Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build is a city builder where simulation depth matters more than raw graphical spectacle, but the data shows this specific pairing of an Intel Core i5-10400F and an Intel Arc B390 lands near the bottom of the tested combos. With a combo rank of 2573 out of 2924, this system is positioned in the lower 12th percentile of all tested hardware pairings for this title. This is a configuration that will run the game, but it requires careful settings management to deliver a playable experience, especially if you are targeting higher resolutions. The benchmark results indicate a system that is heavily constrained by the graphics processor, so your approach to settings will define whether this feels like a functional build or a frustrating one.

How This Combo Ranks

The overall standing of this combo is weak. Ranking 2573 out of 2924 tested combinations places it firmly in the bottom tier for Steamworld Build performance. This does not mean the game is unplayable, but it signals that you are working with a significant hardware deficit that must be offset by lowering graphical demands. The data shows that the Intel Arc B390 is the primary bottleneck; its average benchmark score of 1482 places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is a stark contrast to the CPU, which sits in the 68th percentile. The system's overall rank is a direct reflection of the GPU's inability to keep pace with the CPU's processing capability in this context.

Benchmark results indicate that the Arc B390 is not just underperforming; it is operating in a category with legacy hardware. The GPU's nearest rivals in the database include the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX and the NVIDIA GeForce 800M, with the Intel part scoring 1.3% and 1.5% higher respectively. This puts the B390 in a performance class that predates modern gaming expectations. When compared to the CPU's nearest rivals, the disparity is clear. The Core i5-10400F trades blows with server and mobile chips like the Intel Xeon 6756E and the Intel Core 7 160UL, with deltas of 0.2% and -0.3% respectively. This indicates a CPU that is competitive in its segment, but the GPU is not. The practical result is a system where the processor is ready to deliver frames, but the graphics card cannot render them fast enough.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is the decisive factor in this combo's performance, and the numbers are not flattering. Its 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 1482, which places it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. This is a very low score, and the nearest rival data confirms it is competing with entry-level parts from over a decade ago. The GPU's architecture is Xe3-LPG on a 3 nm process, featuring 1536 shading units, 48 TMUs, and 24 ROPs. While these specifications sound modern, the benchmark data shows the execution is not there for demanding titles. The pixel rate is 60.00 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 120.0 GTexel/s, but these theoretical figures do not translate into playable frame rates at higher settings.

The memory configuration is a critical weakness. The B390 uses System Shared memory, meaning it has no dedicated VRAM and relies on the system's main memory. This is a major disadvantage for a game like Steamworld Build, which needs to manage large amounts of simulation data and textures as your city grows. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means performance can vary wildly based on your system RAM configuration. The data shows this is a severe limitation. At 1080p Low, the combo manages 106 FPS, but at 1080p Ultra, it drops to 41 FPS. This steep drop-off indicates that the GPU runs out of memory bandwidth or capacity quickly when settings are increased, causing a significant performance penalty. The GPU's boost clock is 2500 MHz, but without dedicated memory, it cannot sustain high performance under load.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of what settings are viable. At 1920x1080, the Low preset delivers an average of 106 FPS, which is excellent for a city builder. The Medium preset still offers a playable 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 FPS. However, the High preset drops to 60 FPS, which is borderline for a game where frame pacing can affect the smoothness of scrolling around your city. The Ultra preset is not recommended, as it drops to 41 FPS, which will feel sluggish. For the best experience at 1080p, the Medium preset is the sweet spot. It offers a significant visual upgrade over Low while maintaining a comfortable frame rate in the 69-93 FPS range.

Moving to 2560x1440, the situation becomes more demanding. The Low preset yields 67 FPS, which is still playable. The Medium preset drops to 51 FPS, with a minimum of 44 FPS, which is acceptable but not ideal. High settings at 1440p produce 38 FPS, which is too low for a smooth experience. At 3840x2160, the data suggests this combo is not suited for 4K gaming. Even the Low preset only manages 35 FPS, and the Medium preset drops to 27 FPS. The Ultra preset is a slideshow at 14 FPS. The data clearly indicates that 1080p is the target resolution for this combo. For the best balance of visual quality and performance, use the Medium preset at 1920x1080. If you prioritize a high frame rate above all else, the Low preset provides a very smooth 106 FPS.

FAQ

Q: Can this combo run Steamworld Build at 4K resolution?

A: Technically, yes, but it is not a playable experience. The data shows that at 3840x2160, even the Low preset only achieves an average of 35 FPS. The Medium preset drops to 27 FPS, and the Ultra preset is unplayable at 14 FPS. This system is not designed for 4K gaming in this title.

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU and GPU pairing?

A: The data strongly suggests 1920x1080 is the optimal resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset reaches 106 FPS, and the Medium preset maintains a solid 81 FPS. Moving to 1440p results in a significant performance drop, with the Low preset only hitting 67 FPS.

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

A: The B390 is only marginally faster than very old entry-level GPUs. In the database, it scores 1.3% higher than the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, 1.5% higher than the GeForce 800M, and 2.5% higher than the GeForce GT 625 OEM. This places it in a very low performance tier.

Q: Is the CPU holding back the GPU in this test?

A: No, the data indicates the opposite. The Core i5-10400F has an average benchmark score of 14185 and is in the 68th percentile of all CPUs, which is respectable. The GPU is in the 9th percentile. The frame rates are limited by the GPU, not the CPU.

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

A: The performance cost is substantial. The Low preset delivers 106 FPS, while the Ultra preset delivers only 41 FPS. This is a 65 FPS difference, making the Ultra preset feel much less responsive. The Medium preset offers a compromise at 81 FPS.

Q: Does the Intel Arc B390 have dedicated video memory?

A: No, the memory size, type, and bus width are all listed as "System Shared." This means it uses system RAM instead of dedicated VRAM, which is a major performance bottleneck for modern games.

Resolution Scaling

The frame rate scaling from 1080p to 4K highlights the GPU's severe limitations. At the Medium preset, the FPS drops from 81 at 1920x1080 to 51 at 2560x1440, and then down to 27 at 3840x2160. This is a dramatic decline. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is a 37% reduction, and the drop from 1440p to 4K is another 47% reduction. This pattern indicates that the system is almost entirely GPU-bound. A more balanced system would show a smaller performance hit when increasing resolution, but the Arc B390 cannot handle the increased pixel count.

The data at the Low preset reinforces this conclusion. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 106 FPS. At 1440p Low, it drops to 67 FPS, and at 4K Low, it falls to 35 FPS. The scaling is nearly linear, which is a hallmark of a GPU that is running out of memory bandwidth and shading power. The CPU is not the limiting factor here because if it were, the frame rates would stay more consistent across resolutions. This scaling behavior tells you that lowering the resolution is the most effective way to gain performance. The 1080p results are the only ones that offer a consistently playable experience, and the 4K results are only useful for screenshots, not actual gameplay.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a solid mid-range processor that is far more capable than the GPU it is paired with. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it has enough processing power to handle the simulation and AI logic in Steamworld Build. The base clock is 2.90 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.30 GHz, which provides decent single-thread performance for game logic. The CPU's benchmark scores support this. In Cinebench R23, it scores 10283 in multicore and 1451 in single-core. In PassMark, it achieves a multithread score of 12115 and a single-thread score of 2541. The CPU's average benchmark score is 14185, which places it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs.

The CPU's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6756E, which has a delta of 0.2%, and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320C, which is 0.6% slower. This shows that the i5-10400F is competitive with a wide range of other processors. However, in this specific game, the CPU's performance is irrelevant because the GPU cannot deliver enough frames. The data shows that the CPU is not the bottleneck. If you were to pair this CPU with a more powerful GPU, you would likely see much higher frame rates. The 65W TDP and 12 MB of shared L3 cache are adequate for gaming, but the system is held back by the graphics solution. The CPU is waiting for the GPU to finish rendering, so its high benchmark scores are not translating into higher FPS in this configuration.