Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, with its city-building focus and simulation-heavy gameplay, presents a unique challenge to the Intel Core i7-12700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 combination. The benchmark results reveal a system that is exceptionally capable, delivering smooth performance at all but the most demanding settings. The data shows a clear hierarchy where the GPU becomes the primary bottleneck at 4K Ultra, while the CPU's strong multi-threaded performance ensures high frame rates at lower resolutions and settings.

Resolution Scaling

The measured FPS data shows a significant and predictable drop as resolution increases from 1920x1080 to 3840x2160. This scaling indicates a shift in the system's bottleneck. At 1080p, the frame rates are extraordinarily high, with the Low preset reaching 312.1 FPS. This suggests that the game is heavily CPU-bound at this resolution, as the RTX 4070 has ample headroom to render frames far faster than the processor can feed it. The scaling from 1080p to 1440p shows a substantial performance cost, but the system remains well above playable thresholds.

The jump to 4K is where the GPU's workload becomes the dominant factor. The average FPS at 4K High (56.4 FPS) is nearly half of the 1440p High result (110.5 FPS). This steep decline is typical of a game that becomes more GPU-limited at higher resolutions. The data indicates that at 4K, the RTX 4070 is working near its limits, especially with Ultra settings, which drop the average to 39.8 FPS. The scaling between the Medium and High presets at 4K (78.4 to 56.4 FPS) shows a non-linear cost, suggesting that certain graphical features in the High preset have a disproportionate impact on the GPU.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-12700K, with its 12 cores and 20 threads, provides a robust foundation for Steamworld Build's simulation logic. The benchmark data shows a strong multi-threaded performance, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 29241. This is critical for a city builder, as the game must constantly process AI, pathfinding, and resource management. The processor's 3.60 GHz base clock and 5.00 GHz boost clock ensure that single-threaded tasks, which are also common in simulation games, are handled swiftly.

The CPU's performance relative to its rivals reinforces its capability. In the nearestRivals data, it is virtually tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845, showing a deltaPct of -0.3, and only 0.6% behind the Intel Core i7-13700T. This indicates that the i7-12700K is not a limiting factor in this game's performance. The data shows that at 1080p, where the CPU is most likely to be the bottleneck, the frame rates are exceptionally high across all settings, from 120.7 FPS on Ultra to 312.1 FPS on Low. This demonstrates that the processor has more than enough power to keep up with the GPU at these resolutions.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 is the primary driver of visual fidelity and higher-resolution performance. Its 12 GB of GDDR6X memory and 504.2 GB/s of bandwidth are sufficient for the textures and geometry in Steamworld Build. The GPU's boost clock of 2475 MHz and 29.15 TFLOPS of FP32 compute power provide the raw throughput needed for modern rendering techniques.

The GPU's role becomes more pronounced as resolution increases. At 4K, the RTX 4070's performance is the deciding factor between a playable and a stuttering experience. The benchmark shows that at 4K Ultra, the average FPS falls to 39.8, which is below the 60 FPS target for smooth gameplay. This indicates that the GPU is the limiting component at this extreme setting. The GPU's percentile rank of 81 vs. all GPUs shows it is a high-performing part, but the demands of 4K Ultra in this title exceed its capabilities. The data suggests that for a consistent 60 FPS experience at 4K, users should select the High or Medium preset.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a clear picture of the combo's performance across different resolutions and settings.

At 1920x1080, the system is exceptionally fast. The Low preset yields an average of 312.1 FPS, while Medium and High follow at 237.3 and 176.5 FPS, respectively. Even the most demanding Ultra preset achieves an average of 120.7 FPS, which is more than sufficient for a smooth experience on a high-refresh-rate monitor.

Moving to 2560x1440, the frame rates remain high. Low averages 196.9 FPS, Medium 153.5 FPS, and High 110.5 FPS. The Ultra preset drops to 75.3 FPS, which is still very playable and ideal for high-refresh-rate gaming.

At 3840x2160, the performance curve steepens. The Low preset averages 107.1 FPS, which is excellent for 4K. Medium averages 78.4 FPS, High drops to 56.4 FPS, and Ultra falls to 39.8 FPS. This breakdown shows that 4K Ultra is the only setting where the combo fails to maintain a 60 FPS average.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core i7-12700K and RTX 4070 combo ranks 421 out of 1730 tested combinations in Steamworld Build. This places it in the top 24.3% of all tested systems, a strong showing that reflects its balanced performance. This rank is achieved despite the game's simulation-heavy nature, which can be demanding on the CPU, and the GPU's limitations at 4K Ultra.

The rank indicates that this is a high-end configuration that will handle the game with ease at most settings. While it is not in the top echelon of combos, its position in the 75th percentile or higher demonstrates that it outperforms the vast majority of systems tested. The data shows that the primary area of weakness is 4K Ultra, where the GPU cannot maintain high frame rates, but the combo excels in all other scenarios.

FAQ

Q: What is the average FPS at 4K with Ultra settings?

A: The average FPS at 3840x2160 with Ultra settings is 39.8.

Q: Can this combo achieve 60 FPS at 1440p?

A: Yes, the data shows that at 2560x1440, even the Ultra preset achieves an average of 75.3 FPS, which is above the 60 FPS threshold. All other settings at this resolution are well above 100 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the main bottleneck at 1080p?

A: The data suggests the CPU is the primary bottleneck at 1920x1080. The frame rates are exceptionally high (312.1 FPS on Low), indicating the GPU is not being fully utilized, and the CPU's performance is the limiting factor.

Q: How does the CPU compare to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K is virtually identical in performance, with a deltaPct of -0.3% compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845.

Q: What is the best preset for a 4K gaming experience?

A: For a smooth 4K experience, the Medium preset is recommended, as it achieves an average of 78.4 FPS. The High preset averages 56.4 FPS, which is close to but below the 60 FPS target.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested configurations?

A: The combo ranks 421 out of 1730 tested combinations in Steamworld Build.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's resolution and performance target.

For 4K (3840x2160), the Medium preset provides the best balance of visual quality and performance, averaging 78.4 FPS. The High preset is a viable option for those who prioritize visuals, but its 56.4 FPS average may result in occasional stutters on a 60 Hz display. The Ultra preset should be avoided, as its 39.8 FPS average is below a playable threshold for most users. The Low preset is not recommended at this resolution, as the visual compromise is significant, although it does offer a high 107.1 FPS average.

For 1440p (2560x1440), the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation, as it delivers a smooth 75.3 FPS average with the highest visual fidelity. All other presets offer even higher frame rates, but the Ultra setting provides the best experience without sacrificing performance.

For 1080p (1920x1080), all presets are playable. The Ultra preset offers an excellent 120.7 FPS average, making it the best choice for high-refresh-rate monitors. The High preset at 176.5 FPS is also an excellent option for those seeking maximum frame rates. The Low and Medium presets are not necessary for performance reasons, but they can be used to maximize FPS on very high refresh rate displays.