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Borderlands 4 PC Launch: Preparation & Performance Guide

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

Borderlands 4 logo with Vault Hunter character preparing for PC launch optimization

The hype for Borderlands 4 is palpable. While developer Gearbox Software remains tight-lipped on an official announcement, industry whispers, job listings, and comments from parent company Take-Two Interactive all but confirm the next chapter in the iconic looter-shooter saga is in active development. As Vault Hunters worldwide eagerly await their next trip to Pandora and beyond, veteran PC players are asking a crucial question: Will it run well?

Based on the franchise's history, particularly the rocky PC launch of Borderlands 3, concerns over launch-day performance are valid. This guide serves as a forward-looking resource, using lessons from the past to prepare your system and expectations for the day Borderlands 4 finally drops. Here’s everything we know and how you can get ready for a smooth day-one experience.

The State of Borderlands 4: What We Actually Know

First, let's be clear: Borderlands 4 has not been officially announced, and there is no release date. The original article suggesting the game was out and patched was speculative. However, the evidence for its development is overwhelming. Gearbox has been on a hiring spree for a new "major AAA title," and Take-Two has repeatedly pointed to a "new title from one of its biggest franchises" in upcoming fiscal reports, a slot many analysts believe is reserved for the next Borderlands.

The game will almost certainly be built on a newer version of Unreal Engine, likely Unreal Engine 5, which powered the stunning "The Matrix Awakens" demo. This promises a significant leap in visual fidelity but also presents new challenges for PC optimization.

Learning from the Past: The Troubled PC Launch of Borderlands 3

To understand what we might face with Borderlands 4, we must look back at Borderlands 3. Its 2019 launch on PC was plagued by widespread performance issues, including severe stuttering, inconsistent frame rates, and crashes, even on high-end hardware. The primary culprits were often cited as a problematic DirectX 12 implementation and heavy-handed Denuvo DRM.

Gearbox eventually addressed these problems through numerous patches, and today, Borderlands 3 is a much more stable experience. But those initial weeks left a lasting impression, creating a clear mandate for Gearbox: Borderlands 4 needs a polished PC launch right out of the box.

A Proactive Optimization Guide for Borderlands 4

When the game is finally in our hands, performance will be key. By applying lessons learned from Borderlands 3 and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, you can be ready to troubleshoot and optimize your experience from the moment you hit "play."

1. Update Your Drivers (The Golden Rule)

This is non-negotiable for any new AAA release. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel will almost certainly release "Game Ready" drivers specifically tuned for Borderlands 4 around its launch day. Installing these is the single most effective step you can take to ensure stability and performance.

2. Prepare to Tweak Key In-Game Settings

The Unreal Engine provides a vast suite of graphical options. Based on previous titles, these will likely be the most demanding settings you'll want to adjust:

  • Volumetric Fog: Often one of the biggest performance hogs in modern games, this setting adds depth and atmosphere but can tank your FPS. Lowering it from Ultra to High or Medium can provide a significant boost with minimal visual loss.
  • Material Complexity / Texture Quality: High-resolution textures are a staple of the Borderlands art style. While they look great, they consume VRAM. If you have a graphics card with less VRAM (e.g., 6GB or less), you may need to lower this setting to prevent stuttering.
  • Shadows: Another classic performance-intensive setting. Dropping shadow quality is a quick and easy way to gain frames.
  • Anti-Aliasing: Expect modern options like TAA. While effective at smoothing edges, it can sometimes introduce a slight blur. Experiment with different levels to find your preferred balance of sharpness and performance.

3. The DirectX 11 vs. DirectX 12 Question

Borderlands 3's DX12 mode was a source of major stuttering at launch but eventually became the more performant option on modern hardware after patches. It's likely Borderlands 4 will launch with both APIs.

  • Our advice: Start with the recommended default. If you experience stuttering, try switching to the other API. DX12 generally offers better CPU utilization, but a buggy implementation can cause problems that a more stable DX11 build avoids.

4. Leverage Modern Upscaling Technologies

The PC gaming landscape has changed since 2019. It is now standard for major releases to include upscaling technologies. We fully expect, and demand, Borderlands 4 to launch with robust support for:

  • NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling): A must-have for GeForce RTX users, offering huge performance gains.
  • AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution): An open-source solution that works across all modern GPUs (AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel).
  • Intel XeSS (Xe Super Sampling): Intel's AI-based upscaler that also works on a wide range of hardware.

The inclusion of these features from day one will be a critical factor in the game's reception on PC.

5. System-Level Health Checks

Before launch day, ensure your PC is ready. Close unnecessary background applications (especially browser tabs and launchers) to free up CPU and RAM resources. After installation, use the "Verify Integrity of Game Files" option in Steam or the Epic Games Store to fix any corrupted data from the download process.

Conclusion: A Hope for a Smoother Mayhem-Filled Future

While the wait for Borderlands 4 continues, the community's expectations are clear. We crave the series' signature blend of chaotic gunplay, billions of guns, and irreverent humor. But we also expect a technically competent product that respects the platform it's played on. Gearbox has the opportunity to learn from the past and leverage modern PC gaming technologies to deliver the sequel fans deserve—one that is not only a fantastic game but also a flawless technical showcase from the moment we first set foot on a new, mayhem-filled world.