Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build is a city builder where simulation logic and frame rendering interact in distinct ways. The Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 combination produces a wide performance envelope depending on resolution and quality settings. This analysis breaks down the measured data for this specific pairing, focusing on how component capabilities translate into playable frame rates.

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

The Intel Core i7-13700K is a 16-core, 24-thread processor based on the Raptor Lake architecture. Its configuration includes a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, which allows for rapid single-thread responsiveness while maintaining high throughput for multi-threaded workloads. The processor’s 30 MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed simulation data close at hand. In the context of Steamworld Build, a city builder, the CPU is responsible for managing the game’s underlying simulation, including agent pathfinding, resource distribution, and building logic.

Benchmark results show that the i7-13700K ranks in the 89th percentile against all CPUs, indicating strong overall processing capability. Its multi-threaded performance is substantial, with a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 30745 and a Geekbench multicore score of 19429. Single-threaded performance is equally robust, with a Geekbench singlecore score of 2529 and a Cinebench R23 singlecore score of 2116. In a game like Steamworld Build, which often has a primary simulation thread, the high boost clock is critical. The data suggests that when the simulation becomes complex, the CPU has ample headroom to avoid becoming the primary bottleneck at most settings.

The i7-13700K sits very close to its nearest rivals in aggregate benchmark scores. It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 by just 0.2% and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 by 0.3%. Conversely, it leads the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and the Intel Xeon w3-2535 by 0.5% each. This parity means that in CPU-bound scenarios, the i7-13700K performs on par with these alternatives, and any performance differences in the game are more likely to be influenced by the GPU or game-specific optimizations.

GPU Role — VRAM, clocks, and how they relate to this game's results

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is based on the Blackwell 2.0 architecture and the GB206 chip. It features 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s. The GPU’s base clock is 2280 MHz, with a boost clock of 2497 MHz. This configuration is well-suited for 1080p and 1440p gaming, where its 3840 shading units can be fully utilized. The 72nd percentile ranking against all GPUs places it as a solid mid-range performer, though its 8 GB VRAM capacity can be a limiting factor at higher resolutions and ultra settings in some games.

In Steamworld Build, the GPU’s role is primarily to render the game world, including terrain, buildings, and visual effects. The measured FPS data shows that the RTX 5060 is capable of delivering high frame rates at lower resolutions. For instance, at 1080p with Low settings, the combination achieves 240 FPS, suggesting that the GPU is not the limiting factor at this configuration. The GPU’s performance relative to its nearest rivals is tight. It is 0.3% behind the AMD Radeon 860M and the NVIDIA GeForce MX550, and 0.8% behind the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary. It is 1.2% ahead of the AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT. This suggests that the RTX 5060’s raw compute performance is comparable to these cards, even though they may have different memory configurations or architectural features.

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

The measured FPS data reveals a clear pattern in how performance scales with resolution. At 1080p, the system is often CPU or game-logic limited at lower settings, as evidenced by the high frame rates. For example, at 1080p Low settings, the average FPS is 240, which is a very high frame rate that suggests the CPU is the limiting factor. Moving to 1440p, the average FPS drops to 153 at Low settings, and at 4K, it falls to 81. This scaling indicates that as resolution increases, the GPU becomes more heavily utilized.

The transition from 1080p to 1440p shows a significant drop in FPS across all settings. For High settings, the average drops from 138 to 88 FPS, a reduction of 36%. At Medium settings, the drop is from 184 to 117, a 36% reduction as well. This consistent percentage drop suggests that the GPU is becoming the primary bottleneck as the pixel count increases. The drop from 1440p to 4K is even more pronounced. At High settings, the FPS falls from 88 to 46, a 48% reduction. At Ultra settings, it falls from 59 to 31, a 47% reduction. This steep decline is classic GPU-bound behavior, where the rendering workload scales nearly linearly with the number of pixels. The data strongly indicates that at 4K, the RTX 5060’s capabilities are the limiting factor, while at 1080p, the system’s performance is constrained by other elements, likely the game’s simulation thread on the CPU.

How This Combo Ranks — use comboRankInGame vs other tested combos

In the benchmark database, this specific combination of the Intel Core i7-13700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 is ranked 1636 out of 3706 tested combos for Steamworld Build. This places it in the 44th percentile of all tested systems, indicating that while it is not a top-tier configuration, it is far from the bottom. The rank reflects the balance between the CPU’s strong multi-threading and single-thread performance and the GPU’s mid-range rendering power.

This ranking suggests that many other combinations of hardware outperform this pairing in this specific game. Given that the CPU is a high-end part from a general computing standpoint, the rank is likely pulled down by the GPU’s limitations at higher resolutions. The combination performs admirably at 1080p and 1440p, where the GPU can keep pace with the CPU’s ability to feed it frames. However, at 4K, the GPU becomes the bottleneck, preventing the system from achieving higher frame rates that would improve its overall standing. The rank implies that a user seeking maximum performance in Steamworld Build might achieve better results with a less powerful CPU and a more powerful GPU, though this specific pairing remains a competent and balanced option for high-refresh 1080p and 1440p gaming.

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

The measured data provides a comprehensive view of performance across three resolutions and four quality presets.

1920x1080 (1080p):

• Low: The average FPS is 240.
• Medium: The average FPS is 184, with a minimum of 156 and a maximum of 212.
• High: The average FPS is 138.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 93.

2560x1440 (1440p):

• Low: The average FPS is 153.
• Medium: The average FPS is 117, with a minimum of 99 and a maximum of 135.
• High: The average FPS is 88.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 59.

3840x2160 (4K):

• Low: The average FPS is 81.
• Medium: The average FPS is 62, with a minimum of 53 and a maximum of 71.
• High: The average FPS is 46.
• Ultra: The average FPS is 31.

This data shows a clear hierarchy. At 1080p, even the Ultra preset achieves an average of 93 FPS, which is very smooth for a city builder. The jump to 1440p sees the Ultra preset drop to 59 FPS, which is still playable but less fluid. At 4K, only the Low preset manages to stay above 60 FPS, with an average of 81 FPS. The Medium preset at 4K averages 62 FPS, which is borderline, while High and Ultra presets fall below 60 FPS, with 46 and 31 FPS respectively. The frame time consistency, where available, shows that the Medium preset has a reasonable spread between minimum and maximum FPS, suggesting a stable experience.

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

Based on the measured FPS data, the best settings depend heavily on the target resolution and the desired frame rate. The data does not include specific refresh rate targets, but a general guideline for a smooth experience is to maintain an average FPS above 60.

For 1080p gaming, the Ultra preset is the clear recommendation. At an average of 93 FPS, it provides a visually rich experience while maintaining a high frame rate that is well above the 60 FPS threshold. This allows for full visual fidelity without sacrificing smoothness. The High preset at 138 FPS is also an excellent choice for users with high-refresh-rate monitors, offering a significant frame rate boost with only a minor visual compromise.

At 1440p, the High preset is the best balance. With an average of 88 FPS, it delivers a smooth and detailed experience. The Medium preset, at 117 FPS, is also viable for those who prioritize frame rate over visuals, but the High preset offers a substantial visual upgrade for a relatively small FPS cost. The Ultra preset at 59 FPS is borderline; it is playable but may show occasional stutters. For a more consistent experience, High is the safer choice.

At 4K, the options are more limited. The Low preset, with an average of 81 FPS, is the only setting that consistently provides a smooth experience. The Medium preset at 62 FPS is also playable and offers a significant visual improvement over Low. For users who can tolerate slightly lower frame rates, Medium is the recommended choice for 4K, as it provides a much better visual experience than Low while still staying above 60 FPS on average. The High and Ultra presets should be avoided at 4K due to their low average frame rates of 46 and 31 FPS, which will likely result in a stuttery and less enjoyable experience.

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

Q: What is the maximum average FPS this combination can achieve at 1080p?

A: The maximum average FPS recorded is 240, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: At what resolution and settings does this combo drop below 60 FPS average?

A: At 4K resolution, the High preset drops to 46 FPS average, and the Ultra preset drops to 31 FPS average. At 1440p, the Ultra preset averages 59 FPS, which is just below 60.

Q: How does the CPU’s multi-threaded performance compare to its closest rival?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700K is 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 5900 in average benchmark score, but it is 0.5% ahead of both the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX and the Intel Xeon w3-2535.

Q: What is the GPU’s memory bandwidth?

A: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 has a memory bandwidth of 448.0 GB/s, using 8 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 128-bit bus.

Q: What is the best settings preset for a 1440p experience based on the data?

A: The High preset at 1440p provides the best balance, with an average FPS of 88. This is well above 60 FPS and offers a high level of visual detail.

Q: What is the average FPS for the Medium preset at 4K?

A: The Medium preset at 3840x2160 resolution yields an average FPS of 62, with a minimum of 53 and a maximum of 71.