Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build is a city builder that can scale from a light simulation load to a demanding one, depending on the complexity of your settlement and the resolution you choose. The data for the Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER reveals a system that is capable of delivering smooth frame rates at mainstream resolutions but is clearly pushed to its limits when maximum graphical fidelity and 4K output are combined. The performance figures suggest a pairing where the GPU is the primary constraint in the most demanding scenarios, while the CPU provides ample headroom for the game's simulation logic.

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

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. It operates at a base clock of 2.50 GHz and can boost up to 4.60 GHz, which provides a strong foundation for the single-threaded and moderately multi-threaded workloads that city builders typically present. The processor's benchmark scores reflect a balanced profile, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21279 and a single-core score of 3004. This indicates that the CPU is not likely to be a bottleneck in Steamworld Build, as the game's primary logic—managing resources, citizens, and construction—often relies on a few fast cores, while background tasks can leverage the additional threads.

The data shows this CPU sits at the 82nd percentile among all tested processors, indicating it is a solidly performing chip. Its average benchmark score of 25236 is remarkably close to its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-13620H (25201, a 0.1% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (25365, a -0.5% difference). This suggests that in CPU-bound scenarios, the i5-13400F's performance is essentially on par with these alternatives. For a game like Steamworld Build, the high boost clock is likely more relevant than the core count, as the simulation's primary thread will benefit from the 4.60 GHz ceiling. The presence of 20 MB of shared L3 cache also helps ensure that frequently accessed game data is kept close to the cores, reducing latency.

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

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER is a Turing-architecture card with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. Its core clocks are set at 1605 MHz base and 1770 MHz boost. This configuration places the GPU at the 65th percentile of all tested graphics cards, with an average benchmark score of 22206. Its closest rivals include the NVIDIA RTX A400 (22307, a -0.5% difference) and the AMD Radeon RX 5700 (21670, a 2.5% difference). The performance in Steamworld Build, however, shows that the GPU is the deciding factor in the most demanding settings.

The 8 GB VRAM capacity is a critical detail for a city builder, where the screen can be filled with hundreds of distinct structures and units, each with its own textures. At 4K resolution with Ultra settings, the data shows an average of just 26.1 FPS, suggesting that the GPU is overwhelmed by the combination of high pixel count and heavy memory pressure. The significant drop from 42.3 FPS at High to 26.1 FPS at Ultra at 4K indicates that the Ultra preset likely introduces effects and geometry that saturate the available memory bandwidth and compute units. The GPU's 9.062 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is sufficient for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but the data clearly shows it struggles to maintain playable rates at 4K with maximum visual quality.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear scaling pattern that isolates the bottleneck. At 1080p, the system is highly capable, with the Low preset hitting an average of 209 FPS and High achieving 118.4 FPS. Moving to 1440p, the frame rates drop by roughly 36% on High (from 118.4 to 78.7 FPS) and by 35% on Low (from 209 to 134.6 FPS). This drop is consistent with a GPU that is beginning to feel the load of more pixels, but the CPU can still feed it enough data to maintain high performance.

The story changes dramatically at 4K. At High settings, the average FPS falls to 42.3, a further 46% reduction from the 1440p result. At Ultra, the performance collapses to 26.1 FPS, which is a 50% drop from the 1440p Ultra score of 52.2 FPS. This non-linear scaling, particularly the steep decline from High to Ultra at 4K, strongly indicates that the RTX 2070 SUPER's 8 GB VRAM and memory bandwidth are saturated. The CPU, with its high single-thread performance, is not the primary constraint here; the GPU's inability to process the increased pixel count and texture data is the limiting factor. The system is well-balanced for 1080p and 1440p, but at 4K, the GPU becomes the clear performance ceiling.

Settings Recommendations — which preset gives the best experience per the measured rows

Based on the measured data, the optimal experience for this combination depends heavily on the target resolution. At 1080p, the High preset is the sweet spot, delivering an average of 118.4 FPS, which is well above the threshold for smooth gameplay. The Ultra preset at 1080p still provides a very playable 79.9 FPS, but the 32% performance cost over High may not be justified by the visual gains for most players. At 1440p, the High preset remains the best choice, with an average of 78.7 FPS, which is excellent for a city builder. The Medium preset offers 100.9 FPS and serves as a good alternative for those seeking higher refresh rates, but the High preset provides a balanced mix of visual quality and performance.

At 4K, the options are more constrained. The High preset yields an average of 42.3 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced interaction. The Medium preset at 52.4 FPS is a better target, offering a smoother experience while still maintaining a decent level of detail. The Ultra preset is not recommended at 4K, as the 26.1 FPS average is below the threshold for comfortable gameplay. The Low preset at 4K, at 70 FPS, is a viable option for players who prioritize frame rate over visual fidelity. Ultimately, the data suggests that High at 1080p and 1440p is the best overall experience, while 4K users should stick to Medium to maintain playability.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The combination of the Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER ranks 1054 out of 1730 tested combos in Steamworld Build. This places it in the lower half of the database, which is consistent with the GPU's age and the game's demanding nature at higher settings. The rank suggests that while this system can handle the game, there are many other configurations that deliver better performance. The rank is likely skewed by the GPU's limitations at 4K, as the CPU is a strong performer.

Given that the CPU's performance is near its nearest rivals, the rank is primarily a reflection of the GPU's standing. The RTX 2070 SUPER's position in the 65th percentile of all GPUs is a good indicator that it is a mid-range card by today's standards. In a game like Steamworld Build, where simulation logic can be CPU-intensive, the strong i5-13400F helps the combo punch above its weight at 1080p and 1440p. However, the overall rank of 1054 indicates that a majority of tested combos are more capable, likely due to more powerful GPUs that can handle 4K Ultra settings with ease.

Measured FPS Breakdown — resolution by resolution, settings by settings, exact numbers

The measured data provides a complete picture of performance across all presets and resolutions.

At 1920x1080, the system performs admirably. The Low settings yield an average of 209 FPS. Medium settings produce 160.4 FPS. The High preset averages 118.4 FPS. Finally, Ultra settings bring the frame rate down to 79.9 FPS.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance scales down accordingly. Low settings average 134.6 FPS. Medium settings drop to 100.9 FPS. The High preset is still smooth at 78.7 FPS. Ultra settings halve the high preset's performance, averaging 52.2 FPS.

At 3840x2160, the GPU is under significant strain. The Low settings average 70 FPS, which is the only 4K preset above the 60 FPS threshold. Medium settings drop to 52.4 FPS. The High preset averages 42.3 FPS. Ultra settings are the most demanding, yielding just 26.1 FPS.

FAQ

Q: Can this system run Steamworld Build at 4K with max settings?

A: No. The data shows that at 4K with Ultra settings, the average FPS is only 26.1, which is not a smooth experience. The GPU is the limiting factor at this resolution.

Q: What is the best resolution for a smooth 60+ FPS experience?

A: Both 1080p and 1440p can achieve 60+ FPS on higher presets. At 1080p, High settings average 118.4 FPS, and at 1440p, High settings average 78.7 FPS.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25236. This is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-13620H (25201, a 0.1% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D (25365, a -0.5% difference).

Q: Is the GPU a bottleneck in this game?

A: Yes, particularly at higher resolutions. The performance drop from 1440p to 4K is substantial, and at 4K Ultra, the frame rate falls to 26.1 FPS, which indicates the GPU is overwhelmed.

Q: What is the performance difference between High and Ultra settings at 1440p?

A: At 1440p, High settings average 78.7 FPS, while Ultra settings average 52.2 FPS. This is a 33.6% decrease in performance when moving from High to Ultra.

Q: How does this combo rank among all tested systems for this game?

A: This specific CPU and GPU combination ranks 1054 out of 1730 tested combos in Steamworld Build. This places it in the lower half of all tested systems.