Borderlands 4 PC Benchmarks Reveal Massive Hardware Demands, Upscaling is Essential

Borderlands 4 has officially launched on PC. The new looter-shooter from Gearbox Software is visually stunning. It is also the most demanding title in the franchise’s history. Early performance data shows high-end hardware is struggling.

According to technical reviews, the game requires advanced upscaling technology for a smooth experience. Even flagship GPUs cannot run the game at native 4K resolution. This sets a new benchmark for graphical intensity in 2025.

Technical Demands and Graphical Settings Analysis

The game runs on Unreal Engine 5. It features a comprehensive suite of graphics options. Players can choose from several upscaling methods, including DLSS, FSR, and XeSS. Frame Generation support is also included for compatible hardware.

Visual settings are extensive. They include controls for geometry, textures, shadows, and volumetric effects. The “Badass” preset maximizes every available setting. This preset is incredibly taxing on even the most powerful systems.

Performance Data Shows Widespread Struggle for 60 FPS

Benchmark results are revealing. At 4K native resolution, no consumer GPU achieves a stable 60 frames per second. The NVIDIA RTX 5090, a flagship card, averages only 48 FPS. Older generation cards perform significantly worse.

Performance improves with upscaling enabled. Using DLSS Quality mode helps, but results are still mixed. The RTX 5090 reaches 74 FPS at 4K with this assist. Mid-range cards continue to face challenges maintaining playable frame rates.

CPU utilization is also notably high. Reports indicate severe load on processor cores during gameplay. This suggests the game is demanding on the entire system, not just the graphics card.

Borderlands 4 sets a new visual bar for the series but demands cutting-edge PC hardware and upscaling technology to match its intensity.

Info at your fingertips

What is the best GPU for Borderlands 4?

Current data suggests an RTX 4080 or better is needed for 4K with upscaling. For 1440p, an RTX 4070 Ti or equivalent is recommended for stable performance.

Does Borderlands 4 have ray tracing?

The game features ray tracing effects, but there is no option to disable them. This contributes significantly to the high hardware requirements noted in performance benchmarks.

Is Frame Generation supported?

Yes, Borderlands 4 supports Frame Generation. It is available for all modern GPUs and provides a significant FPS boost, which is almost necessary for smooth gameplay at higher resolutions.

Why is the game so demanding?

The game uses Unreal Engine 5 and features a massive, detailed open world. High-intensity combat with numerous particle effects and advanced lighting are the primary reasons for the heavy performance load.

Are there issues with Intel CPUs?

Benchmarks show very high CPU utilization. Users with degraded Intel 13th or 14th Gen chips may experience instability or crashes due to the intense processing load.