Steamworld Build

The Intel Core i5-13400F paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 delivers a highly capable 1080p experience in Steamworld Build, but the data shows that 4K gaming is largely out of reach for this combination. The measured FPS indicates that the combo is best suited for 1440p and below, where it provides smooth performance at High settings. This pairing ranks in the 61st percentile of tested combinations, indicating a solid mid-tier standing for this specific title.

FAQ

Q: What is the overall rank of this CPU and GPU combination for Steamworld Build?

A: This combo ranks 2273 out of 3706 tested combinations, placing it in the 61st percentile of all tested systems for this game.

Q: What are the best settings for 1080p gaming?

A: At 1920x1080, the High preset achieves an average of 115 FPS. The Ultra preset also remains playable at 77 FPS average, making it a viable option for users who prioritize visual fidelity over maximum frame rates.

Q: Can this system handle 4K resolution?

A: The data suggests 4K is not a strong option. At 3840x2160, the High preset manages only a 39 FPS average, and the Ultra preset drops to 26 FPS. Only the Low preset at 4K reaches a playable 67 FPS average.

Q: How does the CPU's multi-threading performance compare to its rivals?

A: The Core i5-13400F has an average benchmark score of 25292. It is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS (25284) and is slightly behind the Intel Core 5 120, which has a 0.3% higher score.

Q: What is the GPU's performance percentile relative to all other graphics cards?

A: The RTX 5050 has a percentile rank of 66, meaning it outperforms 66% of all GPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 21035.

Q: Is there a significant difference between Medium and High settings at 1440p?

A: Yes, the difference is substantial. At 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 97 FPS, while High drops to 73 FPS. This represents a 24 FPS difference for one step up in quality.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i5-13400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 combination sits at rank 2273 out of 3706 tested combos for Steamworld Build. This placement in the 61st percentile signals a system that is comfortably above the median performer, but it is not among the top-tier configurations for this title. The ranking suggests that while the hardware is well-balanced for mainstream gaming, it will not dominate at the highest resolutions or with all settings maxed out.

Looking at the individual components provides context for this ranking. The CPU's average benchmark score of 25292 places it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs, showing that processing power is a relative strength. The GPU, however, has a lower standing, with its average score of 21035 placing it in the 66th percentile of all GPUs. This indicates that the graphics card is the more likely bottleneck when pushing for higher frame rates or resolutions, which aligns with the measured FPS data that shows significant performance drops at 4K.

The delta between the CPU's and GPU's percentile ranks helps explain the combo's overall position. The processor is capable of feeding the graphics card at lower resolutions, but the GPU's limits become apparent as the resolution increases. This is a classic pairing where the CPU has headroom, but the GPU defines the performance ceiling. The combo's rank of 2273 reflects this dynamic, placing it in a zone where 1080p and 1440p gaming are strong, but 4K is not a realistic target for high-quality settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. Its base clock is 2.50 GHz, which can boost up to 4.60 GHz under load. This core configuration is well-suited for a city builder like Steamworld Build, which often involves managing many entities and simulating complex systems. The 20 MB of shared L3 cache is beneficial for keeping frequently accessed data close to the cores.

Benchmark data shows this CPU has strong multi-threaded capabilities. In Cinebench R23, it scores 22604 in the multicore test and 3191 in the singlecore test. This balanced performance ensures that the CPU can handle both the single-threaded tasks that often dominate game logic and the multi-threaded workloads that come with simulation and pathfinding. The PassMark multithread score of 25032 reinforces this, showing robust parallel processing capabilities.

For Steamworld Build, the CPU's role is to maintain consistent frame pacing, especially when the population grows and the city becomes more complex. The data shows that at 1080p Low settings, the system reaches 200 FPS average, which is far beyond what the GPU alone would dictate. This suggests that even at lower resolutions where the GPU is less stressed, the CPU is not holding back performance. The 3DMark 16-thread score of 7314, which is nearly identical to the max-thread score of 7307, indicates that the CPU's performance scales effectively with increased thread usage, a trait that is advantageous for simulation-heavy games.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of how this combo performs across different resolutions and settings. At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally strong. The Low preset delivers a 200 FPS average, moving to 153 FPS on Medium, 115 FPS on High, and 77 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset shows a minimum of 130 FPS and a maximum of 176 FPS, indicating consistent performance without major dips. Even the demanding Ultra preset remains playable, making 1080p a non-issue for this hardware.

Moving to 2560x1440, the performance remains solid but shows the GPU beginning to work harder. The Low preset averages 127 FPS, which is still very smooth. Medium drops to 97 FPS, with observed minimums of 83 FPS and maximums of 112 FPS. High settings bring the average down to 73 FPS, which is still within a comfortable range for most gamers. Ultra at 1440p, however, falls to a 49 FPS average, which is noticeably less fluid and may be below the preference for many users seeking a consistent 60 FPS experience.

The 3840x2160 results highlight the GPU's limitations. The Low preset is the only playable option, averaging 67 FPS. Medium slows to a 52 FPS average with a minimum of 44 FPS, which can lead to noticeable stutters. High drops to 39 FPS, and Ultra bottoms out at 26 FPS, which is not a viable gaming experience. The data clearly shows that 4K is only feasible with the Low preset, and even then, the frame rate is not high enough for demanding players.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 is the defining component for this combo's gaming performance. It features 8 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 320.0 GB/s. The GPU's base clock is 2317 MHz, with a boost clock of 2572 MHz. This configuration is suitable for 1080p and 1440p gaming, but the 8 GB VRAM and memory bus width are limiting factors at higher resolutions.

The GPU's benchmark results show it is a capable mid-range card. It scores 17326 in PassMark G3D and 9184 in PassMark GPU Compute. In 3DMark Steel Nomad (DX12), it scores 2502. The GPU's percentile rank of 66 indicates it outperforms two-thirds of all GPUs, but its nearest rivals in the database are older or mobile parts, such as the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT, which is 1.6% behind, and the NVIDIA RTX A4000 Mobile, which is 1.6% ahead.

The 8 GB VRAM is a critical factor for Steamworld Build, particularly at 4K. The measured data shows that the system loses significant performance when moving from 1440p to 4K. At 1440p High, the average FPS is 73, but this drops to 39 at 4K High. This 34 FPS reduction is a direct result of the GPU being unable to keep up with the increased pixel count and memory demands. The texture-heavy nature of a detailed city builder can also strain the memory capacity, though the exact impact is not visible in the provided FPS metrics. The GPU's FP32 performance of 13.17 TFLOPS provides a baseline for its raw compute power, which is sufficient for this genre but not for high-end 4K rendering.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides a clear recommendation for each resolution tier. For 1920x1080, the Ultra preset is the best choice for users who want the highest visual quality. The 77 FPS average is well above the playability threshold, and the hardware has enough headroom to maintain stable performance. If a higher frame rate is preferred, the High preset at 115 FPS offers an excellent balance, but the data does not indicate any need to drop below High for a good experience.

For 2560x1440, the High preset is the recommended sweet spot. The 73 FPS average is smooth and provides a significant visual upgrade over the Medium preset's 97 FPS. While Medium is also playable, High offers a better balance of quality and performance. The Ultra preset at 49 FPS is borderline; it is playable but may not provide a consistent 60 FPS experience, making it a less desirable option for those sensitive to frame rate fluctuations.

For 3840x2160, the options are limited. The Low preset is the only setting that achieves a playable average of 67 FPS. The Medium preset at 52 FPS is marginal, and the High and Ultra presets are not recommended due to their low averages. Users with 4K displays should expect to run the game at Low settings or consider lowering the resolution to 1440p for a better visual experience with higher settings. The data suggests that this combo is best utilized at 1440p or below for a satisfying gaming session.