Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder that leans on CPU simulation and GPU rendering, shows a wide performance spread when paired with the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F and Intel Arc B390. The data reveals a system that is fundamentally limited by its graphics processor, especially at higher resolutions, but which can deliver playable frame rates when settings are tuned appropriately. The benchmark results indicate a configuration that sits near the bottom of the tested combos for this title, though its CPU component is far more capable than the GPU, creating a significant bottleneck that shapes every performance figure in this analysis.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall rank of this CPU and GPU combination in Steamworld Build?

A: The combo ranks 2573 out of 2924 tested combinations, placing it in the 12th percentile of all systems tested for this game. This indicates that the vast majority of other hardware pairings will outperform it.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of raw GPU benchmark scores?

A: The Arc B390's average benchmark score is 1482, which is 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463) and 2.7% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 (1443). These are extremely close scores, placing the B390 in the same performance tier as these older, entry-level discrete GPUs.

Q: What is the best average frame rate achieved by this system at 1920x1080 resolution?

A: At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 106 FPS. This is the highest frame rate recorded across all tested resolutions and settings. Dropping to Medium settings yields 81 FPS, and High settings produce 60 FPS.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 2560x1440 resolution?

A: At 2560x1440, the system averages 67 FPS on Low settings. Moving to Ultra settings drops the average frame rate to 26 FPS, representing a 61% reduction in performance. The jump from Low to Medium also results in a significant drop, down to 51 FPS.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F a high-performing processor relative to other CPUs?

A: Yes, the data shows the CPU has a percentile ranking of 83 versus all CPUs, indicating it outperforms 83% of processors in the database. Its average benchmark score is 32750, which is 0.1% higher than the Intel Core i5-14600T and 0.2% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H.

Q: Does the system achieve a playable 60 FPS average at 4K resolution?

A: No. At 3840x2160, the highest average frame rate achieved is 35 FPS on Low settings. High, Medium, and Ultra settings yield 20, 27, and 14 FPS respectively, all of which are well below the 60 FPS target.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 serves as the primary bottleneck in this configuration for Steamworld Build. Its benchmark data shows a modest 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score of 1482, which places it at the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This score is remarkably close to its nearest rivals—the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX (1463), GeForce 800M (1460), GT 625 OEM (1446), and GT 710 (1443)—all of which are separated by a deltaPct of less than 3%. This places the B390 firmly in the entry-level performance bracket, suggesting it is designed for basic tasks rather than demanding gaming workloads.

The GPU's memory configuration is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the host system's RAM rather than dedicated VRAM. Its memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means the performance is directly tied to the speed and configuration of the system's main memory. This can be a limiting factor in a city builder like Steamworld Build, where texture streaming and asset loading can be memory-intensive. The GPU's clocks are set at a base of 300 MHz and a boost of 2500 MHz, but the shared memory architecture likely prevents the GPU from sustaining high performance under load.

The impact of this GPU is evident in the measured FPS data. At 3840x2160, the GPU struggles to maintain fluid motion, with average frame rates ranging from 14 FPS on Ultra to 35 FPS on Low. Even at 2560x1440, the performance is limited, with the Ultra preset only achieving 26 FPS. The scaling between settings is consistent with a GPU that is reaching its computational limits. The data shows that dropping from Ultra to Medium at 1440p improves the average FPS by 25 frames (from 26 to 51), which is a substantial gain, but the system still cannot reach a 60 FPS average at this resolution on any setting other than Low.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F is a much stronger component in this pairing. It features 6 cores and 12 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. This processor is part of the 7000 series and has a 32 MB shared L3 cache. Its benchmark performance is substantial, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21765 and a single-core score of 3072. The PassMark multi-thread score is 25645, and its average benchmark score of 32750 places it at the 83rd percentile of all CPUs.

In the context of Steamworld Build, a simulation-heavy genre, the CPU's multi-core prowess is critical. The game must track numerous entities, resources, and worker paths, which relies heavily on single-thread performance for game logic and multi-thread performance for simulation updates. The Ryzen 5 7400F's strong single-core score (309 in Cinebench R15, 1290 in R20) indicates it can handle the primary game loop efficiently, while its multi-core scores (2193 in R15, 9141 in R20) show it has ample headroom for background simulation tasks.

The data shows that the CPU is not the limiting factor in most scenarios. For example, at 1920x1080 with Low settings, the system achieves 106 FPS, but at 3840x2160 with Low settings, it only reaches 35 FPS. This drastic drop with an identical CPU workload points directly to the GPU being the bottleneck. The CPU is capable of feeding the GPU with data, but the Arc B390 cannot render frames fast enough at higher resolutions. This is a classic case of a high-end CPU being paired with a low-end GPU, resulting in a system where the graphics card prevents the processor from showing its full potential in this game.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2573 out of 2924 tested combinations for Steamworld Build. This places it in the bottom 12% of all systems, a position that aligns with the GPU's lowly 9th percentile ranking. The CPU's high percentile (83) does little to boost the overall combo rank because the GPU's weak performance dominates the outcome in this graphics-intensive title.

The disparity between the CPU and GPU performance creates a unique situation. While the Ryzen 5 7400F is a top-tier processor in terms of average benchmark score, the Arc B390 is in the same league as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710. The combo rank reflects the reality that a system is only as strong as its weakest link for gaming. In this case, the GPU's inability to render frames at higher resolutions drags the entire system down to the bottom of the rankings.

The data suggests that this pairing is poorly balanced for Steamworld Build. The CPU has the processing power to handle the simulation aspects of the game with ease, but the GPU cannot keep up with the rendering demands. This results in a system that is severely bottlenecked, and the combo rank of 2573 out of 2924 accurately reflects the overall gaming experience, which will be characterized by low frame rates and the need to compromise heavily on visual settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how this system performs across different resolutions and settings. At 3840x2160, the results are consistently poor. The Ultra preset yields an average of 14 FPS, which is unplayable. High settings improve this to 20 FPS, but it is still a stuttery experience. Medium settings provide an average of 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 and maximum of 31 FPS, showing some frame pacing issues. The Low preset is the only option that approaches playability, with an average of 35 FPS, but it still falls short of a smooth 60 FPS target.

At 2560x1440, the situation improves slightly. The Ultra preset averages 26 FPS, which is still below the threshold for smooth gameplay. High settings yield 38 FPS, and Medium settings reach an average of 51 FPS, with a minimum of 44 and maximum of 59 FPS. This is the first resolution where the Medium preset approaches a playable range, though it is not consistently smooth. The Low preset is the only one that breaks the 60 FPS barrier, with an average of 67 FPS, making it the recommended choice for a fluid experience at this resolution.

At 1920x1080, the system shows its best performance. The Low preset delivers an excellent average of 106 FPS, which is more than enough for a smooth experience. The Medium preset also performs well, with an average of 81 FPS and a minimum of 69 and maximum of 93 FPS, indicating stable frame times. The High preset achieves an average of 60 FPS, which is exactly at the target for many players. The Ultra preset, however, falls to an average of 41 FPS, which is noticeably less smooth than the other settings. This shows that the GPU can handle the game at 1080p with lower settings, but it still struggles with the highest visual fidelity.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this system in Steamworld Build is at 1920x1080 resolution. The data shows that the Medium preset offers an excellent balance of visual quality and performance, with an average of 81 FPS and a minimum of 69 FPS. This ensures a smooth and stable experience without sacrificing too much in terms of graphical fidelity. The High preset is also viable, with an average of 60 FPS, but it has less headroom for demanding scenes, which could result in occasional dips below the average.

For players who prioritize frame rate above all else, the Low preset at 1920x1080 provides a very high average of 106 FPS, ensuring the game runs exceptionally smoothly. However, this comes at the cost of reduced visual detail. The Ultra preset at 1080p is not recommended, as the average of 41 FPS is too low for a comfortable experience in a city builder, where camera movement and constant map updates can cause noticeable stutter.

At higher resolutions, the system is not suitable for a smooth experience. At 2560x1440, the only viable option is the Low preset, which averages 67 FPS. The Medium preset at 51 FPS is borderline, but the minimum of 44 FPS suggests it will feel inconsistent. At 3840x2160, none of the presets provide a playable experience, as even the Low preset only averages 35 FPS. The data strongly indicates that users should stick to 1920x1080 to get the best performance from this hardware combination in Steamworld Build.