Can the RTX 5090 still run Hollow Knight maxed at 4K?

Can the RTX 5090 still run Hollow Knight maxed should be shortlisted around the job it must do. South African buyers should compare GPU tier, VRAM, cooling, and PSU headroom, warranty path, and upgrade room before treating any pick as best.

Quick Bytes · 29 Jul 2026 · 3 min read · GPUGuru ·

Can the RTX 5090 still run Hollow Knight maxed buying

Quick Answer

Yes, comfortably. The RTX 5090 runs Hollow Knight maxed at 4K without breaking a sweat — expect roughly 180–300 fps, which is far more than a hand-drawn 2D Metroidvania that runs on integrated graphics. The card is dramatic overkill here, so you are really buying headroom for tougher games.

What frame-rates to expect at 4K

At native 4K with every setting maxed, Hollow Knight sits at roughly 180–300 fps on the RTX 5090. Hollow Knight is a hand-drawn 2D game that runs on a laptop's integrated graphics. Frame-rate is effectively limited by your monitor, not the card. A 240Hz panel makes more difference here than any GPU tweak — the silicon is asleep. If your monitor is 144Hz or 165Hz, you will hit the cap and the card will idle at low power and near-silent fan speeds.

Right-sizing your spend for South African prices

Honestly, no SA gamer needs an RTX 5090 just for Hollow Knight. A current mid-range card such as an RTX 5060 Ti or RX 9060 XT, often found in Evetech builds from around R18,000–R28,000, will max a game like this and hold well past 144 fps. Buy the 5090 only if your library includes genuinely demanding titles — path-traced open worlds or 4K-240 esports — where its 32GB of VRAM and raw throughput earn the premium. For this game alone it is wasted money.

FAQ

Will the RTX 5090 run Hollow Knight at higher frame-rates with DLSS on?

Yes. DLSS 4 Quality at 4K lifts the average above the native 180–300 fps band while keeping the maxed look, and frame generation pushes it higher again for high-refresh monitors. For a card this strong, you can usually leave DLSS off unless you are chasing a specific cap.

Do I need a 4K monitor to enjoy Hollow Knight on this card?

Not at all. Many SA gamers pair the 5090 with a 1440p high-refresh panel and let the spare power drive 165Hz or 240Hz instead of 4K. At 4K the card already has headroom, so choose the resolution and refresh that suit your desk and budget.

Is the RTX 5090 overkill for Hollow Knight?

For this title alone, yes — a mid-range RTX 5060 Ti or RX 9060 XT maxes it easily. The 5090 only makes sense if your wider library includes demanding, path-traced or 4K-240 games. Match the GPU to your heaviest game, not your lightest.

TIP