the lowest to the highest preset.

Q: Does this combo have any chance of running 4K smoothly?

A: No. The data shows that at 4K, the average FPS is 35 on Low, 27 on Medium, 20 on High, and 14 on Ultra. These frame rates are far below the standard for smooth gameplay, making 4K an unplayable experience for this game with this hardware.

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 5600 a weak CPU for this game?

A: No, the data suggests it is not. The Ryzen 5 5600 sits in the 74th percentile of all CPUs and has a strong multi-core score of 18,309 in Cinebench R23. The frame rate drops are consistent with a GPU bottleneck, not a CPU one.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS rows, the optimal experience for this combo is clearly at 1080p. The data shows that the system can handle High settings at 1080p with an average of 60 FPS, which is a solid target for a city builder. This setting provides a good balance between visual quality and smooth performance, avoiding the simulation lag that can occur at lower frame rates.

For users who prioritize a higher frame rate over visual fidelity, the Low preset at 1080p delivers an average of 106 FPS. This is ideal for keeping the simulation running at maximum speed, which can be beneficial in a game where time management is key. The Medium preset at 1080p strikes a middle ground at 81 FPS, but the visual improvement over Low may not be worth the frame rate cost.

Playing at 1440p is possible but only with the Low preset, which yields 67 FPS. The High preset at 1440p drops to 38 FPS, which is borderline playable but may feel sluggish during heavy simulation moments. The Ultra preset at any resolution is not recommended, as it produces frame rates of 41 FPS at 1080p and drops to 14 FPS at 4K. The data clearly indicates that the best experience is achieved by sticking to 1080p and selecting either Low for maximum fluidity or High for a balanced visual presentation. The 4K resolution should be avoided entirely, as even the Low preset fails to reach a playable frame rate.