RTX 4060 Elden Ring Settings: The Verdict
The RTX 4060 hits a consistent 60 fps in Elden Ring at both 1080p and 1440p using High settings. Pushing to 4K will see performance drop to an average of 43 fps, making it less ideal for that resolution if you prioritize a smooth 60 fps experience. This card is well-suited for enjoying The Lands Between without major compromises at common resolutions.
1080p and 1440p: Sweet Spots for the RTX 4060
When you're exploring the vast world of Elden Ring, you want a stable frame rate. Our benchmark data confirms that the RTX 4060 delivers exactly that at 1080p and 1440p with the High preset. You'll consistently hit 60 fps in both scenarios. This means you can crank up the visual fidelity and enjoy the game's stunning environments without performance anxiety. Elden Ring is capped at 60 fps by default, so the RTX 4060 is perfectly aligned with the game's intended performance ceiling at these resolutions. You won't need to tweak settings to achieve a fluid experience; simply select the High preset and enjoy.
4K Gaming: A Compromise is Necessary
If you're aiming for 4K resolution with your RTX 4060 in Elden Ring, be prepared for a performance dip. Our tests show an average of 43 fps when using the High preset at 4K. While 43 fps is still playable for some, it falls short of the ideal 60 fps many gamers prefer, especially in action-heavy titles like Elden Ring. To achieve a smoother experience at 4K, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings. Consider dropping to Medium or even a custom mix of Medium and High to get closer to that 60 fps target. Alternatively, if your monitor supports it, you could explore upscaling technologies if Elden Ring implements them effectively. However, based on raw performance, 4K with the High preset isn't the RTX 4060's strongest suit for this title.
Understanding Graphics Presets
Elden Ring offers several graphics presets: Low, Medium, High, and Maximum. The High preset offers a great balance between visual quality and performance for the RTX 4060, hitting the 60 fps cap at 1080p and 1440p. The Maximum preset, which includes settings like higher texture quality and more detailed shadow rendering, will push the GPU harder, potentially causing frame drops below 60 fps even at 1440p. Given that the game is capped at 60 fps, there's little benefit to running settings that significantly exceed what's needed to maintain that cap. Stick with High for the best, most consistent experience.
CPU Bottleneck Considerations
While the RTX 4060 is a capable card, your CPU can sometimes limit its potential, especially at lower resolutions like 1080p. In Elden Ring, if you're paired with a significantly older or lower-end CPU, you might find that you're not consistently reaching the 60 fps cap even with the High preset. This is because the CPU may struggle to prepare frames fast enough for the GPU. If you suspect a CPU bottleneck, you can check your CPU and GPU usage in a monitoring tool. If your CPU is consistently at 90-100% usage while your GPU is below that, your CPU is likely the limiting factor. In such cases, upgrading your CPU or potentially lowering CPU-intensive settings (though Elden Ring doesn't offer many granular CPU options) might be necessary. However, for most modern mid-range to high-end CPUs, the RTX 4060 should perform as expected in Elden Ring.
Practical Takeaway
For the best Elden Ring experience on your RTX 4060, target 1080p or 1440p resolution with the High graphics preset. You'll achieve a smooth 60 fps, which is the game's maximum. Avoid 4K if a consistent 60 fps is your goal, as performance drops to 43 fps.