Steamworld Build

Steamworld Build, a city builder from late 2023, presents a unique challenge for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 paired with the integrated Intel Arc B370 graphics. The measured data for this combo reveals a system that is fundamentally constrained by its graphics solution, with the CPU showing significant headroom across all tested configurations. The benchmark results indicate a playable experience only at lower resolutions and settings, making this an instructive case study in platform balance.

Resolution Scaling

The performance drop from 1080p to 4K is steep and consistent, clearly identifying the Intel Arc B370 as the primary bottleneck. At 1080p High settings, the system averages 55 FPS. Moving to 1440p High reduces that to 35 FPS, a 36% decline. At 4K High, the average plummets to 18 FPS, which is a 67% drop from the 1080p figure. This scaling pattern is a classic symptom of a GPU that is running out of pixel throughput and memory bandwidth, as the workload shifts from CPU-bound logic to raw rasterization.

The data shows that the frame rate scales almost linearly with pixel count, which is expected when the GPU is the limiting factor. For instance, at Low settings, the jump from 1080p (95 FPS) to 1440p (61 FPS) is a 36% reduction, and then to 4K (32 FPS) is a further 48% reduction from 1440p. This indicates that the CPU, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235, is not the limiting component at any resolution; it is consistently waiting on the Arc B370 to finish rendering each frame. The only exception to this trend is the Ultra preset, where the 4K average of 12 FPS is so low that it suggests the GPU is overwhelmed by the combined load of high resolution and demanding visual effects, likely causing significant frame time spikes beyond what the average FPS captures.

The gap between Low and Ultra settings widens as resolution increases. At 1080p, the difference between Low (95 FPS) and Ultra (37 FPS) is 58 FPS. At 4K, that gap narrows to just 20 FPS (32 FPS vs 12 FPS), further confirming that the GPU is saturated. In a CPU-bound scenario, we would expect the FPS at 4K to be closer to the 1080p figures, as the resolution would have less impact on the central processor. The data shows the opposite, confirming that the limiting component is the integrated graphics processor.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor based on the Arrow Lake architecture, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. In the context of Steamworld Build, a genre that typically relies on single-thread performance for simulation logic and a few threads for rendering tasks, this CPU appears to be more than adequate. The benchmark data supports this, as the FPS does not scale with resolution in a way that would implicate the CPU. The 1080p Low result of 95 FPS is a strong indicator that the processor can handle the game's core simulation and draw calls without being a bottleneck.

The CPU's specifications, such as the 24 MB of shared L3 cache, are typical for a modern desktop part and should provide ample bandwidth for the game's asset streaming. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 14769 and single-core score of 2085 are respectable, but they do not directly translate to a specific FPS in this game. The data shows that the processor is not the constraining factor, as the FPS is nearly identical between the 1440p and 4K results when the GPU is not fully saturated. For example, the 1440p Medium average of 46 FPS and the 4K Low average of 32 FPS are both far below what the CPU could likely push if paired with a more powerful discrete GPU.

The nearest rivals for this CPU, such as the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 and Intel Core i9-13900HX, have nearly identical average benchmark scores with delta percentages of 0.1% and -0.1%, respectively. This indicates that the Core Ultra 5 235 is a competitive mid-range desktop part. However, in this specific game, the CPU is effectively idle in terms of being the performance limiter. The 14 cores and 14 threads, with no hyper-threading, are more than enough for the city builder's workloads, which often struggle to utilize more than a handful of cores effectively.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics solution based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, with a boost clock of 2400 MHz and 1280 shading units. Its performance, as measured by the 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12 benchmark, is a score of 1184, which places it in the 5th percentile of all GPUs. This low percentile is a clear indicator of its limited capabilities for gaming. The GPU's nearest rivals include the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and ATI Radeon HD 5770, which are over a decade old, underscoring its position at the entry-level.

The GPU relies on System Shared memory, which means its bandwidth and size are dependent on the system's RAM and configuration. This is a critical limitation for a game like Steamworld Build, which may require significant memory for texture storage and simulation state. The data shows that the GPU's performance collapses at higher resolutions and settings. The 4K Ultra result of 12 FPS is barely playable, and the 4K Medium result of 25 FPS with a minimum of 21 FPS suggests significant stuttering.

The GPU's 6.144 TFLOPS of FP32 performance is theoretically sufficient for 1080p gaming in less demanding titles, but the measured results in Steamworld Build show it struggling to maintain smooth frame rates even at 1080p High. The pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s and texture rate of 96.00 GTexel/s are low by modern standards, and the 20 ROPs are likely a limiting factor for fill-rate-heavy scenes. The data indicates that the Arc B370 is the sole reason for the performance ceiling in this combo, as the CPU is clearly capable of driving higher frame rates.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The benchmark results provide a comprehensive look at the combo's performance across three resolutions and four settings presets. At 1080p, the system delivers a playable experience at Low (95 FPS) and Medium (73 FPS, with a minimum of 62 FPS). High settings are borderline at 55 FPS, while Ultra drops to 37 FPS, which is likely too inconsistent for a smooth city-building experience.

At 1440p, the performance becomes more constrained. Low settings yield 61 FPS, which is playable, but Medium drops to 46 FPS with a minimum of 39 FPS. High settings are marginal at 35 FPS, and Ultra is not recommended at 23 FPS. The frame time data for Medium (39-53 FPS) shows a 14 FPS range, indicating some variance that could be noticeable during camera pans or large construction projects.

At 4K, the combo is not viable for smooth gameplay. Low settings average 32 FPS, which is below the standard for playability. Medium averages 25 FPS with a minimum of 21 FPS, and High drops to 18 FPS. Ultra is essentially a slideshow at 12 FPS. The data shows a clear pattern: the GPU is overwhelmed at 4K, and no settings preset can rescue a playable frame rate at this resolution. The only scenario where the game remains fluid is at 1080p with Low or Medium settings.

How This Combo Ranks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and Intel Arc B370 combo ranks 3419 out of 3706 tested combinations in Steamworld Build. This places it in the bottom 8% of all tested systems, which is consistent with the GPU's low 5th percentile performance ranking. The rank indicates that this combo is significantly behind the majority of systems tested, which likely include discrete GPUs from AMD and NVIDIA.

This ranking is not a reflection of the CPU's capability, but rather the GPU's severe limitation. The data suggests that the Core Ultra 5 235 could perform well in this game if paired with a more powerful graphics card. The combo's rank is a direct consequence of the Arc B370's inability to handle the game's rendering demands at higher resolutions and settings. For context, the CPU alone sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the GPU is in the 5th percentile, highlighting the massive imbalance in this pairing.

The fact that the combo ranks so low, despite the CPU being a competent performer, reinforces the analysis that the limiting component is the GPU. The measured results show that the system is not capable of delivering a high-refresh-rate experience at any resolution, and only becomes playable when the graphics load is minimized. This is a configuration that would benefit greatly from a discrete GPU, even a modest one, to unlock the CPU's potential.

Settings Recommendations

Based on the measured FPS data, the optimal experience for this combo is at 1080p with Medium settings. This preset delivers an average of 73 FPS with a minimum of 62 FPS, which provides a smooth and responsive experience for a city builder. The minimum FPS is above the 60 FPS threshold, ensuring minimal stuttering during gameplay. This is the only settings combination that offers both a high average and a high minimum frame rate.

For players who prioritize visual fidelity over raw frame rate, 1080p High is a viable option at 55 FPS. However, the lack of a minimum FPS reading for this setting makes it difficult to assess its consistency. The 1440p Low preset at 61 FPS is another playable option, but it sacrifices visual quality for a higher resolution, which may not be a worthwhile trade-off given the small pixel count difference on typical monitors.

The Ultra preset at 1080p (37 FPS) is not recommended, as the frame rate is too low for a game that requires frequent camera movement and micromanagement. All 4K presets are unplayable, and the 1440p Medium (46 FPS) and High (35 FPS) presets are borderline, with the minimum FPS for Medium at 39 FPS indicating potential dips into stutter territory. The data clearly points to 1080p Medium as the sweet spot for this hardware combination.

FAQ

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

A: The measured data shows that 1080p with Medium settings provides the best experience, with an average FPS of 73 and a minimum of 62 FPS.

Q: Can this combo run the game at 4K?

A: No. The highest average FPS at 4K is 32 FPS on Low settings, which is below playable thresholds. The 4K Ultra preset averages only 12 FPS.

Q: Is the CPU or GPU the bottleneck in this system?

A: The GPU is the clear bottleneck. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is capable of higher frame rates, as evidenced by the 95 FPS at 1080p Low, but the Intel Arc B370 cannot keep up at higher resolutions.

Q: How does this combo rank compared to other systems tested?

A: This combo ranks 3419 out of 3706 tested combinations, placing it in the bottom 8% of all systems.

Q: What is the performance difference between Low and Ultra settings at 1080p?

A: The average FPS drops from 95 FPS on Low to 37 FPS on Ultra, a difference of 58 FPS.

Q: What is the minimum FPS recorded for the 1440p Medium preset?

A: The minimum FPS recorded for 1440p Medium is 39 FPS, with a maximum of 53 FPS.