Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder from 2023, is not typically a graphical stress test, but the data for the Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 combination reveals a clear performance hierarchy. The measured frames per second (FPS) across resolutions and settings show a system that is overwhelmingly GPU-bound at higher quality presets, while the CPU's strength becomes evident at lower settings. This analysis breaks down the measured results, positioning this combo's capabilities within the game's specific demands.

Resolution Scaling

The transition from 1080p to 4K dramatically impacts performance, but the degree of that impact is heavily dependent on the graphics preset. At the Ultra setting, the average FPS drops from 160.4 at 1920x1080 to 101.3 at 2560x1440, and finally to 51.6 at 3840x2160. This represents a steep 68% reduction in frame rate from 1080p to 4K, indicating that the rendering load at Ultra settings is the primary bottleneck for the RTX 5080. The GPU is working at its limit, and the higher pixel count of 4K nearly halves the performance seen at 1440p.

In contrast, the Low setting shows a much different scaling pattern. At 1920x1080, the combo achieves 398 FPS, which drops to 267.5 at 2560x1440 and 139.3 at 3840x2160. While still a significant drop, the percentage decrease is less severe, and the absolute frame rates are substantially higher. This suggests that at Low settings, the load on the GPU is light enough that other factors, such as CPU draw-call limits or memory bandwidth, begin to play a more significant role, preventing the FPS from scaling linearly with pixel count.

The High and Medium presets fall predictably between these two extremes. High sees a drop from 243.5 FPS at 1080p to 153.2 at 1440p and 84 at 4K. Medium maintains a comfortable 322.5 FPS at 1080p, but that falls to 202.6 at 1440p and 108.2 at 4K. The data shows that resolution scaling is a significant factor at all presets, but the limiting component shifts. At Ultra, the RTX 5080 is clearly the limiting factor. At Low, the i7-14700K's performance becomes relatively more important, as the GPU has ample headroom to process the simpler frames.

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum average frame rate this combo can achieve in Steamworld Build?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 398, which occurs at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset. This indicates the system has massive performance headroom at lower graphical demands.

Q: Is the game more dependent on the CPU or GPU with this hardware?

A: The benchmark results indicate the game is heavily GPU-bound at higher settings. The FPS difference between Low and Ultra at 4K is over 87 FPS (139.3 vs 51.6), which is a GPU workload difference. The CPU's role is more apparent at lower resolutions and settings, where the 398 FPS ceiling at 1080p Low suggests CPU limitations are approached.

Q: Can this system run the game at 4K smoothly?

A: At 4K with the High preset, the combo averages 84 FPS, which is generally considered smooth. However, at the Ultra preset, the average drops to 51.6 FPS, which may feel less fluid for some users. The Medium preset at 4K offers a solid 108.2 FPS.

Q: How does the RTX 5080's performance compare to its closest rivals in this context?

A: The RTX 5080's average benchmark score is 59,188. Compared to its nearest rivals, it is 1.6% slower than the Intel Arc A570M, 1.9% faster than the Intel Arc Pro A60, 2.5% faster than the Intel Arc A580, and 2.6% faster than the AMD Radeon Pro W5500X. These are synthetic benchmark deltas, not game-specific FPS comparisons.

Q: What is the performance difference between the Low and Ultra presets at 1440p?

A: At 2560x1440, the Low preset achieves an average of 267.5 FPS, while the Ultra preset achieves 101.3 FPS. This is a difference of 166.2 FPS, showing the significant cost of enabling Ultra-quality graphics.

Q: What is the combo's overall ranking among all tested combinations for this game?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 combination is ranked 38th out of 1,730 tested combos for Steamworld Build, placing it in the top 2.2% of all tested systems.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal settings depend on the user's display and preference for visual fidelity versus raw frame rate. For users with a 4K display, the High preset is the recommended choice, offering an average of 84 FPS. This provides a visually rich experience that remains fluid. While the Medium preset offers a higher 108.2 FPS, the jump to High is worth the performance cost for the likely visual improvements in a city builder. The Ultra preset, at 51.6 FPS, should be avoided for a consistently smooth experience.

For 1440p displays, the High preset is again the sweet spot, delivering an excellent 153.2 FPS. The Medium preset is also a strong option at 202.6 FPS for those who prioritize high refresh rates. The Ultra preset at 101.3 FPS is perfectly playable and offers the best visual quality, but the performance gains from dropping to High are substantial. At 1080p, the High preset at 243.5 FPS is more than sufficient for any high-refresh-rate monitor. The Low and Medium presets push frame rates to 398 and 322.5 FPS, respectively, which are beneficial only for competitive play, which is not the target audience for this genre. The Ultra preset at 1080p still provides a very high 160.4 FPS, making it a viable option for users who prefer maximum settings without worrying about frame rate.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The data provides a comprehensive view of performance across all settings and resolutions. At 1920x1080, the Low preset achieves the highest measured average FPS of 398. The Medium preset follows with 322.5 FPS, and the High preset with 243.5 FPS. The Ultra preset, while the most demanding, still delivers a robust 160.4 FPS average.

At 2560x1440, the Low preset averages 267.5 FPS, a significant decrease from 1080p but still exceptionally high. The Medium preset averages 202.6 FPS, and the High preset averages 153.2 FPS. The Ultra preset at 1440p averages 101.3 FPS, which is a solid performance level for this resolution.

At 3840x2160, the performance scales down as expected. The Low preset averages 139.3 FPS, which is still very smooth. The Medium preset averages 108.2 FPS, and the High preset averages 84 FPS. The Ultra preset is the most demanding, with an average of 51.6 FPS. This data shows a clear and consistent performance hierarchy across all tested configurations.

GPU Role

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 is the primary driver of performance in Steamworld Build, especially at higher resolutions and settings. Its 16 GB of GDDR7 memory on a 256-bit bus provides a 960.0 GB/s bandwidth, which is more than sufficient for the textures and assets in this game. The GPU's 84 RT cores and 336 tensor cores are present, though their specific impact on this city builder is not isolated in the data. The core clock speeds, with a base of 2295 MHz and a boost of 2617 MHz, allow for substantial processing throughput.

The synthetic benchmarks for the GPU show it performing in the 89th percentile of all GPUs, with an average benchmark score of 59,188. Its Passmark G3D score is 36,565, and its more demanding 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 score is 8,637. These scores indicate a very high-end part. The measured FPS data confirms this, as the GPU is able to maintain high frame rates even at 4K with High settings. The significant FPS drop at the Ultra preset from 1080p to 4K (from 160.4 to 51.6) clearly demonstrates that the RTX 5080 is the component that is being saturated by the increased resolution and graphical load, confirming its role as the primary bottleneck in this configuration.

CPU Role

The Intel Core i7-14700K, with its 20 cores and 28 threads, provides ample processing power for Steamworld Build's simulation and logic. Its high boost clock of 5.60 GHz ensures strong single-thread performance, which is crucial for the game's core loop. The CPU's 33 MB of shared L3 cache helps keep frequently accessed data close for fast retrieval. In synthetic benchmarks, the processor scores a 44,534 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 6,287 in single-core, and it ranks in the 96th percentile of all CPUs.

In the game, the CPU's role becomes more prominent at lower settings and resolutions. The fact that at 1080p Low, the system achieves 398 FPS, but does not go higher, suggests that the CPU is reaching its limit for frame generation in this title. While the RTX 5080 is clearly the bottleneck at Ultra settings, the CPU ensures that the system never becomes CPU-limited at common settings like High or Medium, even at 1440p. The i7-14700K's performance is so robust that it allows the GPU to be the sole limiting factor, which is the ideal scenario for maximizing frame rates. Its nearest rivals in synthetic benchmarks, such as the Intel Core i7-14700KF and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, show performance within a 0.5% margin, indicating that this CPU is at the top of its class for gaming workloads.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested combinations for Steamworld Build, the Intel Core i7-14700K and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 ranks 38th out of 1,730 total combos. This puts the system in the top 2.2% of all tested configurations. This high ranking is a direct result of the synergy between a top-tier CPU and a high-end GPU. The CPU ensures there are no bottlenecks, allowing the GPU to deliver its full potential. The combination excels across the board, providing excellent frame rates at all resolutions and settings, with the only compromise being at 4K Ultra, where the average FPS drops below 60. This ranking confirms that this is a premium combination that will handle not only Steamworld Build but any other similarly demanding title with ease, placing it well ahead of the vast majority of systems in the database.