Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build is a city builder where the pace of simulation and the rendering of a bustling colony determine playability. This analysis examines the Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, using measured FPS data across resolutions and settings. The dataset reveals a combination that is generally strong but exhibits specific bottlenecks at extreme settings, making the choice of preset critical for a smooth experience.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall performance ranking of this CPU and GPU combo in Steamworld Build?

A: The combination ranks 490th out of 1730 tested combos in this game, placing it in the 72nd percentile of all systems tested. This indicates a solid, above-average performer for the title.

Q: How does the RTX 3080 compare to its closest rivals in average benchmark score?

A: The RTX 3080's average benchmark score of 35787 is 0.2% behind the AMD Radeon Pro Duo and 0.9% behind the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE. It is 0.4% ahead of the AMD Radeon 880M and 1% ahead of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Mobile.

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achieved by this combo?

A: The highest average frame rate recorded is 298.9 FPS, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This suggests the system can far exceed display refresh rates at lower graphical loads.

Q: Is there a configuration where this combo fails to hit 60 FPS?

A: Yes, at 3840x2160 (4K) resolution with Ultra settings, the average frame rate drops to 41.1 FPS. This is the only measured configuration that falls below the 60 FPS threshold.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25236. It is essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-13620H, which is only 0.1% faster. It is 0.5% slower than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X3D but 0.5% faster than the AMD EPYC 9474F.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the Ultra preset at 2560x1440?

A: The measured data does not include a minimum FPS value for any of the tested configurations. Only average FPS figures are provided.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 is built on the Ampere architecture and utilizes the GA102 chip. The data shows it is a significant driver of performance in Steamworld Build, but its influence is heavily modulated by the selected settings. The GPU operates with a base clock of 1440 MHz and a boost clock of 1710 MHz.

Memory configuration plays a critical role in high-resolution performance. The card features 10 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 320-bit bus, providing a bandwidth of 760.3 GB/s. This substantial bandwidth is sufficient to feed the GPU's 8704 shading units, 272 texture mapping units, and 96 raster output units. The high memory bandwidth is likely a key reason why the system scales from 55.7 FPS at 4K High to 107.1 FPS at 1440p High, as the data shows the GPU can maintain high throughput even as pixel count increases.

The GPU's compute capabilities are substantial, with FP32 performance rated at 29.77 TFLOPS. This raw power directly translates into the ability to render the complex geometry and numerous objects typical of a city builder. However, the benchmark data indicates that at the highest "Ultra" setting, the GPU's workload becomes so demanding that average frame rates plummet, suggesting that the Ultra preset introduces rendering features that heavily tax the Ampere architecture. The RTX 3080's percentile ranking of 80th among all GPUs confirms it is a high-end part, but its performance in this specific title shows it is not immune to the strain of maximum settings at high resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combined rank of 490 out of 1730 tested combos places this system in the top 28% of all configurations tested for Steamworld Build. This is a strong position, indicating that the pairing of the i5-13400F and RTX 3080 is well-balanced for this game. The rank reflects a holistic performance that is capable of delivering high frame rates in most scenarios.

To contextualize this, consider the individual components. The RTX 3080's average benchmark score of 35787 puts it just 0.9% behind the AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE, a modern competitor. This suggests that the GPU is not the primary limiting factor in the combo's overall ranking. The CPU, with an average benchmark score of 25236, is essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-13620H, showing it holds its own in processing power. The fact that this combo ranks 490th, rather than higher, is likely due to the specific demands of Steamworld Build at its most extreme settings, where the 4K Ultra configuration drags down the average performance profile.

This ranking implies that for a vast majority of players using 1080p or 1440p displays, this system will provide an excellent experience. The rank confirms the overall capability of the hardware, but the measured FPS data shows that its performance is not uniform across all settings. The system is a high-tier performer, but it cedes its top-tier status when pushed to the absolute maximum.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how the system handles different resolutions and presets. At 1920x1080 (1080p), the system is exceptionally powerful. The Low preset yields an average of 298.9 FPS, Medium produces 231.1 FPS, and High delivers 172.6 FPS. Even the demanding Ultra preset achieves a very playable 117.8 FPS. This resolution is clearly not a challenge for the RTX 3080.

Moving to 2560x1440 (1440p), the performance remains strong but shows the expected impact of more pixels. The Low preset averages 189.9 FPS, Medium drops to 146.2 FPS, and High settles at 107.1 FPS. The Ultra preset is still very smooth at 74.6 FPS, demonstrating that 1440p is the sweet spot for high-refresh-rate gaming with this hardware.

At 3840x2160 (4K), the performance curve steepens significantly. The Low preset maintains a high average of 98.3 FPS, and Medium is still respectable at 77.7 FPS. High drops to 55.7 FPS, which is playable but below the 60 FPS standard. The Ultra preset falls to 41.1 FPS, indicating a configuration that is not suitable for smooth gameplay at this resolution. The data shows a clear progression where the system's performance is excellent at 1080p and 1440p, but begins to struggle at 4K with higher quality presets.

Resolution Scaling

The data reveals how frame rate scales with resolution, which in turn tells us about the limiting component. From 1080p to 1440p, the average frame rate for the High preset drops from 172.6 FPS to 107.1 FPS, a 38% reduction. From 1440p to 4K, it drops from 107.1 FPS to 55.7 FPS, a 48% reduction. This non-linear scaling is typical of a GPU-bound scenario at higher resolutions.

The most telling comparison is the Low preset. At 1080p Low, the system produces 298.9 FPS. At 1440p Low, it produces 189.9 FPS, and at 4K Low, it still manages 98.3 FPS. The fact that the system can push nearly 300 FPS at 1080p Low suggests that at lower resolutions and settings, the CPU is capable of feeding the GPU enough data to reach very high frame rates. However, the massive drop at 4K, even on Low, highlights the immense pixel throughput required, which is a pure GPU workload.

This scaling pattern indicates that the RTX 3080 is the primary limiting component as resolution increases. The CPU's performance is sufficient to drive high frame rates at 1080p, as evidenced by the 298.9 FPS result. The GPU is the bottleneck at 4K, especially with higher settings, where the drop to 41.1 FPS at Ultra shows it is overwhelmed by the combination of high pixel count and complex shading. The system is well-balanced at 1440p, where neither component is severely underutilized.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor from the Raptor Lake-S architecture. It has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. In Steamworld Build, a city builder that relies on simulation logic, the CPU's role is to manage the game's complex systems, such as AI, resource management, and the physics of the game world.

The CPU's benchmark scores indicate strong multi-threaded performance, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21279 and a Geekbench multi-core score of 10971. This is crucial for a city builder, where the simulation of thousands of individual citizens and buildings can create a significant CPU workload. The 20 MB of shared L3 cache is also beneficial for keeping frequently accessed simulation data close to the cores.

The measured FPS data shows that at 1080p, the CPU is not a bottleneck. The 298.9 FPS result at Low settings suggests the CPU can handle the simulation and issue draw calls fast enough to keep the GPU busy. However, the data implies that the CPU's performance is sufficient to support high frame rates, but it is the GPU that determines the final output at higher resolutions. The CPU's 82nd percentile ranking among all CPUs shows it is a solid performer, and it does not appear to hold back the RTX 3080 in this title at standard resolutions.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display resolution and refresh rate.

For 1920x1080 displays, the Ultra preset is fully viable, providing an average of 117.8 FPS. This is the best choice for users who want maximum visual fidelity without sacrificing smoothness. The High preset at 172.6 FPS is also excellent, offering a significant frame rate boost for competitive or high-refresh-rate play.

For 2560x1440 displays, the High preset at 107.1 FPS offers the best balance of visual quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 74.6 FPS is also very smooth and would be recommended for users who prioritize image quality over raw frame rate. The Medium preset at 146.2 FPS is a good option for those seeking the highest possible frame rates on a 144Hz or 165Hz monitor.

For 3840x2160 displays, the Medium preset at 77.7 FPS is the recommended choice, as it provides a smooth experience while maintaining a decent level of detail. The High preset at 55.7 FPS is playable but may not be ideal for fast-paced actions. The Ultra preset at 41.1 FPS should be avoided for general gameplay, as the low frame rate would negatively impact the experience.

In summary, the data suggests that for the best overall experience, users should target the High preset at 1440p, which achieves 107.1 FPS. This configuration leverages the hardware's strengths, providing high visual fidelity and a frame rate that is well above the 60 FPS standard. For 4K users, the Medium preset is the highest setting that maintains a comfortable frame rate.