Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build places the Intel Core i5-14600KF and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination at rank 403 out of 1730 tested combos, placing it in the top quarter of all systems evaluated. This position reflects a pairing that is well above the median performer, though not at the absolute top tier for this city builder. The data suggests a system capable of delivering high frame rates at mainstream resolutions, with the ranking indicating that a significant number of faster configurations exist, likely featuring higher-tier GPUs. The combination’s percentile standing against all CPUs is 93, and against all GPUs is 81, showing that the processor is the stronger component relative to its peers. This dynamic hints that the GPU, while competent, may be the limiting factor in the most demanding scenarios, a pattern that becomes clearer when examining performance across different settings and resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

At rank 403 out of 1730 combos, this system sits comfortably within the upper echelon of tested configurations for Steamworld Build. The percentile data reinforces this: the CPU outperforms 93% of all processors in the database, while the GPU outperforms 81% of all graphics cards. This asymmetry is telling — the i5-14600KF is a top-tier processor by benchmark standards, but the RTX 4070, while strong, is not as exceptional relative to its own field. In a genre like city building, where simulation logic and draw calls can strain the CPU, this balance might actually be advantageous. The processor’s high multi-threaded scores, such as 32889 in Cinebench R23 multicore, suggest it can handle the complex agent simulations that occur as a city expands. Meanwhile, the GPU’s 81st percentile ranking indicates it is more than capable for the game’s visual demands, though not the absolute fastest available. The rank of 403 suggests that roughly 23% of tested combos are faster, which in practical terms means this system will deliver a smooth experience but may not be the choice for those seeking maximum frame rates at 4K Ultra settings.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 brings 12 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 192-bit bus, with a bandwidth of 504.2 GB/s. These specifications are directly relevant to Steamworld Build’s performance, particularly at higher resolutions where texture detail and memory bandwidth become critical. The GPU’s base clock is 1920 MHz, boosting up to 2475 MHz, and the memory runs at an effective 21 Gbps. In the measured data, the GPU’s role becomes clear when comparing the Ultra preset across resolutions: at 1080p the average FPS is 119.6, at 1440p it drops to 78.3, and at 4K it falls to 42.3. This consistent scaling with resolution indicates that the GPU is the primary driver of performance at higher settings. The card’s 5888 shading units and 64 ROPs provide ample pixel-pushing capability, evidenced by its pixel rate of 158.4 GPixel/s. However, the significant drop at 4K Ultra — a 65% reduction from 1080p Ultra — suggests that 12 GB of VRAM and the 192-bit bus are adequate but not overkill for this game’s highest settings. The GPU’s PassMark G3D score of 26927 places it at the 81st percentile, confirming it is a solid mid-to-high-range performer that excels at 1080p and 1440p but begins to show its limits at 4K with maximum detail.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern of resolution scaling that identifies the limiting component. At 1080p Low, the system achieves 312.3 FPS, which drops to 198.6 at 1440p Low and 107 at 4K Low. This scaling — a 36% decrease from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 46% decrease to 4K — suggests that even at Low settings, the GPU is doing significant work. However, the CPU’s influence becomes apparent when examining the High preset: 177.4 FPS at 1080p, 112.3 at 1440p, and 58.6 at 4K. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 37%, but the drop from 1440p to 4K is 48%, indicating that at lower resolutions, the CPU can keep up, but at 4K, the GPU becomes the bottleneck. The most telling comparison is between Low and Ultra at each resolution. At 1080p, the gap between Low (312.3 FPS) and Ultra (119.6 FPS) is 2.6x, while at 4K, the gap between Low (107 FPS) and Ultra (42.3 FPS) is 2.5x. This consistency suggests that the scaling between settings is similar regardless of resolution, implying that neither component is drastically underpowered. Instead, the data indicates a balanced system where the CPU’s 14 cores and 20 threads provide enough headroom for the GPU to stretch its legs at lower resolutions, but at 4K, the RTX 4070’s 504.2 GB/s bandwidth and 12 GB capacity become the constraining factors.

Settings Recommendations

The measured rows provide a clear hierarchy of settings that balances visual quality with playable frame rates. At 1080p, all presets deliver high performance: Low at 312.3 FPS, Medium at 239.1 FPS, High at 177.4 FPS, and Ultra at 119.6 FPS. The data shows that even Ultra at 1080p provides a frame rate well above the 60 FPS threshold, making it the recommended choice for users with 1080p displays who want the best visual experience without sacrificing smoothness. At 1440p, the picture becomes more nuanced. Ultra drops to 78.3 FPS, which is still playable, but High at 112.3 FPS offers a substantial 43% performance boost with only a minor visual step down. For users prioritizing a consistent experience, High at 1440p is the sweet spot. At 4K, the situation changes dramatically. Ultra averages 42.3 FPS, which is below the ideal for smooth gameplay, while High at 58.6 FPS approaches the 60 FPS target but may experience occasional dips. Medium at 76.7 FPS provides the best balance for 4K, offering a 32% improvement over High while likely retaining most of the visual fidelity that matters in a city builder. Low at 4K, at 107 FPS, is viable for those who prioritize frame rate above all, but the visual compromise is significant. The data suggests that for this combination, the optimal experience is High at 1440p or Medium at 4K, depending on the user’s display resolution and tolerance for reduced detail.

FAQ

Q: Is this combination suitable for 4K gaming in Steamworld Build?

A: Yes, but with caveats. At 4K High, the system averages 58.6 FPS, which is close to the 60 FPS target. However, at 4K Ultra, the average drops to 42.3 FPS, which may feel less smooth. The data suggests that Medium at 4K, at 76.7 FPS, is the recommended setting for a comfortable 4K experience.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-14600KF has an average benchmark score of 49367. It is 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14600K, 0.6% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X, and 1.4% ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 5318H. It trails the AMD EPYC 4345P by 0.5%.

Q: What is the GPU’s performance relative to its nearest competitors?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 has an average benchmark score of 37283. It is 2.5% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 5300M but trails the AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 by 0.6%, the NVIDIA GeForce MX570 A by 1.9%, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile by 2.2%.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU at any resolution?

A: The data shows that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 312.3 FPS, indicating the CPU is not a limiting factor at lower resolutions. However, at 4K Ultra, the GPU becomes the primary constraint, as evidenced by the 42.3 FPS average. The CPU’s high multi-threaded performance suggests it can keep up with the GPU’s output in most scenarios.

Q: What is the memory configuration of this CPU, and how does it affect performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600KF supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. It has 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. This setup provides ample cache for the game’s simulation logic, though the data does not specify memory clock speeds.

Q: How does the frame rate scale from 1080p to 4K at High settings?

A: At High settings, the average FPS drops from 177.4 at 1080p to 112.3 at 1440p, a 37% decrease. From 1440p to 4K, it drops to 58.6 FPS, a 48% decrease. This pattern indicates that the GPU becomes progressively more stressed as resolution increases, with the most significant drop occurring at 4K.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-14600KF is a 14-core, 20-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, with a 125 W TDP. The CPU’s cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. These specifications are directly relevant to Steamworld Build, a city builder that relies heavily on simulation logic, pathfinding, and managing thousands of individual agents. The processor’s strong multi-threaded performance is evident in its benchmark scores: 32889 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 13813 in Cinebench R20 multicore. These scores place the CPU at the 93rd percentile of all processors, indicating it is well-suited for the game’s CPU-intensive tasks. The boost clock of 5.30 GHz also ensures strong single-threaded performance, as shown by its 4643 score in Cinebench R23 singlecore, which is beneficial for the game’s main thread that handles UI and game logic. The 125 W TDP indicates that this processor can sustain high clocks under load, though the data does not specify the cooling solution required. In the context of this game, the CPU’s 20 threads allow it to distribute the simulation workload effectively, preventing bottlenecks that might otherwise occur when a city grows large. The benchmark results show that this CPU is a top-tier performer, and the measured FPS data confirms that it does not constrain the GPU in most scenarios, particularly at lower resolutions where frame rates exceed 300 FPS.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a comprehensive picture of performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system delivers exceptional frame rates across all settings: Low averages 312.3 FPS, Medium averages 239.1 FPS, High averages 177.4 FPS, and Ultra averages 119.6 FPS. These numbers indicate that at 1080p, the system is never the bottleneck, and even Ultra settings provide a frame rate that far exceeds the refresh rate of most monitors. Moving to 2560x1440, performance remains strong but shows the expected scaling: Low averages 198.6 FPS, Medium averages 148.5 FPS, High averages 112.3 FPS, and Ultra averages 78.3 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across settings, ranging from 36% for Low to 35% for Ultra, indicating that the GPU is scaling predictably with resolution. At 3840x2160, the performance profile changes more dramatically. Low averages 107 FPS, Medium averages 76.7 FPS, High averages 58.6 FPS, and Ultra averages 42.3 FPS. At 4K, the gap between Low and Ultra is 2.5x, which is similar to the 2.6x gap at 1080p, but the absolute frame rates drop below the 60 FPS threshold for High and Ultra settings. This data suggests that for 4K gaming, users should select Medium settings to maintain a smooth experience, or High if they can tolerate occasional dips below 60 FPS. The 1440p data shows that High settings, at 112.3 FPS, provide an excellent balance of visual quality and performance, while Ultra at 78.3 FPS is still very playable. This measured breakdown confirms that the combination of the i5-14600KF and RTX 4070 is a versatile performer, excelling at 1080p and 1440p while requiring settings adjustments at 4K to achieve optimal frame rates.