How to Enable Frame Generation in Borderlands 4

How to Enable Frame Generation in Borderlands 4: Complete Guide

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With Borderlands 4, Gearbox has taken its trademark cel-shaded shooter to the next level. Bigger maps, chaotic firefights, and intense cooperative gameplay all mean one thing for PC players — performance demands are higher than ever. Fortunately, modern graphics technology such as frame generation can make your gaming experience much smoother, even if your system isn’t running at ultra-high native FPS.

This guide explains everything you need to know about enabling frame generation in Borderlands 4. From what frame generation actually does, to checking system requirements, enabling it officially, using workarounds for older GPUs, and troubleshooting, we’ll cover it all.

Whether you’re running an RTX 5090 or still holding onto an older 20-series card, this walkthrough will help you decide if frame generation is worth it and how to get it working.

What Is Frame Generation?

Frame generation is a technology that improves perceived smoothness in games by creating artificial frames between those that your GPU actually renders.

How It Works

  • Your graphics card renders a normal frame.
  • An AI-powered algorithm, such as NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 Frame Generation, predicts what the next frame should look like.
  • The “interpolated” frame is inserted between two real frames, effectively doubling the frame rate.

Why It’s Useful in Borderlands 4

Borderlands 4’s large open-world environments and chaotic battles can strain even powerful GPUs. Frame generation helps by:

  • Boosting FPS without lowering resolution.
  • Smoothing motion, reducing stutter.
  • Making aiming and camera movement feel more fluid.

Drawbacks

It’s not perfect. Frame generation can sometimes cause:

  • Ghosting (trails behind moving objects).
  • Slight input latency compared to native rendering.
  • Occasional visual artifacts in fast-moving scenes.

Still, for many players, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks — especially when hardware alone can’t consistently hit 60–120 FPS.

System Requirements for Frame Generation in Borderlands 4

Before enabling the feature, you need to confirm your PC is ready.

GPU Support

  • Officially Supported: NVIDIA RTX 40-series and RTX 50-series GPUs.
  • Unofficial Support / Workarounds: RTX 20-series and 30-series via community mods and tools.

Other Requirements

  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11.
  • Drivers: Latest NVIDIA Game Ready drivers with DLSS 4 support.
  • VRAM & CPU: Sufficient headroom to avoid bottlenecks. (At least 8GB VRAM recommended, but more is better.)

⚠️ Important: If your base frame rate is below ~40 FPS, frame generation won’t magically fix the issue. It can double frames but can’t compensate for extremely low performance.

How to Enable Frame Generation on Supported GPUs (RTX 40/50 Series)

If you own an RTX 40-series (like the 4070, 4080, or 4090) or a newer RTX 50-series card, Borderlands 4 includes official support for DLSS 4 Frame Generation.

Step 1: Update NVIDIA Drivers

  1. Download the latest NVIDIA Game Ready Driver from GeForce Experience or NVIDIA’s official site.
  2. Install the driver and restart your PC.
  3. (Optional) Install the NVIDIA App, which provides extra DLSS control.

Step 2: Launch Borderlands 4 and Open Graphics Settings

  1. Start the game.
  2. Go to Settings > Video > Graphics Options.
  3. Scroll down to the Upscaling Options.

Step 3: Enable DLSS and Frame Generation

  1. Under Upscaling, choose DLSS (make sure DLSS 4 is listed).
  2. A new option labeled Frame Generation will appear.
  3. Toggle it On.

Step 4: Optimize Settings

  • DLSS Presets: Choose between Quality, Balanced, or Performance.
    • Quality = Sharper visuals, lower FPS boost.
    • Performance = Higher FPS boost, softer visuals.
  • Disable V-Sync: Helps reduce input lag when using frame generation.
  • Fullscreen Mode: Ensure you’re not in borderless or windowed for best results.

Once enabled, test the game in a busy area like a boss fight to see how much smoother your frame rate feels.

How to Enable Frame Generation on Older GPUs (RTX 20/30 Series)

Borderlands 4 does not officially support frame generation on RTX 20-series (2060, 2070, 2080) or 30-series (3060, 3070, 3080, 3090). However, the community has discovered workarounds that may unlock it.

⚠️ Disclaimer: These methods may cause instability, crashes, or conflicts. Always back up game files before making changes.

Method 1: DLSS Enabler Tool

  • Download the community-made DLSS Enabler.
  • Copy the provided files into your Borderlands 4 installation folder.
  • Relaunch the game — the Frame Generation toggle may now be unlocked.

Method 2: NVIDIA App Overrides

  • Open the NVIDIA App or Control Panel.
  • Add Borderlands 4 under program-specific settings.
  • Force-enable DLSS features, including frame generation (if listed).

Method 3: INI Tweaks & Mods

  • Some players edit configuration files (.ini) to manually enable frame generation.
  • Others use tools like OptiScaler to manipulate internal upscaling options.
  • These solutions vary in success and stability.

Troubleshooting Frame Generation in Borderlands 4

Even with everything set up, you may encounter issues. Here’s how to fix them.

1. Frame Generation Option is Greyed Out

  • Update to the latest NVIDIA drivers.
  • Confirm DLSS is selected in upscaling. Frame generation requires DLSS to be enabled first.
  • Check that the game is detecting your GPU correctly.

2. Visual Glitches (Ghosting / Blurry Motion)

  • Switch DLSS preset from Quality to Performance (or vice versa).
  • Reduce demanding settings like reflections, shadows, or ray tracing.
  • Ensure your GPU isn’t overheating.

3. Input Lag or Stutter

  • Disable V-Sync.
  • Use G-Sync (if available) for smoother sync between GPU and monitor.
  • Play in Exclusive Fullscreen Mode, not windowed.

4. Game Crashes After Enabling Frame Generation

  • Verify game files through Steam/Epic.
  • Remove any mods or third-party tools.
  • Roll back to a stable driver version if the latest one is causing conflicts.

Performance Tips for Smooth Gameplay

Frame generation is powerful, but combining it with good optimization makes Borderlands 4 truly shine.

  • Resolution Scaling: If struggling, lower resolution one step and let DLSS upscale.
  • Lower Heavy Settings: Shadows, volumetric fog, and reflections often have the biggest performance impact.
  • Monitor FPS: Use NVIDIA GeForce Overlay or MSI Afterburner to track FPS and frame times.
  • Balance Visuals and Performance: For competitive play, prioritize smoother FPS. For cinematic enjoyment, push graphics higher.

Should You Use Frame Generation in Borderlands 4?

Frame generation isn’t for everyone, but it can make a huge difference:

✅ Best For:

  • Players with RTX 40/50 GPUs who want smoother gameplay at high settings.
  • Those aiming for 100+ FPS on high-refresh-rate monitors.
  • Gamers exploring big co-op battles or open-world areas where FPS dips occur.

❌ Skip It If:

  • Your system already achieves stable FPS above your monitor’s refresh rate.
  • You notice distracting artifacts or input lag.
  • You’re running older hardware that becomes unstable with mods or tweaks.

Final Thoughts

Enabling frame generation in Borderlands 4 can transform your gameplay, making chaotic firefights and large-scale exploration buttery smooth. Officially, it works best on RTX 40/50-series GPUs with DLSS 4, but even RTX 20/30 users can experiment with community tools to unlock it.

While there may be trade-offs like ghosting or minor input lag, the payoff in performance often makes it worth enabling — especially for players struggling with dips in FPS. With the right setup, you can enjoy Borderlands 4 at its most chaotic and cinematic, without sacrificing smooth gameplay.

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