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 3090?

Returnal FPS Benchmark and Performance Analysis

GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3090Game: ReturnalUpdated: Apr 26, 2026

For most players, NVIDIA RTX 3090 is a solid match for Returnal. Expect roughly 71 FPS at 1080p high — smooth for most players. NVIDIA RTX 3090 sits in the enthusiast tier — here's how that translates to real frame rates in Returnal at 1080p and 1440p.

Returnal FPS Benchmarks on RTX 3090

Resolution	Settings Preset	Avg FPS	1% Low FPS	Verdict
1080p	Competitive (Low)	89 FPS	59 FPS	Good
1080p	High	71 FPS	47 FPS	Playable
1440p	High	53 FPS	34 FPS	Playable
1440p	Ultra	40 FPS	25 FPS	Low
4K	High	33 FPS	20 FPS	Low

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

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Best Settings for Returnal on RTX 3090

71+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 RTX 3090 near 71 FPS in Returnal. At 1440p, that typically translates to around 53 FPS with similar quality targets. This places the card in the enthusiast tier for this title, with a playable experience profile. NVIDIA RTX 3090 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 3090 supports DLSS 3 with Frame Generation in compatible titles. In games like Returnal that support it, Frame Generation can push perceived frame rates well beyond the base estimate above — particularly useful at 1440p where the GPU is more heavily loaded.

Use a medium/high mix and prioritize stable frame times over peak FPS spikes.
Ray tracing can be enabled with quality upscaling for a good visual/performance balance.
Prioritize texture quality and reduce volumetrics/shadows first

In short, NVIDIA RTX 3090 is a playable option for Returnal when tuned correctly.

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.