Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build is a city builder that stresses both CPU simulation and GPU rendering, and the Intel Core i7-13700K paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 proves to be a formidable combination. The benchmark data shows this pairing delivers high frame rates across all tested resolutions and settings, though the demands of a city builder’s simulation are clearly visible in the scaling. This analysis breaks down the specific roles of the processor and graphics card, provides a detailed FPS breakdown, and offers settings recommendations based on the measured data.

FAQ

Q: What is the best resolution for this CPU/GPU combo in Steamworld Build?

A: At 1920x1080, the combo produces extremely high average frame rates, reaching 384 FPS on Low settings and 154 FPS on Ultra. At 2560x1440, the average FPS ranges from 253 on Low to 98 on Ultra. For 3840x2160, the average FPS spans from 134 on Low to 52 on Ultra, indicating that 4K Ultra is the most demanding scenario.

Q: How does the Intel Core i7-13700K compare to its closest rivals in overall CPU benchmarks?

A: The i7-13700K has an average benchmark score of 46881, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rival, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900, scores 46971, which is a slight 0.2% difference. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is 0.5% slower, with a score of 46654.

Q: How does the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 compare to its nearest competitors in GPU benchmarks?

A: The RTX 4080 has an average benchmark score of 54247 and sits in the 86th percentile of all GPUs. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER is its closest rival, scoring 54209, a mere 0.1% difference. The AMD Radeon Pro W5700X scores 54828, which is 1.1% higher.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of the Intel Core i7-13700K?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K has 16 cores and 24 threads. It has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. It features 30 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache per core.

Q: What is the memory configuration of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 has 16 GB of GDDR6X memory on a 256-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s. Its base clock is 2205 MHz, and its boost clock is 2505 MHz.

Q: In which settings preset does the combo show the most significant jump in performance?

A: The most significant jump is observed when moving from Medium to Low settings. For example, at 2560x1440, the average FPS increases from 194 on Medium to 253 on Low, a gain of 59 FPS. At 3840x2160, the jump is from 102 FPS on Medium to 134 FPS on Low.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-13700K is the central processing unit for this system, and its architecture is built around a hybrid design of 16 cores and 24 threads. This configuration is particularly relevant for a city builder like Steamworld Build, where the simulation of a growing population, resource chains, and building logic can be highly parallel. The processor’s boost clock of 5.40 GHz provides strong single-thread performance, which is crucial for the primary game thread that handles input and core simulation logic. The benchmark data for the CPU shows strong multi-threaded capability, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 30745 and a Geekbench multicore score of 19429.

The CPU’s performance, as measured by its average benchmark score of 46881, places it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. The data shows it trades blows with its nearest rivals; the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 is just 0.2% faster on average, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is 0.5% slower. In the context of Steamworld Build, this level of processing power ensures that the game’s simulation logic is not a bottleneck, even when the population grows to significant numbers. The high thread count is especially useful for background tasks, such as pathfinding for numerous citizens and managing complex production chains, which can scale across multiple cores. The 30 MB of shared L3 cache is also beneficial, as it allows for faster access to frequently used simulation data. The CPU’s strong performance is reflected in the high frame rates at lower resolutions where the GPU is not the limiting factor, indicating that the processor is capable of feeding the graphics card with enough data to maintain high FPS.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is responsible for all rendering tasks in Steamworld Build. Its 16 GB of GDDR6X memory is a significant asset for a city builder, as it allows for large textures and complex scenes with many detailed structures to be held in VRAM without stuttering. The memory bandwidth of 716.8 GB/s ensures that the GPU can quickly access these textures and geometry as the camera moves across a dense city. The GPU’s base clock of 2205 MHz and boost clock of 2505 MHz provide substantial raw compute power for the game’s draw calls and effects. The benchmark data shows the RTX 4080 has a Passmark G3D score of 34457 and a Geekbench Vulkan score of 263779, confirming its high-end performance.

The RTX 4080’s average benchmark score of 54247 puts it in the 86th percentile of all GPUs, and it is virtually tied with the RTX 4080 SUPER, which is only 0.1% faster. The GPU’s role becomes more critical at higher resolutions, such as 3840x2160, where the rendering load increases significantly. The data shows that at 4K Ultra settings, the average frame rate drops to 52 FPS, indicating that the GPU is being pushed to its limits. The 16 GB of VRAM also future-proofs the system for higher-resolution texture packs or mods, which are common in the city builder genre. The GPU’s ability to handle the rendering load is the primary factor in the FPS differences between the Low and Ultra presets, as the CPU is generally powerful enough to keep up with the simulation at these settings.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a detailed look at how this combo performs across three resolutions and four settings presets. The data is consistent with a high-end system, showing a clear trend where performance scales down as resolution and settings increase.

At 1920x1080, the frame rates are exceptionally high. On Low settings, the system achieves an average of 384 FPS. This drops to 304 FPS on Medium, 228 FPS on High, and 154 FPS on Ultra. The Medium preset has a min FPS of 259 and a max FPS of 350, showing some variance but still well above any standard display refresh rate. At this resolution, the CPU and GPU are both under relatively low load, and the system is capable of delivering a highly responsive experience.

At 2560x1440, the performance remains very strong. Low settings produce an average of 253 FPS, while Medium yields 194 FPS with a min and max of 165 and 223 FPS respectively. High settings average 145 FPS, and Ultra settings average 98 FPS. This resolution represents a sweet spot for this combination, as the high refresh rates are maintained even on High settings, and Ultra remains playable.

At 3840x2160, the load on the GPU becomes more apparent. Low settings still deliver an excellent average of 134 FPS. Medium settings produce an average of 102 FPS, with a min of 87 FPS and a max of 118 FPS. High settings average 77 FPS, which is still smooth for a city builder. Ultra settings are the most demanding, with an average of 52 FPS, which is playable but may not be ideal for fast camera movements. The data shows a consistent pattern of performance loss with each step up in settings, with the largest relative drop occurring between Low and Medium at 4K.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database for Steamworld Build, this specific combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 is ranked 216 out of 3706 tested combos. This places it in the top 6% of all systems tested for this game, indicating that it is a very high-performing configuration. The rank is a holistic measure that considers the combined capabilities of both the CPU and GPU in the context of this specific game’s engine and requirements.

The high rank is supported by the measured FPS data, which shows that the system can handle even 4K Ultra settings at an average of 52 FPS, a feat that many other combinations would struggle to achieve. The combination’s strength lies in the balance between the CPU’s 16 cores, which handle the simulation, and the GPU’s 16 GB of VRAM and high bandwidth, which handle the rendering. This balanced configuration ensures that neither component becomes a major bottleneck, resulting in a smooth experience across a wide range of settings. The rank of 216 suggests that while there are more powerful combinations available, this one offers a level of performance that will satisfy the vast majority of players looking for a high-end experience.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings preset depends on the user’s display and performance goals.

For users with a 1920x1080 display, the Ultra preset is the best choice for visual quality, as it maintains an average of 154 FPS, which is well above the refresh rate of most monitors. If a user has a very high refresh rate display (240Hz or more), the High preset at 228 FPS is also a strong option, offering a significant performance boost with a slight reduction in visual fidelity.

For users with a 2560x1440 display, the High preset is the recommended balance, delivering an average of 145 FPS. This provides excellent visual quality and a frame rate that is smooth on 120Hz and 144Hz displays. The Ultra preset, at 98 FPS, is also viable for gamers who prioritize visuals over raw frame rate, but High offers a better experience for fast-paced camera control.

For users with a 3840x2160 (4K) display, the High preset is the recommended choice, as it maintains an average of 77 FPS. This provides a good balance between visual fidelity and smoothness. The Medium preset, at 102 FPS, is an excellent alternative for those who prefer higher frame rates without a major drop in visual quality. The Ultra preset, at 52 FPS, is only recommended for players who demand the highest visual settings and are comfortable with a lower, but still playable, frame rate.

In summary, the High preset offers the most consistent experience across all three resolutions, providing high visual quality with frame rates that are smooth for most display setups. The Ultra preset is best suited for 1080p and 1440p displays where the performance hit is acceptable, while the Medium and Low presets are useful for reaching extreme frame rates at lower resolutions.