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Helldivers 2 is all the rage these days as the 3rd person shooter title that also marks the first time a first-party Sony-developed console exclusive launched side-by-side on PC continues to make inroads with gamers thanks to a steady stream of content and enjoyable gameplay in a neat package.
Helldivers 2: Hardware Requirements Explained
The recommended hardware specs for Helldivers 2 are available via Steam and are stated at two different tiers:
- MINIMUM:
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 470
- Storage: 100 GB available space
- RECOMMENDED:
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT
- Storage: 100 GB available space
- Additional Notes: SSD Recommended
Based on the developer's recommendations above, Helldivers 2 does not seem to be a significantly demanding title by any measure. Most gaming PCs built in the past 5 years or so should be able to handle the minimum requirements easily. Arrowhead Game Studios recommends a minimum of Windows 10 and 8GB of RAM along with at least a quad-core CPU to run the title. It also states minimum GPU requirements that can easily be found in some budget prebuilt gaming PCs.
The recommended requirements move to octa-core CPUs from both Intel and AMD even as the recommended RAM requirement is double that of the minimum spec suggestion. At the same time, beefier GPU recommendations also kick in, implying that the title scales well with higher-end hardware in general even as competitive players would want to run at both, higher FPS and higher resolutions simultaneously with a focus on the former in particular.
With 100GB of storage space as a requirement and more potentially required down the line, the storage requirements for Helldivers 2 particularly stick out. It is important to note that while Helldivers 2 runs on hard drives, the developer has left a note recommending a solid state drive (SSD) for gamers wanting a smoother experience.
The team at Game ZXC has curated 3 different builds below, all of which can play Helldivers at different hardware presets allowing users to pull ahead in their endeavors to keep Super Earth safe:
The Budget Spec PC Build For Cadets
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AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 8-Core, 16-Thread CPU
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G 8-Core, 16-Thread CPU is a powerful APU that delivers modest gaming performance for PCs that do not currently utilize a discrete GPU by using the fastest iGPU solution currently available to end users.
It comes bundled with a stock cooler, an octa-core CPU config, and a rated TDP of 65W, making it a great well-priced alternative to many budget CPU and GPU combos on the market currently.
The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G also happens to be one of AMD's first desktop CPUs that offers the AMD Ryzen AI engine built into the chip. -
G.Skill Flare X5 Series (AMD Expo) 6000MHz 32GB (CL36)
The G.Skill Flare X5 Series RAM kits are DDR5 RAMs that operate at an overclocked 6000MHz sweet spot for AMD AM5 processors with a lower latency EXPO profile available to allow users to overclock their memory with a push of a button while costing significantly lower than the competition.
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MSI PRO A620M-E Pro Series Motherboard
The MSI PRO A620M-E Pro Series Motherboard is a budget motherboard that can easily handle entry-level AMD's Ryzen 7000 series CPUs.
It supports overclocked DDR5 RAM, a single M2 PCI-E slot, and 6 USB ports, allowing users to build both, an entry-level PC and an HTPC with a newer Socket AM5-based CPU.
While it is marketed as a business line product, users can easily use it to get budget PC gaming builds going without any tweaks needed.
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Kingston NV2 500G M.2 2280 NVMe Internal SSD
The Kingston NV2 500G SSD uses Gen 4x4 NVMe PCIe technology. This drive delivers read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 2,800 MB/s. It's designed for systems requiring fast performance, in both laptop and desktop builds. It is suitable for most applications thanks to the compact, single-sided M.2 2280 design. And the low power requirements mean that it produces minimal heat.
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Thermaltake SMART 600W ATX PSU
The Thermaltake SMART 600W ATX is a power supply unit that is designed to provide reliable and efficient power for your computer. This unit delivers 600 watts of continuous output. It complies with both Intel ATX 12V 2.31 and EPS 12V 2.92 standards, ensuring compatibility with many PC builds.
The SMART 600W ATX has received an 80 PLUS certification, indicating 80% efficiency under a typical load. This power supply supports two PCI-E 6 plus 2-pin connectors. -
Zalman T7 ATX Mid Tower PC Case
The Zalman T7 ATX Mid-Tower PC Case features a front mesh panel for maximum airflow and a transparent side viewing window. The case includes 2 pre-installed 120 mm fans and accommodates ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards.
Target Resolution and Preset: 1080P/FHD Medium
To build an entry-level system, gamers often need to ensure that they pick their fights and, likewise, upgrades. The entry-level build moves to a higher-end octa-core APU that makes up more than half the budget of the entire rig to offer a better experience in a bid to answer Helldivers 2's more demanding CPU needs compared to its flexibility with the GPU at a variety of presets.
That isn't to say that the 780M on the Ryzen 7 8700G's APU isn't capable of allowing users to play Helldivers at an acceptable frame rate. That, coupled with an entry-level A620 motherboard and 500G of value-centric Kingston SSD storage round off an excellent package that can be upgraded with a better CPU cooler and a discrete GPU option down the line.
With low latency 6000 MHz DDR5 RAMs from G.Skill in play to ensure better CPU performance, as well as higher bandwidth to support the iGPU's VRAM requirements, the PC offers an excellent mix of performance, value for money, and upgradeability for gamers looking to defend Super Earth from any threats in the near future even as a decent entry-level PSU and case bring up the vanguard.
Estimated Build Cost: $652
The Recommended Spec PC Build For Marshals
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Intel Core i5 14600KF 14-Core, 20-Thread CPU
$290 $295 Save $5The Intel Core i5 14600KF 14-Core, 20-Thread CPU is a powerful mid-range CPU that replaces the last generation Intel Core i5 13600KF with higher clocks on both its performance and efficiency cores.
Like all its siblings, it does offer better performance out-of-the-box versus its predecessors but replaces them at the same price points they sold last year. Unlike the Intel Core i5 14600K, this model trades at a small discount thanks to it skipping out on integrated graphics. -
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB
Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB continues to enjoy the success created by the Freezer II 280 but now brings an upgraded VRM fan and mesmerizing ARGB LED lighting effects. It's the best-value AIO cooler when compared to other AIOs for its price tag and brings Intel and AMD contact frames for making good contact with the CPUs.
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CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 6400MHz 32GB
Corsair's Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM kit features dual RAM modules, each having 16GB memory capacity. It has built-in XMP 3.0 profiles, offering a blend of a high-rated frequency, low latency, and a reasonable price tag in tow.
For aesthetics, the RAM sticks look gorgeous as a result of the RGB LEDs on top of its dedicated aluminum heat spreaders. -
GIGABYTE B760 AORUS Elite AX
$170 $190 Save $20The Gigabyte B760 Aorus Elite AX covers all bases in offering a stellar and uncompromising DDR5-based motherboard packed with features including Wi-Fi 6E and rear and front USB-C ports.
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Samsung 980 PRO 1TB SSD
Whether it is for a boost in speed or just some extra storage for more games, the Samsung 980 Pro is a great way to do it. The 980 has read/write speeds of up to 7000MB/s and 5100 MB/s respectively, making it one of the fastest PCI-E 4.0 SSDs available in consumer markets, even as it proves to be one of the most reliable.
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ASUS Dual RTX 4070 SUPER OC 12G
$600 $610 Save $10ASUS's dual-fan take on the RTX 4070 SUPER is possibly one of the most cost-effective launch units with a decent factory overclock.
The RTX 4070 SUPER itself adds 15 to 20 percent gains in terms of raw performance to Nvidia's first RTX 4000 series SUPER GPU release versus its predecessor.
The 2.56 Slot GPU offers a relatively compact take on the RTX 4070 SUPER which also sees itself featured in larger premium tri-fan SKUs even as it sees a significant performance increase versus the RTX 4060 Ti thanks to its GDDR6X memory on offer. -
Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 PE 850 W
The Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 PSU offers 850 W of power with full modular cables. This power supply is certified 80 plus gold, and it keeps cool with a 140 mm fan. Using a powerful single +12V rail ensures a stable and reliable supply to other PC components.
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LIAN LI LANCOOL 216 PC Case
$100 $103 Save $3The LANCOOL 216 is a mid-tower case with all-around mesh panels for optimal airflow. Thanks to its modular rear panel, it can be optimized for air or water cooling. It includes 2 x 160mm and 1 x 140mm pre-installed PWM fans and an innovative rear PCIe fan bracket to maximize airflow.
Target Resolution and Preset: 1440P/QHD/2K High
The mid-range, a built-to-game competitively rig, combines the power of Intel's best value-centric unlocked gaming CPU, the Intel Core i5 14600KF with a mid-range B760 Gigabyte Aorus motherboard and fast DDR5 memory running at 6400 MHz at XMP clocks. This, when coupled with Nvidia's new RTX 4070 SUPER GPU allows users to crank up both the settings to high or ultra presets and the resolution to 2K or higher, depending on their performance needs.
With a powerful Liquid Freezer III AIO bringing quality cooling to the 14600KF and a 1TB Samsung 980 Pro in play for fast loading, the rig delivers on its performance and speed promises with ease even as the airflow-centric Lian Li Lancool 216 keeps things cool thanks to 3 large, preinstalled fans. With an 850W Thermaltake Toughpower PSU bringing up the rear, the build has plenty of power available for future upgrades to the CPU or GPU down the line, making it a balanced, yet powerful and customizable alternative to most prebuilt gaming PCs available online at the moment.
Estimated Build Cost: $1,572
The High-End Spec PC Build For Super Citizens
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AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
$369 $450 Save $81The AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D is AMD's latest and greatest CPU when it comes to gaming. With an excellent and highly efficient gaming performance that tops the charts currently, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is here to stay and has a crown to claim thanks to its 3D V-Cache-enabled prowess when it comes to gaming on a PC.
The octa-core CPU currently happens to be the fastest in the business for gaming even as it leads efficiency charts at the top, making it a very sought-after gaming upgrade. -
MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 Cooler
The MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 Cooler will unlock the overclocking potential of AMD and Intel CPUs, with cooling that far surpasses any conventional fan/heatstink combination. Compatible with the most recent Intel LGA 1700 processors, the CoreLiquid S360 features a 7th generation Asetek pump, a 60 mm VRM fan to cool adjacent components, and 3 Silent Gale P12 fans. A beautiful 2.4-inch IPS display keeps gamers and system builders constantly aware of CPU temps, pump and radiator fan speeds, and much more.
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G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO Series (AMD Expo) 64GB Kit CL30
The G. Skill Trident Z5 NEO sticks are a pair of 32GB RAM sticks that conform to AMD's more stringent EXPO memory requirements for overclocking. With tight timings and a CAS latency of just 30-40-40-96.
With a subtle RGB effect and a premium feel, the Trident Z Neo is one of the best premium RGB RAM sticks money can buy that is designed for AMD-based systems. -
Crucial T700 NVMe SSD
$180 $226 Save $46The Crucial T700 NVMe SSD is a blazing-fast storage option that is perfect for gaming, productivity, media consumption, and more It comes with a heatsink keeping it cool during heavy operation. It can deliver read speeds of up to 12400 MB/s and write speeds of up to 11800 MB/s.
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ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara
$523 $530 Save $7The ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara is one of the best-looking motherboards for AMD's latest Ryzen 7000 series CPUs. It also comes packed with features including excellent networking, storage options, and dual PCI-E 5.0 x16 slots in tow.
With excellent 24+2+1 power phases, high memory overclocking support, and RGB lighting on the motherboard itself, it should please gamers, enthusiasts, and power users looking beyond simply the excellent aesthetic it has on offer. -
ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC
The ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC is an excellent aftermarket take on the RTX 4080 SUPER, offering a higher boost clock than the stock option even as it clocks in an additional $100 on MSRP. It offers excellent reliability, power delivery, and one of the best aftermarket coolers one can get for Nvidia's higher-end RTX 4000 series GPUs.
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MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU
$160 $200 Save $40The MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 PSU is built from the ground up to support the ATX 3.0 spec while also being PCI-E 5.0 compatible in a fully modular design without costing an arm and a leg unlike some of its nearest competitors, making it a viable contender for a gaming PC.
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ASUS ROG Hyperion GR701
The Hyperion GR701 is an overkill full-tower with incredible features that is rare to find but are super handy. The case has tool-free access to the interior and supports large-sized GPUs and AIO coolers. Its built-in fan hub, RGB controller, and multiple I/O ports on the front make it stand out.
Target Resolution and Preset: 2160P/UHD/4K
For users wanting to crank everything to the maximum without wanting to experience frame drops, the build above delivers everything that Super Citizens could ask for and more. It leverages the fastest gaming CPU currently available to consumers, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, and pairs it with Nvidia's penultimate GPU, the RTX 4080 SUPER, which comes in a factory-overclocked ASUS TUF flavor. With significant cooling in tow, thanks to the MSI MEG CoreLiquid S360 cooler and 64GB of handpicked low latency G.Skill RAM that also offers an EXPO profile as part of its feature set, both the CPU and GPU are allowed to run at maximum capacity.
This is in no small part due to the PCI-E 5.0 Crucial T700 SSD pushing limits on what storage is capable of and the top-of-the-line ASRock X670E Taichi Carrara motherboard offering performance, upgradability, and aesthetics in a single package. With a 1000W MSI MPG PSU with a native 12VHPWR connector for the RTX 4080 SUPER and one of the best cases in the business, the ASUS ROG Hyperion GR701, the build emphasizes expansion potential down the line with a great aesthetic and cable management potential in tow, making the ultimate Helldivers 2 build a relatively easier task to take on.
Estimated Build Cost: $3,216
Should You Buy Helldivers 2 Now?
Users on the fence about Sony's self-published 3rd party PvE shooter can also read Game ZXC's comprehensive review of Helldivers 2 before investing in PC hardware to run what is at the time of writing, the most popular game on Steam currently.
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is a third-person cooperative shooter developed by Arrowhead Games Studios for the PC and PlayStation 5 where players take control of a Helldiver set to protect the citizens of Super Earth by traveling to hostile alien worlds and destroying threats. Players undergo missions, defeat enemies, and use special items called Stratagems to help turn the tide of battle in this punishing release.
- Franchise
- Helldivers
- Released
- February 8, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Arrowhead Game Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Sony
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Metascore
- 83
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC & PS5
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
FAQ
Q: How much RAM do I need to play HellDivers 2?
While the game developer, Arrowhead Game Studios states that 8 GB is the minimum RAM requirement to play Helldivers 2 on PC, it recommends at least 16 GB for an optimal playing experience in 2024.
Q: How much storage space do I need for Helldivers 2?
Helldivers 2 requires 100GB of install space for the title, a requirement that could change with time thanks to newer content and subsequent patches down the line. The developer, Arrowhead Game Studios recommends using an SSD as an install location for game data.