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 3080?

Returnal FPS Benchmark and Performance Analysis

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Game: ReturnalUpdated: Apr 26, 2026

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 handles Returnal without major issues. Expect roughly 67 FPS at 1080p high — smooth for most players. Returnal can behave very differently depending on settings and GPU headroom. This estimate shows where NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 lands and how to tune it for smoother gameplay.

Returnal FPS Benchmarks on RTX 3080

Resolution	Settings Preset	Avg FPS	1% Low FPS	Verdict
1080p	Competitive (Low)	84 FPS	56 FPS	Good
1080p	High	67 FPS	45 FPS	Playable
1440p	High	50 FPS	32 FPS	Playable
1440p	Ultra	38 FPS	24 FPS	Low
4K	High	28 FPS	17 FPS	Low

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

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Best Settings for Returnal on RTX 3080

67+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

At 1080p high, our model places NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 near 67 FPS in Returnal. At 1440p, that typically translates to around 50 FPS with similar quality targets. This places the card in the high tier for this title, with a playable experience profile. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 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 GeForce RTX 3080 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

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 lands in a playable position for Returnal. Dialing in the right preset makes a noticeable difference at this performance level.

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.