Why does Helldivers 2 have such high CPU requirements?

Helldivers 2 simulates large numbers of enemies (Terminids and Automatons) with independent AI, which is highly CPU-intensive. The minimum spec of an i7-4790K is notably higher than many games of similar visual fidelity. Running the game on a quad-core below this threshold results in CPU bottlenecking, causing stutters especially during large firefights with many simultaneous enemies.

Does Helldivers 2 support DLSS or FSR?

Yes, Helldivers 2 added DLSS 2 and FSR 2 support post-launch. For mid-range GPUs like the GTX 1660 Super or RX 5700, enabling FSR Quality mode provides a meaningful FPS boost with minimal image quality loss, making 60 FPS at 1080p achievable. DLSS Performance mode on RTX 3070+ can push the game to 1440p at high frame rates.

Can I Run Helldivers 2 on RTX 3050?

Helldivers 2 FPS Benchmark and Performance Analysis

GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3050Game: Helldivers 2Updated: Apr 26, 2026

NVIDIA RTX 3050 handles Helldivers 2 without major issues. Expect roughly 43 FPS at 1080p high; settings tuning will be important. Wondering if NVIDIA RTX 3050 is enough for Helldivers 2? This benchmark estimate focuses on real-world 1080p high performance, then scales to 1440p behavior.

Helldivers 2 FPS Benchmarks on RTX 3050

Resolution	Settings Preset	Avg FPS	1% Low FPS	Verdict
1080p	Competitive (Low)	54 FPS	36 FPS	Playable
1080p	High	43 FPS	29 FPS	Low
1440p	High	26 FPS	17 FPS	Low
1440p	Ultra	20 FPS	15 FPS	Low
4K	High	15 FPS	15 FPS	Low

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

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Best Settings for Helldivers 2 on RTX 3050

43+FPS1080p Competitive

Display Mode: Fullscreen
Resolution: 1920×1080
V-Sync: Disabled
Texture Quality: Medium
Shadow Quality: Low
Anti-Aliasing: FXAA
Effects Quality: Low
Post-Processing: Low
Ambient Occlusion: Disabled

Performance Analysis

NVIDIA RTX 3050 is estimated around 43 FPS at 1080p high in Helldivers 2. At 1440p, that typically translates to around 26 FPS with similar quality targets. This places the card in the entry tier for this title, with a unplayable experience profile. NVIDIA RTX 3050 is below the ideal target for Helldivers 2; lowering settings is recommended for a stable experience.

Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter with large outdoor environments, particle-heavy explosions, and dense enemy swarms. The CPU minimum is relatively high (i7-4790K class) due to enemy AI simulation. Recommended specs target 60 FPS at 1080p High with an RTX 2060 or RX 6600 XT.

NVIDIA RTX 3050 supports DLSS 3 Super Resolution. Enabling DLSS Quality mode in Helldivers 2 can recover 20–35% frame rate with minimal visual difference, which is especially useful if you're targeting 60+ FPS at 1440p.

Use low/competitive settings and performance upscaling to keep gameplay smooth.
VRAM headroom is tight (8GB); avoid ultra textures to prevent hitching.
Keep ray tracing disabled for stable FPS.
Disable ray tracing and lower effects density

Overall, NVIDIA RTX 3050 delivers a unplayable experience in Helldivers 2 — use the tips above to get the most out of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Helldivers 2 have such high CPU requirements?: Helldivers 2 simulates large numbers of enemies (Terminids and Automatons) with independent AI, which is highly CPU-intensive. The minimum spec of an i7-4790K is notably higher than many games of similar visual fidelity. Running the game on a quad-core below this threshold results in CPU bottlenecking, causing stutters especially during large firefights with many simultaneous enemies.
Does Helldivers 2 support DLSS or FSR?: Yes, Helldivers 2 added DLSS 2 and FSR 2 support post-launch. For mid-range GPUs like the GTX 1660 Super or RX 5700, enabling FSR Quality mode provides a meaningful FPS boost with minimal image quality loss, making 60 FPS at 1080p achievable. DLSS Performance mode on RTX 3070+ can push the game to 1440p at high frame rates.