Early impressions of Borderlands 4 suggest that the game may be facing performance challenges on PC. A notable video review highlights difficulties in maintaining a steady frame rate, even on high-end hardware. The gameplay was tested on a setup featuring an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, yet the frame rate struggled to consistently reach 70fps in certain areas.
Performance Insights
While the system requirements for Borderlands 4 do not explicitly demand top-tier graphics cards, they are still positioned on the higher end for contemporary 3D gaming. The game’s vibrant, cartoony artwork, reminiscent of titles like Doom: The Dark Ages, nonetheless requires significant GPU power to deliver a smooth experience.
Several content creators have reported performance slowdowns during intense gameplay moments. A particularly revealing video by jackfrags on YouTube showcases the game running on the Badass graphics preset at a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440, utilizing Nvidia’s DLSS on the Quality setting. The frame rate counter displayed an average of 120-130fps during calmer exploration, but this number plummeted to approximately 100fps when combat ensued.
As jackfrags progressed past the initial boss fight, the performance dipped further, averaging between 60-80fps, with only sporadic spikes back to the 100fps mark. This performance drop is disheartening, especially given that the tested components represent some of the most powerful options available in the gaming market.
The integration of DLSS has raised concerns among gamers, particularly those with mid-range or lower-end systems, as they may struggle to achieve satisfactory performance levels in Borderlands 4.
Visually, the gameplay appears acceptable, albeit with occasional stutters. The most significant performance issues arise during combat scenarios, where jackfrags noted a potential loss of up to 25% in frame rate. This instability seems to resolve once the action subsides. Additionally, the video captured flickering lights and noticeable texture pop-ins throughout its latter segments.
Intriguingly, despite operating on the highest graphical preset, there were still options available to enhance certain graphics settings within the menus. This suggests that the top preset does not fully utilize the maximum in-game settings, yet it continues to struggle even on high-end hardware.
As the gaming community awaits further developments, it remains to be seen how widespread these performance issues are among PC players and what implications they may have for those with less powerful systems.
For gamers whose hardware may be outdated, exploring our guide to the best gaming PCs could provide insights into upgrading for optimal Borderlands 4 performance. Alternatively, players satisfied with their current setup can refer to our Borderlands 4 Shift codes guide for opportunities to redeem exciting in-game rewards. For those considering a handheld experience, our Borderlands 4 Steam Deck guide offers valuable information.
If you’re currently navigating Borderlands 4 on PC and encountering performance challenges, we invite you to share your experiences on our community Discord server.
