Borderlands 4 System Requirements

As excitement builds for the next Borderlands entry, many PC players are asking the same question: can my rig handle it? Gearbox hasn’t published official specs yet, so the lists below are informed predictions based on recent trends in game engines, graphics features, and current hardware. Use this as a planning guide, not a guarantee — treat these as reasonable target builds to aim for.

Minimum system requirements

These specs should let you play at 1080p with playable framerates and reduced visual quality:

OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64-bit)
CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 (or comparable) / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
RAM: 8 GB (upgrade to 16 GB strongly recommended)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB / AMD Radeon RX 580
DirectX: 12
Storage: ~100 GB (SSD strongly recommended)
Internet: Stable broadband for updates and co-op

Expect modest settings, longer load times on HDDs, and limited headroom for intensive effects like ray tracing at this level.

Recommended system requirements

Below are two practical recommended targets — one for high 1080p/1440p play, and one for smooth 4K / high-end settings.

Recommended (1080p high / 1440p medium–high)

OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
CPU: Intel Core i5 (12th gen series or newer) / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X or equivalent
RAM: 16 GB
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (or better)
Storage: 100 GB NVMe SSD
DirectX: 12

Enthusiast (4K / max settings, ray tracing enabled)

OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
CPU: Intel Core i7/i9 (12th gen+) or AMD Ryzen 7/9 (5000 series+)
RAM: 16–32 GB
GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 / RTX 40-series equivalent or AMD Radeon RX 7900 series
Storage: 100 GB NVMe SSD

These recommendations aim for stable, enjoyable performance — actual framerates will depend on settings like ray tracing, resolution, and any post-processing features.

Performance tips — get more out of your system

If you want to boost performance without replacing hardware:

Use an SSD (NVMe preferred): load times and stutter are reduced dramatically.
Upgrade to 16 GB RAM: modern games benefit from 16 GB as a baseline.
Keep GPU drivers updated: driver updates often include game-specific optimizations.
Tweak in-game settings: lower shadows, ambient occlusion, and texture quality first.
Enable upscaling: technologies like DLSS/FSR can deliver major FPS gains.
Background apps: close unnecessary tasks (browser tabs, overlays) before gaming.
Thermals & power: ensure good cooling and a reliable PSU — thermal throttling kills frame stability.

Ray tracing and upscaling — likely support

Based on recent AAA shooter trends, Borderlands 4 will likely include:

Ray tracing options — for improved lighting, reflections, and shadows (optional; performance cost varies).
AI/temporal upscaling — support for NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR is probable to preserve visuals while boosting FPS.

If ray tracing is important to you, plan for a mid-to-high tier GPU; upscaling technologies will help mid-range cards remain viable.

Multiplayer & online requirements

Borderlands is co-op focused — expect:

Online co-op for up to 2–4 players (depends on design choices).
Cross-platform play is possible but not guaranteed.
Recommended internet: Stable 10 Mbps+ for smooth matchmaking and updates; 5 Mbps can work for basic co-op but with less resilience.

Quick checklist — assess your rig

GPU: GTX 1060 / RX 580 or better → minimum.
CPU: i5-6500 / Ryzen 3 1200 or newer → minimum.
RAM: 8 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended.
Storage: NVMe SSD preferred; reserve ~100 GB.
OS/DirectX: Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12 support.

If you hit recommended or enthusiast tiers above, you’ll be set for higher settings and better framerates.

Final thoughts

Borderlands 4 will likely scale from modest rigs to high-end machines with ray tracing and AI upscaling support. Plan around 16 GB RAM and an NVMe SSD as the most impactful upgrades for modern titles. If you’re chasing 4K or ray-traced visuals, prioritize a strong GPU and a modern multi-core CPU.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I run Borderlands 4 on a laptop?
Yes — but for comfortable performance at medium settings, choose a gaming laptop with an RTX 3050/RTX 4060-class GPU (or AMD equivalent) and 16 GB RAM.

2. Is an SSD necessary?
Not strictly required, but an SSD (preferably NVMe) dramatically reduces load times and game streaming stutter. HDDs will work but with longer waits.

3. Will mid-range GPUs handle ray tracing?
Entry-level ray tracing is possible on mid-range cards, but expect lower FPS. For consistent ray-traced performance, target higher-tier GPUs.

4. How much internet speed do I need for co-op?
A stable 5 Mbps connection can support basic co-op, but 10 Mbps+ is recommended for smoother matchmaking and downloads.

5. Is DirectX 12 Ultimate required?
DirectX 12 support is likely required. Ultimate unlocks advanced ray tracing and feature tiers, but the game should run without “Ultimate” — just with reduced access to some advanced effects.