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 RX 6950 XT?

Returnal FPS Benchmark and Performance Analysis

GPU: AMD RX 6950 XTGame: ReturnalUpdated: Apr 26, 2026

Returnal is playable on AMD RX 6950 XT. Expect roughly 69 FPS at 1080p high — smooth for most players. Not sure whether AMD RX 6950 XT can keep up with Returnal? Below you'll find our performance projection at 1080p high along with 1440p scaling data.

Returnal FPS Benchmarks on RX 6950 XT

Resolution	Settings Preset	Avg FPS	1% Low FPS	Verdict
1080p	Competitive (Low)	86 FPS	57 FPS	Good
1080p	High	69 FPS	46 FPS	Playable
1440p	High	51 FPS	32 FPS	Playable
1440p	Ultra	38 FPS	24 FPS	Low
4K	High	32 FPS	19 FPS	Low

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

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Best Settings for Returnal on RX 6950 XT

69+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

AMD RX 6950 XT is estimated around 69 FPS at 1080p high in Returnal. At 1440p, that typically translates to around 51 FPS with similar quality targets. This places the card in the high tier for this title, with a playable experience profile. AMD RX 6950 XT 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.

AMD RX 6950 XT supports FSR 3 with Fluid Motion Frames in compatible titles. When Returnal supports FSR 3, Fluid Motion Frames can significantly boost the perceived frame rate on top of the base estimate shown above.

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

Bottom line: Returnal on AMD RX 6950 XT is playable, and optimization has a measurable impact.

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.