Borderlands 4 PC Requirements Explained: 8-Core CPU, 32GB RAM, 100GB SSD

Borderlands 4 arrives on PC alongside consoles on September 12, 2025, and Gearbox’s published PC system requirements make one thing clear: this is a modern‑PC title that expects eight physical CPU cores, fast NVMe storage, and a GPU with 8–12+ GB of VRAM just to be comfortably playable at recommended settings.

Background / Overview​

Borderlands has long been a franchise defined by explosive visuals, dense loot streams, and compact-but-busy levels. Borderlands 4 continues that lineage while leaning into more ambitious asset streaming, larger world data, and modern PC rendering features that push memory, core counts, and storage requirements upward.
Gearbox and 2K published a two‑tier set of PC requirements — Minimum and Recommended — that set a new baseline for what “playable” and “comfortable” mean in 2025. The requirement table is straightforward but notable: the minimum lists eight‑core CPUs (not a quad or 6‑core), 16 GB of system RAM, and an approximately 100 GB SSD install; the recommended spec doubles down with a 32 GB RAM recommendation and an RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT class GPU for higher fidelity play.
This article breaks down what those numbers mean for Windows PC players, explains how to approach upgrades and tuning, and weighs the benefits and risks of chasing native fidelity versus relying on upscaling/frame‑generation technologies.

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Official system requirements: the facts​

Below is a concise, verified presentation of the official PC requirements as published in storefront and support documentation.

Minimum (what Gearbox lists as the lowest supported configuration)​

• OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64‑bit).
• Processor: Intel Core i7‑9700 or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X — eight cores required.
• Memory: 16 GB RAM.
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (approx. 8 GB VRAM).
• Storage: 100 GB available space — SSD required.
• Notes: Requires 64‑bit OS and an 8‑core CPU; 8 GB VRAM minimum.

Recommended (what Gearbox suggests for a comfortable experience)​

• OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64‑bit).
• Processor: Intel Core i7‑12700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X.
• Memory: 32 GB RAM.
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (12+ GB VRAM recommended).
• Storage: 100 GB available space — SSD required.
• Notes: 64‑bit OS required; SSD mandatory; large working memory and VRAM encouraged for higher settings.

These headline figures are the developer’s published guidance and have been reproduced across storefront and press coverage. Treat them as the canonical support envelope for troubleshooting and performance targets.

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What the specs actually imply for PC players​

Why an eight‑core minimum matters​

The minimum CPU choices (Intel Core i7‑9700, Ryzen 7 2700X) are notable because they are eight‑core parts. That’s an explicit gating decision: the engine’s streaming, AI, physics, and background systems are tuned around parallel workloads that benefit from multiple cores. In practice, that means:

• Many older 4‑ and 6‑core systems common in midrange builds will not meet the published minimum and could suffer stutters, long asset‑streaming pauses, or CPU‑bound bottlenecks even at low settings.
• The practical door‑opener to even “playable” CPU performance is an 8‑core (or equivalent multithreaded) CPU. Upgrading a CPU is more consequential here than merely chasing higher clocks.

VRAM and GPU class — texture pools now matter​

The minimum GPU class centers around the RTX 2070 / RX 5700 XT — roughly the high midrange of the prior generation — and the stated VRAM floors (≈8 GB minimum, 12+ GB recommended) mean texture pools, resolution targets, and post‑processing effects will be limited on smaller cards.

• If your GPU has ≤8 GB VRAM you’ll likely be forced into lowered texture settings and higher resolution scaling to avoid memory paging or stuttering.
• Native 4K or high‑resolution texture packs become practical only on cards in the 12+ GB class (RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT and above).

RAM: 16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended — why the jump?​

The move to 32 GB recommended reflects two things: larger streaming working sets and the expectation that many players will multitask (streaming, recording, browser tabs, voice apps) while gaming.

• 16 GB remains a viable baseline for single‑app gaming at lower resolutions when background apps are minimized.
• For high settings, multitasking, or heavy modding, 32 GB reduces the risk of paging and stuttering as the OS and engine compete for working memory.

Storage: SSD required and a large install footprint​

A 100 GB install with an explicit SSD requirement signals heavy streaming demands. Large, rapidly streamed texture sets and world assets need the throughput an NVMe SSD provides.

• Players with limited SSD capacity will need to plan for this footprint plus day‑one patches and DLC — reserve additional headroom beyond the headline 100 GB.

Upscaling and vendor tech (DLSS 4 and friends)​

Gearbox’s PC roadmap for Borderlands 4 relies on modern upscalers and frame‑generation tech to make higher frame rates achievable on fewer native GPU cycles. NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 (including multi‑frame generation) and equivalent AMD/Intel upscalers are part of that story.

• Upscalers can materially cut the GPU rendering cost and effectively lower the hardware bar for 1440p/60 and higher framerates — but they change fidelity and motion characteristics, and they can require driver and hotfix coordination at launch.

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Practical performance expectations by resolution​

• 1080p / 30–60 FPS (Playable): Expect this to be achievable on many recent midrange GPUs if you use Performance/Balanced upscaling and meet the CPU core and SSD requirements. Minimum‑spec systems will likely rely on aggressive upscaling.
• 1440p / 60 FPS (Comfortable): The recommended GPU class (RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT) or equivalent with 12+ GB VRAM is the practical target for native or quality‑upscaled 1440p at higher settings. Consider 32 GB RAM for headroom when multitasking.
• 4K / 60 FPS (High/Ultra): Native 4K is aimed at flagship silicon; upscaling and frame generation can lower the entry point somewhat, but ray‑traced or ultra texture settings will push you toward very recent GPUs.

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Upgrade recommendations — where to spend money​

If your goal is to match Gearbox’s recommended experience without overspending, prioritize upgrades in this order:

1. Storage: NVMe SSD — fast NVMe storage is non‑negotiable for both minimum and recommended experiences; upgrade first if you’re on a SATA SSD or HDD.
2. CPU: 8 cores (or better) — if you have fewer than 8 cores, get an 8‑core/16‑thread CPU; this fixes engine‑level stalls and prevents CPU bottlenecking.
3. GPU: VRAM first — choose a GPU with 8–12+ GB VRAM depending on target resolution: 8 GB for 1080p, 12+ GB for 1440p/4K ambitions.
4. System RAM: 16 → 32 GB — add RAM if you multitask or stream; 32 GB is the recommended headroom for high settings and content creation.

Sample builds (conservative guidance):

• Budget (1080p, upscaling): 8‑core CPU, RTX 2060/3060 class or AMD equivalent (8 GB), 16 GB RAM, 500 GB NVMe SSD.
• Midrange (1440p / 60): 8+ core CPU (i5/i7 or Ryzen 5/7), RTX 3070–3080 or RX 6800 class (10–12 GB), 32 GB RAM recommended, 1 TB NVMe SSD.
• Enthusiast (4K / high): High‑end CPU (i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9), RTX 3080+ / RX 6800 XT+, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB+ NVMe SSD.

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Day‑one tuning and settings tips​

• Match texture quality to VRAM. If your GPU sits at ~8–10 GB VRAM, cap textures accordingly and avoid Ultra texture pools.
• Try Balanced/Quality DLSS / upscaler presets first. Performance modes help but can introduce motion or artifact trade‑offs; balance fidelity against framerate.
• Use resolution scaling before crippling post effects. Lower resolution with a quality upscaler, then selectively reduce shadows, ambient occlusion, and screen‑space reflections.
• Close heavy background apps. On 16 GB systems especially, browsers and capture apps can push you into paging — close them for smoother playback.
• Update GPU drivers at launch. Expect vendor hotfixes that specifically optimize for Borderlands 4 in the first days after release.

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Troubleshooting common problems​

1. Stutters/hitches: Check VRAM usage; lower texture pools and enable upscaling. Verify NVMe SSD health and free space.
2. Crashes on startup: Update Windows, GPU drivers, and verify game files through the launcher/store. Reinstall runtimes if needed.
3. High memory usage: Increase system RAM or reduce background app load; enable high‑performance power plans sparingly.
4. Input lag after enabling frame generation: Try toggling frame generation and upscaler presets — frame generation can increase perceived smoothness but also add latency in some scenarios.

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Strengths in Gearbox’s approach​

• Clear performance envelopes. The Minimum/Recommended tiers are explicit and map to real GPU/CPU classes, which helps players plan targeted upgrades.
• Modern feature support. Support for DLSS 4, frame generation, and vendor upscalers gives players a practical path to higher framerates without immediate GPU replacement.
• SSD and core requirements align with streaming needs. By demanding SSD and multi‑core CPUs, Gearbox reduces the chance of severe texture pop‑ins and mid‑scene hitching on systems that meet the spec.

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Risks, caveats, and things to watch​

• Higher visible entry floor. Requiring eight cores at minimum excludes a meaningful portion of older midrange rigs (6‑core and fewer), raising upgrade costs for many players.
• Driver and launch volatility. New upscalers and frame‑generation tech frequently require vendor driver hotfixes; expect day‑one and week‑one stability patches. Early adopters may experience regressions.
• Install size creep. The 100 GB baseline is large and will likely grow with updates and DLC; players on constrained SSDs should plan extra headroom.
• Unverifiable or changing numbers. Pre‑launch and launch windows can produce slight deviations in published numbers (e.g., minor RAM or install adjustments) — monitor official support pages for updates. Treat the published table as guidance, not immutable law.

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Should you buy on PC, console, or wait for Switch 2?​

• If your rig meets the recommended spec (RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT, 32 GB RAM, NVMe SSD), PC is the obvious choice for best visuals and modding.
• If you’re on a machine that only meets or falls below the minimum and you do not plan to upgrade, a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S playthrough will likely be smoother out of the box. The experience on consoles will be better optimized for their fixed hardware.
• For portable play, the Nintendo Switch 2 version (scheduled for later release) may be attractive if you can stomach waiting — but expect compromises in fidelity compared to PC/console launch.

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Final verdict — what Windows PC players should do right now​

Borderlands 4’s published PC requirements represent a deliberate push toward a modern‑PC baseline: more cores, more RAM, and fast NVMe storage. That choice supports richer streaming, denser world data, and modern rendering features — and it aligns with how AAA PC development has evolved in the last two years.
For most players:

• If you already have an NVMe SSD and a GPU with 8+ GB VRAM plus an 8‑core CPU, you should be able to play — tuning via upscalers will help if you lack top‑end silicon.
• If your system is older or you’re on 6‑core/GTX‑class hardware, plan for either a targeted upgrade (SSD + 8‑core CPU first) or consider playing on console at launch.

Borderlands 4 asks more of PCs than its predecessors, but it also gives players the tools (vendor upscalers, quality presets) to reach good experiences without mandatory flagship hardware. That balance is practical — if sometimes painful for owners of older midrange builds. Keep an eye on the first round of patches and vendor driver notes for Borderlands 4 optimizations; those will materially affect launch‑window performance and the final user experience.

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Borderlands 4’s PC system requirements are a clear signal: this is a forward‑leaning AAA PC release that rewards modern hardware and sensible upgrades — but it will require patience, driver updates, and careful tuning from players who aren’t already on the recommended tier.

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Source: Game Informer Here Are Borderlands 4's PC Specs And System Requirements