The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Gearbox’s NVIDIA optimization guide for Borderlands 4 is a settings reference—not a performance patch. Published through the game’s Steam News page on September 12, 2025, it maps selected NVIDIA GPUs and resolutions to recommended presets, DLSS modes, Frame Generation options, and target frame rates.
The guide remains useful as a starting point for PC players, but it does not guarantee 30 or 60 FPS, eliminate every stutter, or prove that the game’s launch-era performance problems were solved.
Date note: The guide was published on September 12, 2025. Check the game’s current patch notes and in-game options before treating its recommendations as definitive for the September 2026 build.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Open the official Borderlands 4 NVIDIA guide
Gearbox shared the chart in an official Borderlands 4 Steam News post. It is a table of recommended graphics configurations organized around NVIDIA GPU models, output resolutions, visual presets, upscaling, Frame Generation, and performance targets.
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
It is not a downloadable driver, executable optimizer, mod, hotfix, or universal patch. The precise description is that Gearbox shared NVIDIA’s recommended settings through Steam.
Why Gearbox published the guide
The guide followed launch-era complaints about low or unstable frame rates, traversal and shader-compilation stutter, demanding hardware requirements, and inconsistent performance even on powerful PCs. Tech4Gamers’ report described the chart as a response to those concerns.
Those reports should not be turned into a universal claim that every PC runs poorly. Low FPS, shader hitches, crashes, and CPU bottlenecks are different problems, and the correct remedy can differ for each one.
What the chart recommends
Reported coverage includes NVIDIA cards such as the RTX 2070, RTX 3080, and RTX 5060 Ti, with recommendations ranging from 1080p to 4K. The chart spans low, medium, high, and higher-quality targets and includes DLSS and Frame Generation where supported.
Rank #2
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Powered by GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Integrated with 16GB GDDR7 256bit memory interface
- PCIe 5.0
- WINDFORCE cooling system
Because the official post presents the recommendations graphically, use it as the authoritative full chart rather than treating the examples below as a complete list:
| GPU and target | Reported recommendation | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 2070 at 1080p | Mostly Low settings with DLSS Quality; target of 30 FPS or more | The card may be suitable for a lower-fidelity 30-FPS experience, not a guaranteed 60 FPS at high settings. |
| RTX 5060 Ti at 1080p | Medium settings with DLSS Quality and Frame Generation; approximately 60 FPS | The target includes generated frames and should not be confused with 60 fully rendered base frames per second. |
| RTX 3080 and other listed GPUs | Use the matching row in the official chart for the intended resolution and target | Desktop and laptop variants, VRAM, CPU limits, drivers, and later patches can change actual results. |
These are recommendations attributed to the Gearbox/NVIDIA chart and reported by Tech4Gamers, not independent benchmark results. A GPU appearing in the table is not automatically a minimum requirement or a promise of a particular frame rate.
Why the guide says to play for 15 minutes
Gearbox advised players to continue playing for at least 15 minutes after applying the recommended settings before judging performance. The reason is that shader compilation, shader caching, traversal through new areas, and related background work can temporarily produce uneven frame times.
Recommended Free Tools
That waiting period is a testing instruction, not a guaranteed stutter fix. Persistent traversal hitches, CPU limitations, streaming problems, crashes, black screens, or launch failures may remain after the 15 minutes have elapsed.
Rank #3
- AI Performance: 767 AI TOPS
- OC mode: 2632 MHz (OC mode)/ 2602 MHz (Default mode)
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure
- A 2.5-slot design maximizes compatibility and cooling efficiency for superior performance in small chassis
For a meaningful check, test a demanding open-world area rather than only the opening sequence. Compare both average FPS and frame pacing: a high average can still feel poor if frequent frame-time spikes cause visible hitching.
How to apply the recommendations
- Patch the game. Confirm that Borderlands 4 is fully updated. Launch-day behavior may not represent a later build.
- Install a current NVIDIA driver. Use the official NVIDIA driver page or the NVIDIA App. A new driver is not a guaranteed game fix, so note your current version in case troubleshooting requires a rollback.
- Record a baseline. Note resolution, preset, average FPS, one-percent lows if available, GPU and CPU utilization, VRAM use, temperatures, and whether Frame Generation is enabled. Test the same route or area each time.
- Choose the closest chart row. Match both your GPU and your display target. 1080p/60, 1440p/60, 1440p/120, and 4K/60 are materially different goals.
- Apply the recommended preset in the game. Do not assume an unofficial configuration file is required. Restart if the game requests it or if a change does not appear to take effect.
- Play for at least 15 minutes. Include a demanding area and separate temporary shader behavior from sustained performance.
- Tune one variable at a time. Re-test after each meaningful change so you know what helped.
DLSS: choose the right quality trade-off
DLSS Quality is the best starting point when the GPU has some performance headroom. It generally preserves more detail than more aggressive modes, but it cannot guarantee the chart’s target on every CPU, driver, patch, or scene.
DLSS Balanced is a middle ground for demanding 1440p or 4K targets. DLSS Performance and Ultra Performance render internally at lower resolutions and can raise FPS, but softness, shimmering, and reconstruction artifacts become more likely.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf the game is CPU-limited, changing DLSS may have little effect because the GPU is waiting for the processor or game thread. Check utilization before assuming that lower internal resolution will solve the problem.
Rank #4
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
Frame Generation is not the same as base FPS
Frame Generation can increase the displayed frame rate on supported GPUs, which is why it appears in the RTX 5060 Ti example. However, it does not remove the need for a reasonable underlying render rate. When base FPS is too low, input latency and visual artifacts can remain noticeable even if the displayed counter is higher.
Compare native or upscaled base FPS separately from generated output. Enable Frame Generation only after the underlying experience feels responsive, and remember that availability depends on GPU generation and configuration. The guide’s use of Frame Generation for one card does not mean every GPU or target should use it.
A practical tuning order
- Establish the most stable base frame rate your system can sustain.
- Try DLSS before lowering every visual setting.
- Reduce the most expensive exposed options, such as lighting, shadows, geometry, volumetrics, or anti-aliasing.
- Keep texture quality as high as VRAM allows; lowering textures may reduce image quality without fixing a CPU or shader bottleneck.
- Add Frame Generation only when base responsiveness is acceptable.
- Use an FPS cap below the display’s practical ceiling if it produces steadier frame pacing.
When the guide does not solve the problem
The chart is most useful when the GPU is the limiting component. It is less likely to solve:
- CPU bottlenecks in open-world areas.
- Insufficient system RAM or VRAM pressure.
- Shader-compilation and traversal stutter that persists after the initial settling period.
- Outdated or corrupted drivers.
- Overlays from Steam, Discord, NVIDIA, Xbox Game Bar, or monitoring tools.
- Background recording, browser tabs, antivirus scans, or RGB utilities.
- Thermal throttling or restrictive laptop power settings.
- A slow or nearly full game drive.
- Unstable overclocks or undervolts.
- Windows, BIOS, chipset-driver, or firmware problems.
- Crashes, black screens, and launch failures.
For persistent issues, verify the game files, temporarily disable overlays and background recording, return CPU/GPU settings to stock, check temperatures and utilization, and re-test after shaders have settled. Re-check the current game and driver notes after updates because a September 2025 chart can become stale.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Intel Arc Graphics: Powered by Intel Arc A580 GPU with Intel Xe HPG microarchitecture, featuring 384 XMX engines for enhanced AI acceleration and content creation.
- High-Performance Memory: 8GB GDDR6 on a 256-bit interface running at 16 Gbps, delivering excellent bandwidth for 1440p gaming and creative workloads.
- Factory Overclocked: Engine clock set at 2000 MHz out of the box, providing optimized performance for smooth gameplay and multimedia tasks.
- Advanced Dual-Fan Cooling: Features a dual-fan design with striped axial fans and an ultra-fit heatpipe for efficient thermal management. 0dB Silent Cooling stops fans completely at low temperatures for silent operation.
- Durable Construction: Includes a stylish metal backplate for enhanced PCB rigidity and a premium aesthetic, backed by ASRock's Super Alloy components for long-term reliability.
Should you upgrade your GPU?
Only consider a GPU upgrade after confirming that the GPU is actually the bottleneck. If utilization is near 99% during the problem and the official settings still produce an unacceptable frame rate, compare current RTX cards using Borderlands 4-specific benchmarks, including VRAM, power requirements, and the target resolution.
A faster graphics card is a poor solution for low GPU utilization, CPU limitations, shader stutter, crashes, thermal problems, or unstable system settings. Owners of AMD or Intel GPUs should seek separate vendor-specific guidance; this is not an official recommendation for those platforms.
Cloud gaming through GeForce NOW may be an alternative if the game and account version are supported in the user’s region, but it adds network latency, bandwidth requirements, possible queues or plan limits, and image-compression trade-offs. It is not equivalent to local rendering.
What the guide can—and cannot—promise
- It can provide an official starting point for selecting a preset and upscaling mode.
- It cannot guarantee 30 FPS, 60 FPS, high-refresh-rate performance, or native-resolution performance.
- It cannot guarantee that waiting 15 minutes will eliminate stutter.
- It does not fix every crash, launch failure, CPU bottleneck, or streaming problem.
- Frame Generation output is not equivalent to improving the base render rate.
- It covers selected NVIDIA GPUs and resolutions, not every graphics card.
- It should not be treated as a verified description of every September 2026 game build.
The Bottom Line
Gearbox’s NVIDIA chart is worth using as a structured first pass, especially if you are unsure which visual compromises to make. Treat its FPS figures as targets, wait at least 15 minutes before evaluating shader-related behavior, and diagnose CPU, VRAM, thermal, driver, and stability issues separately. It is guidance—not proof that Borderlands 4’s underlying PC performance problems were fixed.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
