Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder released in late 2023, presents an interesting scenario for the Intel Core i5-10400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination. The data shows a system that is clearly capable of high frame rates, but the relationship between the CPU, GPU, and resolution reveals where the bottlenecks lie. The measured FPS values across different settings and resolutions provide a clear picture of a mid-range pairing that excels at 1080p and 1440p, but struggles to maintain smooth performance at 4K with maxed-out settings.

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

The Intel Core i5-10400F is a 6-core, 12-thread processor based on the Comet Lake architecture. It has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. In a city builder like Steamworld Build, which involves simulating populations, resource chains, and a living world, the CPU is critical for game logic and entity updates. The data shows that this processor handles the workload well, as evidenced by the high frame rates at lower resolutions. For instance, at 1080p with Low settings, the system achieves an average of 225.6 FPS, a number so high that it suggests the CPU is not the limiting factor at that point.

The 12 MB of shared L3 cache and the dual-channel DDR4 memory support (with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s) provide a solid foundation for feeding the GPU. The processor's benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10297 and a single-core score of 1453, place it in the 73rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals in the benchmark database include the AMD EPYC 7552 and the Intel Core i5-8500, with the i5-10400F scoring 0.4% higher than the former and 1.1% lower than the latter. This indicates that while not a top-tier performer, it is a competent mid-range chip that is well-matched with a mid-range GPU.

The benchmark results imply that the CPU's 6 cores are sufficient for Steamworld Build's threading model. The scaling from 2-thread to 8-thread scores in the 3DMark tests (1350 to 3929) shows it can utilize additional cores, but the marginal gain from 8 threads to max threads (3929 to 4735) suggests diminishing returns, which is typical for games that may not fully scale beyond a certain core count. For this title, the i5-10400F appears to provide enough processing power to drive high frame rates, especially when the graphical load is light.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is the primary engine for rendering the game's visuals. It is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 272.0 GB/s. The GPU has a base clock of 1830 MHz and a boost clock of 2460 MHz. Its 3072 shading units and 48 ROPs are responsible for pixel output, and the 24 RT cores and 96 tensor cores provide hardware acceleration for ray tracing and DLSS, though the measured FPS data does not specify whether these features are enabled.

The GPU's role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 1080p, the frame rates are exceptionally high, even at Ultra settings (85.3 FPS). This suggests the GPU is not the primary bottleneck, as the CPU can feed it enough data. However, as we move to 4K, the GPU's workload increases significantly. The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a point of interest. While it is sufficient for many titles at 1080p and 1440p, the high-resolution textures and effects in Steamworld Build at 4K could potentially push memory usage to its limits, though the data does not directly confirm this.

The RTX 4060's benchmark standing places it in the 66th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 23181. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Radeon RX 6600M, which it trails by 0.6%, and the Intel Arc B580, which it leads by 0.7%. This data positions the RTX 4060 as a solid performer, but not an exceptional one. In Steamworld Build, its performance is strong, but the significant drop in FPS at 4K Ultra settings (30.5 FPS) highlights the GPU's limitations under extreme load.

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

The measured FPS data provides a clear illustration of how the system scales across resolutions. At High settings, the average frame rate drops from 126.6 FPS at 1080p to 81.4 FPS at 1440p, and then to 43 FPS at 4K. This is a predictable pattern where the GPU becomes more stressed with each increase in pixel count. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is a 35.7% reduction, while the drop from 1440p to 4K is a more severe 47.2% reduction. This steepening decline indicates that the GPU is becoming the limiting factor at higher resolutions.

Comparing the Low settings data points to this trend is revealing. At 1080p Low, the system hits 225.6 FPS, but at 4K Low, it still manages 72.7 FPS. The performance reduction from 1080p to 4K at Low settings is 67.8%, which is less steep than the drop seen at High settings (66.0%). This suggests that at lower settings, the CPU and GPU are better balanced, but at higher settings, the GPU's workload scales disproportionately.

The data implies that at 1080p, the system is largely CPU-bound or at least balanced, as the frame rates are high enough that the GPU is not saturated. As resolution increases, the GPU becomes the clear bottleneck, especially at Ultra settings where the 4K average FPS of 30.5 is below the playable threshold for most users. This scaling behavior is typical, but the magnitude of the drop at 4K Ultra highlights that this combo is not designed for maximum settings at that resolution.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average frame rate this combo can achieve in Steamworld Build?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 225.6, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings.

Q: Is the RTX 4060 a bottleneck at 4K resolution?

A: Yes, the data suggests the GPU is the limiting factor at 4K. At Ultra settings, the average FPS drops to 30.5, and even at High settings, it only reaches 43 FPS, indicating the GPU cannot keep up with the pixel count.

Q: How does the CPU's performance compare to its nearest rivals in the benchmark database?

A: The Intel Core i5-10400F scores 0.4% higher than the AMD EPYC 7552 and 1.1% lower than the Intel Core i5-8500, making it a competitive mid-range option.

Q: What is the best resolution to play at for a balance of performance and visual quality?

A: Based on the data, 2560x1440 with High settings provides a smooth 81.4 FPS average, which is likely a good target for most users. It offers a significant visual upgrade over 1080p while maintaining high frame rates.

Q: Does the GPU have enough memory for this game?

A: The GPU has 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. The data does not show any memory-related issues, but the significant FPS drop at 4K Ultra settings could be partly attributed to the GPU's memory bandwidth and capacity being stressed.

Q: Is the i5-10400F a limiting factor for this game?

A: At 1080p and 1440p, the CPU appears to be sufficient, as frame rates are high. However, it may become a secondary bottleneck in certain scenarios, such as heavily populated cities, though the measured data does not isolate this.

Settings Recommendations

The measured FPS data allows for clear recommendations based on desired performance targets. For users with a 1080p display, High settings (126.6 FPS) and even Ultra settings (85.3 FPS) provide excellent performance. The High setting is likely the sweet spot, offering a smooth experience with good visual fidelity. Medium settings at 172.8 FPS are also viable for competitive play or for users who prefer maximum frame rates.

For 1440p displays, High settings (81.4 FPS) are recommended for a balanced experience. Medium settings (108.5 FPS) are also a strong choice, providing a high refresh rate experience. Ultra settings at 52.9 FPS are playable but may feel less smooth, so High is the better recommendation for consistent performance.

At 4K, the situation is more nuanced. High settings (43 FPS) are borderline playable but may be too choppy for some. Low settings (72.7 FPS) are the most practical option for 4K gaming, offering a smooth experience at a significant visual cost. Medium settings (55.3 FPS) provide a compromise, but Ultra settings (30.5 FPS) should be avoided due to the low frame rate. The data suggests that 4K gaming with this combo is best suited to Low or Medium settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The following is the complete set of measured average FPS data for the Intel Core i5-10400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combination in Steamworld Build:

• 3840x2160 (4K):
• Ultra: 30.5 FPS
• High: 43 FPS
• Medium: 55.3 FPS
• Low: 72.7 FPS

• 2560x1440 (1440p):
• Ultra: 52.9 FPS
• High: 81.4 FPS
• Medium: 108.5 FPS
• Low: 141.8 FPS

• 1920x1080 (1080p):
• Ultra: 85.3 FPS
• High: 126.6 FPS
• Medium: 172.8 FPS
• Low: 225.6 FPS

This data shows a consistent trend where lower settings yield higher frame rates across all resolutions. The gap between settings widens at lower resolutions, indicating that the CPU is capable of producing very high frame rates when the GPU is not heavily burdened.

How This Combo Ranks

In the benchmark database, this specific combination of Intel Core i5-10400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 is ranked 994th out of 1730 tested combos for Steamworld Build. This places it in the middle of the pack, which aligns with the hardware's mid-range positioning. The rank suggests that while this system is far from the fastest, it also outperforms a significant number of other configurations.

The rank is likely influenced by the balance between the CPU and GPU. While the RTX 4060 is a capable GPU, it is not a high-end part, and the i5-10400F is an older-generation processor. The data indicates that this combo is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but it falls behind more powerful systems at 4K. The 66th percentile GPU score and 73rd percentile CPU score suggest that both components are mid-to-upper-mid-range, and their combined performance in this game is consistent with that assessment. The ranking of 994 out of 1730 is a direct reflection of the system's overall ability to run this specific title, and the measured FPS data confirms that it is a competent, but not exceptional, performer.