Does Returnal support ray tracing on PC?

Yes, the PC version of Returnal supports ray tracing on compatible Nvidia and AMD hardware, enabling more realistic reflections and lighting. Enabling ray tracing will noticeably impact performance and is best paired with a GPU at or above the RTX 2080 Ti / RX 6800 XT tier.

Why is an SSD required to play Returnal on PC?

Returnal's fast-paced roguelike design demands nearly instant respawns and rapid loading of complex environments. The game's asset streaming system relies on the high read speeds of an SSD; using a traditional hard drive is not supported and would cause stuttering, long load times, or crashes.

Can I Run Returnal on RTX 3070?

Returnal FPS Benchmark and Performance Analysis

GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070Game: ReturnalUpdated: Apr 26, 2026

Based on our model, NVIDIA RTX 3070 is capable of running Returnal. Expect roughly 62 FPS at 1080p high — smooth for most players. Wondering if NVIDIA RTX 3070 is enough for Returnal? This benchmark estimate focuses on real-world 1080p high performance, then scales to 1440p behavior.

Returnal FPS Benchmarks on RTX 3070

Resolution	Settings Preset	Avg FPS	1% Low FPS	Verdict
1080p	Competitive (Low)	78 FPS	52 FPS	Good
1080p	High	62 FPS	41 FPS	Playable
1440p	High	42 FPS	27 FPS	Low
1440p	Ultra	32 FPS	20 FPS	Low
4K	High	22 FPS	15 FPS	Low

Benchmarks are estimated by our performance engine. Actual results may vary.

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Best Settings for Returnal on RTX 3070

62+FPS1080p Competitive

Display Mode: Fullscreen
Resolution: 1920×1080
V-Sync: Disabled
Texture Quality: Medium
Shadow Quality: Medium
Anti-Aliasing: FXAA
Effects Quality: Medium
Post-Processing: Medium
Ambient Occlusion: Disabled

Performance Analysis

NVIDIA RTX 3070 is estimated around 62 FPS at 1080p high in Returnal. At 1440p, that typically translates to around 42 FPS with similar quality targets. This places the card in the high tier for this title, with a playable experience profile. NVIDIA RTX 3070 can run Returnal reliably, but smart setting choices matter for consistency.

Returnal is a visually demanding roguelike third-person shooter built on Unreal Engine 4, featuring highly detailed environments, large particle effects from its bullet-hell combat, and rapid scene transitions that stress both CPU and GPU. The game requires an SSD due to its seamless, fast-paced gameplay loop and quick respawn cycles that rely on rapid asset streaming. Ray tracing support and high-fidelity lighting push the recommended GPU tier significantly higher than the minimum.

NVIDIA RTX 3070 supports DLSS 3 Super Resolution. Enabling DLSS Quality mode in Returnal can recover 20–35% frame rate with minimal visual difference, which is especially useful if you're targeting 60+ FPS at 1440p.

Use a medium/high mix and prioritize stable frame times over peak FPS spikes.
Use selective ray tracing (shadows/reflections) and avoid ultra RT presets.
Prioritize texture quality and reduce volumetrics/shadows first

Overall, NVIDIA RTX 3070 delivers a playable experience in Returnal — use the tips above to get the most out of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Returnal support ray tracing on PC?: Yes, the PC version of Returnal supports ray tracing on compatible Nvidia and AMD hardware, enabling more realistic reflections and lighting. Enabling ray tracing will noticeably impact performance and is best paired with a GPU at or above the RTX 2080 Ti / RX 6800 XT tier.
Why is an SSD required to play Returnal on PC?: Returnal's fast-paced roguelike design demands nearly instant respawns and rapid loading of complex environments. The game's asset streaming system relies on the high read speeds of an SSD; using a traditional hard drive is not supported and would cause stuttering, long load times, or crashes.