Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder from late 2023, presents a unique challenge for the Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the Intel Arc B390. The benchmark data for this combination reveals a system that is severely constrained by its graphics component, resulting in playable performance only at lower resolutions and settings. The measured FPS across resolutions shows a clear pattern of GPU limitation, where the powerful 16-core CPU is left largely underutilized as the integrated graphics struggle to keep pace with the demands of the simulation.

Resolution Scaling

The performance scaling from 1080p to 4K is dramatic and tells a clear story about which component is the bottleneck in this configuration. At 1080p with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 106 FPS, but this figure plummets to 67 FPS at 1440p and further to 35 FPS at 4K. This represents a performance drop of approximately 37% when moving from 1080p to 1440p, and a further 48% drop when moving from 1440p to 4K. Such steep declines with increasing resolution are the hallmark of a GPU-bound scenario, where the rendering workload grows faster than the graphics processor can handle.

The pattern is consistent across all settings presets. At High settings, the average FPS goes from 60 at 1080p, to 38 at 1440p, and finally to 20 at 4K. This consistent reduction of roughly 37-47% for each resolution step indicates that the Arc B390's rendering capabilities are the primary limiting factor. The data suggests that the integrated GPU is being saturated by the increased pixel count, leaving no headroom for the CPU to influence the frame rate. The fact that the i7-13700K has 16 cores and 24 threads is irrelevant at higher resolutions, as the GPU's workload dominates the frame time.

Looking at the scaling from a different angle, the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at the same resolution also highlights the GPU's limitations. At 1080p, going from Low to Ultra settings reduces the average FPS from 106 to 41, a 61% decrease. This is a significant hit, but the absolute numbers at Ultra (41 FPS) are still playable. However, at 4K, the Ultra preset yields only 14 FPS, which is unplayable. This indicates that the GPU simply does not have the raw throughput to handle the combination of high resolution and high graphical fidelity.

The data strongly implies that if a more powerful discrete GPU were paired with the i7-13700K, the frame rates at 1440p and 4K would be substantially higher. The CPU's benchmark scores, such as its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30745, suggest it has ample processing power for the game's simulation logic. Yet, the measured FPS shows that the GPU is the sole determinant of performance. The system is effectively a powerful CPU held back by a very weak graphics solution. For users of this specific combo, the only way to achieve higher frame rates is to reduce resolution and settings, as the CPU is not the component that needs upgrading for this title.

FAQ

Q: What is the highest average frame rate achievable with this CPU and GPU combination in Steamworld Build?

A: According to the measured data, the highest average FPS is 106, which is achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: Is this system capable of running the game at 4K resolution?

A: The data shows that while the game does run at 3840x2160, performance is very poor. The best average FPS at 4K is 35 with Low settings, and it drops to 14 FPS with Ultra settings. These frame rates are not considered smooth or playable.

Q: How much faster is the 1080p Low preset compared to the 4K Low preset?

A: The 1080p Low preset achieves an average of 106 FPS, which is exactly three times faster than the 4K Low preset's average of 35 FPS.

Q: What is the average frame rate difference between Medium and High settings at 2560x1440?

A: At 2560x1440, the Medium preset averages 51 FPS, while the High preset averages 38 FPS. This makes the Medium preset approximately 34% faster than High at that resolution.

Q: Does the game show any signs of being limited by the CPU in this configuration?

A: No. The data shows that frame rates drop significantly with every increase in resolution and graphical settings. This scaling pattern is indicative of a GPU bottleneck. The CPU's high benchmark scores, including a 3DMark max threads score of 12412, suggest it has ample power, but it is not the limiting factor here.

Q: What is the lowest average frame rate recorded for this combo?

A: The lowest average FPS recorded is 14, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a high-end desktop processor from the Raptor Lake architecture, featuring 16 cores and 24 threads. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz, which can boost up to 5.40 GHz under load. This configuration provides substantial multi-threaded performance, as evidenced by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30745 and its Geekbench multi-core score of 19429. In a city builder like Steamworld Build, which often involves complex simulations of populations and resources, such CPU power is typically beneficial.

However, the measured FPS data for this specific combo suggests that the CPU's potential is not being utilized in this game. The performance scaling is almost entirely dictated by the GPU. When resolution is lowered from 1440p to 1080p, the average FPS at High settings jumps from 38 to 60. If the CPU were a bottleneck, we would expect to see a plateau in FPS at lower resolutions where the CPU's processing limits are reached. Instead, the FPS continues to climb, indicating that the GPU is the component that is being maxed out.

The CPU's cache hierarchy, with its 30 MB of shared L3 cache, is designed to keep frequently accessed data close to the cores. Its 3DMark single-thread score of 1136 and Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2116 show strong single-core performance as well, which is important for games that rely on a primary simulation thread. Yet, these strengths are irrelevant when the GPU's frame rendering time is so high. The CPU is likely finishing its simulation and draw-call preparation work well ahead of the GPU being able to render the frames.

In this specific pairing, the i7-13700K is effectively operating in a low-load state, waiting for the Intel Arc B390 to complete its work. The data shows that even a much weaker CPU could likely achieve similar frame rates with this GPU, as the GPU is the sole performance limiter. The processor's high TDP of 125W and its active production status indicate it is a modern, capable part, but it is being completely overshadowed by the integrated graphics in this benchmark scenario.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark data provides a comprehensive look at the performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1920x1080, the system shows its best results. The Low preset yields an average of 106 FPS, providing a smooth experience. The Medium preset averages 81 FPS, with minimum and maximum values of 69 and 93 FPS, respectively, showing a stable frame delivery. High settings reduce the average to 60 FPS, which is still acceptable for most users. The Ultra preset, however, brings the average down to 41 FPS, which could be noticeable in a game with a lot of on-screen movement.

Moving to 2560x1440, the impact of the increased resolution is clear. The Low preset drops to an average of 67 FPS, which is still playable but a significant step down from 1080p. The Medium preset averages 51 FPS, with a minimum of 44 and a maximum of 59 FPS. This is in the range where some users might notice slight stutters. High settings average 38 FPS, which begins to feel less fluid. The Ultra preset falls to an average of just 26 FPS, which is generally considered too low for a comfortable experience in a management game that requires constant mouse movement and UI interaction.

At 3840x2160, the performance becomes largely unplayable. The Low preset is the only one that manages an average above 30 FPS, hitting 35 FPS. The Medium preset averages 27 FPS, with a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 31 FPS, indicating inconsistent frame pacing. High settings drop to 20 FPS, and the Ultra preset bottoms out at 14 FPS. These figures confirm that the Intel Arc B390 is not suited for 4K gaming in this title. The data shows a clear hierarchy of performance, with 1080p being the only resolution where all presets are at least somewhat usable.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B390 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It features 1536 shading units, 48 texture mapping units, and 24 render output units. With a boost clock of 2500 MHz, it offers a theoretical FP32 performance of 7.680 TFLOPS. Despite these specifications, its benchmark scores are very low, placing it in the 9th percentile of all GPUs. Its average 3DMark Steel Nomad score is just 1482, putting it in the same performance class as older, entry-level discrete GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce GT 710.

This GPU's performance is the defining factor for the entire combo. The data shows that its 80W TDP and "System Shared" memory configuration are insufficient for the demands of Steamworld Build at higher resolutions. The game, while not a graphically intensive first-person shooter, still requires a minimum level of fill rate and shader processing to render the game world smoothly. The Arc B390's 24 ROPs and 60.00 GPixel/s pixel rate are clearly a limiting factor, as the frame rate drops dramatically with any increase in pixel output.

The fact that the GPU has no dedicated VRAM and relies on "System Shared" memory is another critical weakness. The memory bandwidth is listed as "System Dependent," which means it shares the system's memory bus. This can lead to contention with the CPU and result in lower effective bandwidth compared to a dedicated graphics card. This likely contributes to the poor performance at higher resolutions, where the GPU needs to access more texture data and frame buffer memory. The GPU's performance is a stark contrast to the CPU, highlighting the imbalance in this pairing. The Arc B390's low average benchmark score of 1482 and its placement near the bottom of the GPU hierarchy confirm that it is a major bottleneck for any modern game.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1920x1080 resolution. For users prioritizing a smooth and responsive experience, the Low settings preset is the clear choice, delivering an average of 106 FPS. This provides a significant frame rate cushion and ensures the game will run without any hitches. However, given that Steamworld Build is not a fast-paced action game, the Medium preset at 81 FPS is a more balanced recommendation. It offers a noticeable improvement in visual fidelity over Low while still maintaining a frame rate well above 60 FPS, ensuring a fluid interface and camera panning.

At 2560x1440, the Medium preset is the highest settings level that provides a decent frame rate, averaging 51 FPS. This is playable, but users may notice some minor stutter in busy areas of the city. The Low preset at 67 FPS is a better option for those who want a more consistent experience. The High and Ultra presets at this resolution should be avoided, as they fall below 40 FPS, which can feel sluggish for a game that requires frequent menu navigation and precise placement of buildings.

For 3840x2160, there are no good recommendations. Even the Low preset at 35 FPS is borderline unplayable. The Medium, High, and Ultra presets are all below 30 FPS, making them unsuitable for a playable experience. The data strongly suggests that users should not attempt to run this game at 4K with this hardware. The best experience is unequivocally at 1080p, where the Medium preset offers a good balance. If visual quality is a priority, the High preset at 1080p is acceptable at 60 FPS, but the Medium preset provides a more stable frame rate with less risk of dips during heavy simulation load.

How This Combo Ranks

In the grand scheme of hardware combinations tested for Steamworld Build, this pairing of the Intel Core i7-13700K and Intel Arc B390 ranks 2573 out of 2924 tested combos. This places it in the bottom 12% of all systems, which is a very low ranking. This ranking is almost entirely due to the GPU's poor performance. The combo is positioned near the bottom of the list, reflecting that most other systems, even those with significantly weaker CPUs, outperform it because they have more capable graphics solutions.

The CPU itself is a top-tier performer, ranking in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its average benchmark score of 46881 is nearly identical to its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, which has a deltaPct of -0.2. This indicates that the CPU is not the reason for the low combo ranking. The problem is the GPU. The Intel Arc B390 ranks in the 9th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1482. Its nearest rivals are all extremely old and low-end parts, such as the NVIDIA GeForce GT 520MX, which is 1.3% slower. This shows just how weak the graphics component is.

The combination of a high-end CPU and a very low-end GPU results in a system that is poorly balanced for gaming. The combo rank of 2573 reflects this imbalance. If the same CPU were paired with a mid-range or high-end discrete GPU, the combo's rank would be dramatically higher. The data suggests that this specific configuration is not a viable gaming platform for modern titles like Steamworld Build, and users should expect to make significant sacrifices in resolution and visual quality to achieve playable frame rates. The low rank is a direct consequence of the GPU's limited capabilities, which override the CPU's strengths.