Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder released in late 2023, presents an interesting performance profile when paired with the Intel Core i7-12700K and the Intel Arc B390. The data shows a configuration that is heavily constrained by the graphics processor, particularly at higher resolutions and settings. The CPU, a 12-core Alder Lake part with a 3.60 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock, provides substantial processing headroom, while the Arc B390, an integrated graphics solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, becomes the clear limiting factor in almost every measurable scenario. This analysis breaks down the measured FPS data to understand how the components interact across resolutions and settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data for Steamworld Build reveals a stark scaling pattern as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 106 FPS, which is the highest recorded figure across all tests. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low settings, the average drops to 67 FPS, a reduction of 39 FPS. At 3840x2160 with Low settings, the average falls further to 35 FPS, which is less than one-third of the 1080p Low result. This pattern strongly indicates that the Intel Arc B390 is the primary bottleneck, as the pixel throughput demand increases dramatically with resolution, and the GPU’s limited 7.680 TFLOPS FP32 performance and 24 ROPs cannot keep up with the workload.

The scaling from Medium settings tells a similar story. At 1920x1080 Medium, the average FPS is 81, with a minimum of 69 and maximum of 93. At 2560x1440 Medium, the average drops to 51 FPS, with a range of 44 to 59. At 3840x2160 Medium, the average falls to 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 and maximum of 31. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is 30 FPS, and from 1440p to 4K is another 24 FPS. This consistent decline across the board, regardless of the preset, confirms that the GPU’s rendering capabilities, including its 48 TMUs and 1536 shading units, are saturated well before the CPU’s 12 cores and 20 threads are fully utilized.

High settings exhibit the same trend. At 1080p, the average is 60 FPS. At 1440p, it falls to 38 FPS. At 4K, it drops to 20 FPS. The percentage-wise, the 4K High result is exactly one-third of the 1080p High result. Ultra settings, which are the most demanding, show the lowest performance overall. At 1080p Ultra, the average is 41 FPS. At 1440p Ultra, it is 26 FPS. At 4K Ultra, it plummets to 14 FPS. The data suggests that the Arc B390’s memory bandwidth, which is listed as "System Dependent" and uses System Shared memory, is also a contributing factor, as higher resolutions require more memory traffic that the shared memory configuration may not handle efficiently.

The pattern is unambiguous: the limiting component is the GPU. The CPU, which scores 19784 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 1850.5 in single-core, is not the constraint. The evidence lies in the fact that even at 1080p Low, where the CPU would be most likely to bottleneck, the system only reaches 106 FPS. A more powerful CPU would not improve these numbers because the GPU is already at its maximum output. The scaling from 1080p to 4K shows a near-linear relationship with pixel count, which is a classic sign of a GPU-bound scenario. For users targeting 4K, the Arc B390 is simply not adequate, as even Low settings only produce 35 FPS. The playable range is firmly in 1080p territory, with 1440p being marginal at lower settings.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average FPS this combo achieves in Steamworld Build?

A: The highest recorded average FPS is 106, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with Low settings. This is the only setting combination that exceeds 100 FPS, indicating a practical ceiling for this hardware pair.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-12700K or the Intel Arc B390 the bottleneck in this game?

A: The data clearly shows the Intel Arc B390 is the bottleneck. The FPS drops consistently with resolution increases, from 106 FPS at 1080p Low to 35 FPS at 4K Low, while the CPU’s 12 cores and 20 threads have ample headroom. The GPU’s 9th percentile ranking among all GPUs, compared to the CPU’s 84th percentile, further confirms this.

Q: How does the Intel Arc B390 compare to its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks?

A: In the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 test, the Arc B390 scores 1482. Its nearest rival, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, scores 1463, which is 1.3% lower. The NVIDIA GeForce 800M scores 1460 (1.5% lower), the GeForce GT 625 OEM scores 1446 (2.5% lower), and the GeForce GT 710 scores 1443 (2.7% lower). This places the Arc B390 at the very bottom of the GPU performance spectrum.

Q: What is the playable FPS range for this combo at 2560x1440?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset delivers an average of 67 FPS, which is playable. Medium delivers 51 FPS, which is also acceptable for a city builder. High drops to 38 FPS, and Ultra falls to 26 FPS, both of which may feel less smooth. The 1440p Medium setting appears to be the highest playable option, with a minimum of 44 FPS.

Q: Does the CPU's core count or clock speed have a significant impact on the measured results?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-12700K has 12 cores, 20 threads, a 3.60 GHz base clock, and a 5.00 GHz boost clock. However, the benchmark results show that FPS is solely dependent on resolution and settings, not on CPU workload. The GPU is the limiting factor, so the CPU’s performance headroom is not being utilized.

Q: What is the lowest FPS recorded for this combo in the tested scenarios?

A: The lowest average FPS recorded is 14, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with Ultra settings. This is the only scenario that drops below 20 FPS. The 4K High setting produces 20 FPS, and 4K Medium produces 27 FPS, showing a steep performance cliff at ultra-high resolutions.

How This Combo Ranks

The combination of the Intel Core i7-12700K and the Intel Arc B390 ranks 2573 out of 2924 tested combos for Steamworld Build. This places the configuration in the bottom 12% of all tested hardware pairs, which aligns with the GPU’s low performance metrics. The Arc B390 has a percentile ranking of 9 against all GPUs, meaning it performs better than only 9% of the database’s GPU entries. In contrast, the CPU has a percentile ranking of 84 against all CPUs, showing it is in the top 16% of processors. This discrepancy creates a highly unbalanced system where the CPU is vastly more capable than the GPU.

The GPU’s nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks are all older, low-end NVIDIA parts. The Arc B390’s 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 is just 1.3% higher than the GeForce GT 520MX, which scores 1463. The deltaPct values show that the GeForce 800M is 1.5% behind, the GT 625 OEM is 2.5% behind, and the GT 710 is 2.7% behind. These rivals are all legacy products from a decade ago, which underscores the Arc B390’s position as a very weak graphics solution. The combo rank of 2573 out of 2924 is consistent with this, as it indicates that almost every other CPU-GPU pairing in the database delivers better performance in this game.

The CPU’s nearest rivals, on the other hand, are all much closer in performance. The Intel Core i5-13600T has an average benchmark score of 35305, which is only 0.1% lower than the i7-12700K’s score of 35287. The i7-12700KF scores 35365 (0.2% higher), the i7-13700T scores 35403 (0.3% higher), and the Intel Core 5 213PE scores 35428 (0.4% higher). This shows that the i7-12700K is solidly mid-pack among its peers, with no significant advantages or disadvantages in raw compute. However, the GPU’s weakness dominates the game-specific ranking, dragging the combo down to position 2573.

The data suggests that this combo is severely mismatched for Steamworld Build. While the CPU could easily handle more demanding graphics hardware, the Arc B390 holds the entire system back. The ranking reflects the GPU bottleneck, as the frame rates are consistently low across all tested resolutions and settings. For context, the combo ranks in the bottom 12%, which means 351 other tested combos are slower. This is not a system for high-fidelity city building; it is a configuration for basic playability at low resolutions.

Measured FPS Breakdown

At 1920x1080, the measured FPS data shows a clear hierarchy across settings. Low settings produce an average of 106 FPS, which is the only triple-digit result in the entire dataset. Medium settings average 81 FPS, with a minimum of 69 and a maximum of 93. High settings average 60 FPS. Ultra settings average 41 FPS. The progression from Low to Ultra shows a reduction of 65 FPS, with each step up in quality costing roughly 20 FPS. This resolution is the only one where the combo approaches playable performance at all settings, though Ultra drops below the 60 FPS threshold that many users prefer.

At 2560x1440, the averages drop significantly. Low settings deliver 67 FPS, which is still respectably smooth. Medium settings average 51 FPS, with a minimum of 44 and a maximum of 59. High settings average 38 FPS. Ultra settings average 26 FPS. The gap between Low and Ultra is 41 FPS. The Medium setting is the highest that maintains an average above 50 FPS, but the minimum of 44 FPS suggests occasional dips that could be noticeable in a city builder with many moving elements. High and Ultra are below the 40 FPS threshold, which may not provide a fluid experience.

At 3840x2160, the performance collapses. Low settings average 35 FPS. Medium settings average 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 31. High settings average 20 FPS. Ultra settings average 14 FPS. The difference between Low and Ultra is 21 FPS. None of these results are ideal for a smooth gameplay experience, as even Low falls below 40 FPS. The Medium setting’s minimum of 23 FPS indicates significant frame pacing issues, making 4K effectively unplayable for this game with this GPU. The data shows a total range from 14 FPS to 106 FPS across all tested configurations, highlighting the extreme sensitivity to resolution and settings.

The medium settings, which are the only ones with min and max FPS data, provide insight into frame consistency. At 1080p Medium, the range is 69 to 93, a spread of 24 FPS. At 1440p Medium, the range is 44 to 59, a spread of 15 FPS. At 4K Medium, the range is 23 to 31, a spread of 8 FPS. This narrowing of the range at higher resolutions indicates that the GPU is consistently saturated, rather than experiencing occasional spikes. The lower resolutions show more variance, which could be due to CPU or memory interactions, but the overall trend is one of GPU-bound stability.

Settings Recommendations

Given the measured FPS data, the optimal settings for this combo depend on the target resolution. At 1920x1080, the High preset at 60 FPS offers a balanced experience, providing a smooth frame rate while maintaining visual quality. The Medium preset at 81 FPS is also a strong choice, with the added benefit of a higher minimum of 69 FPS, which ensures fewer drops below the refresh rate of a standard 60 Hz monitor. Low at 106 FPS is the best for competitive or very smooth play, but the visual downgrade may not be worth it for a city builder where detail matters. Ultra at 41 FPS is playable but dips below the 60 FPS threshold, which could be noticeable during camera pans or large construction projects.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset at 67 FPS is the safest recommendation for consistent performance. Medium at 51 FPS is also viable, but the minimum of 44 FPS means there will be occasional stutters. High at 38 FPS and Ultra at 26 FPS are not recommended for a smooth experience, as both fall below the 40 FPS threshold that is generally considered the minimum for acceptable gameplay in this genre. For users who prefer visual fidelity over frame rate, Medium is the highest setting that keeps the average above 50 FPS, but they should be prepared for some frame dips.

At 3840x2160, no preset provides a truly smooth experience. Low at 35 FPS is the only setting that stays above 30 FPS, making it the only viable choice for anyone attempting 4K. Medium at 27 FPS, High at 20 FPS, and Ultra at 14 FPS are all below playable thresholds. The data shows that the Arc B390 is not capable of handling 4K in Steamworld Build, regardless of settings. The best recommendation for 4K users would be to lower the resolution to 1440p or 1080p, as the performance gains are substantial.

The overall recommendation is to play at 1920x1080 with High settings for the best balance of visual quality and performance. This delivers 60 FPS average, which is smooth for a city builder. For those with a 1440p monitor, Low settings at 67 FPS is the most practical choice, as it maintains a stable frame rate without sacrificing too much responsiveness. The Medium preset at 1440p is acceptable for users who prioritize visuals over frame rate stability. Ultra settings should be avoided at all resolutions, as the performance penalty is severe and not justified by the marginal visual improvements.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700K is a 12-core, 20-thread processor based on the Alder Lake architecture, manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process. It has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a 125 W TDP. The CPU supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and it includes 25 MB of shared L3 cache. In synthetic benchmarks, it scores 19784 in Cinebench R23 multicore and 1850.5 in single-core, with a Geekbench multicore score of 15790 and single-core score of 2308. These numbers place it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, showing strong overall compute capability.

In Steamworld Build, however, the CPU’s role is minimal. The measured FPS data shows no evidence of CPU bottlenecking, as the frame rates are consistently low and scale directly with GPU load. At 1080p Low, the system produces 106 FPS, which is the highest result. If the CPU were the limiting factor, we would expect to see similar FPS across different resolutions at the same settings, which is not the case. The FPS drops by 39 FPS when moving from 1080p Low to 1440p Low, and by another 32 FPS to 4K Low, proving the GPU is the sole constraint.

The CPU’s 12 cores and 20 threads are more than sufficient for a city builder like Steamworld Build, which typically relies on single-thread performance for game logic and simulation. The i7-12700K’s single-core boost of 5.00 GHz and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1850.5 ensure that the simulation runs smoothly, but the GPU cannot keep up with the rendering workload. The 3DMark scores for the CPU, such as 9276 in the 16-thread test and 9979 in the max-thread test, indicate that the processor has substantial headroom even under heavy multi-threaded loads.

The data suggests that the i7-12700K is wasted in this configuration, as the Arc B390’s 9th percentile ranking and low 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1482 create an insurmountable bottleneck. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i5-13600T with an average score of 35305, perform within 0.4% of the i7-12700K, further confirming that the processor is not the differentiator in this game. For users considering this combo, the CPU provides a solid foundation, but the GPU will need to be upgraded to a more capable discrete solution to unlock the CPU’s full potential in Steamworld Build. The current pairing results in a system that is severely GPU-limited, with the CPU’s performance characteristics having no meaningful impact on the measured frame rates.