Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build on the Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B570 combination delivers a playable experience that is heavily dependent on resolution and settings, with the data showing a clear ceiling at 4K Ultra. The benchmark results indicate that while the CPU is a competent six-core part, the GPU's performance scaling across the preset ladder dictates the overall frame rate, making this combo a 1080p and 1440p performer rather than a native 4K solution.

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

The Intel Core i5-9400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor based on the Coffee Lake architecture, running at a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. In the context of Steamworld Build, a city builder where simulation logic and entity updates can stress multiple threads, this configuration provides a solid foundation. The processor’s 9 MB of shared L3 cache and dual-channel DDR4 memory support ensure that the CPU can handle the game's background simulation tasks without becoming a bottleneck in most scenarios, particularly at lower resolutions where the GPU is less stressed.

Benchmark data shows the i5-9400 scores 6629 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 935 in single-core tests. This places it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs, indicating it is a mid-range performer. Comparing it to its nearest rivals, the i5-9400 (avg benchmark score 2254) is nearly identical to the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 (2259, -0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246, 0.4% delta). This suggests that in CPU-bound scenarios, the i5-9400 will perform on par with these chips, meaning it is not a weak link but also not a source of exceptional performance.

In Steamworld Build, the relationship between CPU and GPU is clear from the measured FPS. At 1080p Low, the combo achieves 162 FPS, which is a high frame rate that likely leans on the CPU's ability to feed frames quickly. However, as settings are increased to Ultra at 1080p, the FPS drops to 63, a 61% reduction. This significant drop indicates that the GPU is the primary limiting factor when visual fidelity is increased, as the CPU has sufficient headroom to maintain higher frame rates if the GPU could render them faster. The data shows the CPU is capable, but the Arc B570's performance envelope is what users will feel.

FAQ — 4-6 Q&A pairs answerable from FACT PACK data

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combo can achieve in Steamworld Build?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 162, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is this combo capable of 4K gaming in Steamworld Build?

A: At 4K (3840x2160), the best average FPS is 55 on Low settings. On High settings, it drops to 31 FPS, and on Ultra, it falls to 21 FPS, indicating that 4K is only viable on the lowest preset.

Q: How does the GPU compare to its direct rivals?

A: The Intel Arc B570 (avg benchmark score 20556) is nearly tied with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (20534, 0.1% delta) and the Intel Arc A750 (20582, -0.1% delta). This suggests it delivers performance in the same class as those GPUs.

Q: What is the best preset for a smooth 60 FPS experience at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the High preset yields 59 FPS, which is just shy of 60. The Medium preset achieves 79 FPS, providing a comfortable margin above 60 FPS for smoother gameplay.

Q: Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU in this game?

A: The data suggests the CPU is not the primary bottleneck. At 1080p Low, the frame rate is 162 FPS, but at 1080p Ultra, it drops to 63 FPS. This steep drop with increased graphical settings indicates the GPU is the limiting factor for higher visual quality.

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

A: The average FPS drops from 162 on Low to 63 on Ultra, a difference of 99 FPS. This represents a 61% reduction in performance when moving to the highest settings.

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

For the best balance of visual quality and performance, the data points to the High preset at 1440p or the Medium preset at 4K as the sweet spots, depending on the user's display. At 2560x1440, the High preset delivers 59 FPS, which is close to the standard 60 FPS target, but the Medium preset provides a more stable experience at 79 FPS with a minimum of 67 FPS. For users prioritizing smoothness over maximum detail, Medium at 1440p is the optimal choice, as it offers a 20 FPS advantage over High while still providing a significant visual upgrade over Low.

At 1920x1080, the High preset achieves 93 FPS, which is an excellent experience for most users. While the Ultra preset is playable at 63 FPS, the drop from High is substantial (30 FPS), making High the recommended preset for 1080p to maintain high frame rates without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. The Low preset at 1080p (162 FPS) is only recommended for competitive play or if the user has a high refresh rate monitor and prefers frame rate over all else.

For 4K displays, the situation is more constrained. The Medium preset at 3840x2160 yields 42 FPS with a minimum of 35 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for fast-paced action. The High preset at 4K (31 FPS) is borderline, and Ultra (21 FPS) is not recommended. Therefore, the best experience at 4K is the Low preset at 55 FPS, though this sacrifices visual detail. Given the data, the optimal experience across all resolutions is Medium at 1440p, which provides a high frame rate and good visual quality without the performance penalties of Ultra.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

The Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B570 combination ranks 2320 out of 2924 tested combos in Steamworld Build. This places it in the bottom 21% of all tested systems, indicating that while it can run the game, it is not a high-performance pairing for this title. The rank suggests that a majority of other CPU and GPU combinations deliver higher average frame rates across the tested settings.

This ranking is a result of the GPU's performance class. While the Arc B570 is a capable card, its 65th percentile ranking among all GPUs means it is outclassed by many other options. The i5-9400, at the 47th percentile, is also a mid-range part. When combined, they produce a system that is adequate for 1080p and 1440p gaming but struggles at 4K, which likely contributes to the lower overall rank compared to combos featuring higher-end components.

The data shows that this combo is not a top-tier performer, but it is also not the worst. The rank indicates that users should manage expectations for high-refresh-rate 4K gaming. However, the measured FPS at 1080p (93 FPS on High) shows that the combo is fully capable of delivering a smooth experience for the majority of players who are on 1080p monitors. The rank is a relative measure against all other potential pairings, and this one sits firmly in the lower quartile, meaning it is a budget-conscious choice rather than a performance leader.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear trend of performance degradation as resolution increases, which is typical for a GPU-bound scenario. At the High preset, the average FPS drops from 93 at 1080p to 59 at 1440p and then to 31 at 4K. This represents a 37% drop from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 47% drop from 1440p to 4K, resulting in a total 67% reduction from 1080p to 4K.

This scaling pattern is a strong indicator that the Intel Arc B570 is the limiting component in this system. If the CPU were the bottleneck, the frame rate would remain relatively constant across resolutions, as the CPU's workload does not change significantly with resolution. Instead, the steep decline in FPS as resolution increases demonstrates that the GPU is struggling to render the additional pixels. The data at Low settings reinforces this: FPS drops from 162 at 1080p to 103 at 1440p and 55 at 4K, a 66% decrease from 1080p to 4K.

The scaling also shows that the GPU has a finite amount of rendering power. At 4K Ultra, the combo manages only 21 FPS, which is unplayable. This suggests that for users aiming for high resolutions, the Arc B570's 10 GB of memory and 380.0 GB/s bandwidth are insufficient to maintain playable frame rates with high graphical fidelity. The resolution scaling analysis confirms that the i5-9400 has enough headroom to support the GPU at lower settings, but the GPU's performance envelope is the deciding factor for overall gameplay smoothness.

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

The complete measured FPS data for the Steamworld Build with Intel Core i5-9400 and Intel Arc B570 is as follows:

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: 162 FPS average
• Medium: 124 FPS average (106 min, 143 max)
• High: 93 FPS average
• Ultra: 63 FPS average

At 1080p, the combo is very capable. The Medium preset shows a healthy margin with a minimum of 106 FPS, ensuring no noticeable stutters. The jump from High to Ultra is a significant 30 FPS drop, indicating that the Ultra preset demands a substantial amount of GPU resources.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: 103 FPS average
• Medium: 79 FPS average (67 min, 91 max)
• High: 59 FPS average
• Ultra: 40 FPS average

At 1440p, the performance is still respectable. The Medium preset is the best option for a stable 60+ FPS experience, with a minimum of 67 FPS. The High preset is borderline at 59 FPS, and the Ultra preset drops to 40 FPS, which is playable but less smooth.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: 55 FPS average
• Medium: 42 FPS average (35 min, 48 max)
• High: 31 FPS average
• Ultra: 21 FPS average

At 4K, the limitations of the GPU become apparent. Only the Low preset achieves a playable frame rate above 50 FPS. The Medium preset has a minimum of 35 FPS, which can lead to noticeable hitches. The High and Ultra presets are not recommended for a smooth experience, as they fall below the 30 FPS threshold for playability.

The data shows a consistent pattern: the Medium preset offers the best balance of minimum and average FPS across all resolutions, providing a stable experience. The Ultra preset is only viable at 1080p, and the Low preset is necessary for 4K. These exact numbers provide a clear guide for users to set their expectations and adjust settings based on their display resolution and performance preferences.