Borderlands 4 PC System Requirements: 8+ Cores, 16–32GB RAM, 100GB SSD

Borderlands 4’s PC system requirements are out, and they raise the bar for midrange rigs: Gearbox and 2K list an RTX 2070 or RX 5700 XT as the minimum GPU, an Intel Core i7-9700 or Ryzen 7 2700X CPU, 16 GB of RAM as the baseline, and a 100 GB SSD install, while the recommended spec jumps to an RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT and 32 GB of RAM — a clear signal that this entry expects modern hardware or smart use of GPU upscaling to get the best experience. (store.steampowered.com, support.borderlands.com)

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Background​

Borderlands 4 is Gearbox’s next mainline looter‑shooter, arriving on PC and consoles with a launch date of September 12, 2025. The game promises the series’ signature cel‑shaded, high‑loot loop while adding new vault hunters, expanded movement options, and updated systems — but it also ships with much higher PC hardware demands than many players expected, particularly around CPU core counts, VRAM and a large SSD footprint. (pcgamer.com)
This article breaks down the published requirements, explains what they mean in practical terms for different PC classes, evaluates the trade‑offs and upgrade paths, and flags the key technical caveats every Windows PC player should know before pre‑ordering or upgrading.

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Official system requirements: the numbers​

Below is a condensed, verified presentation of Gearbox’s published PC requirements as shown on the official Steam product page and the Borderlands support documentation.

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

• OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64‑bit).
• CPU: Intel Core i7‑9700 or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X — 8 cores required.
• Memory: 16 GB RAM.
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (minimum 8 GB VRAM).
• DirectX: Version 12.
• Storage: 100 GB available space (SSD required). (support.borderlands.com, store.steampowered.com)

Recommended (what Gearbox suggests for a comfortable play experience)​

• OS: Windows 10 / Windows 11 (64‑bit).
• CPU: Intel Core i7‑12700 or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X — eight or more cores recommended.
• Memory: 32 GB RAM.
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (12+ GB VRAM recommended).
• DirectX: Version 12.
• Storage: 100 GB available space (SSD required). (store.steampowered.com, gamingbolt.com)

These requirements appear across core documentation (support article) and storefront pages (Steam), and have been reproduced by major outlets reporting on the launch. They are the baseline the developer uses for support and troubleshooting, so they should be treated as the canonical facts to plan around. (support.borderlands.com, store.steampowered.com)

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What the specs actually imply — practical interpretation​

1. Why the CPU core count matters​

Gearbox’s minimum CPU entries specify chips with eight physical cores (for example, the i7‑9700 or Ryzen 7 2700X). That requirement reflects modern game engines’ use of parallelized streaming, physics, AI and background tasks. Requiring eight cores at the minimum is an unusual but deliberate gating decision that effectively excludes many 6‑core systems common in budget and midrange PCs. In short: an older quad‑core or 6‑core CPU that otherwise “feels fast” may still fail to meet the minimum runtime expectations. (support.borderlands.com, windowscentral.com)
Windows Central’s analysis highlights this exact consequence: recent hardware surveys show a significant portion of Steam users run CPUs with six or fewer cores — meaning a nontrivial share of players will need a CPU upgrade simply to run the game at minimum settings. Plan accordingly if your system is 3–5 years old. (windowscentral.com)

2. VRAM and GPU class​

The minimum GPU entries (RTX 2070 / RX 5700 XT) place the threshold at roughly the high‑midrange class from the previous GPU generation. Gearbox also calls out 8 GB VRAM as the minimum and 12+ GB for the recommended tier, which means texture settings, resolution and ray‑trace style effects will be constrained on cards with less VRAM.
For players on GTX‑class or older AMD Polaris cards, expect to either hit severe texture downscaling or fall back to very low visual settings — the experience will be materially different from Borderlands 3 on the same hardware. (store.steampowered.com, gamingbolt.com)

3. Memory (RAM) — 16 GB is minimum, 32 GB recommended​

Setting 16 GB as the minimum reflects the modern AAA baseline; recommending 32 GB points to large asset streaming, higher fidelity world data, and room for background apps (streaming, capture, voice). If you multitask (web browser + streaming + capture) while gaming, 32 GB becomes more than a comfort feature — it reduces paging and stutters during heavy scenes. (support.borderlands.com, store.steampowered.com)

4. Storage — 100 GB and SSD requirement​

Gearbox requires 100 GB of available space and explicitly states SSD as required. That is consistent with large open‑world or heavily streamed titles where disk performance directly impacts streaming, level transitions and hitching. Players should reserve extra headroom: expect day‑one patches, optional DLC, and Windows swap files to push real usage beyond the headline figure. A practical recommendation is to free at least 140–160 GB on the drive you plan to install the game on. (store.steampowered.com)

5. What the “minimum” actually targets (resolution / framerate)​

Gearbox’s published system requirements do not always include explicit resolution and frame‑rate targets the way some studios do (e.g., “1080p/30 Low”). That means the minimum list is a hardware baseline rather than a guaranteed visual/framerate envelope. Early reporting and practical testing from preview outlets suggest the minimum tier aims for playable 1080p experiences, while the recommended tier targets better fidelity and frame rates at 1440p or higher — but final performance will depend on game settings, driver maturity and whether upscaling/frame generation is used. Treat the published minimum as the lowest supported hardware rather than a fixed performance promise. (pcgamer.com, gamingbolt.com)

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Upscaling, DLSS 4 and frame generation — the performance equalizer​

One major mitigation for the heavy requirements is that Borderlands 4 launches with first‑class support for modern upscaling/frame‑generation tech. NVIDIA, Gearbox and the Borderlands marketing materials confirm support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation — a significant performance lever for RTX 40/50‑series owners that can multiply frame rates and reduce native GPU load — and NVIDIA is bundling Borderlands 4 with selected RTX 50‑series GPUs as part of a promotional package. (blogs.nvidia.com, borderlands.2k.com)
Why this matters:

• DLSS 4’s multi‑frame generation can dramatically increase perceived performance, especially at high resolutions.
• Players with RTX 50‑series hardware may see the biggest real‑world gains, while owners of prior generations will still benefit from more traditional upscalers (if supported) or driver optimizations.
• Relying on upscalers is a trade‑off: image fidelity, latency and motion artifacts vary by algorithm and quality preset; some players prefer native rendering while others prioritize stable frame rates. (blogs.nvidia.com, tomsguide.com)

At launch, DLSS 4 is explicitly listed among the supported features for Borderlands 4 promotions and developer materials; expect other vendor upscalers (FSR, XeSS) and quality/performance presets to be clarified in patch notes and the in‑game graphics menu in the weeks after release. Until full driver‑level optimization lands, early adopters should expect some driver‑and‑patch volatility. (nvidia.com, notebookcheck.net)

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Cross‑referencing the claims: verification summary​

The key technical claims in Gearbox’s system requirements have been cross‑checked against multiple independent sources:

• The Steam product page reproduces the minimum and recommended tables (i7‑9700 / i7‑12700, RTX 2070 / RTX 3080, 16 GB → 32 GB RAM, 100 GB SSD). (store.steampowered.com)
• Gearbox’s official support documentation lists the same CPU, GPU, RAM and storage numbers and explicitly highlights the 8‑core minimum and VRAM thresholds. (support.borderlands.com)
• Major outlets (PC Gamer, Windows Central, GamingBolt, GameSpot) reported on and analyzed the store/support entries, calling attention to the unusual requirement of eight cores at the minimum and the practical impact on the Steam user base. (pcgamer.com, gamingbolt.com, gamespot.com)

Taken together, these independent confirmations make the headline specs — RTX 2070 minimum, RTX 3080 recommended, 100 GB SSD, and 16→32 GB RAM — verifiable and reliable for planning system upgrades.

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Strengths: what Gearbox got right for PC players​

• Clear baseline and recommended tiers. Gearbox published explicit CPU/GPU pairings and a concrete install size, which reduces ambiguity for buyers and system builders who need to plan upgrades. The presence of both Steam and official support pages gives a canonical place to check compatibility. (store.steampowered.com, support.borderlands.com)
• Modern PC tech support. DLSS 4 (with multi‑frame generation) is confirmed, and having vendor accelerated upscaling at launch helps owners of newer hardware get excellent frame rates while allowing the game to push graphical fidelity where possible. (blogs.nvidia.com, borderlands.2k.com)
• SSD requirement improves experience. By requiring an SSD, Gearbox ensures better streaming performance and fewer stutters for the majority of players who meet the spec, assuming they also have sufficient free space. (store.steampowered.com)

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Risks and downsides: what to be wary of​

• High minimum core count excludes older CPUs. Requiring eight cores at minimum is an uncommon gate that will force upgrades for a large subset of PCs that were previously capable of AAA titles. Expect compatibility friction for older laptops and budget desktops. (windowscentral.com)
• Large install + day‑one patches mean more disk planning. The 100 GB headline is conservative; real installs plus updates and additional content can exceed that figure quickly. Users should budget extra SSD capacity on the drive used for the OS and the game. (store.steampowered.com)
• Early driver volatility and patch cycle. Launches that integrate cutting‑edge technologies (DLSS 4, advanced ray tracing) often require multiple driver and game updates to stabilize; expect a few weeks of optimization patches and driver releases to smooth performance across GPU generations. (blogs.nvidia.com, notebookcheck.net)
• Perceived upgrade pressure. Public lists that showcase RTX 3080/RTX 50‑series as “recommended” or “ideal” can create upgrade pressure even for players who might be happy with medium settings and upscaling. That pressure feeds hardware market churn and buyer hesitation. (gamingbolt.com)

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Upgrade guide: how to prepare your PC for Borderlands 4​

If your goal is to play Borderlands 4 smoothly and you don’t currently meet recommended specs, follow this prioritized checklist:

1. Identify the bottleneck:
   • If your GPU is older than a GTX 1070/GTX 16/early RTX series or has under 8 GB VRAM, GPU upgrade or reliance on aggressive upscaling will be the largest driver of visible gains.
   • If your CPU has fewer than 8 threads/cores, upgrade or ensure your platform supports higher core counts; many 6‑core CPUs will struggle to meet the minimum. (store.steampowered.com, windowscentral.com)
2. Storage first:
   • Move the game to an NVMe SSD if possible. Reserve at least 150 GB of free space for the install + temporary patching. An SSD will reduce streaming hitching and long load times. (store.steampowered.com)
3. RAM:
   • If you have 8 GB, upgrade to 16 GB as an immediate minimum. If you multitask or stream, push to 32 GB for a smoother overall experience. (support.borderlands.com)
4. Drivers and OS:
   • Keep GPU drivers up to date and ensure Windows (10/11) updates are applied. For NVIDIA owners, driver updates that optimize DLSS 4 for Borderlands 4 will appear around launch — install them as they arrive. (blogs.nvidia.com)
5. Temporary settings strategy for limited hardware:
   • Run at 1080p with textures on Medium/Low, disable extra post‑processing features, and enable any available upscaling (DLSS/FSR/XeSS) in Performance mode to regain playable framerates while you plan hardware changes. (blogs.nvidia.com, gamingbolt.com)
6. Consider cloud or console options:
   • If upgrading isn’t feasible immediately, the game will be on Xbox/PlayStation at launch and may be available via cloud platforms later; these options let you experience the title without local hardware upgrades.

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Settings and tuning: practical knobs to tweak on day one​

• Texture quality vs. VRAM: Start by matching texture quality to VRAM. If your GPU has 8–10 GB VRAM, avoid highest texture pools at high resolutions; 12+ GB is preferable for native 4K textures. (store.steampowered.com)
• Upscaling selection: If DLSS 4 (or other vendor upscalers) is available, test Balanced/Quality presets first. Multi‑frame generation modes can boost framerate significantly but watch for motion smoothing artifacts. (blogs.nvidia.com)
• Resolution scaling: If framerate is unstable, drop to 1440p or 1080p and use quality upscaling, then raise visual settings selectively (shadows, AO, reflections) to find the right visual/performance balance.
• Background processes: Close heavy background apps (browsers with many tabs, recording suites) if you’re running at the minimum specs — CPU core contention and memory pressure are the main causes of stutter on constrained systems. (windowscentral.com)

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Community, post‑launch fixes and what to watch for​

• Expect community guides to appear quickly after launch; enthusiasts will publish presets and per‑GPU profiles for the best combination of fidelity and framerate. That community knowledge will be invaluable for owners of midrange GPUs trying to hit a target FPS. (gamingbolt.com)
• Watch for driver releases from NVIDIA and AMD that specifically call out Borderlands 4 optimizations and DLSS 4 patches; these drivers often move the real‑world needle more than hardware changes. (blogs.nvidia.com)
• Expect day‑one and week‑one game patches. Historically, large AAA launches that adopt new upscaling/frame‑generation tech require several quick patches to stabilize menus, memory leaks and performance regressions.

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Final verdict — should you upgrade?​

For many PC players, Borderlands 4 will be playable without splurging on a new GPU if you:

• run at 1080p and use vendor upscaling where available, and
• ensure you meet the minimum CPU core count and have 16 GB RAM plus an SSD.

However, if you plan to chase native 1440p/60 with high settings or 4K fidelity, the recommended hardware (RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT and 32 GB RAM) is the practical target — and DLSS 4 can significantly alter that calculus for NVIDIA owners. If your system is more than three years old in GPU or CPU terms, budget for an upgrade or plan to rely on upscaling and a conservative settings profile. (store.steampowered.com, blogs.nvidia.com)

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Bottom line checklist (quick reference)​

• Minimum GPU: RTX 2070 / RX 5700 XT (8 GB VRAM) — 16 GB RAM required. (store.steampowered.com)
• Recommended GPU: RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT (12+ GB VRAM) — 32 GB RAM recommended. (gamingbolt.com)
• CPU: eight cores minimum (i7‑9700 / Ryzen 7 2700X minimum; i7‑12700 / Ryzen 7 5800X recommended). (support.borderlands.com, store.steampowered.com)
• Storage: 100 GB SSD required; reserve additional headroom for patches and DLC. (store.steampowered.com)
• Upscaling: DLSS 4 (with Multi Frame Generation) supported and will materially boost performance on capable NVIDIA hardware. (blogs.nvidia.com)

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Borderlands 4’s system requirements represent a deliberate push toward a “modern PC” baseline: more cores, more RAM, and fast storage are non‑negotiable for the intended experience, while next‑generation upscaling technologies like DLSS 4 provide a path to high framerates for players with compatible GPUs. Plan upgrades around CPU core counts and VRAM first, use SSD storage as a hard requirement, and expect driver and game patches to improve performance in the weeks after launch. (support.borderlands.com, store.steampowered.com, blogs.nvidia.com)
Conclusion: the mayhem on Kairos will be worth the effort for many, but for Windows PC players, getting Borderlands 4 to sing means making smart hardware choices now — or relying on upscalers and careful settings to bridge the gap until an upgrade is possible.

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Source: Turtle Beach https://www.turtlebeach.com/blog/blog/borderlands-4-system-requirements-minimum-recommended-and-more/