Borderlands 4 runs like a beast. Not in the good way. Even RTX 4080 owners are struggling to hit 60 FPS at native 1440p, and the game’s CEO calling it “a premium game for premium gamers” isn’t helping anyone actually play it smoothly.
Borderlands 4’s Unreal Engine 5 implementation makes upscaling mandatory, not optional. The game hard-codes advanced features like Lumen and Nanite that can’t be disabled. But with the right settings, you can transform a stuttering slideshow into a PC optimized for gaming.
Borderlands 4 Performance Reality Check
Your hardware tier determines everything in this UE5 beast
Why Borderlands 4 Runs So Poorly (The Technical Truth)
Borderlands 4 uses Unreal Engine 5 with two cutting-edge features that can’t be turned off: Lumen (real-time global illumination) and Nanite (virtualized geometry). These aren’t optional graphics settings you can disable. They’re baked into the game’s core rendering pipeline.
When you try to disable them through config files, the game literally breaks. Buildings disappear, lighting vanishes, and you’re left in a world of floating objects.
This mandatory implementation is why even powerful GPUs struggle at native resolutions.
Your 5-Minute Optimization Path
Pre-Game System Optimization (Do This First)
Before touching any in-game settings, these system-level optimizations prevent common issues that mask the true impact of graphics tweaks.
Essential Pre-Launch Checklist
| Task | How To | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Driver Update | NVIDIA: GeForce 581.29+ AMD: Adrenalin 25.9.1+ |
Contains game-specific optimizations and fixes |
| Enable HAGS | Windows Settings > Display > Graphics > Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling = ON | Required for Frame Generation on Windows 10 |
| Clear Shader Cache | Delete contents of %LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA\DXCache (NVIDIA) or use AMD Reset Shader Cache | Fixes stuttering from corrupted shaders |
| Disable Overlays | Turn off Discord, Steam, GeForce Experience overlays | Prevents crashes and performance hits |
| Verify Game Files | Steam: Right-click game > Properties > Verify Epic: Manage > Verify |
Fixes missing/corrupted files causing crashes |
The Only Settings That Actually Matter (Ranked by Impact)
Not all settings are created equal. Some destroy performance for minimal visual gain, while others barely impact FPS. Here’s what actually matters, backed by benchmark data.
Performance Impact Analysis
Upscaling Deep Dive: DLSS vs FSR vs Frame Generation
Upscaling isn’t a nice-to-have feature in Borderlands 4. It’s the foundation of playable performance. Understanding which technology to use and how to configure it properly is crucial.
Upscaling Technology Guide
| Technology | GPU Support | Quality Ranking | Recommended Preset |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA DLSS | RTX 2000 series and newer | 🥇 Best quality, uses AI cores | Balanced (1440p) Performance (4K) |
| AMD FSR | Any GPU (universal) | 🥈 Very good, slightly less stable | Balanced (1440p) Performance (4K) |
| Intel XeSS | Best on Arc, works on all | 🥉 Good quality, newer tech | Balanced for all resolutions |
| Epic TSR | Any GPU (built-in UE5) | 🏅 Decent fallback option | Quality preferred |
Ready-to-Use Settings Profiles
Stop guessing. These three profiles are tested and optimized for different hardware tiers and priorities. Pick the one that matches your setup and apply it directly.
• Upscaling: Performance/Ultra Performance
• Reflections: Low (12% gain)
• Lighting: Low (10% gain)
• Foliage: Off (8% gain)
• All other settings: Low
• Frame Generation: OFF
• Motion Blur: 0
• Upscaling: Balanced/Quality
• Reflections: Low (still worth it)
• Lighting: Medium
• Shadows: Medium
• Textures: High (if 8GB+ VRAM)
• Frame Gen: Optional if base >60
• Foliage: Low
• Upscaling: DLSS Quality
• Reflections: Medium (not High!)
• Lighting: High
• Most settings: High/Very High
• Frame Generation: ON
• NVIDIA Reflex: On + Boost
• Volumetric Clouds: Enabled
Advanced Tweaks: Config Files and Future Patches
For those wanting to push beyond in-game settings, config file edits exist but come with serious risks. The community has discovered ways to force Lumen off, but this breaks the game’s visuals.
The Bottom Line
Borderlands 4’s performance challenges aren’t bugs to be patched. They’re the direct result of mandatory Unreal Engine 5 features that push current hardware to its limits. The game was designed with upscaling as a core requirement, not an optional boost.
Your path to smooth gameplay is clear: Enable DLSS or FSR immediately, set Reflections to Low for a free 12% boost, adjust Lighting and Foliage based on your hardware tier, and use Frame Generation only if you’re already hitting 60+ FPS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Borderlands 4 run so poorly compared to other games?
Borderlands 4 uses Unreal Engine 5 with mandatory Lumen (real-time global illumination) and Nanite (virtualized geometry) that cannot be disabled. These cutting-edge features are extremely demanding and baked into the game’s core. Unlike other UE5 games that let you toggle these features, Borderlands 4 requires them for basic functionality.
Is DLSS/FSR really necessary or just recommended?
Upscaling is absolutely necessary, not optional. Independent benchmarks show even an RTX 5090 struggles to maintain 60 FPS at native 4K. The game was designed assuming players would use upscaling as standard. Use Balanced preset for 1440p or Performance for 4K to achieve playable frame rates.
What’s the single best setting to improve FPS?
Set Reflections Quality to Low. This provides a massive 12% FPS boost by disabling off-screen Lumen reflections. It’s the most impactful single setting change. After that, reducing Lighting Quality to Medium gives another 10% boost on mid-range hardware.
Should I use Frame Generation?
Only use Frame Generation if your base FPS is already above 60. Below that threshold, the added input latency makes gameplay feel sluggish despite higher FPS numbers. Players describe it as playing through “molasses.” Always enable NVIDIA Reflex to “On + Boost” to minimize latency when using Frame Generation.
Why do shaders need to recompile after changing settings?
Borderlands 4 recompiles shaders in the background when graphics settings change. Gearbox recommends playing for at least 15 minutes after changes to see true performance, as initial stuttering is from shader compilation. This is normal behavior for Unreal Engine games.
Can I disable Lumen and Nanite for better performance?
While config file edits exist to force these features off, doing so breaks the game. Buildings disappear, lighting vanishes, and you’re left with floating objects and invisible walls. These features are mandatory parts of the rendering pipeline, not optional graphics settings.
What’s the best upscaling method to use?
NVIDIA DLSS provides the best quality on RTX GPUs using AI cores. AMD FSR works on any GPU and offers very good quality. Intel XeSS is best on Arc GPUs but works everywhere. Epic’s TSR is a decent universal fallback. Start with Balanced preset for 1440p or Performance for 4K.
Will future patches significantly improve performance?
Don’t expect dramatic improvements. The performance demands come from fundamental engine features (Lumen/Nanite) that are core to the game’s design. While patches may bring minor optimizations and bug fixes, the high system requirements are intentional. Major changes would require reworking the entire rendering pipeline.
What hardware do I really need for 60 FPS at 1440p?
For stable 60 FPS at 1440p with balanced settings, you need at least an RTX 3070 or RX 6700 XT with DLSS/FSR enabled. An RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT is recommended for headroom. Remember, this assumes using upscaling – native 1440p requires significantly more powerful hardware.
Why does the game still stutter with good hardware?
Common causes include: corrupted shader cache (clear it), overlays interfering (disable Discord/Steam overlays), VRAM limitations on 8GB cards (lower Texture Streaming Speed to Medium), or the initial shader compilation period after changing settings. Also ensure you have the latest GPU drivers with Borderlands 4 optimizations.
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