Steamworld Build

SteamWorld Build is a city builder that can scale from casual frame rates to demanding loads depending on how the user configures the graphics settings. This analysis examines the measured performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 across three resolutions and four quality presets. The data shows a configuration that is highly capable at lower resolutions, but one that requires careful settings management to maintain smooth gameplay at 4K. The benchmark results are measured, not estimated, providing a concrete look at what this specific hardware combination delivers.

How This Combo Ranks

Based on the aggregate data for this game, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination ranks at position 956 out of 1730 tested combos. This places the pairing in the middle of the pack, indicating that while it is not at the top tier of performance, it is far from the bottom. The rank suggests a balanced system that handles the game's default expectations adequately, but the measured FPS data reveals that the experience is heavily dependent on the chosen settings.

This mid-pack ranking is consistent with the individual component standings. The CPU sits at the 86th percentile among all tested processors, which is a strong position. Its average benchmark score of 29774 is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, including the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE (deltaPct 0.1) and the AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS (deltaPct -0.3). This indicates the processor is performing exactly as expected for its class. The GPU, however, sits at the 66th percentile among all tested graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 23181. Its closest rival, the AMD Radeon RX 6600M, is only 0.6% behind, while the Intel Arc B580 is 0.7% faster. This puts the RTX 4060 in a solid, but not exceptional, position in the GPU hierarchy.

The combination of a top-tier CPU and a mid-range GPU suggests that the system is not entirely balanced for this title. The CPU has ample headroom, while the GPU is likely the primary bottleneck in more demanding scenarios. This is a common dynamic in city builders, where simulation logic can be CPU-intensive, but the rendering load falls squarely on the graphics card. The overall rank of 956 out of 1730 reflects this dynamic, positioning the combo as a dependable, but not dominant, performer in SteamWorld Build.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the determining factor for visual fidelity in this configuration. It comes equipped with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, yielding a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. This memory configuration is a key specification for a city builder, as these games often have numerous textures and objects on screen. The GPU's boost clock of 2460 MHz helps drive its 15.11 TFLOPS of FP32 performance, which is sufficient for the game's art style at most settings.

The data shows that the GPU's performance is the limiting factor at higher settings. For instance, at 1080p, the frame rate drops from 227.1 FPS on Low to 84.5 FPS on Ultra. This significant reduction is a direct result of the increased load on the GPU's shading units and memory. The transition from Medium to High at 1080p (174.3 to 129.8 FPS) shows a clear performance cost for each incremental increase in visual quality. This pattern is consistent across all resolutions, confirming that the GPU is the component that dictates the frame rate ceiling.

The RTX 4060's 8 GB of VRAM is sufficient for the tested presets, but the frame rate drops at 4K Ultra suggest that the GPU is working at its limits. The performance dip from 45.8 FPS at 4K High to 31.1 FPS at 4K Ultra indicates that the most demanding settings place a heavy burden on the graphics processor. The GPU's transistor count of 18,900 million and its 5 nm process node provide the underlying efficiency, but the physical limits of the AD107 chip are evident in the most extreme scenarios. The data indicates that while the GPU is capable, it is not over-provisioned for the highest settings at high resolutions.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear and predictable scaling pattern as resolution increases. At 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves 227.1 FPS, which drops to 146.1 FPS at 1440p and further to 77.4 FPS at 4K. This scaling shows that the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU at lower resolutions, but the GPU becomes the limiting factor as pixel count rises. The difference between 1080p and 1440p at Low settings is a reduction of 81 FPS, which is a substantial 35.7% decrease. The drop from 1440p to 4K is another 68.7 FPS, a 47% decrease.

This pattern is consistent across all settings presets. At High settings, the frame rate goes from 129.8 FPS at 1080p to 80.6 FPS at 1440p, and finally to 45.8 FPS at 4K. The scaling factor is not linear, with the gap between 1080p and 1440p being smaller than the gap between 1440p and 4K. This is because the pixel count more than doubles when moving to 4K, placing a proportionally larger load on the GPU. The data indicates a system that is very responsive at 1080p, capable at 1440p, and only playable at 4K with lower settings.

The limiting component is clearly the GPU. At 1080p, the CPU is likely not fully utilized, allowing the GPU to operate at its maximum potential. As the resolution increases, the GPU's fill rate and memory bandwidth become the primary constraints. The 4K Ultra result of 31.1 FPS is a stark illustration of this, showing that the GPU is completely saturated. The benchmark results indicate that for a smooth 60 FPS experience at 4K, the user would need to reduce the settings to Low, which achieves 77.4 FPS, or accept a high but not perfectly fluid frame rate at Medium.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive look at the system's performance across all twelve tested configurations.

1920x1080: This is where the combo shines. At Low settings, the system produces 227.1 FPS, which is exceptionally high. Medium settings yield 174.3 FPS, while High settings deliver 129.8 FPS. Even at Ultra, the system maintains 84.5 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay. This resolution offers a wide range of options, allowing the user to prioritize frame rate or visual quality without any worry about performance.

2560x1440: At 1440p, the performance remains strong. Low settings produce 146.1 FPS, which is excellent for a high-refresh-rate monitor. Medium settings are still very fluid at 108.6 FPS. High settings drop to 80.6 FPS, which is playable and smooth for most users. The Ultra preset, however, falls to 55.1 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. This resolution offers a good balance between visual fidelity and frame rate, with High settings being a sweet spot.

3840x2160: At 4K, the GPU is heavily taxed. Low settings are the only option that provides a consistently smooth experience, with an average of 77.4 FPS. Medium settings drop to 58.2 FPS, which is playable but may show some stutter in busy scenes. High settings produce 45.8 FPS, which is a marginal experience for a city builder where the camera can pan across large areas. Ultra settings are the most demanding, resulting in 31.1 FPS, which is not recommended for a comfortable experience. The data clearly shows that 4K gaming with this GPU requires significant compromises.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run SteamWorld Build at 1080p with high settings for a competitive frame rate?

A: Yes. The measured data shows an average of 129.8 FPS at 1920x1080 with High settings. This is well above the standard for smooth gameplay and leaves headroom for more demanding scenes.

Q: What is the best quality preset for 1440p gaming?

A: The data indicates that High settings at 2560x1440 provide an average of 80.6 FPS. This offers a strong balance between visual quality and performance, keeping the frame rate above 60 FPS.

Q: Is 4K gaming viable with this hardware?

A: It is possible with limitations. The only preset that achieves a high average frame rate is Low, with 77.4 FPS. Medium settings at 58.2 FPS are playable, but High and Ultra settings fall below 46 FPS, which is not ideal.

Q: How much performance is lost when moving from 1080p to 4K at Ultra settings?

A: The average frame rate drops from 84.5 FPS at 1080p Ultra to 31.1 FPS at 4K Ultra. This is a reduction of 53.4 FPS, or roughly 63% of the 1080p performance.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this configuration for this game?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the limiting factor. At lower resolutions, the frame rates are extremely high, indicating the CPU is not a constraint. As resolution increases, the frame rate drops significantly, which is a classic sign of GPU limitation.

Q: Does the RTX 4060's 8 GB of VRAM cause any issues in this game?

A: Based on the measured data, there are no specific indicators of VRAM-related stuttering. The performance scales predictably with resolution and settings, which suggests the memory capacity is not causing a sudden performance collapse.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend entirely on the user's target resolution and preference for frame rate versus visual fidelity.

For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. At 84.5 FPS, it provides a smooth experience with the highest visual quality. Users with high refresh rate monitors (144Hz or above) can comfortably use the High preset to achieve 129.8 FPS, or even Medium for 174.3 FPS, if they prefer maximum responsiveness.

For 2560x1440, the High preset is the best balance. The 80.6 FPS average is smooth and looks significantly better than Medium. The Ultra preset at 55.1 FPS is an option for users who prioritize visuals and can tolerate a lower frame rate, but for most users, High is the recommended choice for a fluid experience.

For 3840x2160, the options are more constrained. The Medium preset at 58.2 FPS is the highest quality setting that remains playable, but it may not be consistently smooth. The Low preset at 77.4 FPS is the safest choice for a stable experience. The Ultra preset at 31.1 FPS is not recommended for general play, as it will likely feel sluggish during camera movements.

The data points to High settings at 1440p as the overall best experience for this hardware, offering a strong mix of visual detail and performance. The system is powerful enough to handle the game easily at lower resolutions, but users should be prepared to dial back settings significantly when gaming at 4K.