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Best Returnal settings for the NVIDIA RTX 3090 (2026)

On a NVIDIA RTX 3090 (paired with a balanced Intel Core i9-12900F-class CPU), Returnal runs at roughly 104 FPS at 1440p with our optimized settings — up from about 105FPS with everything maxed. Here's the configuration and what each setting costs.

The NVIDIA RTX 3090 is a high-end graphics card with 24GB of VRAM, and Returnal is a demanding, graphically heavy game. Paired with the Intel Core i9-12900F, it runs great at 1440p — about 104 FPS with FrameCoach's optimized settings. That already clears a smooth frame rate on High, so our tuning keeps the visuals as high as possible instead of chasing extra frames.

Across resolutions you can expect around 168 FPS at 1080p and 104 FPS at 1440p, dropping to roughly 80 FPS at 4K. Returnal supports ray tracing and the NVIDIA RTX 3090 can technically run it, but it's the single most expensive option here — we keep it off to hit a smooth frame rate and suggest turning it on only if you have frames to spare. Its 24GB of VRAM is plenty for Returnal, so textures can stay maxed. The biggest free win is DLSS upscaling — set it to Quality for a large FPS boost at little visual cost.

ResolutionAll-High FPSOptimized FPS
1080p168168
1440p105104
4K6080
Recommended settings
Upscaling — DLSSOff
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.
Texture QualityEpic-1% FPS
Surface sharpness - cheap if it fits your VRAM.
Particle QualityHighbaseline
Bullet-hell particles and explosions - the heaviest setting given how much fills the screen. High smooths intense fights.
Shadow QualityHighbaseline
Shadow resolution and range. High is the value pick.
Post ProcessingHighbaseline
Bloom, motion blur and depth of field. Cheap; set to taste.
Model QualityHighbaseline
Geometry detail of enemies, props and the alien world of Atropos. High is a clean trade.
Volumetric FogHighbaseline
Atmospheric fog and haze - core to the eerie mood. Medium is a low-risk saving.
Anti-AliasingHighbaseline
Edge smoothing. Medium/High keeps the image clean cheaply.

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

🎯 Can the NVIDIA RTX 3090 run Returnal? See the verdict →

Returnal on other GPUs
Other games on the NVIDIA RTX 3090
Frequently asked

What FPS does the NVIDIA RTX 3090 get in Returnal?

With FrameCoach's optimized balanced settings, the NVIDIA RTX 3090 averages around 104 FPS at 1440p in Returnal — up from about 105 FPS with everything on High.

Can the NVIDIA RTX 3090 run Returnal at 1440p?

At 1440p with optimized settings, the NVIDIA RTX 3090 averages roughly 104 FPS in Returnal — a smooth experience.

What are the best Returnal settings for the NVIDIA RTX 3090?

Use a balanced preset, keep ray tracing off for maximum FPS, and ease the heaviest options like Particle Quality and Shadow Quality 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.