Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder from late 2023, places unique demands on hardware, favoring strong single-thread performance for simulation logic while remaining relatively light on GPU resources. The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 paired with the Intel Arc B370 is a combination that lands in the lower tier of tested systems, securing a rank of 2683 out of 2924 combos. This places it in the bottom 10% of all tested configurations for this specific game. The data indicates that while the CPU is a capable mid-range part, the integrated-class GPU becomes the primary bottleneck, preventing the system from achieving smooth frame rates at higher settings. Benchmark results show that this combo is best suited for 1080p gaming with lowered graphical presets, where it can deliver playable performance, but it struggles significantly at higher resolutions and with demanding settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The benchmark data places the Ryzen 5 7600 + Arc B370 combination at rank 2683 out of 2924 tested combos for Steamworld Build. This is a low ranking, placing the system in the 8th percentile of all tested configurations. The performance is heavily constrained by the GPU, which has a percentile rank of just 5 compared to all other GPUs. The CPU, by contrast, is a much stronger component, with a percentile rank of 78. This wide discrepancy in component capability is the defining characteristic of this combo.

The system's overall performance is dragged down by the GPU's limitations. The Arc B370's average benchmark score is 1184, which is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, all of which are older, low-powered parts. The data shows it performs nearly identically to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, with a delta of -0.2%, and is only 1.4% faster than the AMD FirePro M2000. These are all legacy parts, underscoring that the B370 is positioned at the very entry level of graphics performance. In the context of Steamworld Build, this rank means users should expect to play at lower resolutions and with reduced graphical fidelity to get a playable experience, as the hardware is not designed for high-end city building with all the visual bells and whistles enabled.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the decisive factor in this combo's performance, acting as the primary bottleneck. It is an integrated graphics processor (IGP) based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, with a 25 W TDP. The GPU has 1280 shading units, 40 texture mapping units, and 20 raster output units, with a boost clock of 2400 MHz. Its memory is "System Shared," meaning it relies on the system's DDR5 RAM, and its bandwidth is "System Dependent." This reliance on shared system memory is a significant limitation for a game like Steamworld Build, which can have many assets and textures to manage as the city grows.

In terms of raw compute, the Arc B370 offers 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance and a pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s. While these numbers are not insignificant, the GPU's low percentile rank of 5 and its benchmark score of 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 place it in the same performance tier as decade-old discrete GPUs like the ATI Radeon HD 5770. The data clearly shows that this GPU is not designed for high-resolution gaming. The measured frame rates in Steamworld Build confirm this, with the combo failing to hit 30 FPS at 4K on High settings and only managing 12 FPS at the Ultra preset. The GPU's performance is the ceiling for this system; no matter how capable the CPU is, the frame rate will be dictated by what this integrated solution can render.

CPU Role

The AMD Ryzen 5 7600 is a mid-range desktop processor from the 7000 series, based on the Zen 4 architecture. It provides 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The CPU has 32 MB of shared L3 cache and supports DDR5 memory. Its benchmark scores are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12735 and a single-core score of 1852. Its average benchmark score of 26324 places it in the 78th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals are a mix of mobile and older desktop parts, with the Ryzen 5 7600 performing 0.2% better than the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX and 0.4% better than the Intel Core i9-11900KF.

This level of CPU performance is more than sufficient for Steamworld Build. The game's simulation and logic typically rely on strong single-thread performance, where the 7600 excels, and its 6 cores are enough for the game's multithreaded tasks. The CPU is not the limiting factor in this combo. The benchmark data suggests that the CPU is many times more powerful than the GPU in relative terms. While the GPU is in the 5th percentile, the CPU is in the 78th. This means that in any gaming scenario, the CPU will be waiting on the GPU to finish rendering frames, leaving significant performance on the table. The Ryzen 5 7600 is a component that could handle much more demanding graphics cards, but in this pairing, its potential is untapped.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured frame rates for this combo show a clear pattern of performance degradation as resolution and settings increase. The data provides a comprehensive look at what users can expect.

At 1920x1080, the system offers its best results. The Low preset yields an average of 95 FPS, which is very smooth and well above the threshold for comfortable play. The Medium preset averages 73 FPS, with a minimum of 62 and a maximum of 84 FPS, providing a solid experience. The High preset drops to an average of 55 FPS, which is still playable but less fluid. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, averaging only 37 FPS, which is borderline for a city builder where camera movement can make lower frame rates feel choppy.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance takes a significant hit. The Low preset averages 61 FPS, which is still playable. The Medium preset averages 46 FPS, with a min of 39 and max of 53, which is a noticeable step down. The High preset drops to 35 FPS, which begins to feel less responsive. The Ultra preset is not playable, with an average of only 23 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the system is out of its depth. The Low preset manages an average of 32 FPS, which is at the edge of playability. The Medium preset averages 25 FPS, with a min of 21 and max of 28, which is a stuttery experience. The High preset drops to 18 FPS, and the Ultra preset is a slideshow at 12 FPS. The data shows that this combo is only a viable option for 1080p gaming, and even then, users will need to stick to Medium or High settings to get a consistently smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 + Intel Arc B370 good for playing Steamworld Build at 4K?

A: No. The measured data shows the system is not capable of 4K gaming in this title. At 4K, the average frame rates are 32 FPS on Low, 25 FPS on Medium, 18 FPS on High, and 12 FPS on Ultra. These are all below the threshold for a smooth experience.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for this system?

A: The data indicates that 1920x1080 with Medium settings provides the best balance, with an average of 73 FPS and a minimum of 62 FPS. The Low preset is also excellent, averaging 95 FPS. For a better visual experience, the High preset at 1080p averages 55 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its nearest rivals in terms of raw performance?

A: The GPU's benchmark score is 1184. It performs nearly identically to the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570, with a delta of -0.2%, and is only 1.4% faster than the AMD FirePro M2000. It is slower than the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which is 0.5% faster.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck for this combination?

A: The GPU is the clear bottleneck. The Intel Arc B370 has a percentile rank of 5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7600 has a percentile rank of 78. The CPU's performance is far superior, meaning the frame rate is limited by the integrated graphics.

Q: Can this system achieve 60 FPS in Steamworld Build?

A: Yes, but only at 1080p with lower settings. The measured average FPS is 95 on Low and 73 on Medium. At 1440p, only the Low preset comes close, with an average of 61 FPS.

Q: What is the overall ranking of this combo among all tested systems for this game?

A: The combo ranks 2683 out of 2924 tested configurations. This places it in the lower echelon of systems, performing better than only 241 other tested combos.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides a clear guide for the optimal settings for this hardware combo. The primary goal is to maintain a frame rate that is consistently smooth for a city builder, which generally means staying above 50-60 FPS.

For users with a 1080p monitor, the Medium preset is the recommended choice. It delivers an average of 73 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS, ensuring a fluid experience without significant drops. The Low preset offers a higher average of 95 FPS, which could be preferred for maximum smoothness, but the visual downgrade is considerable. The High preset, with an average of 55 FPS, is acceptable for those who prioritize visual fidelity, but the lower minimum frame rates could be noticeable during fast camera pans. The Ultra preset should be avoided, as the 37 FPS average is not a comfortable experience.

At 2560x1440, the options are more limited. The Low preset, with an average of 61 FPS, is the only setting that provides a consistently playable experience. The Medium preset, averaging 46 FPS, is usable but may feel slightly less responsive. The High and Ultra presets, at 35 and 23 FPS respectively, are not recommended for a smooth experience.

For 3840x2160, the system should not be used for gaming. Even the Low preset, which averages 32 FPS, falls below the standard for comfortable play. The data suggests that this resolution is not viable for this combo. The best experience is definitively at 1920x1080 with the Medium preset, which offers the best compromise between visual quality and performance.