Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder released in late 2023, presents a unique load profile that combines simulation logic with rendering demands. The pairing of the Intel Core i5-12400 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 produces a dataset that is revealing about where bottlenecks emerge. This analysis examines the measured frame rates across resolutions and settings, contextualizing the performance against the broader benchmark database.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a dramatic and non-linear scaling as resolution increases, indicating a shift in the primary performance limiter. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 305.9 FPS. Moving to 1440p Low drops this to 198.7 FPS, a reduction of approximately 35%. At 4K Low, the average falls to 103.2 FPS, which is roughly half of the 1440p figure and about a third of the 1080p number. This steep decline at lower settings suggests the CPU is capable of feeding frames very quickly at low resolution, but the GPU becomes increasingly stressed as pixel count rises.

The scaling behavior changes significantly when graphical settings are increased. At Ultra settings, the 1080p average is 119.3 FPS, dropping to 76.4 FPS at 1440p and further to 42.6 FPS at 4K. The percentage drop from 1080p to 4K at Ultra is about 64%, whereas the same resolution comparison at Low settings is a 66% drop. While the relative scaling is similar, the absolute numbers reveal that Ultra settings place a heavy load on the GPU at all resolutions. The data indicates that at 1080p Low, the CPU is the limiting component, as the frame rate is exceptionally high. However, by 4K Ultra, the GPU is clearly the bottleneck, with the frame rate dropping below the 60 FPS threshold. The transition is smooth, with Medium and High settings landing predictably between the Low and Ultra extremes at each resolution.

How This Combo Ranks

Within the database of tested combinations, this specific configuration of CPU and GPU ranks 409th out of 1730 combos for Steamworld Build. This places it in the top 25% of all tested systems, which is a strong result for a 6-core processor paired with a high-end graphics card. The ranking suggests that while the combination is powerful, there are many other systems that deliver higher average frame rates in this specific title. The percentile data for the individual components provides context: the CPU is in the 77th percentile among all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 81st percentile among all GPUs. The combo ranking being lower than either individual component percentile suggests that the game's performance is not exclusively dictated by the raw potential of the parts, but rather by how they interact.

The game's nature as a city builder likely means that simulation thread performance is critical. The Core i5-12400's benchmark scores, such as a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15935 and a single-core score of 2249, indicate a capable processor. However, the 409th rank implies that other combos, likely with higher-core-count CPUs or more balanced pairings, achieve higher average FPS. The deltaPct values for the CPU's nearest rivals show it is virtually tied with the Intel Core i7-9700 (0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i7-8700 (-0.2% difference), but the performance in this game may be more sensitive to other factors. The data shows that the combo is solidly mid-pack in the upper echelon, not a top-tier contender for absolute maximum frame rates but far from a low performer.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is built on the Ada Lovelace architecture and is a significant contributor to the high frame rates observed in this test. With 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, it provides a memory bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. This bandwidth is crucial for a city builder where the screen can be filled with complex geometry and detailed textures. The GPU's boost clock is listed at 2475 MHz, which helps maintain high throughput in demanding scenes. Its performance percentile of 81 places it well above average, and its average benchmark score of 37283 reflects strong compute capabilities.

However, the measured results in Steamworld Build suggest that the GPU is not the sole determinant of performance. At 1080p Low, the 305.9 FPS average is exceptionally high, indicating that the GPU is not being fully utilized at that setting, as the CPU is likely the limiting factor. The GPU's role becomes more pronounced as resolution and settings increase. At 4K Ultra, the frame rate drops to 42.6 FPS, a clear sign that the GPU is now the bottleneck. The transition point appears to be around 1440p High, where the average is 111.1 FPS, suggesting a balanced load. The GPU's large memory pool and high bandwidth are likely more than sufficient for this game, even at 4K, so the performance drop at Ultra settings is probably due to the raw shading and compute load of the effects rather than memory capacity. The GPU supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, which is relevant for modern rendering features.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The complete dataset provides a clear picture of performance across all twelve tested configurations. Starting at 1080p, the combo delivers an average of 305.9 FPS on Low, 238.9 FPS on Medium, 180.5 FPS on High, and 119.3 FPS on Ultra. These numbers show a consistent and expected decline as image quality increases, with the drop from Low to Ultra being a 61% reduction. The 1080p results are all well above the 60 FPS target, making this resolution the sweet spot for high-refresh-rate monitors, even with the most demanding settings.

Moving to 1440p, the averages are 198.7 FPS on Low, 148.6 FPS on Medium, 111.1 FPS on High, and 76.4 FPS on Ultra. This resolution still provides excellent playability, with even the Ultra setting maintaining a comfortable margin above 60 FPS. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a performance hit of roughly 35-40% at each setting level. At 4K, the results are more varied: Low yields 103.2 FPS, Medium yields 81.2 FPS, High yields 61.1 FPS, and Ultra drops to 42.6 FPS. The 4K High result is just barely above the 60 FPS line, indicating that this is the practical limit for a smooth experience. The 4K Ultra result is the only configuration that falls below playable standards, suggesting that users targeting 4K should stick to High settings or lower. The data shows a clear progression where the performance cost of Ultra settings is substantial at higher resolutions.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for the Intel Core i5-12400 + RTX 4070 combo in Steamworld Build?

A: The data shows that 1440p is the optimal balance for this combo. At 1440p Ultra, the average FPS is 76.4, which is well above the 60 FPS threshold. At 1080p, all settings are above 119 FPS, but moving to 4K causes the Ultra setting to drop to 42.6 FPS, which is below the playable threshold.

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

A: The bottleneck shifts depending on the settings. At 1080p Low, the 305.9 FPS average suggests the CPU is the limiting factor, as the GPU is not being pushed hard. At 4K Ultra, the 42.6 FPS average indicates the GPU is the primary constraint. The balance point appears to be around 1440p High, where the load is more evenly distributed.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other tested systems?

A: This configuration ranks 409th out of 1730 tested combos for Steamworld Build. This places it in the top 25% of all systems in the database. The CPU is in the 77th percentile and the GPU in the 81st percentile, but the combined rank is lower, showing that the game's performance depends on more than just the sum of the parts.

Q: Can this system handle 4K gaming in Steamworld Build?

A: Yes, but with limitations. At 4K High settings, the average FPS is 61.1, which is just above the 60 FPS target. At 4K Ultra, the average drops to 42.6 FPS, which is not ideal for smooth gameplay. For a consistent 4K experience, High settings are the maximum recommended based on the data.

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

A: At 1080p, the average frame rate on Low settings is 305.9 FPS, while on Ultra it is 119.3 FPS. This represents a 61% reduction in performance when switching from the lowest to the highest settings, showing that the Ultra preset has a significant impact on the GPU load.

Q: How does the RTX 4070's memory configuration affect performance?

A: The RTX 4070 has 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. The data does not indicate that memory capacity is a limiting factor in this game, as the performance drops at 4K Ultra are more likely due to compute load. The high bandwidth is sufficient for the data transfer needs of a city builder at the tested resolutions.