Steamworld Build

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K paired with the Intel Arc B370 in Steamworld Build presents a dataset that is heavily skewed by the integrated graphics solution. The measured frames per second (FPS) across all resolutions and settings reveal a configuration where the GPU is the definitive bottleneck, with the CPU’s substantial processing power remaining largely underutilized. The data provides a clear picture of how this combo scales under load and where its practical limits lie.

Resolution Scaling

The FPS data shows a predictable and steep decline as resolution increases, confirming that the Arc B370’s rendering capabilities are the primary constraint. At 1920x1080 with Low settings, the combo achieves an average of 95 FPS. Moving to 2560x1440 at the same Low preset, the average drops to 61 FPS, a reduction of approximately 36%. Pushing further to 3840x2160 at Low yields an average of 32 FPS, which is roughly 48% lower than the 1440p result and 66% lower than the 1080p result. This pattern indicates that the pixel throughput demand is directly overwhelming the GPU.

The scaling behavior becomes more pronounced at higher graphical presets. At High settings, the average FPS goes from 55 at 1080p, to 35 at 1440p, and finally to 18 at 4K. The transition from 1080p to 4K at High settings results in a 67% loss in average frame rate. For the Ultra preset, the impact is even more severe, with averages of 37 FPS at 1080p, 23 FPS at 1440p, and a nearly unplayable 12 FPS at 4K. The data suggests that the limiting component is the graphics processor, as the performance decay is directly proportional to the increase in pixel count, which is a classic symptom of a GPU-bound scenario.

The fact that the CPU is not the limiting factor is further supported by the relative consistency of the frame rate drops. A CPU-bound scenario would typically show a less dramatic decline when moving from 1080p to 1440p, as the CPU workload would remain similar. Here, the workload scales almost entirely with resolution, pointing squarely at the Intel Arc B370’s fill rate and shader processing limits. The 4K Ultra result of 12 FPS is a definitive indicator that this configuration is not intended for high-resolution, high-fidelity gaming, but rather for lower resolutions where the GPU can keep up with the demand.

FAQ

Q: What is the best average FPS this combo can achieve in Steamworld Build?

A: The highest measured average FPS is 95, achieved at 1920x1080 resolution with the Low settings preset.

Q: How does the combo perform at 2560x1440 resolution?

A: At 1440p, the average FPS ranges from 61 on Low settings to 23 on Ultra settings. The Medium preset produces an average of 46 FPS.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K or the Intel Arc B370 the bottleneck in this game?

A: Benchmark results indicate the Intel Arc B370 is the limiting component. The average FPS drops dramatically as resolution increases, which is characteristic of a GPU-bound workload, leaving the CPU’s capabilities largely unused.

Q: What is the lowest measured average FPS for this configuration?

A: The lowest measured average FPS is 12, which occurs at 3840x2160 resolution with the Ultra settings preset.

Q: Is there a significant difference between Medium and High settings at 1920x1080?

A: Yes, the data shows a difference of 18 FPS on average. The Medium preset achieves 73 FPS, while the High preset achieves 55 FPS.

Q: What is the combo's rank among all tested configurations in this game?

A: The combo ranks 2683 out of 2924 tested combos in Steamworld Build, placing it in the lower percentile of performance.

How This Combo Ranks

In the database of tested hardware combinations for Steamworld Build, this pairing of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265K and Intel Arc B370 ranks 2683 out of 2924 total combos. This places it in the bottom 10% of all tested configurations. The rank is a direct reflection of the GPU’s limited performance, as it is the component that determines the frame rates in this game. The CPU’s high benchmark scores do little to boost the combo’s standing when the graphics processor cannot deliver adequate frame rates.

The GPU’s percentile vs all GPUs is 5, which is notably low. Its average benchmark score of 1184 in the 3DMark Steel Nomad test is nearly identical to its nearest rivals, including the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5570 and the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which have average scores of 1186 and 1190 respectively. This comparison underscores that the Arc B370 is positioned at the entry-level segment of graphics performance. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, in contrast, holds a 94th percentile rank among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 70879. This massive disparity in processing capability between the two components is the defining characteristic of this combo, resulting in a low overall rank for the game.

Measured FPS Breakdown

The measured FPS data provides a complete picture of the combo’s performance across three resolutions and four settings presets.

At 1920x1080, the configuration is most viable. The Low preset yields an average of 95 FPS, which is the highest score in the entire dataset. The Medium preset produces an average of 73 FPS, with a minimum of 62 FPS and a maximum of 84 FPS, indicating a playable range. High settings deliver an average of 55 FPS, while the Ultra preset drops to an average of 37 FPS. The progression shows a clear performance hierarchy, with each step up in visual quality costing a significant number of frames.

Moving to 2560x1440, the average FPS figures fall to 61 for Low, 46 for Medium, 35 for High, and 23 for Ultra. The Medium preset at this resolution shows a minimum of 39 FPS and a maximum of 53 FPS. The drop from 1080p to 1440p is consistent across all presets, further confirming the GPU’s struggle with the increased pixel count.

At 3840x2160, the performance is largely unsuitable for real-time gameplay. The Low preset manages an average of 32 FPS. The Medium preset averages 25 FPS, with a minimum of 21 FPS and a maximum of 28 FPS. High settings fall to an average of 18 FPS, and the Ultra preset bottoms out at an average of 12 FPS. These low frame rates make 4K gaming impractical for this combo, even at the lowest settings.

CPU Role

The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K is a high-end desktop processor with 20 cores and 20 threads. Its architecture is Arrow Lake-S, built on a 3 nm process node. It has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The CPU’s benchmark results are strong, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 35850 and a single-core score of 2020. Its Geekbench scores are 23085 for multi-core and 2713 for single-core. This data confirms that the processor has ample computational headroom for a city builder like Steamworld Build, which would primarily rely on single-thread performance for game logic and simulation.

However, the measured FPS data shows that this CPU power is not the deciding factor in this game. The performance scaling is entirely dependent on resolution and GPU load, not CPU activity. The CPU’s nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core i7-14700KF and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F, have similar average benchmark scores, with delta percentages of 1% and 1.3% respectively. This indicates that the 265K is a top-tier processor, but its capabilities are effectively wasted in this specific configuration because the Intel Arc B370 cannot translate the CPU’s potential into higher frame rates. The game is not CPU-bound; it is strictly limited by the graphics solution.

Settings Recommendations

The data suggests that the optimal experience for this combo is found at 1920x1080 resolution. At this resolution, the Low preset provides the highest average FPS at 95, ensuring the smoothest gameplay. The Medium preset is also a strong option, offering an average of 73 FPS, which is likely a good balance between visual quality and performance for most users. The High preset, at 55 FPS, is still playable, but the Medium preset offers a more comfortable margin above the 60 FPS threshold.

For users who prioritize visual fidelity, the Ultra preset at 1080p yields an average of 37 FPS, which may be acceptable for a slower-paced city builder where high frame rates are less critical. However, any attempt to play at 2560x1440 or 3840x2160 with this combo should be avoided. At 1440p, only the Low preset, with an average of 61 FPS, provides a consistently smooth experience. The Medium preset at 1440p, at 46 FPS, is borderline, while High and Ultra fall below 35 FPS. At 4K, all presets produce average frame rates below 32 FPS, making the game feel sluggish and unresponsive. The best experience, per the measured rows, is to stick to 1080p and choose between Low for maximum smoothness or Medium for a balanced visual upgrade.

GPU Role

The Intel Arc B370 is an integrated graphics processor based on the Xe3-LPG architecture, built on a 3 nm process. It has 1280 shading units, 40 TMUs, and 20 ROPs. Its boost clock is 2400 MHz, and it has a TDP of 25 W. The GPU’s memory is system shared, meaning its bandwidth is system dependent. Its performance metrics are low, with an FP32 throughput of 6.144 TFLOPS and a pixel rate of 48.00 GPixel/s.

In Steamworld Build, this GPU is the primary limiting factor. The data shows that it is only capable of providing playable frame rates at 1080p with lower settings. The 3DMark Steel Nomad score of 1184 places it at the 5th percentile of all GPUs, and its performance is directly comparable to older, discrete graphics cards like the ATI Radeon HD 5770, which has a deltaPct of -0.5%. This comparison illustrates that the Arc B370 is not designed for demanding 3D workloads. The visual complexity of a city builder, which involves rendering many individual objects, structures, and shadows, quickly overwhelms its 1280 shading units. The significant frame rate drops at higher resolutions and settings are a direct consequence of the GPU’s limited processing power and memory bandwidth, which is shared with the system. The GPU's role is to be the bottleneck, and the benchmark results consistently reflect that.