Best Returnal settings for the NVIDIA RTX 4090 (2026)
On a NVIDIA RTX 4090 (paired with a balanced Intel Core i9-14900K-class CPU), Returnal runs at roughly 76 FPS at 4K with our optimized settings — up from about 77FPS with everything maxed. Here's the configuration and what each setting costs.
| Resolution | All-High FPS | Optimized FPS |
|---|
| 1080p | 195 | 195 |
| 1440p | 154 | 152 |
| 4K | 77 | 76 |
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.
Effects 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.
Foliage QualityHighbaseline
Alien plant density on Atropos. A small, safe gain when lowered.
View DistanceHighbaseline
How far detail renders before fading. Mild pop-in when lowered.
Anti-AliasingHighbaseline
Edge smoothing. Medium/High keeps the image clean cheaply.
⚡ Fine-tune this for your exact CPU & target FPS →
Other games on the NVIDIA RTX 4090
Frequently asked
What FPS does the NVIDIA RTX 4090 get in Returnal?
With FrameCoach's optimized balanced settings, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 averages around 76 FPS at 4K in Returnal — up from about 77 FPS with everything on High.
Can the NVIDIA RTX 4090 run Returnal at 1440p?
At 1440p with optimized settings, the NVIDIA RTX 4090 averages roughly 152 FPS in Returnal — a smooth experience.
What are the best Returnal settings for the NVIDIA RTX 4090?
Use a balanced preset, keep ray tracing off for maximum FPS, and ease the heaviest options like Effects 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.