Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder from late 2023, presents a unique challenge for the Intel Core i5-9400 paired with the Intel Arc B370. The benchmark data shows this combination is firmly at the lower end of the performance spectrum for this title, ranking 2683rd out of 2924 tested combos. This pairing struggles significantly at higher resolutions, and the data suggests that the graphics processor is the primary limiting factor, especially when pushing beyond 1080p. The experience is playable only at lower settings and resolutions, with the system being outpaced by even older discrete graphics solutions.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and reveals a clear bottleneck. At 1080p with High settings, the combo achieves an average of 55 FPS. Moving to 1440p causes the average to fall to 35 FPS, a reduction of 20 frames. At 4K, the average plummets to just 18 FPS, making the game effectively unplayable. This represents a 67% performance loss from 1080p to 4K, which is a heavy toll that indicates the GPU is being overwhelmed by the pixel count.

The scaling pattern is consistent across all settings. At Low settings, the frame rate drops from 95 FPS at 1080p to 61 FPS at 1440p and then to 32 FPS at 4K. The Arc B370's performance is severely limited by its memory configuration, which is "System Shared" and dependent on the system's memory bandwidth. This is a fundamental constraint that prevents the GPU from handling the increased data throughput required at higher resolutions. The data shows that this is not a CPU-bound scenario; the i5-9400 is not the reason for the massive frame rate drops. Instead, the integrated-style GPU, with its 25 W TDP and 1280 shading units, simply lacks the raw fill rate and memory bandwidth to sustain playable performance beyond 1440p.

The most telling indicator is the difference between the 1080p and 4K results. At High settings, the 55 FPS at 1080p is a decent baseline, but the 18 FPS at 4K is a 37 FPS drop. This is a classic sign of a GPU bottleneck, where the rendering resolution outpaces the GPU's ability to process pixels. The low pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s for the Arc B370 are simply not sufficient for 4K gaming in a modern title. The game is playable at 1080p, but any ambition for higher resolutions will be met with significant performance degradation.

Settings Recommendations

The measured data provides a clear hierarchy for settings, and the recommendation is to prioritize a high frame rate over visual fidelity. The most balanced experience is at 1080p with Medium settings, which yields an average of 73 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS and a maximum of 84 FPS. This provides a smooth, playable experience that is well above the 60 FPS threshold for most users. The jump from Low to Medium at 1080p costs 22 FPS (from 95 to 73) but likely provides a substantial visual improvement in a city builder where readability of the environment is key.

At 1440p, the situation changes. Low settings are the only viable option for a smooth experience, delivering an average of 61 FPS. Medium settings at this resolution drop to 46 FPS, which is still playable but may feel less fluid. High settings at 1440p are a compromise, with an average of 35 FPS, which might be acceptable for a slower-paced game, but the data suggests it's a risky choice. The Ultra preset is not recommended at any resolution, as it pushes the system to its limits: 37 FPS at 1080p, 23 FPS at 1440p, and a slideshow-like 12 FPS at 4K.

For the best experience per the measured data, the 1080p Medium preset is the clear winner. It provides a high average frame rate with a minimum that stays above 60 FPS, ensuring consistent performance. If a higher resolution is desired, the only sensible option is 1440p Low, which offers a playable 61 FPS. The High preset at 1080p is a good alternative for those who want better visuals, offering 55 FPS, but it does not have the same headroom as Medium. The data strongly suggests avoiding the Ultra preset and avoiding 4K altogether with this hardware combination.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is the central figure in this performance analysis, and its limitations are the defining factor. The GPU has a base clock of 300 MHz and a boost clock of 2400 MHz, but its performance is crippled by its memory subsystem. The memory size, type, bus width, and bandwidth are all listed as "System Shared" or "System Dependent," meaning the GPU relies on the main system's DDR4 memory. This is a severe bottleneck for a game like Steamworld Build, which likely requires substantial memory bandwidth to stream assets and render the city.

The GPU's compute capabilities are modest, with a FP32 performance of 6.144 TFLOPS. This is reflected in its benchmark scores; it scores 1184 in 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12. This score places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs, indicating it is far below average. Its nearest rivals in terms of average score are older, low-end parts like the ATI Radeon HD 5770 and the AMD Radeon HD 7650M, with deltaPct values of -0.5% and -0.7%, respectively. This shows that the Arc B370 is performing at a level comparable to hardware from over a decade ago.

The data shows that the GPU is the limiting factor at all resolutions. The frame rates scale down predictably as resolution increases, which is a direct consequence of the GPU's limited pixel and texture processing rates (48.00 GPixel/s and 96.00 GTexel/s). The "System Shared" memory means that the performance is also dependent on the system's memory speed and configuration, which can introduce variability. The 25 W TDP and "IGP" slot width confirm that this is a low-power, integrated-class solution, and the benchmark results are consistent with that classification. It is not a capable gaming GPU for modern titles at high settings.

FAQ

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

A: The data shows it is not viable. At 4K, the average frame rates are 18 FPS on High, 25 FPS on Medium, 32 FPS on Low, and 12 FPS on Ultra. These are all well below the threshold for a smooth experience, indicating the GPU is overwhelmed.

Q: What is the best resolution and settings combination for a smooth 60 FPS experience?

A: The only combination that achieves a minimum frame rate above 60 FPS is the 1080p Medium preset, with an average of 73 FPS and a minimum of 62 FPS. The 1440p Low preset is the only other option near 60 FPS, with an average of 61 FPS.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B370 compare to its closest rivals?

A: The Arc B370, with an average benchmark score of 1184, is very closely matched with older GPUs like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 (1186), ATI Radeon HD 5770 (1190), and AMD Radeon HD 7650M (1192). Its performance delta is within 1.4% of these parts.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-9400 a bottleneck in this game?

A: The data suggests the GPU is the primary bottleneck. The frame rate drops significantly with increased resolution, which is characteristic of a GPU limitation. The CPU, with 6 cores and 6 threads, is likely sufficient, as the performance scaling aligns with the graphics load.

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

A: At 1080p, the Low preset achieves an average of 95 FPS, while the Ultra preset achieves an average of 37 FPS. This is a difference of 58 FPS, showing a massive performance cost for the highest visual quality.

Q: Is the Arc B370's "System Shared" memory a problem?

A: Yes, the memory is listed as "System Shared" with "System Dependent" bandwidth. This means the GPU performance is tied to the main system memory, which is a significant disadvantage compared to dedicated VRAM and contributes to the low performance observed.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2683rd out of 2924 tested combos in Steamworld Build. This places it in the bottom 8% of all tested configurations, confirming that it is a very low-performing setup for this game. The rank reflects the severe GPU bottleneck and the inability to handle higher resolutions or presets effectively.

This ranking is consistent with the individual component performance. The CPU itself is in the 47th percentile of all CPUs, which is a mid-pack result, but the GPU is in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This mismatch means the system is heavily unbalanced for gaming, with the GPU holding the entire system back. The combined result is a rank that is far lower than what the CPU alone might suggest, highlighting the importance of a balanced system.

The data shows that this combo is not suitable for a modern gaming experience at standard settings. The 2683rd rank is a definitive statement that this hardware is outclassed by the vast majority of other tested systems. While the CPU is a reasonable mid-range part, the GPU's performance is so low that it drags the entire combo down to the bottom tier. This is a configuration that would only be suitable for very low-demand titles or for playing older games at low resolutions and settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor from the Coffee Lake architecture, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Its benchmark scores are those of a solid mid-range part from its generation, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 6629 and a single-core score of 935. Its average benchmark score is 2254, placing it in the 47th percentile of all CPUs and putting it in direct competition with parts like the Intel Core i7-10710U and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500, with deltaPct values of 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively.

In the context of Steamworld Build, the CPU's role appears to be secondary to the GPU. The performance scaling with resolution is a clear indicator that the graphics processor is the limiting factor. If the CPU were the bottleneck, we would expect to see less variation in frame rates across different resolutions. However, the data shows a massive drop from 1080p to 4K, which points to the GPU being saturated.

The CPU's specifications are adequate for a city builder, which often involves managing many entities and AI routines. The 6 cores and 6 threads provide a reasonable foundation for these tasks. The L3 cache is 9 MB (shared), which is a decent amount for the time. The memory support for DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth is also standard. The data suggests that the i5-9400 is not causing the low frame rates; it is the Arc B370's inability to render the game at higher resolutions that is the primary issue. The CPU is likely waiting on the GPU to deliver frames, resulting in the observed performance metrics.