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Best Returnal settings for the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) (2026)

On a NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) (paired with a balanced Intel Core i5-8600K-class CPU), Returnal runs at roughly 62 FPS at 1080p with our optimized settings — up from about 31FPS with everything maxed. Here's the configuration and what each setting costs.

The NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) is a entry-level graphics card with 4GB of VRAM, and Returnal is a demanding, graphically heavy game. Paired with the Intel Core i5-8600K, it runs well at 1080p — about 62 FPS with FrameCoach's optimized settings, a clear jump from roughly 31 FPS with everything on High.

Across resolutions you can expect around 62 FPS at 1080p and 42 FPS at 1440p, dropping to roughly 24 FPS at 4K. Returnal offers ray tracing, but the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) isn't built for it, so we leave it off. With only 4GB of VRAM, keep textures a notch below max in Returnal at higher resolutions to avoid stutter. The biggest free win is FSR upscaling — set it to Quality for a large FPS boost at little visual cost.

ResolutionAll-High FPSOptimized FPS
1080p3162
1440p1842
4K1024
🚀 Biggest free win: enable FSR (Balanced) — about +55% FPS for a small sharpness trade.
Recommended settings
Upscaling — FSRBalanced+55% FPS
Returnal (Unreal Engine 4) supports DLSS, FSR and Nvidia frame generation - a big help with its heavy effects.
Ray Tracing (Reflections / Shadows)Offsaves FPS
Ray-traced reflections and shadows. Heavy in a fast bullet-hell shooter - keep Off for high FPS.
Shadow QualityLow+9% FPS
Shadow resolution and range. High is the value pick.
Post ProcessingLow+6% FPS
Bloom, motion blur and depth of field. Cheap; set to taste.
Particle QualityMedium+5% FPS
Bullet-hell particles and explosions - the heaviest setting given how much fills the screen. High smooths intense fights.
Model QualityMedium+3% FPS
Geometry detail of enemies, props and the alien world of Atropos. High is a clean trade.
Volumetric FogMedium+2% FPS
Atmospheric fog and haze - core to the eerie mood. Medium is a low-risk saving.
Anti-AliasingMedium+2% FPS
Edge smoothing. Medium/High keeps the image clean cheaply.
Texture QualityEpic-1% FPS
Surface sharpness - cheap if it fits your VRAM.

⚡ Fine-tune this for your exact CPU & target FPS →

🎯 Can the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) run Returnal? See the verdict →

Returnal on other GPUs
Other games on the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB)
Frequently asked

What FPS does the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) get in Returnal?

With FrameCoach's optimized balanced settings, the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) averages around 62 FPS at 1080p in Returnal — up from about 31 FPS with everything on High.

Can the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) run Returnal at 1440p?

At 1440p with optimized settings, the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB) averages roughly 42 FPS in Returnal; turn on upscaling or aim for a locked 60 for the best feel.

What are the best Returnal settings for the NVIDIA GTX 960 (4GB)?

Turn on FSR (Balanced), keep ray tracing off for maximum FPS, and ease the heaviest options like Shadow Quality and Post Processing down a notch. The full per-setting breakdown is above.

FPS figures are estimates from a generalized model (hardware tier × game load × per-setting weights), not live benchmarks — real performance varies by scene, drivers and game version.